Blyton Enid House at the Corner

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Wraparound dustwrapper from the 2nd edition,

illustrated by Barbara C. Freeman

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Frontis from the 2nd edition, illustrated by Barbara

C. Freeman

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HOUSE ! !HE CO"#E"

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By the same Author

!HE F$%&' ! "E()"OOFS

HO&&OW !"EE HOUSE

!HE *U!)E$)"%+H!S

!HOSE ("E(FU& CH%&("E#

!HE S% B( BO'S

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&& "%+H!S "ESE"E(

First published, 1947

Second impression, 1949Third impression, 1950

Fourth impression,1951

Printed in Great Britain by Wyman & Sons Ltd, London, Heading and Fakenham

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CO#!E#!S

CH*!E" *+E

1. Aunt Grace Comes To Stay 11

2. The Five Farre Chi!ren 193. "i##ie$An! %i#a&eth 27

4. 'ac( At Schoo A)ain 355. *ichae +as An ,!ea 43

6. A Famiy Ta( 52

7. The Farre Famiy Are 'usy 6-8. "i##ie "oses +er Temer 69

9. /amea Gets ,nto Trou&e 771-. A 0on!eru Surrise 85

11. The Story ,s /rinte! 9412. Tony /ays +is Tric( 1-2

13. A Shoc( For Tony 11114. Greta An! /am 12-

15. The ay The /ay 12816. A 'ac( /atch 13717. Satur!ay *ornin) 14518. ,n The +ea!masters Stu!y 154

19. Sun!ay 1622-. A Shoc( For /am$An! A Ta( 0ith *ichae 171

21. Tony os For The Shore 179

22. A Famiy Counci 187

23. Tony 'rea(s +is es$An! /am Srin)s

A Surrise 19524. The +oi!ays Go 'y 2-4

25. +ay %n!in) 212

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CH*!E" O#E

Aunt Grae !omes to Stay

" Aunt Grace as comin) to stay ith her

reations:; the Farres. She sat in the train; surroun!e! &y

her &eon)in)s.

%very no an! a)ain she counte! them over. *y &i)

&ron &a). *y itte &ue one. Su(ie the arrot. *y

um&rea an! sunsha!e. *y eectric (ette. *y mac(intosh.*y o!!s:an!:en!s. <es; theyre a there.

The o!!s:an!:en!s ere tie! to)ether ith strin).

They ere the thin)s that Aunt Grace ha! !eci!e! to ta(e

ith her at the ast minute; ater; her &a)s ere oc(e! an!

ac(e!$a ac(et o sunoer see!s or Su(ie the arrot

$a ma)a#ine an! a &oo($a tin o toees an! a ac(et o

san!iches:$an! a e a!in) oers rom her )ar!en. <es; theyre a there; sai! the o! a!y; an! cose!

her shar eyes; tryin) to see. 'ut she cou!nt see. A

=ourney aays e>cite! her. She thou)ht o the Farres one

&y one$?ohn Farre the ather; "ucy the mother; an! a

the ive chi!ren.

An! i that stuc(:u /am tries any o her hi)h:an!:

mi)hty ays on me this time; she &e sorry; thou)ht theo! a!y; )rimy. An! as or that &oy; Tony; hat he

ants is a )oo! san(in)$aays !i!. "i##ies the ony

one orth anythin) in that amiy. The tins are aays

too &usy ith this an! that to (no roery.

She thou)ht o a the ive chi!ren. She as a

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shar:eye!; shar:itte! o! a!y ho !i!nt at a

min! sayin) hat she thou)ht. She ent rom one to the

other o her reations; stayin) a month here an! a ee(

there; )ivin) everyone hat she cae! a iece o hermin! i she thou)ht they nee!e! it. 'ut she cou! &e (in!

too; an! thou)h many o them eare! her; some o her

reations ove! her an! (ne there as a )reat !ea more to

her than her shar eyes an! ton)ue.

"et me see no; she thou)ht; as she sat ith her

eyes ha:cose!; its neary a year since , sa the Farre

chi!ren. They i have )ron *y; /am must &e amostrea!y to eave schoo. Time she came home an! hee! her

mother a ⁢ @ thin(. oesnt even (no ho to ma(e a &e!

roery

She )ave a itte snort; remem&erin) ho unti!y

/amea as; ho she or)ot thin)s; an! ho she never

cou! se on a &utton or hoo( that came o. Aunt Grace

as as neat as a ne in; an! even no cou! em&roi!er

&eautiuy ithout her )asses.

