Jack and Annie looked at each other,Augusta!
The girl put down her baskets, and took off her wet cape,Did you do leave your cakes to the poor, miss Augusta? AskedMolly.
Yes. Molly. Said Augusta.
I visited 7 cottages today,7? In this weather?
Yeah.
An angel miss Augusta. Said molly. Always so kind to the poor.
It’s my duty, molly. The girl said. to help those less fortunate thanmyself.
Her gaze rested on Jack and Annie,And who are these poor children?
They are looking for work, miss. Said the cook. But I am afraid thatsorry creatures not good for anything. I was just sending themaway.
Oh, surly, we must not turn them so quickly, cook. Said Augusta.
How tired and miserable they look!
Jack didn’t think they looked thatWe’re tired and miserable, Annie said.
Her voice sounded sad, her shoulder shrugged,Oh, brother! Jack thought.
Annie was really acting on her part.
My poor dears, you must both come from the parlor rest of bit? SaidAugusta.
We’ll like that. Annie said pitifully.
Follow me. Said Augusta.
Miss Augusta, surely you’lltake these dirty children into the parlor?
Said the cook.
We must be always be kind to the poor. Cook. No matter how dirtything they are. Said Augusta. We should give them something todrink if they are thirsty, and something to eat if they are hungry.
You are too kind miss Augusta. Said molly, shaking her head.
Well at least make them take off their fussy boots. Said the cook.
Jack and Annie put off their boots and socks, and set them by thedoor. Their feet were red and raw looking, Augusta took twopearled potatoes from the bowl, and pot them into her pocket, thenshe picked up a lit candle from the hoss,Come, let me take you to the parlor. She said to Jack and Annie.
Thanks. Augusta. Said Annie.
Show some more respect. The cook called after Annie. call hermiss Augusta.
Sorry. Said Annie, thanks. Miss Augusta.
Jack rowed his eyes.
Why should we call her miss?
Augusta didn’t look like she was any older than he was.
Holding her flicking candle, Augusta led Jack and Annie out of thekitchen, the wooden floor quaked as they walked barefoot to anarrow hallway.
How are we ever going to inspire this strange serious girl?
Wondered Jack. She acts as if she’s already a grownup, and treatsAnnie and me as babies.
We will sit here, children. Said Augusta.
She directed Jack and Annie into a large room with heavy curtainsand dark furniture. The pale teenager girl who answered the frontdoor, sat on a sofa, knitting. Another teenager girl knitted beside her.
They scared then they saw Jack and Annie,What are you doing? Augusta? Asked the pale girl. Why are youbring those two into the parlor?
I invited them to take a rest. Said Augusta.
She turned to Jack and Annie,Pay no attention to my sisters. She said.
Please, sit down.
Augusta! Have you gonemad? Said the girl, chewed, you can notinvite these two rug orphans in here! Mother will be furious. SaidAugusta’s other sister.
They are falsie, they are not even wearing shoes.
Jack looked down at his muddy clothes and cold red feet.
Cook and me removed their muddy shoes in the kitchen, oblizer.
Eliezer. Augusta said.
I only wish I had nice dry shoes to give them. Sit down, children.
She said to Jack and Annie. again.
Jack and Annie slowly sat down.
You’re going to get into trouble, Augusta. Saidgirl chewed.
Mother will never approve, said Lisa.
Both sisters shook their heads as they went back to their knitting.
Augusta ignored her sisters, and walked to a silver teapot on thesideboard,Would you like some hot tea, poor dears? She asked Jack andAnnie.
Yes. Miss Augusta. Said Annie.
Jack nodded. Hot tea sounded good. He still felt chilled from thecold wind and rain. There was fireplace in the jewelry parlor. But nofire was lit. everything in the room seemed too dark and gloomy.
Except for a few books on the table. As Augusta poured tea intofancy china cups, Jack leaned closer to get a better look to thebooks. One was titled: the plays of William Shakespeare. The otherwas called thetales of king Arthur. Jack smiled to himself, seeingthose books’ titles made him a litter more comfortable.
Augusta carried cups of tea to Jack and Annie, then she pulled thepotatoes out of her pocket, and gave one to each of them.
Thank you, miss Augusta. Said Annie.
Jack took a sip of tea, but it was too hot and bitter to drink. He tooka bite of his potato, but it was too hot to chew.
So miss Augusta, what do you like to do around here? Annie asked.
What inspires you?
Augusta looked puzzled.
I do not know what you mean. She said.
What about reading books? Said Jack have you read all thosebooks?
He pointed to the tales of king author. Arthur, and plays of WilliamShakespeare.
Those books belong to my brothers. Said Augusta, the time is notcome for Augusta to read such books. Said her sister who arechewed.
Not until she’s older. Said her sister Eliza.
Why? Asked Jack.
Mother says the tales of king Arthur and plays of Shakespeare arenot for young ladies. Said Augusta.
Really? Said Jack.
Yes. But I’m afraid I sometimes pick my brothers’ books. Augustasaid to Jack and Annie in a low voice. I love stories. I rememberevery stories I read or hear,I love stories too. Said Annie.
And l love books.
The two elder sisters smiles.
Keeps driving my dear. Said Eliza. Perhaps one day you will learnto read.
I already know how to read, said Annie. Jack and I read lots ofbooks.
She pointed to the books on the table, in fact we know tons of talesof king Arthur. And we go and see plays of Shakespeare with ourparents. And one time we even acted in a play by Shakespeare. Amidnight’s summer dream. ..
It was acted at our school. Jack broke in. before Annie could tellthem, that she and Jack actually met Shakespeare himself.
A midnight’s summer dream? Said Augusta.
She looked surprised,Don’t listen to them, Augusta, said girl chewed.
I dare these children have ever been to school. Much less haveacted in a play by William Shakespeare .
I suspect you are quite right. Said the girl chewed.
A tall woman was standing in the doorway of the parlor. She wore along black silk dress, and stood very straight, there was an icy lookon her face, as she stared at Jack and Annie,Oh! Mother! Said Eliza. |