After coming back from their walk, Edie wanted to see what Stuart was doing. Stepping into the room they had prepared for Cecil, she heard the water running. "Stuart, are you in there?" she asked.
"Yes, I was getting the bath ready for Cecil. I thought we could do it together," Stuart said in a calm tone.
The smile shrank from Cecil's lip. He rushed into Edie's arms. His eyes opened wide, and he cried out with uncertainty in his voice, "You're coming in with us?"
"Yes, it'll be fun," he said. There was a calm of determined resolve in his voice.
The tone in his voice sent a shiver through Cecil's whole body. From the tips of his toes to the top of his head. He stood there with a frightened look on his face, but Edie didn't notice. She felt relieved and thought Stuart was finally having a change of heart when it came to the boy. She lowered her head to look at Cecil and said in a gentle tone, "I'll be right there. You go with Stuart. I have to get you some clothes."