The path through the woods was meandering, and the trees in that forest were very old. Serenity had taken up permanent residence there. Landine liked walking, alone,in her new outfit, warm in the sun and cool in the shade.She sang to herself and thought things to herself. She thought it would be nice if people in town would put on a play or a pageant. The stage of the town hall had curved steps on each side, and she imagined children in silk dresses and ivy crowns approaching each other from the two directions with arms swinging gracefully, and dancing twirls and reels on the big wooden stage with it's drooping velvet curtains. Maybe on the sort of summer evening when those towering windows would be open and all the townspeople sitting quietly would be at peace in the breezes. Some people could recite poetry, and maybe she would sing a song, maybe the song she had just been singing on the path, "The Gypsies, the Jugglers, and the Clowns".She briefly wondered what Milo would think of a night like that, and figured she wouldn't force the point if he didn't want to go.

Down the path she heard a clamor, a thudding and swearing at a distance. From a cloud of dust she saw a three wheeled adult bicycle approaching. Speeding bumpily down a slight incline she saw the mayor of the town, sweat flat mullet slightly lifted by the momentum. He pulled to a stop with palpable relief. "Landine, Landiiine, a penny for your thoughts." He said this with a smile full of mixed feelings.

" I was thinking of a summer pageant at the town hall"

"Well, my dear, if you were willing to be at the helm of a planning committee, I'm sure a reasonable budget could be provided for expenses such as snacks and costumes."

"well, I'd really just begun to think about it."she frowned, and yet she felt happy.

"Submit the plans to me and I will read and re-read them with fascination. A dream, a hope, a whisper of culture, taking the holy mantle of the proud founders of Cabinville"

"o.k."
He gave her a serious and thoughtful look. They nodded at each other.

He reluctantly hurtled on.

"