Giving Sabrina and Annie a talking-to

Sabrina's head hung down as she preceded her father out of the airship stateroom. The tone of the motors had changed as they approached their second stop in Strasbourg. They had left Paris at dawn, after a strange, magical night above the clouds. Today was gloom and rain.

"Now do you understand?" Edmund said.

"Yes, Father," the young woman said. Even her auburn hair seemed less brilliant.

"The school will be understanding, but there are limits," Edmund said.

"Yes, Father," Sabrina repeated.

"Turn, darling," Edmund said. Sabrina paused and faced her father. "You are young and strong, and your blood is hot. I want no reason for it to turn chill. Do you understand?"

A tear fell from Sabrina's cheek. "Yes, Father."

"Now go see your mother. You'll want to see the mooring, I'm sure."

"Where are you going, Papa?" Sabrina asked, a note of suspicion in her voice.

"That's more like you, Sabrina," Edmund said with a laugh. "I'm going to the smoking lounge."

"Oh Papa, am I driving you to smoke?" Sabrina asked.

"No, darling," Edmund said. "I have the loveliest Havana, and want to savor every bit. It would be a a shame if I hurried it, and a crime if I let it grow stale."

"Oh Papa!" Sabrina said.

"Run along to the gallery and leave a man in peace. We'll see you and Annie off when we touch down. There'll be an electromotive to take you to the railway station."

"Oh Papa."

But she skipped down the hallway of the staterooms and toward the door that would take her to the observation gallery.

"Did you talk some prudence into her?" Lucy asked. She'd been waiting in the girls' stateroom for Edmund to give Sabrina a talking-to about the necessary appearance of propriety. Annie and Sabrina's overnight bags were neatly packed and sitting next to her on the day bench which converted to the bottom bunk. Their trunks for school was secured in the hold until landing.

Edmund closed the door behind him and sat beside her, gathering Lucy to him with a kiss.

"Prudence be damned," Edmund said. "I told her not to be stupid. What did you tell Annie?"

Edmund and Lucy sized each other up, eye to eye.

Lucy said, "I told her to watch for cruel rich girls. That she's a rich girl now too, but never to be cruel. To guard her heart. She's fallen for Sabrina, head over heels. Sabrina doesn't love her back like that."

"Ah. What did Annie say?" Edmund asked.

Lucy's mouth quirked in a half-smile. "About what I heard Sabrina say. 'Yes, Mum.'"

"She should mind you better," Edmund said.

Lucy took a deep breath. "Do we have time, Edmund?" She put her hand on the front of his waistcoat.

Edmund grinned. "I told Sabrina I was going for a smoke before we land."

"And?" Lucy said.