The Lesson

Standing upon a Chair, He Beheld

an absolute armada of hot air balloons flooding into view from the west.

— Do you see that?

Loring turned.

— Ah, yes, the Jubilee.

She spat on the floor. I suppose in the kitchen, with all the sawdust on the floor, spitting was allowed.

— Many balloons is a jubilee?

— It would not be a bad definition, said Loring.

She continued her small tasks, putting the kettle on for tea, lighting the gas, etc.

Stan watched the procession thread its way through the air. The wind must have changed, or the pilots had decided something, for now the parade led seemingly to the house itself. Balloon after balloon loomed into view and was dragged away out of sight, just when disaster might have come. The people on the balloons were all holding hands and their mouths were shut.

How difficult it is for a child to understand such things!

Finally Loring came over, book in hand.

— Are you ready?

He sat on the cushion, and curled up in the wide chair.

— How many balloons does it take to make a jubilee?

— At least a hundred, said Loring. Any fewer, and it would be paltry. No one would come to see it.