Felix beamed, pulled a silly face at the housekeeper, and chirped to Wren, "Thanks, Granduncle Wren!"

    "No need to thank me."

    Wren''s eyes were awash with indulgent affection; he failed to notice Nathaniel walking in with his wife and children.

    Nathaniel, for his part, had not expected Robert to arrive with his own family as well.

    Elliot and Jonathan had just overheard and witnessed the scene inside.

    Apparently, the toys Wren gave them could be handed to other kids whenever he pleased.

    Since returning to the Rainsworth residence, Elena had spoiled the two boys relentlessly. Elliot, bristling on behalf of his divorced grandmother, decided to stage a little tantrum and marched straight up to Felix.

    "No way, that toy is mine!"

    With one swift grab, Elliot snatched the toy from Felix''s hands.

    Felix froze, utterly stunned.

    Wren hurried to mediate, saying, "Eli, I''ll buy you another er. Let Felix y with this for now, okay?"

    But Elliot was no pushover; he instantly protested, "Grandpa, didn''t you say these toys were bought especially for my brother and me? You already gave them to us. How can you turn around and give them to somebody else?"

    The little boy''s words left Wren speechless.

    Elliot pressed on, "Grandpa, you can''t keep re-gifting like that, or my brother and I won''t like you anymore."

    Once again, embarrassment colored Wren''s face.

    Felix, however, kept sneaking nces at the toy in Elliot''s hand.

    "Granduncle Wren just said it was mine. Give it back!" he demanded.

    He reached out to snatch it.

    Although Elliot was healthy again, he was still smaller than Felix. He darted backward at once, keeping the other boy from touching him.

    Jonathan rushed forward and nted himself in front of his brother.

    "Felix Rainsworth! What do you think you''re doing?" That single question made Felix instantly behave, not daring to utter another word.

    The squabble among the three children rendered every adult present awkward.

    Miranda quickly spoke up, "Felix, haven''t you any manners? Your granduncle may have offered you the toy, but Eli and Jon don''t agree. Hand it back, and I''ll buy you another."

    Scolded, Felix nodded reluctantly. "Fine."

    Only then did Miranda let the matter drop.

    "That''s my good boy. Remember what I said. Always be polite."

    Her words were a roundabout way of implying that Elliot and Jonathancked

    manners.

    Cecilia would never let anyone slight

    her children. She stepped forward, stroked Elliot''s hair, and said, "Eli, you did the right thing. There''s nothing wrong with keeping your own belongings. Just remember not to snatch other people''s things either."

    "Okay, Mommy."

    Elliot nodded firmly.

    Miranda''splexion shifted, but with the elders and Nathaniel present, she

    dared not utter another syble.

    Wren hastily broke the tension. "All right, all

    Light. It''s just a little tiff

    between children-nothing serious.

    all sit down and eat."

    Only then did everyone take their seats and begin the meal.

    Throughout dinner, Robert kept shooting Wren meaningful nces.

    Catching the signal, Wren finally turned to Nathaniel and asked, "Nathaniel, have

    you heard about your uncle''spanytely?"

    Nathaniel set down his chopsticks and looked calmly at his father.

    "What happened?"

    Of course, he already knew about Robert''s troubles, but he deliberately feigned ignorance.

    Wren, unsuspecting, exined the difficulties Robert''spany was facing. "We''re all family. If you have a solution, help your uncle out," he concluded.