Even the chickens wait silently for Mrs. Threadgood to make up her mind about the imps.
She stands still for a moment, her careworn but still pleasant face betraying nothing. Then, she approaches the lead imp with businesslike steps.
"You. What is your name?"
"Dex," the lead imp replies. "This is my clan. They will behave for now."
The other imps grumble, but they apparently know better than to contradict Dex. As one, they bow. I have to bite back a laugh, because it's funny to see these miscreants suddenly becoming polite and meek.
"Dex." Mrs. Threadgood curtsies. "My name is Elsie Threadgood. Now, I don't mind giving second chances, and maybe even third chances, but I like to see people making an effort to do better. You understand, don't you?"
"I think so," Dex replies.
