The librarian to which Harga was referring was none other than Dolly Malestrom, the happy housewife of Jeraime Malestrom. Jeraime and Dolly had, like Denny, annoyed the Meethlites.

Unlike Denny, who did it by ceasing to trade with them, Jeraime and Dolly were known for their seething editorial articles in the local paper, which decimated the claims of Meethlite sympathizers. It was the third week in Advent, and the young couple was acting like it was already Christmas.



Jeraime: "Ha! Got ya!"

Dolly: (giggling) "Jerry! Not in the snow!"



Jeraime: "Better than being buried in books all day, am I right?"

Dolly: "I love you!"



Jeraime: "God has been so good to us, Dolly!"

Dolly: "He'd be even better though, if..."

Jeraime: "Relax, this isn't a race! I know we'll have our children some day. For now though, let's be glad we can enjoy the gift of each other!"



Dolly: "I know. It's just...I'm worried!"

Jeraime: "About what?"

Dolly: "A lot of things."



Jeraime: "My brother is considerably older! Besides, I'm perfectly content with you, even if we are having a hard time having any children! Looking on the bright side, at least we don't have the problems that we're seeing in our nephew!"



Dolly: "Henry? I only wish I knew what was up with him. But we're not too significantly older than he is! Why would he believe anything we say anyway?"

Jeraime: "I'm 38! The boy's 25! That's still enough of a difference to matter."

Dolly: "I don't like the fact that he plays around with all that stuff! Does he have any idea where it comes from?"



Jeraime: "Darling…I can't claim to know what God's big plan is in all of this, but we're in this till the end. And if he means for you to carry on without me one day...then be prepared!"

Dolly: "We'll keep trying! The doctor said I have a good chance!"

Jeraime: "Yes. We'll keep trying. Now, let's go make dinner. I know Khumar and Lindsay will be eager for some!"



Still looking forward to getting their own house, Khumar and Lindsay were staying at the Malestroms' home. Things had been rough for Lindsay, as she had been unable to find work. She envied her sister in many ways, though she admitted that it was partly her fault that she was not as successful.

Her sister had been career-pursuing and very religious; Lindsay had been a drifter through life. Dolly eventually landed a job as a librarian in Portage, Michigan. When higher pursuits didn't come her way; she was still incredibly successful. The Librarian of Portage, as she was called, transferred to a job as a librarian in Dirbine living in Viron. Lindsay, by contrast, seemed to only be best at getting herself into trouble.

Dolly held out on romantic pursuits until she met Jeraime, and settled into a happy marriage. Lindsay hadn't waited for much of anything; and found herself marrying Khumar as much out of a sense of obligation as out of love. The Malestroms were very kind in helping the Hamiltons get back on their feet. None of them would realize what peril would ironically result from them all being so close.



Lindsay: "I feel awful being here, Khumar. It’s like…my mere presence…is…a dampening on…the very…pureness…and…beauty of this place!"

Khumar: "That's the wrong way to look at it! Hun, the very fact that we're allowed here is the completion of this season! Isn't it all about God's love, even for those who don't deserve it?"



Lindsay was not entirely consoled, but backed away a little bit, contenting herself to stare at the TV re-runs.

Lindsay: "You know, I wonder why Rudolph doesn't just tell them all to kiss..."

Khumar: "I know! However, the FCC would have never allowed that in the 1960's! You've gotta think of time periods here!"



Lindsay: "You know, you're unusually cheerful tonight!"

Khumar: "This is the evening the Lord has made! Sure, it ain't Christmas; but it's special in its own way! I know we won't have the best story to tell our kids some day about how we met; but at least we're together! Better all the crap we go through than that I should end up with anyone but you!"

Lindsay: "You're taking this right out of Jeraime's playbook, you copycat romantic!"



Khumar: "Okay, so I'm not original! Can you fault me? We're two stars forced to bask in the shadow of our older siblings! That doesn't mean we can't make it matter!"

Lindsay: "Don't I know it! But I will get that job at the bakery! They can't say no forever, can they?"

Khumar: "I doubt it. How could they resist a sweet like you? Ah...the moment! Anything to detract from the loss of my brother!"



Lindsay: "Brother? You…have a brother??? You’re only telling me this now? "

Khumar: "Well...more of a half-brother! You see...my mom was once married to certain McArthur; but returned to her maiden name of Hamilton after his death. Some punk took more than his fair share, so I came into the world. Nobody's seen him since. My poor brother Donte was only nine! It wasn't easy for either of us with no father."



Lindsay: "Well, we'd better help the others prepare for dinner."

Khumar: "I...don't know why I mention this to you now but...he was more than just my half-brother!"