Changeling

Oliver Gerson said to me: “What a great deal of preparation for something which has to be over almost as soon as it has begun. I am afraid our two are going to wonder what to do while the grown-ups are resting. We should think up some entertainment for them.”

“What an excellent idea. It was different at Cador. There always seemed something to do.”

“We must make something to do here. I thought of a treasure hunt.”

“How? Where?”

“It would have to be in the garden. We could not have them prowling about the house when people are trying to sleep.”

“Suppose it rains or snows?”

“Well then, it would have to be called off or we should have to think of some other indoor pastime.”

“What sort of treasure hunt?”

“Oh … clues … about six, I think. Little couplets, one leading to another. All very simple.”

“It sounds wonderful. Who’ll do the couplets?”

“We shall. I shall need your help to tell me the right places in the garden.”

“It’s a wonderful idea.”

“Of course. It’s mine.”

We laughed together.

“How many children will there be?” he asked.

“Oh, six … maybe seven. There are the agent’s two and three belonging to those indefatigable workers and our two.”

“That’s an ideal number. And we’ll have a prize for the winner. There must be a prize … some goal to work for.”

“What prize?”

“You and I will go to the village today and buy a splendid box of chocolates. Big … and gaudy … so that it looks like a worthwhile prize.”

“I am sure they will all love it.”

“It will dispense with the boredom of having to be quiet in a houseful of somnolent guests.”

“Are you sure you won’t be too somnolent to conduct affairs?”

“I? Never! I shall be as wide awake as you will.”

“I am glad you thought of it. They will be thrilled. It will make an exciting Christmas Day for them.”

“Well, let’s get to work. First the clues. We’ll hide ourselves away. What about the summerhouse? It will be warm in there with the door shut and they won’t think of looking for us there.”

“All right. Now do you mean?”

“Well, we shall have to get busy and this afternoon we shall go into the village for the prize.”

It was great fun in the summerhouse. Together we worked on six simple clues and distributed them in appropriate parts of the garden. Then we went into the village and bought a large box of chocolates tied up with red ribbon.

When we returned Lucie and Belinda, who were in the garden, came rushing up to us. Belinda caught Oliver Gerson’s arm.

“Where have you been?” she demanded.

“Ah,” said Oliver, looking mysterious. “On secret business.”

“What secret business? And what’s that?”

He put his fingers to his lips and smiled at me secretively.

Lucie hung on my arm. “What is it, Rebecca?” she pleaded.

“This,” said Oliver, holding up the parcel, “is the prize.”

“What prize? What prize?” shrieked Belinda.

“Shall we tell them?” asked Oliver, looking at me.

“I think so,” I replied judiciously. “It’s about time they knew.”

Belinda was jumping up and down, unable to contain her excitement.

Oliver said: “On Christmas Day … after the feast … there is going to be a treasure hunt.”

“Treasure … what treasure?”

“Miss Rebecca and I have planned it for you.”

“For us?” cried Lucie, as excited as Belinda.

“For you and all the children who are here. There will be others so there will be fierce competition.”

“Tell!” demanded Belinda.

“This, as I told you, is the prize … the treasure, you might say. The one who wins it will bring us the clues. We shall give you one to start with and then you will go off and search for the other five. They are all in the garden. When you have them you bring them to us … that is to Miss Rebecca and to me. We shall be in the summerhouse waiting for the first one to come in. When she … or perhaps he … as there will be other children … arrives with the six then the treasure will be handed over.”

“What a lovely game,” said Belinda. “You do think of the loveliest games, Mr. Gerson.”

“It is my pleasure in life to please you, Miss Belinda.”

“And me?” asked Lucie.

“You too, Miss Lucie … and Miss Rebecca, of course … and all the others who will join us on Christmas Day.”

“When can we have the clues?” asked Belinda.

“Not until you are all assembled. This has to be fair, you know.”

They talked about the treasure hunt for the rest of the day. There was no doubt that it had been a good idea.

“Now we have to pray for a fine afternoon,” I said. “Disappointment would indeed be bitter if the weather put an end to the treasure hunt.”

Christmas Day dawned dry but dull. There was a dampness in the air, but we hoped that the rain would hold off. At least it was not particularly cold.

We all went to the church in the morning and as soon as we were back the carol singers came. “The First Noël,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “O Come All Ye Faithful”—it was always moving to hear the well-loved words and music.