18

You don't understand how he can stand up and smile, talking about how beautiful the forest is while he's planning to turn it into his own personal theme park. You kind of doubt whatever he says next will be more encouraging.

But in spite of your personal feelings about Mr. Clarence, you think now that you've heard him speak that you get what this meeting is all about—and why the people up on the stage seem more than a little apprehensive.

It seems as if these plans have taken, not just you, but half the town by surprise; except that for most of them, it's the town itself, rather than the forest, whose future hangs in the balance.

In fact, the forest seems almost like an afterthought amongst all of this talk about how much the town is going to change. You're not sure how it never crossed your mind before, but it seems so obvious now that the forest doesn't mean as much to the people sitting around you as their own homes do. Of course, you think it must mean something to Mr. Clarence—after all, he took the time only this morning to hike pretty deep through the trees. But now that the bigger picture is starting to emerge, you realize that all of this isn't quite as simple as it seemed when you first set out from the forest in the direction of Silvertree.

A moment later, you see Mr. Clarence opening his mouth once more.

"So then. I'd be delighted to answer your questions."

Immediately, dozens of hands shoot into the air, including Zoe's just by your ear. Mr. Clarence doesn't seem fazed; on the stage, however, Dina momentarily stiffens her shoulders.

Mr. Clarence points to someone near the back.

"Yes—I was wondering why all those abandoned buildings couldn't just be used the way they are?"

"Well, as you may know, plenty of them are damaged beyond repair, some by fire, some by neglect…"

The questions go on and on, some askers happier than others with what Mr. Clarence has to say. But no matter the question, he seems to have an answer ready, and gradually people's hands start to disappear. After someone else's question about the new competition to local businesses, Zoe puts her hand down, apparently satisfied. By the time he comes to the last person, the atmosphere in the hall seems to have relaxed somewhat, as if Mr. Clarence's explanations really have quelled a lot of people's most pressing anxieties.

The more you listen to Mr. Clarence, however, the more questions start to nag at you. He's done a good job of explaining how the developments will work, and he sounds pretty convincing in everything he says—not to mention convinced that the developments will be good for the town—but there's still been almost no mention of the forest. There's certainly been no hint about whatever he might have been thinking this morning, when you overheard him walking through the trees. All you know for sure is that he had come far, far deeper into the woods than he claims the plans will touch.

The question you're left with is whether to try asking a question and risk being brushed off with another easy answer—or to stay silent and simply listen to what he has to say.

It only takes another glance at Mr. Clarence's cheerful, smiling face for you to make up your mind.