[Primrose Bolger]

While Miz Bunce was speaking with the artichoke merchant, Ginger edged over to where the leftover thistle lay in the bowl. She gave it a thorough look-over. Despite Cook’s remarks on the subject, it simply did not look very edible.

Taking one of the leaves between thumb and finger she brought it slowly to her nose. Well, it did smell clean and a little sweet . . . Now just how did Cook do it? There . . . just dip it in the melted butter, using it like a little scoop. Well, now who wouldn’t like a taste of the Inn’s butter? She scraped her teeth over the end of the leaf as she’d seen Cook do.

‘Oh my! That’s delicious!’ she motioned for Buttercup to come over and try a bit. ‘Leaves a very pleasant aftertaste on the tongue, it does,’ Ginger went on, trying a little of the heart from the other half. Artifondo, she noted had left his choke almost untouched.

She and Buttercup finished up the rest of the artichoke halves, laughing as they wiped the trails of butter from their chins . . .