Ah; she sai!; sittin) u; theres the house no; on

the corner there. , aays i(e that irst )imse o it.

The train aays asse! &y the Farres house; ha a

mie &eore it reache! the station. Aunt Grace oo(e! at it;

an! her eyes sotene!. She ove! +ouse:at:the:Corner as it as cae!. She ha! sent a )reat !ea o her on

chi!hoo! there. There it stoo!; on a corner; acin) the

his; an o! ram&in) house; &i) an! ovey; moss )roin)

here an! there on its o! re! ties. oun! it srea! a )ar!en

as ram&in) as the house itse; u o oers.

,ts a ovey house; sai! o! Aunt Grace; an!

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ovey )ar!en. ,m )a! to &e )oin) to stay there

a)ain. *ay&e ,m not very ecome$too shar:ton)ue!;

an! , (no "ucy !oesnt i(e Su(ie the arrot $&ut they

can ut u ith me or a itte hie The train ran into the station. Aunt Grace &e)an to

)ather u her thin)s. She eane! out o the in!o an!

cae! the orter to ta(e the arrots &i) ca)e. Su(ie; ho

as aays too ri)htene! to utter even the smaest

sua( hen on a train; came to ie an! scratche! her

o.

/orter 1 she sai!; in a voice so i(e Aunt Gracesthat the o! orter =ume!. +ey; orter

Aunt Grace cim&e! out o the carria)e an! oo(e! to

see ho ha! come to meet her. +o nice i the hoe

amiy ha! come 1 That ou! &e a ecome in!ee!.

At irst it oo(e! as i not one o the Farre amiy

ere there to )reet her. The o! a!y rone!. Then she

cau)ht si)ht o a )ir o a&out si>teen comin) toar!s her;

a ain; rather )a(y )ir; ith )asses on her nose; an!

ire roun! her ront teeth to (ee them strai)ht.

"i##ie sai! Aunt Grace. +o youve )ron

*y; ,! har!y have (non you

"i##ie smie! an! shoe! the ire roun! her teeth.

She ha! nice teeth &ut they stuc( too ar orar!; an! the!entist as tryin) to ut them ri)ht or her; &ut ho "i##ie

hate! that ire roun! them She hate! earin) )asses too;

&ut since she ha! ha! meases her eyes ha! &een ea(; an!

she ha! to ear the )asses.

0here are the others B sai! Aunt Grace; coectin)

the o!!s:an!:en!s. Too &usy to &other a&out their o!

aunt; , suose B

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This as e>acty ri)ht; &ut "i##ie cou!nt say so; o

course. o&o!y ha! ante! to come an! meet Aunt Grace.

! &ore /am ha! sai!. Aays !escen!in) on

eoe that !ont ant her. I'm not )oin) to meet herTony ha! simy !isaeare!. +e (ne so e ho to

!o that hen he !i!nt ant to !o anythin).

The tins ha! ar)ue! so heate!y a&out )oin) to the

station to meet Aunt Grace that their mother ha! )iven in

an! sai! they nee!nt )o. So there as ony "i##ie et; an!;

as usua; she as the one to !o somethin) that no&o!y ese

ou! !o. So there she as at the station; smiin) her shysmie; an! hein) her )reat:aunt ith her u))a)e.

"i##ie ha! a ta>i outsi!e an! they )ot into it; Su(ie

oo(in) !is)uste! at the i!ea o another tri on hees. She

hunche! herse u an! shut her eyes.

Su(ie i &e )a! to &e home; sai! Aunt Grace.

She hates =ourneys. So !o ,.

<ou ma(e so many =ourneys; !ont you; Aunt Grace B

sai! "i##ie. Aays )oin) here an! there. , you hate

them so much; hy !ont you )et a itte cotta)e o your

on an! sette there ith Su(ie B Then you ou!nt

aays have to &e ac(in) an! unac(in); an! travein) in

trains an! ta>is

Aunt Grace oo(e! at "i##ie shary; on!erin) i the)ir as hintin) that a cotta)e:home ou! revent Aunt

Grace rom imosin) herse so much on her reations. 'ut

she sa that "i##ie as not thin(in) that at a. The )irs

arm &ron eyes ere can!i! an! (in!; not sy or

mischievous as /ams an! Tonys so oten ere.

