Page 203 - The Grotesque Children's Book

different kinds of pearl inlay: blue, pink and green. She pressed them each in turn: click, click,
click. She looked at the right side: again three different pearls: blue, pink and green. There was
a sliding sound from inside. A lid popped open, and the contents of the box spilled out onto the
floor. About a thimbleful of red powder.

Oh no! said Carola, alarmed. She scooped up as much of the power as she could and put
it back in the locket, quickly, quickly, as though it belonged to Pandora, then she shut the lid. It
clicked closed. Carola put the locket onto her table, dropping it like it had been fire. What have
I done?! She covered her mouth with her hands and stood frozen with terror, looking from the
box to the residue on the floor, then back to the box again. How much of that power was in the
locket before I opened it? Will My Lady know how much spilled out? And -- and -- what is it?
Why would there be red powder inside My Lady's locket, on top of her head?

Long Carola stood with her hands to her mouth, unmoving, unsure, afraid. Gather your
wits, Carola. Think, think. How to get that locket back without being caught? How? How?

At long last she had an answer. It just might, just might work. Oh, Carola, you clever
girl, you! You just might get away with this!

She tore her eyes from the locket and went to fix herself some supper. It was when she
looked into a mirror that she noticed all the red powder on her hands...and all over her mouth and
lips. All over her mouth.

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