“Delilah, what is this?”
“An invitation, Mother.”
“Yes, I see that. I was referring to the part at the bottom.”
“Oh, this part, Mother?”
“Yes, Delilah, that part. The part about the Bell Garden, Delilah. No-one is allowed in the Bell Garden. Why are you inviting your friend to come and play in the Bell Garden, Delilah?”
“…”
“Well?”
“It was a test.”
“A test.”
“Of Vigilance. Well done, Mother. You passed.”
“What does the Creed say, daughter?”
“Watch for the traitor, the criminal, the heretic…”
“The Creed says: Thy Sisters and Brothers are the dependable foundation of life. It does not say Thou shalt set silly tests of vigilance to try thy family’s patience. Nor does it say anything about trying to get one over on thy mother.”
“Know thyself. Vigilance starts with the inward investigation. When thou art…”
“I know the Creed, daughter. Since you are so familiar with it, perhaps you should spend some hours copying it out…purely as an aid to those less educated, of course. Thirty copies, please. In your best handwriting, Delilah.”
“Yes, Mother …”
Footsteps receded.
[muttered] “… and Truth isn’t a Virtue anyway.”