XVIII.

Contrary to Stuart's words, the commitment wasn't meant to last long. Early in the morning only two days after Stuart found out that little Louise had similar dreams to his own, Erwing entered the dining room carrying a scroll of letters in his hands. Taking his place at the table, he leafed through them, mumbling while reading the names of the senders. Stuart was sitting in between Carol and Louise who suddenly grew quite fond of him. "How friendly the two of you are becoming!", Loreley tried to arouse an explanation, but none was given. Louise had a doll and a picture book, two things her world was turning around those days, and was eagerly showing them to Stuart. The doll was talking through Louise's mouth, describing and analysing every picture in the book. Stuart pretended to be listening to her, while he was catching what Erwing was reading.