Oh goodness, dear reader, as I was getting ready for bed, I saw it again, a pillar of smoke rising up out of the forest. At first I thought perhaps I was imagining things, but this is the third time this month, and I am certain it is real. Oh how strange! What could it be?
Yesterday I asked Mrs. Hume about it. Well, I went over to give her the apple pie I baked, you know, as a thank you for all the delicious apples she gave me. We were chatting, and I asked if anyone lived in the forest. I didn’t want to mention the smoke lest she think I was being silly or telling stories. She told me that most people she knew would never dare live out there. Even folks who were traveling went far around the forest’s edge rather than cut through and face what magic might find them within. It made me shiver, but she winked and reminded me that we had both come out of the forest safely, and as mere children. Whatever might be out there was certainly no threat to us. That made me feel better.
Oh goodness… but then she invited me to a dinner party! Mrs. Hume said she and her husband wanted to host a meal for their friends in a few weeks and asked me if I would like to come. I was rather overcome. I have never been invited to anything before. I stuttered and mumbled and eventually managed to say something like “maybe, but I’m not sure.” I was so anxious, but she just smiled and told me there was no rush and to let her know either way. She also thanked me for the apple pie. Hopefully she and her husband enjoy it.
I have thought about her invitation much since then. I think that I would like to go, but I am still unfamiliar with most people in the village. A few have purchased basic remedies from me, but they still seem unsure of me. Oh goodness, I really just don’t know what to do.
Anyway, as I was lying in my bed wondering about the dinner, that’s when I spied the smoke. It is still there now, billowing away and I cannot seem to stop watching it and wondering ... Perhaps there is someone out there. I wish I knew. Oh goodness, if only I was finished with that Courage remedy, then maybe I could… oh, but no, thinking like that won’t do at all. I have got to finish that remedy, and to do so, I must first find some courage in myself. I must try.
It is very cold tonight and I am already in my night gown so I will not go out this evening. But dear reader, if I see the smoke again, I will go out into the forest and see who or what is the cause. Oh, just the thought makes me giddy, but, goodness…a little excited too. I’ll decide about the dinner party later, but at least I have one thing settled in my mind. Now, we shall have to wait and see where it all leads.