The tiger swiftly retreated to Calliope''s side. It nced at Calliope, then at Lisette, seemingly disapproving of something.


    Calliope nced at Lisette and said with feigned surprise, "Oh my, Lisette, did you wet your pants? Snowy was ying with you. Why are you so scared?"


    It dawned on Lisette then, and tears welled up in her eyes. She covered her face, wanting to scream but too ashamed to do so.


    "Calliope, was this on purpose? How could you be so mean!" Valerian had removed his jacket and tied it around Lisette''s waist, ring at Calliope.


    "How am I mean? Weren''t you the ones who wanted toe in?" Calliope said, feigning innocence. She nced at a soaked Horatio and Ulysses, hopping around and holding his foot.


    "What happened to you guys? Didn''t I tell you to be careful when you came in? It can be dangerous here. People will get hurt if they''re unlucky."


    Calliope sighed. "Well, now that you''re in, what do you want?"


    She stood there, showing no hint of inviting them inside.


    "Calliope, we''re already here. Aren''t you going to invite us in for a cup of hot cocoa?" Valerian asked incredulously. They hadn''te for the cocoa, but a little hospitality wasn''t too much to ask. Besides, Lisette and Horatio were wet. She should offer them something dry to change into.


    "Get Lisette some clothes so she can change," Valerian almostmanded Calliope. "And Horatio too. He''s soaked because of you!"


    "Because of me?" Calliope raised an eyebrow. "I didn''t invite you over, did I? And I didn''t make you end up like this. It''s your own doing. How is this my fault?"


    "Regardless, let use in and sit down," Ulysses insisted, still hopping on one foot. He needed to sit somewhere bright to check his foot. pped by that sted tiger his face still stung.  en


    Calliope shrugged. "I suppose you cane in but our housekeeper works hard to clean the floors. You''re all so dirty. You can''te in with shoes on. We don''t have guest slippers, so you''ll go barefoot''


    "Calliope, don''t you think this is too much?" Valerian''s voice was tight with frustration. "What happened to you?"


    "I haven''t changed. I''ve always been like this. You''re just noticing now?" Calliope turned and headed back inside.


    Monty and the others hesitated at the door, unsure about taking off their shoes.


    Snowy stood by the entrance like a vignt guard, seemingly determined to keep them out unless theyplied.


    Finally, Monty took off his shoes and


    stepped inside. Soon after, Horatio


    and the others followed suit. But


    when Lisette tried to enter, Snowy blocked her way. No matter which way she moved, Snowy obstructed her path. Even without shoes, Snowy refused to let her pass.


    Lisette was incredulous. She couldn''t help but call Valerian, "Valerian, help!"