The maids were busy cleaning up the dining room following the party. Anna stared blankly at them while she held her new doll.
"I thought it was a wonderful party," said Miss Celeste, Anna's governess.
"It was nice," said Anna politely, if a little lifelessly.
"Now Anna," said Mrs. Nelson, Anna's mother. "I know you were hoping your father would be home for your birthday party. And you know he would've done his
best to get here for it. But he is a long way away, and it is hard to get where he is."
Anna nodded, and walked from the dining room to the study, carrying the doll with her. She didn't have a name for the doll yet. She'd have to come up with one
soon. She thought about it as she studied the globe by the window.
She looked carefully at the area right over Sicily. Again, she saw the island she was looking for just wasn't there. If it wasn't on the globe, how important could it
be? And such a strange name: Aeaea. It had taken a week for her to learn how to pronouce it, ee-EE-uh.
Miss Celeste had told her the story about the island, several times. In fact, she had told her what happened before the man, Odysseus, got to the island, what
happened to his men there, and what happened after they left the island. It was a good story, but a little scary (those awful one-eyed giants on the other island!)
and very sad in places.
She looked beyond the globe out the window. A carriage was slowly coming up the path to the house. It had some very large bags on it. And riding in the back of
the carriage -- could it be?
"Mommy!" cried Anna, running to the dining room where her mother was supervising the clean-up. "Daddy's home!"
"At this time of day? It can't be, you must be mistaken!"
"I'm sure it's him! Come see!"
Without waiting to see if her mother would follow, Anna ran to the front door and stepped out on the porch. The carriage was getting closer. As her mother came
out, the carriage was close enough to see. There was no question. Several long minutes later, it pulled up before the porch and Anna's father stepped out.
"George!" cried Mrs. Nelson, happy to see her husband.
Her happiness was nothing next to Anna's state of being overjoyed. As her parents kissed, Anna was jumping up and down and clapping her hands with
excitement. She laughed as her father turned and swept her up into his arms, hugging and kissing her.
"Oh, you're getting so big!" said Mr. Nelson.
"It's because it's my birthday today!" said Anna.
"I know. I haven't forgotten. September 13, 1899! Your 12th birthday! I can't believe you're 12 already! Did I miss the party?"
"By about an hour, I'm afraid," said Mrs. Nelson.
"Oh, I AM sorry, Angel!" said Mr. Nelson to his daughter.
"It's okay, Daddy," said Anna. "I don't care. Just so long as you're really here! You've been gone so long on your expedition!"
"I know, and I missed both of you so terribly! But it was worth it. Among other things, I was able to bring you this!"
Mr. Nelson reached into his pocket and brought out a beautiful gold ring with two rubies in it that looked to Anna like a pair of blazing red eyes.
"It's beautiful!" cried Anna.
"George, you shouldn't have!" said Mrs. Nelson. "Won't you get in trouble with the university?"
"Not if I don't tell them about it. It may be a little big for you right now, Anna, but you can wear it on a chain for now, and put it on your finger when you're bigger."
Curious, Anna slipped the ring onto her finger. At first, it did feel too big. Then -- did it shrink? -- it was a perfect fit!
"It's not big at all, Daddy! See!" said Anna.
"Well, I'll be blowed! You're right!" said Mr. Nelson. "It fits like a glove!"
"Let's go inside for tea," said Mrs. Nelson. "It's cold out here, and I'm dying to hear of your travels!"
"Quite right, my dear. Hudson, have the men take the bags up to my room."
"Very good, sir," said the butler.
Anna followed her parents into the house. As they entered, however, Anna suddenly heard a voice.
Hello, said the voice, a woman's. Who are you?
Anna looked around, searching for the speaker. She was about to ask where the lady was, when she heard the voice again:
I'm in your head. Only you can hear me, no one else. Now, who are you?
I'm Anna, thought the girl. Who are you?
My name is Circe.