Arthur Evans and his wife arrived at Lily Evans's home. Arthur, his heart aching, gently cradled Mrs. Charlotte Evans's hand. Seeing the scrape on his wife's skin, he shuddered with concern.
“It’s just a scrape, nothing serious,” Mrs. Charlotte Evans said, matter-of-fact. “Last time April bumped her head, and we still have some ointment and powder from Dr. Wu. Just dab a little and it’ll be fine.”
Arthur Evans hurriedly instructed Eugene Jr. to fetch the medicine. Eugene Jr. answered and rushed to the back to get it from Margaret Evans.
Eugene Jr. dashed off, rounded the corner, and—wham! A little girl crashed headfirst into him. They collided hard, and she landed squarely on her backside.
“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” Belle yelped, rubbing her sore behind and grimacing. She looked up to see a handsome, unfamiliar teenager.
After the recent incident when Mrs. Green barged in and hurt April, Belle was extra wary of strangers. She sprang up, grabbed a broom, and fixed Eugene Jr. with a fierce glare. “Who are you? Where’d you come from? What’re you doing in our house?!”
Eugene Jr. looked down at the little girl—she barely reached his chin—clutching her broom and bristling with indignation. He was a lively teen, and the urge to tease her was irresistible. He put on a fierce face and growled, “I’m a notorious bandit! Why do you think I’m here?”
Bandit? Belle’s hair stood on end, but then she remembered—the old lady and Jack and Jill Evans were still at home. She couldn’t let a bad guy hurt them.
Belle instantly puffed up like a mother hen guarding her chicks, brows furrowed, broom swinging as she charged. “Like I care if you’re a bandit! Get out, or I’ll skin you alive!” she shouted.
Eugene Jr. hadn’t expected the little girl to get braver instead of scared—now she was chasing him with a broom!
“Oh my, Auntie Belle, stop chasing me! I’m not a bad guy!” Eugene Jr. ran around the yard, begging for mercy, laughing and crying all at once.
“Ha! Like I’d trust a word from a bandit! I’ll whack you good!” Belle hollered, swinging her broom with even more gusto.
Jack and Jill Evans heard the commotion and dashed outside. Seeing Belle chasing Eugene Jr. around the yard, Jill clutched her belly, giggling uncontrollably.
Belle spotted the two kids and, still chasing Eugene Jr., shouted, “Young Master, Young Miss, go hide inside! There’s a bandit here—watch me chase him out!”
“Oh no, Young Master, Young Miss, save me!” Eugene Jr. gasped, nearly out of breath.
Jack Evans, ever the brave one, puffed out his chest and declared, “Don’t be afraid, Belle! I’ll help you catch the bandit!”
Jill Evans, on the other hand, wasn’t interested in heroics. She watched the spectacle, doubled over with laughter, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Lily Evans heard the racket from inside and hurried out, only to find Belle wielding a broom and Eugene Jr. running for his life, with Jack and Jill cheering them on.
“What’s going on?” Lily Evans called out, hands on her hips, half amused, half exasperated.
Belle, still swinging her broom, declared, “Aunt Lily, this bandit tried to sneak in! I’m teaching him a lesson!”
Eugene Jr. waved his hands wildly, protesting, “I’m not a bandit! I’m here to fetch the medicine for Mrs. Charlotte Evans!”