Kids Into books: The Lives of Christopher Chant

Author: Diana Wynne Jones

Illustrator: Tim Stevens

Publisher: Harper Collins, $14.95

Age Group: 8-12 years



Some evenings, Mama was on the stairs to meet
Papa, blocking Christopher's view with wide silk skirts
and a multitude of frills and draperies. ``Remind
your master,'' she would say icily to the footman,
``that there is a Reception in this house tonight and
that he is required, for once in his life, to act as
host.''

Papa, hidden behind Mama's wide clothing, would reply in a deep gloomy voice, ``Tell Madam I have a great deal of work brought home from the office
tonight. Tell her she should have warned me in advance.''

``Inform your master,'' Mama would reply to the
footman, ``that if I'd warned him, he would
have found an excuse not to be here. Point out to
him that it is my money that finances his business
and that I shall remove it if he does not do this
small thing for me.''

Then Papa would sigh. ``Tell
Madam I am going up to dress,'' he would say.
``Under protest. Ask her to stand aside from
thestairs.''

Mama never did stand aside, to Christopher's
disappointment. She always gathered up her
skirts and sailed upstairs ahead of Papa, to make
sure Papa did as she wanted.