Perna exited the car and supervised her daughter as she climbed out, making sure she didn't take off in excitement. 

"Will that be all, madam?"

"Yes, Harold. Return in two hours to pick us up."

"Oh, momma! That isn't long enough!"

"Yes, Mrs. Sugita."

As always, Perna stifled a sigh at her late husband's last name. She patted Devonnie's back, indicating she needed to calm down. Then she replied to her daughter. 

"Darling, of course it is. The tour is only going to take half that time and afterward we'll still be able to do whatever we want for another hour," she explained as they entered.
 
"Oh yeah, the tour..." she murmured.

Perna looked around and then tugged her daughter forward. 

"Look, here are some people waiting for it too."

Perna smiled slightly in acknowledgement of the strangers and then stood resolutely patient. Devonnie sighed and came along. She saw another kid and smiled at him. But he gave her a disdainful look and adjusted his glasses as his face turned away.

"Well, fine!" Devonnie huffed. She looked up at her mother. "Is the tour guide late?"

Perna glanced at her shiny watch and shook her head. A moment later she spotted him coming. He was the only one striding over with a purpose in his step. He was not a typical tour guide. He looked more like a wood cutter. But then again, considering where they were perhaps he had been a miner.

Lately she didn't notice so much, but it crossed her mind that he was attractive. It just didn't phase her emotionally.

Ah, he was a "lumberjack." Yes that's the word, not "woodcutter." She sniffed slightly at his speech, knowing she, for one, wasn't going to call him anything but his proper name.

"Lumber Jase!" exclaimed Devonnie.

Perna smirked in spite of herself. Devonnie liked the nickname at least.

Then he went on with his introduction.

"You cook FOOD in the hotsprings?" she spoke increduously and louder than she'd intended to. She immediately recognized her misstep. The mother of the disdainful boy, so cheerful a moment ago, frowned and turned to look at her. She looked her up and down and actually SCOWLED at her. Perna hadn't felt overdressed until that moment. Suddenly she was self-conscious. She knew she was already making herself unpopular here. Oh, wonderful.

"I mean," she smiled tentatively and turned to her daughter for rescue, "Doesn't that sound delightful, darling?"

Devonnie began to bounce in place. "Yes!" she burst out. She raised shining eyes to the tour guide and the watching crowd.

"Lumber Jase, what kind of food?" she asked curiously.

Perna overcome with relief, placed her hand on the back of Devonnie's hair and stroked it fondly once.

Then she lifted her eyes back to the guide.