Ties

The tea was lovely, as was the company and the conversation, but Jarvis noticed that Peggy was growing increasingly restive as the minutes ticked by. Finally, Jarvis set down his biscuit and gave her a pointed look. “Miss Carter, is there somewhere you need to be?”

“Oh, I can’t take it anymore,” Peggy sighed. She reached out and snatched the present off the table, thrusting it towards Jarvis. “Open it,” she demanded.

Jarvis accepted the forcefully proffered gift. “Well, if you insist,” he said. He delicately loosened the wrapping paper, as neatly as he could, ignoring the impatient fidgeting of his hostess. At long last, he pulled back the decorative folds, revealing the contents of the small package. He gazed down at it a moment, then reached down and lifted it up.