Half Magic

After Camelot, the children are content at home. They hide the charm in the floorboards and play games the rest of the day. At dinner they ask their mother about her day, invite her to play Parcheesi, and decline her offer to read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. She is so alarmed by their behavior that after they retire, she checks each child for a fever.

The narrator interjects to reveal that the adventure with Sir Launcelot has taught the kids a moral lesson, which sometimes is not pleasant because, although there is gratitude and hope to do better, it still is difficult to think about your mistakes.

The next morning, the kids contemplate how best to use the charm. Even with the desire to do a good deed, they worry about creating a disaster. Jane suggests more serious wishes like ending war, which Katharine thinks is too extreme. Meanwhile, Martha wants a serious and fun wish. Doubtful, the children wait to use the charm because wishes may be limited.

In the meantime, after getting permission, the children go to lunch and to see a movie.