Ronduin pushed hard on the heavy wooden door to the kitchen. Here he found Rowan at the table kneading bread. He saw Cook Agnes stirring a pot hung over the fire and Mirabel sweeping the floor. Clean wooden bowls covered the counter next to the sink.
Cook Agnes looked up and smiled at Ronduin, but then her smile fell into a frown.
“She can tell I’ve been crying,” thought Ronduin.”
“We have a lot to do to get ready for Ellyn’s return tomorrow,” said Cook Agnes. She will lead Galen up the hill with milk for us and will return to the foothills with bread …”
“and hard boiled eggs” said Mirabel
“and maybe some quiche”, said Rowan. “If I have time after baking the bread.”
“and if you have enough wood for baking,” added Cook Agnes.
Ronduin noticed the wood box was almost empty.
“I’ll chop wood,” said Ronduin.
“I’ll help you after I finish cleaning,” said Mirabel.
Cook Agnes smiled as she handed a small axe to Ronduin.
***
Ronduin found long branches piled next to the chopping stump. He started chopping these into short pieces. Soon he had an armload of short pieces. He carried these into the kitchen and dumped them in the wood box. When he returned to the stump he found Mirabel had already taken up the axe.
“I learned how to chop wood during the flood,” said Mirabel. “I like it almost as much as I like running.”
Ronduin had an idea. “When we finish chopping we could run across the hill,” he said.
“Yes!” exclaimed Mirabel.
After dumping the last load into the wood box, Ronduin found Mirabel sitting on the stump looking thoughtful.
“Roland told me they will start the festival as soon as everyone has gathered They are busy setting up the stage with a lovely curtain. It will be almost like the old Spring Festivals, only it’s summer and the running will be around the fields in the hills. They have brought bright colored streamers for the runners to carry. Even though it’s a different place and a different time of year, It will feel like the last festival when everyone from the school runs together.”
“Everyone except me,” said Ronduin. “I’ll be hiding behind the curtains waiting for my parents to introduce me, hoping my friends won’t be mad because I lied to them.
“What will your parents say when they introduce you? How will they explain everything?” asked Mirabel.
“I don’t know yet,” said Ronduin. “They told me not to worry. They said they are working on a plan, but it’s not complete yet. I trust them, but still I am worried.”
“You know what overcomes worry?” asked Mirabel”
“Chopping wood helped,” said Ronduin.
“Running is even better,” said Mirabel, turning to walk quickly along the side of the barn. “Bet you can’t catch me!” she cried out as she started to run.
Ronduin took off after her running like the wind.
Growing Children 