"I picked the big ones!" said Brian. "Boy, I want to cook one! Light the fire, Daddy, quick!"

　　"All right, all right, settle down." Bob winked at me. "They won't spoil." He lit some small sticks while the kids ran for their hot dog forks.

　　"Mine will be better because they're so little," predicted Julie. Brian shrugged, mashing two large ones on his fork.

　　We waited for the culinary verdict.

　　"Wow! Brian's eyes rounded with surprise. "These are sure better than those old ones in the bags!" He reached for another. "These are so good!"

　　"Of course," I said. "These are really fresh!"

　　Julie looked puzzled. "How come all those marshmallow bushes don't have the same kinds of leaves?"

　　"Just different kinds, that's all," I replied quickly. "Like flowers."

　　"Oh." She licked her fingers, seemingly satisfied with my answer. Then, studying the next marshmallow before she popped it into her mouth, she looked up with the sweetest smile and said softly, "We're so lucky that they bloomed today!"