"Morning, sweetie." Mama Becky sat up and pressed Molly's head to her breast. "Mama isn't in the mood to play right now."
"I'm not playing. Or at least I was, but then I heard a knock at the door and I saw two scary-looking people and I was going to cry. But then it turned out to be Aunt Samantha and Aunt Prudence all dressed up and they asked to sit down by the fire to warm up and-"
"Now sweetie, what have I told you about fibbing?"
"I'm not fibbing. They're really here. Come and see."
Molly took Mama Becky's hand and tried to pull her from bed, but she was far too heavy. Mama Becky got out of bed, her brown hair like a rat's nest in need of brushing. She picked Molly up and carried her into the living room, almost dropping Molly when she saw Aunt Samantha and Aunt Prudence. "You are here," she said. "I thought Molly was making up another one of her stories again."
"We managed to get the doors open this morning," Aunt Samantha said. "David and Wendell are on their way."
Mama Becky frowned, although Molly didn't see why. Uncle David was always a little grouchy and Uncle Wendell a little strange, but they weren't mean. Uncle Wendell had even carved a special big-girl bed for Molly two years ago with pretty dancing unicorns on the headboard.
Mama Becky set Molly down on the floor. "Molly, why don't you go to your room and play? Mama needs to talk with Aunt Samantha and Aunt Prudence about some important things."
"Why can't I stay? I'm a big girl now."
"I know you are, sweetie, but these are very boring grownup things. After we're done I'll make all of us pancakes for breakfast. Would you like that?"
"Yes, but why can't I stay?" Molly's lower lip trembled, but she held off crying in front of Aunt Samantha and Aunt Prudence. She didn't want them to think she was still a baby.
"Molly, please, go to your room."
"We won't talk about anything interesting without you," Aunt Samantha said. "I promise. Cross my heart."
Molly turned and went to her bedroom. After she closed the door, she picked up the doll of handsome Sir Francis, but she didn't want to play. Instead, she pressed her ear to the door to listen to the grownups talk.
"It's that bad?" Mama Becky said.
"I'm afraid so. There's nothing left," Aunt Samantha said.
"What are we going to do?" Mama Becky asked.
"I have an idea. It's dangerous and I hoped we wouldn't need to try it for a few more years, but I don't see any choice now. Our supplies won't last more than a couple weeks."