Ruby (Landry 1)

"Yes," Daphne said, still sounding very

controlled. My father didn't appear disappointed by

her measured reaction, however. He seemed used to it.

He went on to tell her the other things we had done.

She sipped her coffee from a beautifully hand painted

china cup and listened, her light blue eyes darkening

more and more as his voice rose and fell with

excitement.

"Really, Pierre," she said, "I haven't seen you

this exuberant about anything for years."

"Well, I have good reason to be," he replied. "I hate to be the one to insert a dark thought,

but you realize you haven't spoken to Gisselle yet and

told her your story about Ruby," she said.

He seemed to deflate pounds of excitement

right before my eyes and then he nodded.

"You're right as always, my dear. It's time to

wake the princess and talk to her," he said. He rose

and picked up my picture. "Now where should we

hang this? In the living room?"

"I think it would be better in your office,

Pierre," Daphne said. To me it sounded as though she

wanted it where it would be seen the least.

"Yes. Good idea. That way I can get to look at

it more," he replied. "Well, here I go. Wish me luck,"

he said, smiling at me, and then he went into the

house to talk to Gisselle. Daphne and I gazed at each

other for a moment. Then she put down her coffee

cup.

"Well now, you've made quite a beginning with

your father, it seems," she said.