“A fixer-upper,” Mr. Conner said, “But we’ve found the living arrangements quite to our liking. Quite.”
" ‘We’ ?"
“A grand tour, Plum, and then I’ll introduce you to the lady of the house.” Mr. Conner took me by the elbow (he had to stretch quite a ways to reach) and led me into the threshold.
“Living room, hallway, sleeping quarters, and…” Mr. Conner motioned for me to come closer, “…The Beast’s domain.” He pointed with a trembling finger to a honey-colored door.
“The sign says ‘kitchen’.”
“Abandon all hope all who enter there. Abandon! Would you like to see the rest of the house?”
“Uh-”
“Let me take you to the Mistress. She will know how to proceed. She will, she will.” He tugged my elbow, and I followed hesitantly. He guided me through a burgundy door, and into a dim-lit hallway, where blue glowworms stuck to the damp walls. Mr. Conner stopped in front of another door and looked up at me earnestly. “You will like Mistress Sally. She’s highly irregular, like you, just in a different way. Different!”