The Dragonsitter's Party

Dear Eddie,

I would have loved to come to your party. There is very little that I enjoy more than the work of a good magician.

Unfortunately, I have already promised to stay in Scotland and help on the farm with Mr. McDougall, who is a man short this weekend.

That man is, of course, our mutual friend Gordon, who is very excited about coming to see you. He talks about nothing else.

I can hardly believe that he only met your mother a few weeks ago. He already seems to know much more about her than I do, and I've known her for an entire lifetime.

Mr. McDougall only agreed to give Gordon the weekend off if I would work in his place. This is the farm's busiest time of the year, when all the new lambs are born.

He will be bringing a small birthday surprise for you.

With love from your affectionate uncle,

Dear Uncle Morton,

Thank you for the surprise. I can't wait to see what it is.

Mom is very excited about Gordon coming to visit. She keeps buying new dresses, then taking them back to the store because they're not quite right.

I'm sorry you can't come to my party. I know my friends would like to meet you. Will you come next year instead?

I'll send you some pictures of Mister Mysterio sawing someone in half.

Apparently that's the best part of his act.

I am going to suggest he pick Emily.

She said, "That's not funny," and I said I wasn't trying to be funny. I just thought the house would be a bit more peaceful if I only had half a sister.

Love,

Dear Uncle Morton,

Gordon has arrived with your surprise.

Mom was definitely surprised, but not in a good way.

She said if she'd wanted your dragons to come and stay, she would have invited them.

She was hoping to spend some special time with Gordon this weekend, but she says their time isn't going to be very special if she's got to look after two dragons, not to mention the nineteen kids who will be descending on the house on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, I was very happy to see them.