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0e; sai! Aunt Grace; ith a unny itte si)h; ,m

arai! o ivin) aone; ith my thou)hts an! memories;

"i##ie. ,ve ma!e a ot o mista(es in my ie; an! ,

remem&er them hen ,m aone. ,m a oney o! oman;an! , ant ie an! rien!s aroun! me$yes; even i eoe

!ont ant me; , sti ant to &e ith them

"i##ie !i!nt (no hat to say. She ha! never thou)ht

o Aunt Grace eein) oney. +er )reat:aunt as so

ta(ative; so on! o arran)in) other eoes ives or

them; so u o this; that an! the other$ho cou! she

ever ee oney B She oo(e! in surrise at the o! a!y.Aunt Grace atte! her han!.

<oure a nice chi!; she sai!; une>ecte!y. ot

enou)h go in you; thats your trou&e. o every&o!y eses

!irty or(. ont thin( enou)h o yourse

0e$/ams the retty one; an! the cever one; sai!

"i##ie; oyay. , never &e retty an! ,m not very

cever; ,m arai!. An! ,m scare! o eoe; an! o tryin)

anythin) ne , ish , cou! &e i(e /am.

o !ont you ish that &e)an Aunt Grace; an!

then stoe!. ,t ou!nt !o to te "i##ie hat she thou)ht

o vain; conceite!; cever /am; ith her har! itte mouth

an! sarcastic ton)ue. o; it ou!nt !o.

+ere e are; sai! "i##ie; as the ta>i stoe!; an! sheoene! the !oor. The ta>i:man )ot !on an! &e)an to u

out the u))a)e. "i##ies mother came runnin) !on to the

)ate.

Aunt Grace 0ecome to the +ouse:at:the:Corner

she sai!. Come aon) in. Greta i &rin) in your thin)s

ith "i##ie.

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Greta the mai! came out; &eamin). She as an

Austrian; (in!; )enerous an! hot:temere!. Tomorro she

ou! &e umin) an! ra)in) &ecause o somethin) Aunt

Grace ha! sai!$&ut at this minute she as u o armecome; very easant to see.

,t is vairy nice to see you a)ain; *a!ame; she sai!;

smiin) a over her =oy; um ace. , he *iss "i##ie

i# your #in)s.

Than( you; Greta; sai! Aunt Grace; an! ent

in!oors ith her niece. "i##ie an! Greta stru))e! in ith

the &a)s; an! then ent out a)ain to etch Su(ie the arrotin her &i) ca)e.

is arrot , !o not i(e; sai! Greta; in a ou!

hiser to "i##ie. She has an u)y voice; she )o

soo(; soo( a the time. 0hy !oes not your aunt

have a nice at itte cat; or a )oo! )oo! !o) B

"i##ie au)he!. h; , thin( a arrot is )oo! un; she

sai!. 0ont the tins &e ease! to see Su(ie a)ain B

They ove her They tau)ht her Do say a (in!s o thin)s

ast time.

/oy ut the (atte on; sai! Su(ie; at once.

Eette; not (atte; sai! "i##ie. <es; the tins

tau)ht you to say that; !i!nt they; Su(ie. Goo! /oy

/oor oor /oy; sai! Su(ie; cheeruy; very )a! tothin( that she ou! at ast &e a&e to stan! on a irm oor

a)ain; instea! o on thin)s on hees that =ote! an! =er(e!

a the time.

Aunt Grace ha! &een ta(en u to her room &y *rs.

Farre. "i##ie ha! ut vases o resh oers there; an! the

sun came in at the oen in!os. Aunt Grace sat !on on

the &e!. This as aays my room hen , as a chi!;

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she sai!; as she ha! sai! so many times &eore. ,ts

nice o you to remem&er that; "ucy. Theres a ne a:

aer; o course$an! a ne caret$&ut the vie is =ust

the same; an! the ae tree outsi!e the in!o is the verysame one

*rs. Farre ha! hear! this so many times that she

har!y nee!e! to isten. She smie! at the tire! o! a!y.

