She greeted her dormmate and guest with her sleek west-coast accent, and went to the desk beside her bed. Carmen’s shoulder-length chestnut curls bo...nced playfully as she sat cross-legged in her chair. “What’s going on?”Daphne and Mallory exchanged some awkward glares, the latter making head motions in Carmen’s direction.“Not much. Just hanging out cause class ended early.” Daphne blurted. She turned her head. “Hey, Carmen. Do you know Mallory from the English department?”“Yeah, Daph. Of. It was the burning toast that alerted her that she had almost ruined breakfast. Joyce hurried to stove to shut everything off. "I made a mess of this," she moaned."That's okay, you killed all the germs. I'll eat it," he sat at the table."I'm awfully sorry," she apologized nervously."For what?" This mess," she scooped everything onto two plates."Forget it and place it before me."She did and he dug in."Coffee?" I'll take water if you don't mind. I'm not a coffee drinker." Would you like tea or. Little Goldilocks was a pitiful ninety-one pounds and it got ninety for easy terms."Well, gentlemen, we have roughly six hundred and twenty pounds and a further hundred and eighty pounds of smaller nuggets. The only thing now to say is 'let the auction begin'."Joseph was now party to the auction. He also didn't like the names that his son told him were to attend the gathering. It wasn't even going to be held at his estate but at the current home of the largest mafia chieftain in the area. Sonny. They ate a late tea of kippers, crusty bread and salad without saying very much, but afterwards, "Skipper," Dennis began, "perhaps I could prevail upon you for a glass of that Bushmills you have tucked away?"Ted raised his eyebrows. "Certainly ... perhaps the ladies would like a glass of wine while we indulge." Good idea. If they wish?" Yes, please, Daddy," Cherry said, looking at Linnet, who nodded. "Linnet, too."Once they were all settled, "Baby," Dennis began, looking at Cherry, "at the end.