Tobie knows what time it is.

But he doesn’t necessarily care.

Uncle Joel has been reading his book most of the frickin’ afternoon. It is now approaching one of the most sacred moments of the day: Evening, with the Giving of the Evening Meal and the Taking of the Evening Walkie. I say ‘approaching,’ because it’s not really that time yet at all. Tobie, a bit of a heretic, isn’t really all that tied to sacral bells.

Tobie at 4:30, half an hour before the Official Moment…

Tobie at 4:45, having reliquished all attempts at subtlety…