The Brantky children were always very polite. Well mannered, respectful, with impeccable table manners. Philbert, Carlos, and little Enoch impressed every adult who ever met them. Philbert would extend his hand to shake those of the grown-ups that his parents brought home for cocktail parties. And although his younger brother Carlos was still dressed in the traditional "girl's garments" (because he was only 5 and that was the tradition among sophisticated families!), he too was considered a "little gentlemen" and a source of pride to his parents. Being merely an infant, Enoch was not expected to behave in any other way than as an infant, but his gentle temperament, jolly demeanor, and good looks made him a favorite among his mother's visiting lady friends! This good fortune made it all the more distressing when the children began to tell first their nanny, and then the rest of the servants and finally their parents about the "bad furniture". At first it seemed like the whims and wild fancies of imaginative children.... silly stories, fibs, harmless fictions meant to get the attention of older people. But the stories continued and became more elaborate...vivid... and disturbing! ....even lurid. The parlor piano would tinkle its keys as they passed... A side table would perhaps take a sip of a beverage sitting on it. A chair might suddenly nudge one of the children...actually touching... in a bad way. (Philbert carefully explained the difference between "good touches" and "bad touches" to Carlos, who batted his eyelashes, and to little Enoch who gurgled happily!!) Sometimes the sofa would move while they sat in it...and whisper bad things while one of its arms casually brushed against them... maybe to hug them, but not nicely. The Persian rug in the hall deliberately tripped them...and once tried to roll up tightly with little Enoch as he crawled too near. Their parents never actually saw any of these things... but the children were adamant. Again and again the adults ignored …or refuted their stories. It wasn't until Philbert brought the small hatchet from the barn into the front hall and walked up to the huge hat stand.......to teach it a lesson...
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