The Charming Gift Read Online Free Page B

“What do you think?”
    â€œHow elegant!” Wardrobe cried.
    Belle sat still as the coat rack started styling her hair. Mrs. Potts laid out Belle’s shoes, while Wardrobe made sure that Belle’s ball gown was pressed and ready. But a soft sigh made Mrs. Potts look up.
    â€œEverything all right, dear?” she asked Belle.
    Belle tried to smile. “Oh, yes,” she replied. “I was just thinking about my father. I wish he could be here tonight. I think he would’ve had a wonderful time at the ball.”

    â€œI know he would’ve,” Mrs. Potts replied. “And I know he would be very proud of you, too. Why, there wouldn’t even be a ball tonight if not for you! And that reminds me that I still have a few things to do. I’ll be back soon in case you need anything.”
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Potts,” Belle said softly.
    Mrs. Potts knew that she couldn’t bring Belle’s father to the ball. No one was allowed to leave the castle. But it was almost time to give Belle the charm bracelet—and she hoped that it would help her understand how special she was to everyone!

    Meanwhile, the Beast had just entered the greenhouse, holding several sprigs of holly.
    â€œSplendid, just splendid!” Cogsworth cried in excitement, spotting the holly. “To add the berries, I need two rubies of equal size,” he said, as he began arranging some emeralds in the shape of holly leaves. “Can you help me find just the right jewels, Chip?”
    â€œOf course I can!” Chip replied. He scurried over to a large sack of jewels. But in his excitement, he knocked it over! A rainbow of jewels scattered throughout the greenhouse, bouncing across the floor.
    â€œOops,” Chip said in a quiet voice.
    â€œOh, dear!” cried Cogsworth.
    â€œI’ll search for the jewels while you work on your charm, Cogsworth,” the Beast said. “And Chip can pick out the rubies you need.”

    â€œThank you, Master,” Cogsworth said gratefully. The three went to work at once. Chip was so busy finding the rubies for Cogsworth’s charm he didn’t even notice that the sun was starting to set.
    When Cogsworth’s charm was finished, the Beast and Chip stood back to admire it. “Well done, Cogsworth,” the Beast said.
    Cogsworth was so pleased that the clock hands on his face spun around in circles. “Well, I certainly couldn’t have done it without your help,” he said modestly. “What about your charm, Master? How may I help you?”
    The Beast nodded. “Take a look,” he said. “I don’t know how to make it look like a winter rose.”
    â€œI know!” Chip exclaimed. “That’s why I went back to the Royal Jewelry Chamber. Look what I got for you, Master!”
    The Beast and Cogsworth turned to Chip as he pushed a bag toward them. Chip nudged the bag until it tipped over. A small amount of shimmering powder spilled out of the bag.
    â€œIt’s diamond dust,” Chip explained. “Maybe if you put it on the edges of the rose petals, it will look like frost.”
    â€œThat just might work,” the Beast commented. He held the charm very still as Cogsworth applied a thin coat of glue along the edges of each petal. Meanwhile, Chip made a neat pile of diamond dust on the counter. Then everyone held their breath as the Beast carefully dipped the edges of the rose into the diamond dust.
    â€œSteady…steady…” whispered Cogsworth as they waited for the glue to set.
    â€œWhat do you think? Is it dry? Should I turn it over?” the Beast asked nervously.
    â€œWait just another minute,” Chip said. “Okay… now !”
    In one fast motion, the Beast flipped over the charm. The diamond dust sparkled and twinkled just like a fresh coat of frost!
    â€œWe did it! It looks just like a winter rose now!” cheered Chip.
    â€œNo, Chip, you did it!” the