"Be welcome in our home, and come and go in peace," they said together.

"I'm afraid that I must go in peace now," Patrick said. The children moaned, but the oldest bowed.

"I can show you to the gates." He looked at his mother. "Please?" His mother smiled and nodded.

"Why don't you two tell me about what you did with your cousins?" Patrick heard her say as he followed the boy out of the shop.

"Come right back," Pauli said, "I don't want you to be late for ...