The rest of the dinner passed easily, with laughter and smiles, and childish chatter (not only from the four year olds, either). The kids were asked to take their own plates to the kitchen, and Staas and Ira got the rest. Staas refused to allow Ira to clean any more than that, however, and directed him to sit in the livingroom while Staas got the coffee and tea started.
When he circled round the counter one last time, he discovered Theo on the other side of it, stretching up as high as he possibly could, and still falling much too short to reach his intended goal: the hats. "Alstjebleift, Papa," he beseeched. Staas certainly couldn't resist such a polite request, and he handed Theo his little cap. "Yours and Mr. Ira's too!" was commanded next.
So with a wide grin, Staas returned to the livingroom to hand Ira his brightly colored hat, his own set jauntily atop his head. "By special request," he informed his friend.
Alida, meanwhile, was fingering the lovely hem of Miss Ori's dress. "Daddy and Mr. Ira said you go to a school for clothes," she said, half in questioning wonderment.