(Continued from July 01, 2010)
“Have you already communicated with your sons?” Thea wanted to know.
I told her that I had sent a short message; and, since I had mentioned a full report before, she said: “I am sure that you had a good reason for changing your mind.”
“Going into too much detail usually means that one is trying to make a point. There is no need for that.”
“I understand completely what you are saying. There will be plenty of time to connect the dots.”
“There is also the matter of Alphonse’s e-mail messages to Richard. I didn’t want to pry concerning their content when I spoke to the big guy earlier. If he had wanted me to know what they were all about, he would have sent me a copy.”
“Between longtime buddies, there will, in all likelihood, be remarks with a special spin. You won’t need to see those. Your sons’ specific questions will indicate, to a certain extent, which details they discussed in their e-mails.”
“I did mention your farm. I felt that it would bring about a discussion, which would involve the mothers of my grandchildren. Those ladies are very keen to see their children breathe fresh air during their visit to North America. I assumed that you would be in favor of seeing the kids on your farm.”
“I would love to entertain your grandchildren on the farm. We will purchase bikes, tricycles and other toys for them. Then, when they come in ravenous from their energetic play, we will feed them the most healthful organic food in the county.”
“If there is hesitation about consuming some of the wholesome items, the presence of the ice-cream machine will figure largely in encouraging the children to finish everything on their plate.”
“Do you expect them to come over this summer?”
“It is very probable that they will be here. There has been much talk about the necessity for practice in the English language. Nicolas, the oldest at six, can carry on a simple conversation, but he needs a good spell of total immersion.”
“What about the younger children, do they possess some English language skills?”
“They seem to understand simple commands and they know the English words for animals and concrete things.”
(To be continued)