Kate was lost in her thoughts and was not expecting him the answer. " You can learn to read, write, and cipher numbers. I will find how best you learn. Would you like to see how your name is written in common? I can show you after dinner. I will never yell or hit you. I want you to have a good experience and enjoy learning. I am sure I can find a first year's spelling book in my room upstairs. I would teach servants of lords visiting. Did you think I would not let you be comfortable as you are now? I will hold you and make learning enjoyable for you."<br/><br/>Kate heard the water for the noodles boiling. "Will you let me up, please. I will show you how to test noodles."<br/>She rushed to the pot and stirred noodles with a clean wooden spoon then fished one out and cut it in half. Look at the end. Part is cooked and part is not done. It needs ten more minutes. Then we check it again. In the drawer to the left of the stove is a tiny hourglass. Come back to the couch and well come back. Please bring the hourglass."<br/><br/>Kate held his hand as they walked back to the couch. "I would like you to hold me."<br/><br/>She waited for him to lay down first. Then she layed over him on her back.<br/><br/>"Did you say a circus? I have not seen one since I was a... Now come to think of it I did overhear talk in Heidi's tavern about one coming here for Winterfest. Jasper, what a wonderful idea. We can all go. We will dress as plain folk in furs and plain clothes. If Malora is in town, we will blend in with the crowd. The festival begins next weekend. We can arrive by midday and be back before dark. The circus is just as your parents described it."