There was silence for a moment and then Danny smiled.
“I’d like you to be my Mama,” he said. “I love you – Aunt Roberta!”
“And I love you, darling,” Roberta said, “but unless we are not to get into a lot of trouble, we have to be very clever.”
She thought that Danny understood and added,
“This is an adventure, but a secret one. Do you understand?”
“I will say you are my Mama,” Danny said, “and Columbus would say so too, if he could speak.”
“Columbus understands all about how to keep secrets,” Roberta said, “so you have to be clever like him.”
“Can we go now?” Danny asked.
“Not until later so that nobody will notice us,” Roberta replied. “I am going downstairs now to find us something to eat, but you are to stay here until I call you.”
She had no wish for him to see the Minister ag
