ergy. Seeing how happy she was running and jumping, Charlene couldn''t help but smile along. It was as if Edith was taking her place, sprinkling her share of joy all around the garden.
Edith loved the sweet-scented air in the garden. Every time she came, she would eagerly inhale, sniffing with her nose until her head felt dizzy.
One time she complained to Charlene, "Strange, why can''t I smell the aroma anymore after being here for a while?"
Charlene thought for a moment and replied, "I remember reading an article that said it has something to do with a substance that numbs the senses."
Edith couldn''t understand these strange words. She just kept shouting that she wanted to smell that enchanting fragrance again.
Charlene suggested, "Why don''t you leave for a while and then come back to the garden later? You should be able to feel it again."
Edith followed her suggestion and discovered that it really worked. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "It''s true! I can smell the scent again!"
She repeated this game more than a dozen times.
Every time she got tired from playing, she would run to Charlene and rest her head on her friend''s lap, burying her face in the long skirt. Charlene would smile and take out her snow-white handkerchief embroidered with the family crest, gently wiping the sweat from Edith''s forehead.
One afternoon, Edith ran over and grabbed her friend''s hand, saying, "Charlene! I found a very fun anthill by the stream! You have to come and see!"
"But I have to have Miss Mellie with me wherever I go. It''s my father''s instruction," Charlene replied.
"Just get rid of her," Edith said nonchalantly.
Charlene looked hesitant. "But Miss Mellie checks up on me every now and then. She''ll easily notice if I''m not here."
Edith thought for a moment, then excitedly leaned closer to Charlene and said, "You can throw a tantrum to her! Scare her so she won''t dare to sh