Well then, after the brouhaha outside the old vinegar works, all three were done with exploration of dark old places for quite some time. But Spring had finally roused itself from slumber and sprang to life again in the Thousand Weed Marsh.Percival Longbutton, Bonney Billy William and Henry Hobbs had made plans for a short hiking holiday to the little village of Sopping Bowler just outside the Thousand Weed Marsh forest. With picnic baskets and their this and that’s in tow they made camp with Bonney Billy preparing tea as Percival read aloud from the Barmy Grouse Review. Their celebration of the arrival of spring was an ongoing tradition involving a fresh loaf with tea and butter and a new, freshly packed jar of rhubarb jam. With dismay Bonney Billy William unpacked a sticky, empty jar of what was once this delicacy. And now he recalled having stolen too many late night nips here and secret tastes there of the treat. He had planned on procuring more fromthe market but as usual expected the missus to fetch it. But of course said nothing of the sort to her. ( And in his haste this morning going through a dark pantry didn’t notice the lack of jam in the jar.) Foolhardiness and loose willy-nilly planning had ticked him in the rear. Once again. But of course he said nothing of the sort to her. (And in his haste stumbled through a dark pantry not noticing the lack of jam in the jar.)

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