Gratuitous Domestic Posting (TM) - There And Probably Not Back Again Division

The six year old Llama-ette and I have been trying to read The Hobbit together, but it hasn't been working out very well. We've been at it for five or six evenings now and still have only got as far as the encounter with Tom, Bert and Bill. Frankly, I think it's all just a bit beyond her reach at the moment, as she either dozes off or constantly asks for footnotes and clarifications, and usually finishes looking rather puzzled and unenthusiastic.

In fact, I get the very distinct impression that the gel would like to simply give it up, but she's too polite and kind-hearted to say so. She knows how much I like the book and I sense that her primary motive in having endured it this long has been a desire not to disappoint. I must say that it's been a bit hard to watch her struggling with herself as I realized what she was thinking. At the same time, however, this latest manifestation of her natural sweetness is awfully endearing.

Nonetheless, I think that it may be time to back out tactfully, as the poor girl now is starting to invent excuses. Last evening, when I offered to pick up the story again, she said, "Oh, Daddy, I've really got to finish this homework instead. Maybe you can read it to me tomorrow night.....If you like."

I've been on the receiving end of too many female brush-offs not to recognize one when I see it. Before she's reduced to stories about the need to wash her hair, I think I'll do the honorable thing.