Hi! There. Annie said cheerfully.
Augusta’s mother did not replyShe was staring at Jack’s bare feet. Her expression made him sinkdown in his chair.
Do not punish Eliza and me, mother, said the girl chewed. Theseare Augusta’s friends. Not ours.
I took a pityon them, mother. Said Augusta. They were wet andmiserable.
Her mother finally smiled,Yes. Daughter. Have imagine they were. It’s very nice to have pityfor the poor. But dirty children should not be sitting in our parlor.
They were hungry, mother. SaidAugusta.
Yes, and I see you have given them food. Said her mother, so it’stime to get them out of the house now.
Jack and Annie stood up, Jack was happy to leave, he felt likeAugusta and her mother was talking about the stray dogs or cats,but Augustasat very still, and just stared at her mother,Go on, get them out of here, Augusta, said girl chewed. They arenot clean. They might have bugs in their hair,The mire mention of bugs made Jack scalp itch, he and Annie bothscratched their heads,See? Said girl chewed.
Augusta! Her mother said in a stern voice.
Oh, all right, alright, said Augusta standing on, I was trying to bekind, come with me, please. She said to Jack and Annie. I’ll leadyou down the lane of bit, at least pass the sheep dogs.
AsAugusta started out of the room, her mother stopped her andpinched her shoulders.
Carry yourself straight, daughter. She said.
Jack couldn’t imagine how the girl carry herself any straighter.
Augusta led Jack and Annie back down the dark hallway, throughthe fish smelling kitchen, passed the ancient bugler sleeping by thefire, and three kitchen maids on the cook. Without a word, shegrabbed her red cape and pulled it around her.
Where are you going? Miss augusta? Asked molly.
I have been ordered to send these poor children back out into thestorm. Augusta said.
Jack and Annie foisted their feet into their stiff wet socks and boots.
Augusta held the door for them, and followed them outside,slamming the door behind her. Even though it was still raining andwindy, Jack felt much happier outside the big house than inside it.
He and Annie followed Augusta, passed the gates and out to thelane. Augusta walked stiffly leading them like a mother duck.
What are we going to do abouther? Annie whispered to Jack.
I don’t know. Whispered Jack. She doesn’t seem very creative orimaginative to me,Well we have to inspire her. Come on! said Annie.
She and Jack hurried to catch up with Augusta.
Miss Augusta! Said Annie walking along beside her. Do you like tosing?
Dance, paint? Play musical instrument or anything creative likethat?
No. said Augusta.
She sounded angry, Jack figured she must be matted with hermother for kicking them out of the big house.
Or what about nature/ said Annie.
What about it? Asked Augusta.
Walking in the woods, said Annie, trees, birds does anything likethat inspire you?
Not any more. I was close to nature once. Augusta said. I used toroam the woods with my younger brothers. They said wood like arubywith the air in hot, I knew where to find caves of the otters, Iknew where to find nests of wild birds, ,...
That’s so cool. Said Annie.
I knew where the deer lie down to sleep, said Augusta, I knew thenames of every tree, oak, beech, elm, hazel and large pine.
Augusta’s voice grew a little loudly, as if she might cry.
But I am now not allowed to roam the woods with my brothersanymore, mother says it’s not proper for young ladyThat’s so sad. Said Annie.
Never mind. Said Augusta lifting her chin.
Let’s not talking about me any more. Let’s try instead of talking twoof you. Cook said you are good for anything. Why would she saythat?
They asked us if we were good for cleaning chimneys, pluckingchicken or catching rats. Said Annie, and we said no.
Then you must find other ways to make yourselves useful. SaidAugusta. Or you will find your way in the world. Can you shearsheep?
We’ve never try it. Said Jack.
Milk cows? Chin Butter? Weave a shawl? Augusta asked thempatiently, Hunt rabbits with horns?
Oh, never that. Said Annie.
Jack laughed.
Augusta frowned.
This is nothing to live about. Everyday you must ask yourselves,what am I good forActually, that was a good question. Jack thought. Who are yougood for?
And we would like to give you a piece of advice. Side Augusta.
Never make up stories about yourselves as art true.
What do you mean? Said Jack. You never acted in a play ofShakespeare’s. did you?
Did you? Tell the truth now. said Augusta.
We did. SaidJack. My sister was telling the truth. We’re both actorsin the midnight’s summer dream.
We played wood fairies, said Annie. we have green costumes, Jackeven make a little speech and I danced and sang.
Augusta shook her head,You poor dears, she said.
I know you only make up these wildstories because your real life was so miserable,But .. wait a minute, stop! Said Jack,What’s wrong with you? Why do you ask so snobby?
Snobby? Me?
Augusta seemed confused.
Jack, said Annie,No, I’m serious Jack saidto Annie.
She think she’s better than us,No, I don’t. Augusta said. stunt . I don’t like it at all. Each day Iwalked several miles to town, to give kicks and clothes to poorchildren like yourselves.
That’s nice. Said Jack, but you think you’re betterthan those poorchildren, don’t you? You’d never wanted to be real friends withthem, would you?
What you say about me it’s not true? Augusta said to Jack, I lovethe poor, while my favorite friend of the world is quite poor, andshe’s never been to school. Some say she’s even a little crack inher head, but I love her dearly.
Who’s that? Asked Annie.
Mary. Mary Sheridan, our old nurse maid. Said Augusta. I will takeyou to meet her. Mary will tell you the truth about me, come along.
Augusta ran from the lane, and crossed the muddy grass, her redcape flying in the windAm, I don’t think you have inspired her. Annie said.
I know. I am sorry. Said Jack. I just couldn’t take her attitude anylonger.
What can we over it? Said Annie, we supposed to helpher notannoy her.
She was annoying me said Jack.
Yeah. I know. Said Annie,Me too. But we’ve got the mission, come on,Jack and Annie followed Augusta across the grass to a small whitecottage with a straw roof. Augusta bAnnied on the door, scaringaway birds hidden by the front steps.
Mary! Mary! It’s me, Augusta. She called.
Come in. my dear. A voice answered.
Augustalifted the latch, and led Jack and Annie inside. Raped in abrown shawl, Mary Sheridan was stroking in an orange cat by theopen fire. She had rugged white hair, and bright blue eyes, hercricket smile, revealed a few missing of teeth.
One and twenty welcome to some this wonderful winter day. Saidthe old woman. |