…LORDS A-LEAPING
"An excellent beginning," said Halko. He was enjoying, as he always did, the sight of Mariane massaging her hands with lotion.
"Legende winnows the field so nicely," she said. "But weren't you surprised there?"
"I had my suspicions," Halko said.
"One never knows, with couples," said Mariane, laughing.
***
Guests received a little gift, a day or so afterwards.
"A token of our regard," Halko said. "We hope you'll enjoy it often."
Mariane gave no public performances. "A collector's piece, if that's not too immodest," Halko said; "we use a rather exceptional little studio in Berlin. It's a sort of hobby of mine, sharing Mariane's talents with people I've come to know."
***
Another year, another small gathering, another morning after. Halko was on his comfortable sofa with Mariane curled up beside him. They were going over the names on their list. The usual little pile of wrapped CDs was waiting to be distributed.
Mariane's pencil was poised.
"Naughty?" she asked. "Or nice?"
