4 The Ugly-Wuglies

Chapter 4 The Ugly-Wuglies The next afternoon, they met Mabel in the market square. Gerald was buying Marie some flowers. "Roses are nice," said Cathy. "Carnations are cheaper," said Jimmy, which decided it.

Marie was in her sitting room, drawing a picture of the castle. "Oh!" said Mabel. "That's Yalding Towers. That's where I live." Marie looked shocked. "You are Lord Yalding's daughter?" "Oh no," said Mabel. "He doesn't have a family. I'm the housekeeper's niece. Lord Yalding's too poor to live there. He inherited the castle without any money." Mabel paused for breath. "It's a very sad story."

"He fell in love with a poor girl his uncle didn't think was suitable and he wanted to punish him, so he left all the money to his cousins. Then her relatives sent her to a convent and Lord Yalding couldn't find her." Mabel sighed. Marie looked thoughtful. "I almost forgot," said Gerald, holding out the flowers. "These are for you." "You dear children!" Marie cried. "Your friend must stay for tea. I shall buy cakes." Smiling at the children, she left.

After tea, they decided to put on a play for Marie and Eliza- and six very strange guests. Marie stared at them. "Oh!" she gasped. "They're not real." "They're Ugly-Wuglies," Jimmy explained. "We made them for an audience."

"Beauty and the Beast!" shouted a voice and the play began. Finally, it was time for the Beast to let Beauty visit her family. "Farewell," said Gerald the Beast to Mabel. "Take this ring with you. It's a magic wishing ring."

Mabel put it on as Marie and Eliza clapped politely. It was the ring from the castle. "I wish the Ugly-Wuglies were alive," she muttered. "We'd get proper applause then." To Gerald's horror, a padded clapping sound began and, one by one, the Ugly-Wuglies turned their heads to look at them.