<es; , (ne you! i(e "i##ies room; she sai!. "i##ie

turne! out or you; an! ent into the sare:room.

ice chi!; sai! Aunt Grace; sha(in) some aven!er

ater on to her han!(erchie an! moin) her orehea!ith it. ice chi!$&ut very ain; "ucy. Must she ear

those )asses sti$an! that ire roun! her teeth B

?ust a itte hie on)er; sai! *rs. Farre. <es;

oor "i##ie$she !oesnt shine &esi!e /am; ,m arai!.

/ams so very retty an! so smart too.

+an!some is as han!some !oes sai! Aunt Grace.

0e; , have a itte rest &eore unch; my !ear; i you

!ont min!. , see the rest o the chi!ren then; i theyre

in. r may&e theyre (eein) out o my ay B

This as the (in! o sy thin) that Aunt Grace so oten

sai!; an! that as very near the truth. *rs. Farre au)he!

a itte; an! re!!ene!.

<ou see them a at unch:time; she sai!. <ouont (no the tins Theyve )ron so. Theyre rae!

u in one another; o course; =ust as they aays ere$

have the same i(es an! !isi(es; an! )o their on ay. ,

!ont reay ee that , (no very much a&out them

She ent out o the room an! shut the !oor uiety.

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Aunt Grace too( o her shoes an! !ress; !re &ac(

the &e!:srea! an! ay !on; sniin) at her aven!er:

scente! han!(erchie.

, e>ect "i##ie )rum&e! at havin) to turn out o herroom; she sai! to herse. 'ut its nice to &e &ac( a)ain

in the ace , (no. <es; its nice to &e &ac(.

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CH*!E" !WO

"he Fi#e Farrell !hildren

,T as the %aster hoi!ays. They ere amost over;

an! soon a the ive Farre chi!ren ou! )o &ac( to

schoo. The tins hate! that; &ecause it meant that they

ere arte! a !ay. avi! ent to the &i) Grammar

Schoo or &oys; an! eia; his tin; ent to same &i)

)irs schoo as her e!er sisters; "i##ie an! /am. Tony; here!er &rother; ent to the Grammar Schoo ith avi!.

o a ive chi!ren ere in their &i) ay:room

!onstairs; aitin) or Greta to &an) the )on) or unch.

,s she here B as(e! Tony; comin) in ast.

0ho B Aunt Grace B sai! /am. <es; shes here a

ri)ht; orse uc(. Goin) to ut everyone in their aces as

usua; , suose. 0e$she ont ut me! ,m seventeenan! a ha; amost )ron u; )oin) to coe)e in Setem&er

$she cant or!er me a&out any on)er.

She =oy e ont or!er me a&out; either; sai!

Tony.

She i. <oure ony ourteen; sai! /am.

, may &e ony ourteen; &ut ,m as ta as you; sai!

Tony. +e as. +e oo(e! a&out seventeen; ith his ineta &o!y; an! &i) shou!ers. +e as a han!some; e:

&uit &oy; an! *rs. Farre as very rou! o him. +e as

as cever as /am; an! ha! =ust as )oo! a memory an! cou!

as easiy &e to o his orm as /am as o hers$&ut he

reerre! to ay

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the oo an! ma(e the others au)h. /enty o time to

or( har! hen , ant a schoarshi; he sai!; hen his

ather ante! to (no hy he as so o in orm. ,

cou! ic( a the others easiy i , ante! to. , or( har!as soon as , )et into o! Snortys orm; a!. , have to.

+e ould have to. The master there as hat the &oys

cae! a Snorter; a har!:!rivin); !etermine! man; an>ious

to ma(e the very &est o his &oys &rains. 'ut the master o

the orm &eo him as 'in(y; or *r. +omes; a short:

si)hte!; mi!:temere! master on hom the &oys aye!

en!ess tric(s. Tony ha! )reat un in 'in(ys cass; a#e!his time aay; aye! =o(es an! tric(s; an! ato)ether

en=oye! himse.

