The next day.

Ann walked to the front of the shop. As usual, she knew who the customer would be and what would be desired. She smiled to the young man standing at the counter.

"Good morning, sir; Thomas, is it not?"

He held out a foot-long gift box, roughly encircled by strands of ribbon. "Yes; Mistress Sarah asked that I return this."

"Aah. Was she satisfied?"

"Not entirely; she ended up giving it to her daughter Krista, who I will tell you was extremely satisfied. In fact, she would like to borrow it again in a few years' time. For nostalgia's sake, of course."

"Many of our clientele do." Ann opened up a ledger and flipped a few pages forward. "Five years and two months from now there's a Saturday free. I'll give you a card with the exact date. Remind Krista not to miss it, or she may have to wait somewhat longer. Now, is there anything in the shop you'd like to see, Mister Thomas?"