Mira looked coldly and haughtily at the stunned Celeste, shooting her an arrogant, sidelong glance. "I'm just talking. What's the big deal? Why are you always so jumpy?"
Celeste's mouth twitched. She reached out, scooped the little Dot into her arms, and began to gleefully squish and squash him. "How can a tiny little Dot like you be so rude? You suddenly started talking, so what's wrong with me being a little surprised?"
Mira began to struggle frantically in Celeste's arms. "Men and women must maintain a proper distance! Let me go, woman!"
Celeste laughed even more delightedly, showing no sign of letting go. "A little Dot like you is talking about maintaining a proper distance? Why are you so old-fashioned?"
Mira stopped struggling, a look of utter dejection on his face.
Silas Linden, who was watching from the side, suddenly seemed to realize something, and the smile on his face deepened. When Willow Finch happened to see his expression, she was struck with a bad feeling.
