gaze back to Kitty, and Kitty took that as her cue to keep reading. “‘Louisa hurried back to the thick bush and peered at her parents, young brother, and baby sister. They were still enjoying their picnic under the shade of a large oak tree not too far away. If she was going to sneak into the garden, she was going to have to be quick. She had promised them that she wouldn’t tarry too long.’”
Kitty continued reading the story, and the more Kitty did, the more she liked Louisa. She’d never have the courage Louisa did to climb a tree and jump down in the garden. Not only did Kitty worry Louisa’s parents would start looking for her, but there could be a dangerous creature lurking somewhere in the garden. Louisa was far braver than she’d ever be.
The riskiest thing Kitty had ever done was disguising herself as a gentleman so Lilly, who had also been disguised as a gentleman at the time, could talk to Mr. Robinson without a chaperone. That was for the sake of love, and even though Kitty hadn’t had the desire to marry, she saw no reason why her friend couldn’t do it. And it had turned out all right. Lilly and Roger were very happy with a baby who’d soon join their family.
As it turned out in the story, though, Louisa found a portal to another world which was dark and full of shadows. She encountered some dangerous people who wanted to trade her younger brother and sister in exchange for some gold. For a moment, Kitty thought Louisa might agree to the trade because she had been mesmerized by the way the gold sparkled. But Louisa refused, and from there, they pursued her all the way back to the garden. Fortunately, they were not able to cross into her world because they couldn’t tolerate the sunlight.
“‘Louisa made haste in leaving the garden,’” Kitty read as she was concluding the story. “‘It wasn’t until she was in her parents’ arms that she knew she’d never see those horrible people again. Thankfully, the sun really had kept them away. Her brother and sister were safe. On their way home, Louisa glanced back at the garden and the tall iron gate that had been built to keep people out. That settled it. From this point forward, she would remember that gated gardens were locked for a reason, and curious little girls could bring harm to their little brothers and sisters if they entered such a foreboding place. She’d never make that mistake again. She had learned her lesson. She would always stay where she was supposed to be. The End.’”
Hattie didn’t hide her disappointment. “That story didn’t go at all like I expected. There should have been something fun that a child might enjoy in the middle of the garden. I think Teddy’s version was much better. The way this story is now is gruesome.”
“It was a cautionary tale,” Gretchen said. “And a good one, if you think of it. Children are apt to get into trouble if they don’t mind their parents. Louisa’s parents warned her to stay away from the garden.”
“If they knew the garden was bad, they shouldn’t have had a picnic near it,” Hattie replied.
Gretchen considered her sister’s words and nodded. “While I concede to that point, the purpose of the story was for the child reading it to remember that there are dangerous things in the world, and they are better off if they listen to their parents. It’s one thing to tell a child what they should do, but a story best illustrates why.”
“Well, it’s still gruesome,” Hattie said. “I wouldn’t have written a story like that. I’m not even sure it was wise to let Teddy listen to the entire thing.”
Gretchen studied their nephew, who seemed to be more interested in the loose thread on his button than what they were saying. “I think he lost interest in the tale as soon as he realized there was no candy.”
Teddy looked between his aunts. “I want candy. Can you make some for dinner tonight?”
Hattie smiled and patted his hand. “Yes, of course. I’ll make barley sugar candy and lemon drops.”
“Lady Northton and I should go back to the townhouse. She needs to get ready for dinner,” Gretchen said.
Kitty glanced out the window. She hadn’t realized they’d spent so long here. The sun was showing that it was late in the afternoon. She hurried to close her book. She would