“Well, there is something,” she said shyly, “but it’s a bit expensive.”

“Tell me what it is!” I prodded, thinking she was going to name some expensive perfume, a cashmere sweater, or jewelry item.

“I’d really really like a carpet cleaning machine. Have you ever seen one? They kind of look like vacuum cleaners, but they clean your carpet. I have been watching for them to go on sale…”

Oh mother… sometimes you can be so adorable!