Robin
smiled as she took in Mouse's chamber, filled with gizmos all sparkling and
clicking and whirling and humming. She walked around, her mouth hanging open,
eyes sparkling. She didn't give him puzzled, exasperated looks like some people
did and she actually understood what he was talking about, when he explained
what each gizmo was supposed to do.
"And
him?" Robin asked, spotting Arthur sitting among all the spare parts on
one table.
"Arthur.
Helps me."
"Uh
huh." She sank down on a stool and looked around, grinning. "I can't
believe this place." She laughed. "You're so lucky, I'm positively
green."
"Jealousy
-- green-eyed
monster." He smiled, glad to be in territory he understood.
"Mmm-hmm.
Shakespeare." She rubbed at her eyes.
"No.
Vincent," Mouse corrected without thinking. His mind whirled around all
the things Mary said a proper host should do when entertaining.
"Huh?"
"Need
things." Mouse wracked his brains. Robin was his guest, so he had to take
good care of her. He decided he needed a girl's help. Jamie would keep Robin a
secret if he asked. "You wait here. Gotta get someone. Don't leave?"
he nearly pleaded, pausing in the doorway of his chamber.
"Where
would I go?" she responded with a chuckle. "Why would I leave,
anyway? This
Jamie
was skeptical, when Mouse told her. Something in her voice made him think she
didn't like Robin -- but that was
ridiculous, because Jamie hadn't even met Robin yet. He explained about getting
new clothes from a Helper and going Above to attend the symposium, how Robin
explained things to him, about Robin's reservation getting lost, and the man
waiting in the hotel.
"Gotta
help. Friends. Almost as good friends as Jamie and Mouse," he added, voice
softer. "Please, Jamie?"
"It
sounds like you already did everything." Jamie shrugged. She didn't sound
happy -- but she didn't sound
upset anymore, either. "What do you need me for?"
"Girls
know what girls need. Robin needs friends. You're my best friend. Share."
Mouse couldn't understand why, but those words worked better than all his pleading had before.
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