Maurice's snorting and giggling died away. He was the older brother and he had a job to do. Without asking, he reached out and grabbed up the little bird creature around the middle with one arm and stooped down to fold the attic ladder up to where it belonged.

"We're lettin' all the cold air in here. C'mon."

And he wagged her into the living room where there was more light and a large glass door for her to see herself in. He put her down squarely in front of it.