Emily stood and mouthed the words [i]Thank you[/i] to Roger as Robbie delivered his just-sincere-enough apology.  Then she clapped her hands on her knees and addressed the children.  "Okay!  Who wants to go inside and play?  We have all kinds of fun toys and books for you all to play with."  She then turned toward Roger and said quietly, "I'll see you later."

Kenny grinned when Miss Emily mentioned toys and, for a few moments, forgot the fear that he had just moments ago.  He broke into a light run as he made his way inside and to the large playroom.  Multi colored mats covered one section of the floor, along with several foam letters and numbers, and there were even a few toy foam swords and wands lying about.  Several clear totes were stacked neatly along the walls; each one containing a different variety of toy: one contained cars and other vehicles, while another contained small action figures, and still another contained animals of varying shapes and sizes.

Emily went inside after the other children entered.  She told them, "Miss Madeline isn't feeling good, so she won't be here with us.  For the time being, feel free to play with whatever you want, and come to me if you have any questions or troubles and I'll do my best to help you."  After smiling brightly at the children, she walked over to one of the high-up cabinets and withdrew a developmental psychology textbook, then sat down in the Reading Nook and started reading it, while glancing up at the children from time to time.

Kenny saw that a world of possibilities had been opened to him, and he found it slightly overwhelming.  When he was at home, he would usually ask his mommy if he could play the Wii, or he'd open the toy chest in the living room and play with his castle and knight action figures, but here...

He turned to Robbie with uncertainty and asked, "What do [i]you[/I] want to do?"