Weave the Web

We are four children sitting at our own "private" table for dinner because Mom and Dad always ate after us when Dad finally got home from work.  Carol is the oldest maybe around thirteen.  Nancy comes next at eleven followed by Janet eight and Larry is just five.

 

The table was in a small alcove all by itself with a window at the far end.  We had already disposed of the spinach we hated by throwing it out the window thereby fertilizing a grateful bush on the other side; a bush that was by far the most robust in the entire garden due to it's almost daily dose of unwanted vegetables.  And now our attention turned to the new glasses half full of milk.

 

They had writing on them and Larry, who was just learning to read, decided to show off his skills. Larry’s glass said, “I’m only human.”   Faltering over each word with phonetic intensity, he began:  "I....I....I'mmmmm  oooooooooonnnnnnnnnlllllllllllyyyyyyy," then he paused for the great punch line:  "HERMAN!!!!!" he screamed out at the top of his lungs. 

 

And the three sisters collapsed in conspiratorial laughter, keeping from their still proud brother the sad fact that "Herman" was not quite the right word.