Gem Atkinson took his precious child's hand, indeed seeing a blister on her palm. A pang of sorrow filled his heart, he gently touched it and asked, "Does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't. Clive said that if we pop the blister before sleeping and dab some medicine on it, by the morning it will be fine."
Gem Atkinson looked at Clive, admiration in his eyes. Clive just smiled, looking at Audrey and saying, "Less talking, let's wait till Father Atkinson is finished eating. These breads are best eaten hot."
"Okay."
Clive headed to the kitchen, adding his and Audrey's dumplings as well. He placed Audrey's sour-tasting platter in front of her, followed by a bowl of steaming dumplings.
Upon eating the first dumpling, Audrey grimaced due to its sourness to the point where she almost burst into tears. Covering her mouth, she said, "Dad, it's so sour."
"It's delicious. These are the tastiest dumplings I've ever had."
