Half Magic

The next day, Mr. Smith arrives, inviting the family on a drive and to a picnic. Despite initial hesitation from their mother, they all go and have a marvelous time. When they return, the children retire while the adults stay up late talking. However, during the night, Martha awakes to her mother crying.

The following morning, the children realize they have had the charm for a week. Since the number seven is magical, they expect something grand to happen on the seventh day. Katharine observes that they are better people and happier since getting the charm, but Martha suggests that their mother is not.

Just then, the phone rings. It is Mr. Smith requesting that they meet in the bookshop. The children take the charm with them. When they arrive, he asks them to call him by his first name, Hugo. Martha declares that he will soon be their stepfather, and Mr. Smith admits that he has indeed asked their mother to marry him and that he would be proud to be their stepfather.

However, even though their mother expressed that she cares for Mr. Smith, she declined his proposal.