Kelty lay in bed, nursing a sore bottom, comforted little by the weight of Nan's quilt, and no longer so impressed by the success in the woods. She felt only shame and grief.

If only I'd remembered my boots, she chided herself.

That's preposterous, said the Voice. Then you wouldn't have made the lights.

"But...!" she began to argue aloud, but caught herself from blurting out and riling her grandfather who had only just begun to sleep.

But I wouldn't have been caught and I wouldn't have been late and I wouldn't have gotten a spanking. Oh why do I let you talk me into such mischief?