Chapter 25: A Revelation, Part 1

Maevis had been kind enough to write her response on her father's stationary, find an envelope, seal it, and accompany her back to her cottage where she now alternated between standing next to the fireplace, pacing, and sitting agitatedly in the rocking chair, arms crossed as she let go the frequent "humph" or sigh.
Once again, Maevis said calmly, "Serendipity, calm down.?He'll be here soon. He said it could be a couple of hours, and it hasn't even been one yet."
Serendipity, who was currently sitting in the rocking chair, rocking furiously as her little friends did their best to keep their tales out of harm's way, replied, "I know that. But, really, what in the world could be taking so long?"
"I haven't the foggiest idea," Maevis stated. She was sitting in the only other chair, the one near Serendipity's paints, and each time the opportunity presented itself, she would inconspicuously place a lid on a wayward jar or gather up a scrap of fabric and toss it into the fire, doing her best to tidy the workspace without being noticed. "I'm sure he probably had similar questions while he waited for you to respond earlier, while you were bathing."
The mention of the word caused Serendipity to pull absently at her hair, which was now pinned up at the back of her head with only a few loose tendrils framing her face. She crossed her arms again, a scowl on her face, and said nothing in response. She knew Maevis was likely right--it had taken her a very long time to reply--but she was growing more and more impatient as she waited. She needed to retrieve Pozzletot as quickly as possible so that she could return to her work. Every moment she waited was one less she was spending on her dolls--and Maevis refused to let her paint, sew, or do anything until after she returned for fear she would ruin her outfit or become covered in paint again. Now, there was nothing left to do but wait. She locked her eyes on the fireplace, what had been an ordinary fixture in her home for so long, and began to let her mind drift off to where Pozzletot might be. What was he doing? What was it like to live in the North Pole? Was he warm enough? Was he getting enough to eat? She heard the clank of glass on glass at her workstation, and without turning her head said, calmly, "Maevis, stop tidying up."
"Why, I have no idea what you're talking about," her caretaker replied. However, she turned her body to face the fire now, her hands folded in her lap, having given up now that she had been caught in the act. After a few moments of excruciating silence, she finally asked, "What does Mr. Cane look like, Serendipity? Is he handsome?"
Serendipity rolled her eyes, but then, before answering, she considered the question. She had never really thought about it before.?It had never seemed worth her time to ponder the attractiveness of Mr. Cane, or any other man, especially since she hadn't even seen any other man since she was a young girl. She thought for a moment before she finally said, "No, I don't think so. I mean, possibly. I'm really not sure."
Maevis cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows knit together, before she asked, "How do you mean?"
"Well," Serendipity began to explain, "he has sort of a handsome face, I suppose. But his hair is rather odd. It's sort of pointy. It stands up on top of his head, sort of like this." She used her hands to attempt to demonstrate the odd shape of Mr. Cane's hair to her friend, who seemed rather amused and began to laugh. Then, she added, "His eyes are rather bright green and sparkly, which I suppose is attractive enough, but his smile. It's rather disingenuous. I'm afraid there's just something about him that I don't trust."
Maevis stopped laughing and looked at her ward carefully. "Serendipity, do you think it's safe to go with him?"
Realizing that she could potentially lose the opportunity to retrieve her dear friend, she shifted her evaluation. "Oh, yes, I'm sure it's quite safe. That's not exactly what I meant," she began to explain. "I haven't any reason to be fearful of Mr. Cane--I don't think he would cause me any harm. I just think he's a salesman out for his own gain and no one else's. That's all."
"I see," Maevis replied, returning her gaze to the fire. "And then, do you think that Pozzletot went willingly or."
"Oh, no, I'm quite certain he was kidnapped," Serendipity replied hastily.?"I'm nearly sure of it. He's never left the house before--not with you or on his own. Surely he wouldn't just hide away in the red velvet pocket of a peculiar man with oddly shaped hair. No, I am of the opinion that Mr. Cane decided to take Pozzletot with him, though I'm not quite certain why."
"To get you to come there, perhaps, to the North Pole?" Maevis offered.
"Yes, likely," Serendipity replied, hooking her finger in the corner of her mouth. "But if he thinks I shall take a look around and decide to stay, he is sadly mistaken. Nothing shall cause me to do that."
Maevis pursed her lips. "And what if you speak to St. Nicholas himself? Could he convince you?"
?"Heavens no," Serendipity replied. "St. Nicholas and I had a falling out years ago, when I asked him for something he did not bring." Her voice trailed off then, and that forlorn look Maevis knew all too well came across her face like a veil that separated Serendipity from the rest of the world.?
"Well," Maevis sighed after a few moments. "I hope you shall look around and see what it all encompasses. I think, perhaps, you might be happier."
"No."
"Serendipity, I only think that"
"No, Maevis.?We've been through this. I'm not taking the offer, and that is final."
"Fine," Maevis said with a shrug.
"Besides, why is it you're trying so hard to get rid of me?" Serendipity asked, her hands folded in her lap and her icy blue stare penetrating through Maevis's distraught expression.
"I'm not!" Maevis implored, looking her in the eyes now. "Heavens, child, I have no idea what I'd do without you. But I'd find something, believe me. If it meant you were happy--happier--and well taken care of--that you weren't out here on your own, slaving away at something you determined you must do when you were nothin' but a child, I'd find some way to go on. You can count on that, my love."