Adrian Hawthorne managed to get down one bowl of rice in soup before he stopped eating. The Green family, however, tucked in with gusto. It was obvious that fried dough sticks were a luxury item for them, not something they got to eat often. Rhonda ate the most of anyone.
Mrs. Green kept shooting her warning glances, but Rhonda pretended not to notice. 'This is a rare opportunity,' she thought. 'I didn't manage to get any cash or gifts, so what's wrong with me eating a few more fried dough sticks?'
After breakfast, Mr. Green, along with Liam Green and his wife, left for work. Dalton Green went off to school, and the house suddenly felt empty.
Mrs. Green affectionately took Rosalind's hand. "Stay home and chat with me. Tell me all about how you've spent the last ten years. Kenneth, you didn't eat your fill, did you? In a little while, Grandma will fry some shredded lotus root pancakes for you."
"There's no need, Grandma. I actually have to go out for a bit."
