Beginnings
On Sunday we do beginnings, taking a look at the start of a Peter Abrahams novel, including those written under the Spencer Quinn moniker. Today – not quite a beginning. Yesterday we had a sneak peek at the beginning of the upcoming Queenie and Arthur middle-grade mystery, Bark vs. Snark (Oct. 6). But since the story is told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of Arthur (seen below in the middle) and Queenie (on one side of him or the other – you’ll have to read it to find out which) and chapter one is Arthur’s, we didn’t hear Queen’s voice. So here’s the start of chapter two.
“ARTHUR!”
What now? Do I ask for much? No, not me. Who could be more undemanding or easier to live with? All I want from life is a little peace and quiet. But now, somewhere outside but not nearly far enough away, we had Bro shouting a name that gets shouted fairly often in these parts.
By these parts, I mean the Blackberry Hill Inn and surrounding property. It’s a beautiful inn – which you probably guessed, since it’s mine, and I’m all about beauty. The inn is not mine alone, of course – I’m happy to share it with the rest of the family, meaning Mom, Bro, and Harmony. Bertha the cook is also on board – she’s in charge of pouring my fresh cream into my special China saucer, known as Queenie’s saucer, after which she whips up breakfast for the guests. It’s possible we haven’t had enough guests recently – I’ve caught a worried look on Mom’s face a few times – but what would be the point of me worrying about it? My job is to concentrate on, well, me. Me and me alone, and only me. But it can be hard to concentrate when –
“ARTHUR! STOP! WHAT GETS INTO YOU?”
What gets into Arthur: an interesting question.
Tags: Bark vs. Snark, beginnings, Queenie and Arthur
This entry was posted on Sunday, September 20th, 2020 at 7:52 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
11:11 am on September 20th, 2020
LOL!
Good morning all.
3:05 pm on September 20th, 2020
Greetings!
I am laughing at this beginning too!
RIO! I consulted Grizz on your photo problem. He suggested trying another browser, specifically EDGE. About a year ago, I had the same problem posting photos to this blog while using Internet Explorer. I had to switch to Chrome. I hope this will work…
Good afternoon to all!
5:38 pm on September 20th, 2020
Friends!I want to thank you for all your kind words for the Giant and Milady following my passing. I know Milady posted some things you may or may not have known about me. I would like to add a few more to that list:
– As I started to Cross the Bridge, I felt the Bridge shake. Yeep! It started to shake even more. Then I saw it—-a gaggle of many of my loved ones —ones I know and loved ones I’ve never met—-heading my way with Ole Doc leading the charge. Boy, can he move! He bumped me. I bumped him back. He bumped me again. I bumped him again. The excitement was growing when he bumped me a third time and I took flight! Yeep! The Wookster caught me mid air and tossed me on his back for the rest of my journey.
– Beau! I had a conversation with Beau on many topics including, but not limited to: Thieves!, beds, and Thieves!
– Beau was impressed with my credentials in supervising the kennel, raising two German Shepard’s, and passing 7th grade math.
– I have a pass from bible study and enlisted to supervise the Thieves when they are outside of bible study. What could go wrong?
– Wookie showed me his bow tie collection. Very respectable. I showed him my collection. This week we plan to venture into the wild world of ascots.
5:40 pm on September 20th, 2020
This is a test.
5:42 pm on September 20th, 2020
YAY! I am able to post on the blog now because, following Rose’s advice I went to Edge. I have been reading posts but every time I tried to post my computer refused and the blog told me to stop posting SO FAST!
So I am back! Yahoo!
6:24 pm on September 20th, 2020
Staff: Yay! Glad you are back!
Wee Nigel: Has Beau supplied you with your very own clipboard?
9:00 pm on September 20th, 2020
Wee: you have taken on a big assignment but I know you are up to the task.
9:25 pm on September 20th, 2020
Wee. Teddy said ascots would be spiffy. The one time he was on a boat (in Acadia with Miss Zeta), his ascot was blowing in the breeze and set off his captain’s hat quite nicely.
9:57 pm on September 20th, 2020
Poor Queenie! Having to put up with Arthur. I’m sure she will handle it well.
Wee! I’m glad you are finding friends across the bridge.
10:36 pm on September 20th, 2020
EDGE!…Never heard of it before!…grunt!…But my techie days are long gone..sniff!
Staff!…Can youse post photos while using EDGE?…snort!…What the heck does EDGE stand for anyways???…gurgle!
10:37 pm on September 20th, 2020
Queenie!…heh!heh!…That is some Kat…snort!
10:39 pm on September 20th, 2020
Ascots!…What do ascots look like?…sniff!…My friend is asking because she is wondering how hard they are to turn into yarn…yeeep!