Frederic was having a hard time fighting down the heat creeping up his neck, but he simply couldn't hide his smile. She really liked it! Unsure of what to say, he just smiled at Miss Calloway and tried to ignore the growing warmth in his heart at her praise and thanks. Clover jumped up and down, clapping, beside him, but after a moment he stopped and looked warily at the bassinets as if afraid he'd woken or annoyed one of the babies with the noise. Frederic laid a gentle hand on his son's shoulder. How mature he was becoming! Although he knew it was cliche, it seemed only yesterday Clover was that little, laying in the bassinet and staring up at him with big, bright, curious eyes.

It was at that moment that he decided he would give these feelings a shot, but slowly, carefully. She was a fairly new widow, of course, and he would never want to rush anything. For the time being, he would be on standby, ready to help her with anything and preparing to make his move when he eventually felt the time was right. Clover placed his little hand on top of Frederic's, which still held his shoulder, and smiled up at his father. "I think she likes it, Pa," he said happily and Frederic grinned. "Thank you for the compliment," he said to Miss Calloway, "I do hope you find it competent in its timing." And just then, as if by some providence, the music box played a few short notes- four-thirty in the afternoon, on the dot, Frederic noticed with satisfaction when he glanced at his watch. How unfortunate that he had an appointment with a customer this afternoon, he could have stayed in this moment for a long while.