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Show Page 81 Anne stood up, smoothing her skirt and straightening her cap. "It is nearly time to begin the evening meal," she said. "Will you stay?" "Nay," I answered. "I told Margaret I would be back to help her with ours. I did not realize we had prattled away the afternoon. And now look, I shall have to pick more strawberries for the Davidsons, for we have eaten nigh all of these." I was taking my leave of Anne when Cisly strode over carrying an odd-looking creature which reminded me of a large rat with scraggly hair. It was curled up tight except for its tail, which Cisly held in his hand. "Have you ever seen a possum?" he asked, dangling the creature before us. We both shook our heads, the while backing up a few steps lest the animal were dangerous, though it looked to be more sleepy than dangerous. "It's a very unusual creature," Cisly went on. "Perhaps it has more coins to keep safe than the good folk of Martin's Hundred, for everywhere it goes it carries a pocket with it." Anne pulled a face at her husband. "What jest do you make now, Cisly?" she asked. "No jest," he replied, his eyes twinkling. "See?" He gently laid the possum on the ground and unrolled it enough for us to see the opening of a pouch upon its belly. |