When Ethan awoke to the roaring of a large nearby machine he got out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and went exploring. He quickly found Emily Silverwood rolling a vacuum cleaner up and back along the carpeting of the hallway.
When she saw Ethan, Ms. Silverwood switched off the vacuum cleaner with a touch of her toe. “I see you’ve decided to join the living at last,” she ventured.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Silverwood.”
“No need. After you’ve consumed breakfast, if you’re still awake, you may go see if the twins need help straightening up their room. I doubt whether they’ve made much progress. It’s been very quiet.” She laughed, shook her head, and touched on the vacuum cleaner with the same graceful toe, as if doing it were part of a dance.
“Yes, Ms. Silverwood.” Ethan went back into his room
