Ralph and the Pixie

Chapter 21

The Past That Wouldn’t Go Away

‘How often is an apparent act of kindness

in truth the act of a guilty conscience?’

Artur Klaas

Rani and Zuic were no more able to conceal their excitement over the move into the newly completed house, than were Theuli and Malina able to conceal their relief. Life in the tents had been bearable, but inconvenient, cramped, and, in a word, provoking.

The move went quickly, as there was little in the way of furniture as yet. But rooms and some few belongings they all had, and all gratefully took over their new quarters, anticipating the improvements that were shortly to come.

When Malina was done inspecting the room that was now her own and Ralph’s, she left to see the rest of the house. Not that she wasn’t intimately familiar with their dwelling, having seen all points of its construction; instead, it was because she found herself compelled to respond to some mood or instinct which told her that she needed to impress upon herself that this new home and household belonged to her, just as she to it.