[Folwren]

Tim started slightly when Ginger addressed him, noticing her for the first time. She smiled over her shoulder at him whilst she bid him bring the eggs across and begin cracking them. He came immediately with the basket.

“I’m Tim Woodlock,” he said when she asked his name. “It’s very nice to meet you. Shouldn’t I wash my hands before I help?”

She agreed in her merry fashion and nodded with her head where the pump was with a bucket of water beneath it. He washed his hands quickly and dried them on a towel hung nearby and then returned to his place beside Ginger and began to crack the nine eggs.

When he had finished, he stepped back and took the basket out of her way again.

“I need to go out and get my sister up,” he said, coming back and leaning against the counter as he spoke. “We’ll be back in a moment and then we’ll both be able to help.” He left the kitchen and ran out to the barn, hurried up the ladder, and called her name as his head came over the top. She sat up immediately, having been lying awake there and smiled at him.

“Good morning, Tim!” she said.

“Good morning and come along!” Tim replied, smiling in return. “I’ve got the eggs and we’re going to help in the kitchen.” He paused and studied her while she got up and walked towards him. “Well, we’ll stop in the yard first and let you clean yourself up a bit at the pump.”

They did just this and by the time they arrived again in the kitchen after less than five minutes, both Wren and Tim were looking fresh and clean. The girl’s hair, unable to be combed, was wetted and pushed as nicely best as can be expected when her only way of knowing how she looks is through what her brother thinks. They went into the kitchen and Tim again offered their assistance.