not? It’s always better to lie in bed and recover at home. Who will care for me in London?»
Thus, hugging one another they entered the mansion.
«Have you had breakfast yet?»
«Not yet».
«Then get down to table. Lily! You too sit down. Dad and I had eaten early today, right before he left».
Mrs. Spencer put fried eggs with bacon and coffee in front of her children. They ate happily.
«Thanks a bunch, Mom! It was very delicious».
«Welcome. I doubt that you have breakfast regularly before work».
«Not always. But I have breaks for lunch».
«That’s good».
«Let’s go for a walk,» – Lily offered Ted.
«Yes, with pleasure. Thank you, Mom».
They went out.
«Where shall we go?»
«To the forest».
There was a big forest spreading in the vicinity of their village. Even its name sounded magical – Calkam.
«Lily, what do you want us to do in the forest?»
«I’ll introduce you to my friends. It’s not far away from here».
«What kind of friends?» – Ted asked with a smile. «Is there any secret admirer of yours?»
«Not yet».
They came to the forest edge.
«This forest is so big that I haven’t explored all its parts yet».
«Never ever come here alone! Haunted forests might conceal unknown threats. We aren’t well aware of all the magic creatures. Where’s your friend then?»
«He always arrives here by twelve».
Suddenly they heard a light crackling sound of branches.
«Lam? Is it you?»
«It’s me, Lily. Hello!»
A dwarf emerged from the thicket. It was a short man – his height would scarcely exceed two feet.
«How do you do,» – He greeted Ted.
«Hello, I am Ted, Lily’s brother».
«Pleased to meet you! Lily told me about you. We met not too long ago and made friends at once. She helped me treat my favorite unicorn Noo».
«She has inherited these healing skills from our parents».
«What do you do for living?» – asked the dwarf.
«I work at the Museum».
«Oh, it must be really interesting. I collect roots and fruit for our community».
«Is there a dwarves’ community here? I didn’t even know».
«Yes, our settlement is located far from here. At the foot of the mountain beside the Sunny meadow. Dwarves are not fond of drawing away from their abodes. Well, I’m an exception. Once upon a time this forest would be much smaller. Then the dwarves used to be more sociable. One day our forest was conquered by the trolls. But it happened a long time ago. Only legends and traditional tales have been preserved ever since then».
«Thank you for your interesting narration! It is my pleasure to have met you, sir!»
«Me too. I shall be most pleased to meet you again».
The dwarf went on fulfilling his chore, whereas Ted and Lily kept walking.
«Lily, our parents would never let me walk in the forest alone. How come that you walk here all by yourself?»
«No worries! I never walk alone. I happened to be there by chance and met the dwarf. He looked very upset: his pet unicorn was sick and I helped cure him of the illness. Please don’t tell the parents, will you?»
«All right. But promise me that you won’t act recklessly».
«I promise. You are the best brother ever!» – Lily kissed him in the cheek. «Now tell me about your fiancée».
«Well, she isn’t yet my fiancée. However, who knows? We call each other, met a couple of times. It’s Alice, my former classmate. Do you remember her?»
«Alice? Her name sounds quite familiar to me. Her father is currently running some high position in the Magistrate. Despite that, she isn’t arrogant. Given that you have been walking together and staying in touch on the phone, then she is… right, your girl-friend. Have you kissed each other yet?»
Ted got embarrassed.
«Lily? Such questions are not to be asked. But my answer is negative. No, haven’t kissed yet».
«But I am your sister, aren’t I? You may undoubtedly entrust me with every secret of yours».
«Yes, I know, sweetie. But I feel a bit awkward talking about such things. This… this is too personal. Do you see what I mean?»
«Fine. But in case you are willing to talk, I shall always listen to you. Who else, if not me, can prompt you on what exactly we, girls, feel, what is to our liking, how you are supposed to court us, in order to capture our attention…»
Ted gave a laugh.
«Thanks, darling! I shall definitely turn to you for advice in the future».
«Where did you get hurt? Could you not apply magic?»
«Yesterday I was participating in a training session toward the magician knights’ joust. Alice wanted to come and watch».
«The joust? So, you did sign up for it? Terrific! It must be so interesting! Tell me when it’s held – I also want to be present».
«Certainly. I may take you with me to the practice».
«With great pleasure! I haven’t been at your new place of residence yet. Nor have I attended the Museum».
«Done. Either this coming Saturday or the following one. O.K.?»
«Yes, thanks! You’re the best brother in the world! So, you got injured during the practice? What does Alice have to do with your wound?»
«She doesn’t. We were on our way back home by Tube and a mob of hoodlum started bullying her. At first I applied my fists and afterwards my magic wand».
«Ah, I see».
They came back home. Their father, Mr. Spencer, was already awaiting them indoors. He got up towards Ted.
«Hi,