Sti; sai! *rs. Farre; ho as ar too rou! o

her ta son; hes ony ourteen. +es )ot )oo! &rains. +e

or( har! as soon as he has to. ,ts his masters aut or

&ein) so easy:)oin).

She soit &oth Tony an! /am. /am ha! aays &een

so retty an! so cever. She ha! reay never nee!e! to

or( har! or anythin); or her )oo! &rains ut her at the

to o her orm an! (et her there ithout much eort.

/am as rou! o her oo(s an! her &rains. She meant to

!o e in the or!

, sha in my schoarshi; )o to coe)e an! !o &riianty there 1 she thou)ht; as she oo(e! at herse in

her mirror; seein) the !ee &ue eyes; the avy )o!en hair

an! the on) cury eyeashes. She !i!nt see the har! itte

mouth that soit her retty ace; nor the itte ron:ines

that to! o &a! temer. She ony sa a very retty ace;

cever an! attractive. , sha !o very e at coe)e an!

then , sha ta(e a ine =o& somehere; an! ma(e a ot omoney; an!

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then , sha marry a very rich man; an! have oor o!

"i##ie to stay ith me; she thou)ht.

o&o!y thou)ht much o "i##ie. ,t as arty her on

aut &ecause she ou! hi!e herse aay so much. Sheas shy o visitors; shy at arties; shy o )oin) out

anyhere. She thou)ht herse so ain an! stui!$hy

shou! anyone ant to ta( to her or ma(e rien!s ith herB

She ha! never &een &riiant at schoo; e>cet in her

iterature cass. There she aays ha! )oo! mar(s $&ut

hat as the )oo! o &ein) irst in ony one su&=ect i you

ere never a&ove the mi!!e in a the others B ,t onyma!e eoe say that you )ave too much time to "iterature

an! not enou)h to thin)s i(e Arithmetic or Geo)rahy.

'ut "i##ie as (in! an! atient ith others in a ay

that /am an! Tony ou! never try to &e. She !i! not ta(

very much herse; &ut other eoe i(e! to ta( to her.

They to! her a a&out themseves.

! *rs. Titchen !on the ane to! her a&out the

chi!ren she ha! ha! an! hat ha! haene! to them a. ,t

as i(e a story; to "i##ie. The oman in the seetsho

to! her a&out the cats she ha! ha! $every one o the

thirteen she ha! (et !urin) her on) ie$an! they came

aive or "i##ie; an! she istene! so atienty that *iss

Cuen ove! her an! ha! aays )iven her more seets orher money than any o the other chi!ren. An! even no

"i##ie sie! into the itte sho to see *iss Cuens atest

cat; umy. +e as a *an> an! ha! no tai; an! the tae o

his mis!ee!s ou! have ie! a &oo(.

The tins; avi! an! eia; ere aays rae! u

in their on aairs. They ere ten years o! an!

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seeme! rea &a&ies to the others. /am ha! no time or

them at a.

Aays &rin)in) in ha:!ea! &ir!s an! (eein)

smey cateriars an! horri&e mice , she ou! say. 0e; !i!nt ou, hen you ere our a)e B

!eman!e! avi!. +ave you or)otten B

ont &e chee(y; no; sai! /am. o; o course ,

!i!nt !o the au thin)s you !o. Catch me (eein) mice

<oure siy; youre arai! o mice; sai! eia.

<ou thin( youre on!eru; /am; &ut you !ont

even (no the names o the commonest i! oersor &ir!s; an! you !ont (no the !ierence &eteen a

se!e an! a turni

0e; ho ants to B sai! /am; annoye!. <ou

an! your nature ore an! your )ar!enin) <ou ma(e me

tire!. 0hy !ont you ay roer )ames; i(e e use! to$

e! ,n!ians an! yin) (ites an! thin)s i(e that. <ouve

aays )ot your hea! in &ir!:&oo(s; or are coectin)

ee!s; or ho&no&&in) ith o! Frost the )ar!ener;

reten!in) to he him 1

0e !ont reten!. 0e do he him; sai! avi!.

<ou ou)ht to see ho our ettuces are comin) on; un!er

the coches , <ou &e havin) eary saa! soon; an! hen

you !o; you =oy e thin( o a the har! or( eia an!, have !one in the )ar!en. <ou never !o a thin). <ou !ont

even ma(e your on &e!.

