Ropati's question caused Mable to pause with a blink.  She... didn't quite know the answer to it, or why he was even asking.  Was age something that mattered very much to adults?

"I'm not entirely sure, but I can't imagine he's much older than me.  He bought me a strawberry tart!"

The taste of it was still well engraved in her memory.  Perhaps she could ask Father Brennan to take her to the bakery and they could share a tart together.  Or maybe she could take Anne, and treat her to one!  Mable wondered if Anne had ever had a tart before.  And then she wondered how old Anne was.

"I've never thought to ask how old my friends are before.  Edward's birthday was just recently, and I've got lots of friends... how old are you, Mr. Ropati?"