After about an hour Winston stood, had Randy dress him for bed and then he dismissed him.

Randy was all too happy to retreat down the stairs again, returning the veal paste bowl to the kitchen with an exasperated shake of his head. He could only hope that what he'd witnessed that day would be the worst of Winston's overall activity.

Ellen took the bowl from him, "Awful? Isn't 'ee?" she pursed her lips, "Y'know he's got 'is eye on Alissa? She ain't but thirteen an' ee's already asking about her inheritance."

"Is that what it's all about?" Randy was appalled. "Vile thing..."

"Yes, so far he's not had luck though, but I think 'is goal is to make her his wife in a few years, she doesn't know yet though, an' I don't want ta worry her wi somethin' that might not come to pass, so dinna go sayin' a word noo," said Ellen.

Randy shook his head again. "I wouldn't dare, poor girl. I fear if I must keep scrubbing his teeoohhs, that Winston may find himself accidentally drowned in the bath," he grumbled, though with an eerily accurate impersonation of Winston's voice.

Ellen cringed, "Gah! Dinna do tha! An personally Ah'd no' weep fer him,"

Randy chuckled. "Perhaps it's cruel, but I can scarcely imagine who would. At least he's down for the night, or so I hope."

"Yes, and in the morning you'll have to go in and dress him," said Ellen, "honestly, grown man can't even dress himself...."

"Would it even come as a surprise if he did have an accident? After all, he does seem awfully helpless when it comes to personal care," Randy mused playfully.

"I don't think anyone would be astonished," said Ellen, "But don't go takin' chances,"

"No, I'm hardly in a position to engage in serious risks at the moment... but it isn't an altogether terrible thought," said Randy. It had occurred to him that such a sentiment might be considered dreadful, but if there was one thing he'd learned thus far about humans it was that their opinions all varied--and were sometimes very strong indeed. Surely it wouldn't be too out of place to wish ill on someone as horrible as a Winston.

"No, Winston could die tomorrow an I'd dance on his casket," said Ellen, "Och, look a' tha time, with all the Winston goin' on I haven't had time to bring Alissa her dinner, she must be hungry, but I have ta fix Winston's rose water, would ye be a dear and bring tha' wee lass her food?"

"I'd be happy to do so," Randy replied with a more genuine smile than he'd had ever since Winston's arrival.

Ellen gave Randy a large tray, "I put enough food for ye on thar as weel," she said as she sent him on his way.

"I thought he'd never fall asleep," Randy complained as a means of announcing his presence to Alissa.