HARMONIA:

‘… But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread 

and milk and blackberries for supper.’ 

And that’s all I have to say about Peter Rabbit.

NEVE:
I like that one.

LITA:

Me too.

ORRIE:
Can you read us some more?

LITA:
Yes, please?

NEVE, ORRIE and LITA:

Pleeeeease….?

HARMONIA:
Now y’all just stop that right now, ya hear? I’ve already read ya two 

stories and it’s time for lunch. Besides, I have to call my little boy. 

LITA:
You have a little boy?

HARMONIA:

I sure do. His name’s Jophiel and he’s just about your age. 

NEVE:

I like Jophie. I talk to him on the phone sometimes.

HARMONIA:
That’s right, you’re one of his friends. There’s a pic of him over yonder. 

LITA:

Where does he live?

HARMONIA:

He’s living with his daddy, in Texas. 

LITA:
Is that far away?

HARMONIA:
It’s far enough, but I aim to visit with him for a spell. Now ya’ll best be 

getting along. I’m sure Cammeo has lunch waitin’ on ya in the kitchen. 

ORRIE:
OK, then I be going.  Lita, guess what?

LITA:
What?

ORRIE:
I’m hungry. 

LITA:
Me too. 

LITA:
… Thank you for the stories, Harmonia.

NEVE:
Bye bye.

HARMONIA:
You’re welcome. Oh Neve - do me a favor and tell Tahariel  

 I’m calling her daddy. I’m sure she’ll want to say hello.

NEVE:
OK.

Later in the hallway

TAHARIEL:

… But mama,  how will we ever get Patience here?

HARMONIA:
Doncha worry hon. Your daddy will find another driver. 

We’ll get your horse here one way or another.

TAHARIEL:
I still don’t understand why you won’t let me drive her …

HARMONIA:
Your daddy done told ya that that’s out of the question. 

You know you’ve never driven with the trailer before … 

HARMONIA:
… and I’m not about to have ya traveling all that way  

on your own. We’ll just hafta find another driver to do it.

NEVE:

You need a driver? Jesse can drive. He can do it.

TAHARIEL:
Jesse? No that won’t work.

HARMONIA:
Now don’t be so hasty. Neve, does Jesse know how 

to drive a truck while pulling a trailer? 

NEVE:
He can drive anything. Want me to get him?

HARMONIA:
Yes hon. You tell him to come to my sitting room right quick.

NEVE:
I will. Right quick.

Neve leaves.

TAHARIEL:
Mama you can’t be serious!

HARMONIA:
Tahariel, we need a driver and if this boy’s willing - why not? 

TAHARIEL:
Because I can’t stand him. He's so annoying. I mean,  

have you ever met anyone so utterly obnoxious?

HARMONIA:
I surely have, once.

TAHARIEL:
What'd you do about him?

HARMONIA:
I married him. 

TAHARIEL:
You … you mean daddy? Well that’s … that’s just crazy.

HARMONIA:
Isn’t it? Now see here - I know that Jesse’s uncouth and all 

but ya have to admit - he’s easy on the eyes …

TAHARIEL:
Mama, really! I can’t believe you’d even suggest such a thing.

TAHARIEL:

… Look Mama, I need to be there for Patience. You know she hates to travel.

HARMONIA:
You will be, and I’ll send along Neve too. I’ll bet she’d love to come to Texas 

and meet your little brother. Then she can ride back with ya’ll.

TAHARIEL:
Mama no …

HARMONIA:
Tahariel, I’m darn tired of hearing you complaining ‘bout not having 

your horse here. I’m gonna speak to Jesse to see if we 

can’t expedite this.  Now you run along.