It seemed like that, as they so often said, was the ticket—a match made in heaven. With a reassuring smile, he reclaimed the wand from the young boy to return it to its box, tying a simple twine bow about the package before handing it back, recording the necessary details, and completing the transaction.

With the lad and his ghostly father departed, Gervaise set about the tedious work of repairing the damage.