Elliot Bridgerton's Adventures: Horse Scares Everybody

“She will be loathsome and contrary if she is bored, Papa,” he said. “She will be vexed without her books. Can she do her writing?”

His father shook his head. “Technically, I might be kicked out if I chat with her too much. Her belly is only letting her have very plain food, so I will have the same. We do not think you need to be bored with us. In fact, Mama will need extra stories once she has rested. If you were to go and have adventures, you could come home and tell her about them,” he said, replacing Elliot’s handkerchief by folding his own bigger one and fighting a bit with the pocket.

His ideas were surprising for his parents, and his stories were unique. Mama and Papa had read so many books finding a truly novel event delighted them. Elliot needed help to write things down, but he did not need help to find the words in his mind. But it did not feel right to leave Mama when she was sent to bed.

“I would have to tell Mama I was going, because it is not far but she cannot be made to worry,” he said. “And Horse will need to see her. He is not used to being away from home.”