"Carie Annie put soft strips in the knappy. And quilty stuff." She showed him the inside of her knapsack. “The cushystrips are underneath.”

"Oh that Carey is so scary. This is just wonerfill, wonerful. So, it’s comfy to carry?"

"Very."

She ran her hands over the box that contained a box and, with a crumpled frown, she toyed with its clasp. She pushed it slowly into the plush bag, pulling the drawstrings tight. Then, carefully, she placed the whole hardsoft package into her childish backpack and zipped it closed securely.

“You know you don’t have to go with us down to Abba’s. Right? When Stan and me leave, you can stay with Scary Carrie. She says it’s alright.”