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The next day the two Ymbrynes decided, they would send children outside of the loop with quest to bring the boy to the loop. They waited for children to return in the living room when they heard a door opening and closing with their children's voices. Alma and Mariana walked to the hall, however they didn't see the boy. Emma and Millard weren't with them too.
''Where's Miss Bloom and Mr. Nullings?'' Alma asked Bronwyn. Other children left to play in the garden or their rooms.
''There were some issues, they stayed behind to deal with the boy.'' Bronwyn told the two Ymbrynes.
''Thank you, Bronwyn.'' thanked Mariana, the girl smiled and walked away.
''That won't end well, I believe.'' said Miss Gyrfalcon, ''Indeed. It won't.''
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Mariana and Alma decided to continue with their work while they waited for the trio to arrive. It didn't took to long. Emma knocked at the door of their office, she looked angry.
''He's here.'' she said when she entered the office.
''Thank you, Miss Bloom. Please bring him here.'' The girl nodded and left to gather the Portman boy.
"Good afternoon," Alma said when the duo entered.
"You must be Jacob." Mariana smiled. Emma gaped at them both. "How do you know his — "
"My name is Headmistress Peregrine and this is Headmistress Gyrfalcon," she said, holding up a finger to silence Emma, "or if you prefer, since you are not currently under our care, Miss Peregrine and Gyrfalcon. Pleased to finally meet you."
Miss Peregrine dangled a hand in his direction and noticed the rope that bound his wrists. "Emma!" Miss Gyrfalcon cried. "What is the meaning of this? Is that any way to treat a guest? Free him at once!" she said to the girl.
"But Headmistress! He's a snoop and a liar and I don't know what else!" Casting a mistrustful glance at Jacob, Emma whispered to Miss Gyrfalcon and Peregrine: ''And he's a wight!''
"Why, Miss Bloom," said Miss Peregrine, letting out a booming laugh. Miss Gyrfalcon started laughing also. "What undiluted balderdash! If this boy were a wight you'd already be stewing in his soup kettle. Of course he's Abraham Portman's grandson. Just look at him!" Emma began to protest, but the blonde Ymbryne shut her down with a withering glare. "Oh, all right," Emma sighed, "but don't say I didn't warn you." And with a few tugs at the knot, the rope fell away.
"You'll have to pardon Miss Bloom," said Miss Peregrine as the boy rubbed at his chafed wrists. "She has a certain flair for the dramatic."
"So I've noticed." Mariana smiled slightly. Emma scowled. "If he's who he says he is, then why don't he know the first thing about loops — or even what year he's in? Go on, ask him!''
