"Heeheehee!" Eira giggled.
Therese sat on the porch of her cottage, hair loosely tied, sipping her morning tea. Across the yard, Eira's cheerful laugh rang out as she tried to carry a wooden bucket nearly half her size.
"Careful," Zaldy called from the garden. "You'll spill that."
"I won't!" Eira declared proudly—and immediately splashed water onto her dress.
Athena laughed and took the bucket from her. "Go on, little helper. Fetch the smaller one."
Therese watched them fondly. The girl's joy was contagious. Even the hens seemed to follow her around, drawn by her laughter.
When Eira came back carrying a smaller pail, she spotted Therese on the porch and waved eagerly. "Miss Therese!"
"Good morning, little moonbeam," Therese greeted. "Come sit with me."
Eira trotted over and plopped down beside her, eyes bright. "Did you see me carry the water? I only spilled a little!"
"Only a little?" Therese teased. "Then you're already better than half the grown men here."
