#scarsdale

"I can curse thee. In creative ways."

A tongue stuck out fast and gone again, but not quick enough as Melia sees it and gives a whisper giggle

"Ladies, behave" Hannah tuts "We have a guest"

Just like that, Jacob reappears. There is, after all, dessert.

Dessert, and tea and coffee. All most pleasant.

"Now, tell us more about your house plans?" Hannah insists "I am surprised you're having one made. I thought you liked vintage?"

"Well, we have so many specific ideas of what we need... love, did you bring your sketchbook, perchance?"

"I did" he says and offers it up "The smaller pad mind you, doesn't do full justice" He offers it to Zara, who soon has the other ladies huddling over it

"Oh," Hannah says "It will come OUT looking antique in style at least"

"Queen Anne, aye. With a tower...."

"is that a widow's walk?" Her sister admires

"It is," Earl nods.

Melia peeks over too "That will cast some lovely shadows"

"We are planting ivy, here, that it may crawl up the pilasters...."

"Anything but Kudzu" Earl says "That'll eat the house"

Hissssssssss.

"Good advice.." Hannah looks over "Are my old eyes seeing that right? Is that some sort of frill or fring there along the roof edge?"

"Gothic would be cooler" opines Jacob

"Gingerbread, aye."

"I think that will look wonderful" Hannah observes. Hannah is happy to suggest if asked, but mostly appreciates.

Tziporah isn't so tactful "Gothic is fine I guess, but i prefer meditaranian, Jacob"

"There shall be a secret passage. But it isn't on these sketches. One will have to find it themselves."

"ooo" Melia says intrigued

"Ooh is right," Tziporah nods "But sis will probably use it mostly to bypass company when we stay too long" A wink

"That's even better" Jacob says

"Not wrong."

Earl chuckles "There was some consideration of a Dumb waiter, just ..because"

"For spying."

Earl aahems "yes, that too"

"Will it have a fireplace?" Hannah asks

"Of course! And a wood-burning stove, here..."

Earl nods "I know how to chop wood. The farm taught a few things"

"Scented wood is a rare treat" Hannah observes

"Some modern amenities hiding in the mix, too - the heating, for one."

"The hotwater heater will be large so we can take proper baths if we wish" Earl says

Aaron grunts approval. sometimes those things are undersized so they don't heat much

"Radiant heating in the floors, too."

"Okay, now I MUST visit" Tziiporah admits

The time flies pleasantly, Zara and Earl get to share their dreams and Hannah shares her desserts

The goodbye takes a fair amount of time, too. Leftovers are packed.

Yes, a Schwartz good bye takes a long time. Poor Melia looks confused as "Time to go" lead to fifteen more minutes at least

"Melia, it is wonderful to have met you" Hannah says "And..."

Jacob shoves something in the younger childlings hands "Here. I don't need this anymore" And he withdraws

This is actually quite fast, compared to a DeBuke goodbye.

Oh yes, by half at least

Melia looks at what she's been handed, and her mouth falls open with surprise and delight

"It's so wickedly fluffy" She finally manages to whisper

Jacob might catch a tiny smile from his big sister.

To befair, the boy hasn't used it much, a sign of his approaching wilderhood perhaps?