Shut u; sai! /am; an)riy. , ont have you

ta(in) to me i(e that. , smac( you &oth

The tins so(e the truth hen they sai! that they

reay !i! he o! Frost an! !i!nt =ust reten!. They &oth

ha! a rea assion or out:o:!oors; or oers an! &ir!san! animas; an! or )ar!enin).

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Frost as )ettin) o!. +e nee!e! a &oy to he him in

the &i) )ar!en; &ut *r. Farre cou! not aor! one or

him. So the tins ha! come to his he; an! or(e! as har!

as any )ar!en &oy in the hoi!ays an! henever they cou!sare the time !urin) term.

,t amuses them , sai! *rs. Farre; ho cou! not

seem to thin( o the tins as anythin) &ut chi!ren =ust out

o the (in!er)arten.

, hoe they ont )et into Frosts ay; thats a

She !i!nt (no a they !i! out there in the )ar!en.

She ha!nt seen avi! usin) Frosts heavy sa!e vaiantyor an hour at a time. She !i!nt (no ho eia sent a

hoe evenin) rea!in) u a Frosts o! oer catao)ues.

She ha!nt hear! the uestions the tins as(e! the

)ar!ener; or seen the !ei)ht in the o! eos eye as he

atienty e>aine! this an! that to the soemn air &eore

him.

Theyre the ony ones that ta(e any interest he to!

his &ent o! ie. *iss /am; she never even sees me or

the )ar!en. *aster Tony; he ony thin(s ,m some&o!y to

ay his siy =o(es on. Tie! a &it o strin) to a aint:ot; he

!i!; the other !ay; an! hen , oene! the she! !oor; the

strin) ue! the aint a over my eet. +o; he thou)ht that

as a ine =o(e; he !i!$astin) his athers aint; an!soiin) my &oots

+es a &a! &oy; sai! *rs. Frost. Soit too. *iss

"i##ies the one or me. She !o come an! isten to my o!

taes as atient as you ease. ,ve to! her a the o! taes

my Granny to! me, an! o! they must &e; or my Gran )ot

them rom her Gran. Ah; my Gran as a ine story:teer;

she as

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" h; *iss "i##ies a ri)ht; sai! o! Frost. Got a

ot more in her than o(s thin(. 'ut shes so shy:i(e$i(e

a itte &ir! that ies o as soon as you oo( at it. An! the

others =ust ma(e her !o hat they ant her to !o. Shes tooea( ith them; she is. 0hy; she soon have those tins

or!erin) her a&out "an!sa(es; you shou! have seen them

to:!ay; ceanin) out the tomato house ith me. Goo! as ten

)ar!en &oys; they as

<oure rea set on those tins; arent you B sai! o!

*rs. Frost. An! ,m rea set on *iss "i##ie. 'ut that *iss

/am an! *aster Tony$e; or a their han!some aysan! smarty ta( ,ve no time or them. An! hats more ,

(no someone ese hos )ot no time or them; either. An!

thats their )reat:aunt; thats =ust come to stay 1 +a; she

ut them in their ace a ri)ht

'ut it as )roin) !iicut to ut either /am or Tony

in their ace no. %ven Aunt Grace ou! in! that

out. /am et herse to &e amost )ronu; an! Tony cou!

not chec( his chee(y ton)ue. ny ith his ather as he

reay oite no. Aays teasin); aays au)hin); aays

u to some =o(e or other; Tony; in his on or!s ha! a

=oy )oo! time; rom mornin) to ni)ht; oo(e! u to &y

the other &oys o his cass; eare! &y 'in(y; the master o

his orm; an! a!mire! &y a the smaer &oys$e>cetavi!; his sma &rother; three orms &eo him.

avi! ha! no time or Tony. Soemn; serious avi!

thou)ht scornuy o him. Tony tease! avi! an! eia

unmerciuy; a&ee! them &a&ies; set their et mice ree;

an! threatene! to )ive their si(orms to Su(ie the arrot.

The tins retire! into themseves;

24



an! seeme! to cut themseves cometey o rom

their amiy; ivin) in a itte or! o their on.

This as the amiy that Aunt Grace ha! come to visit.

She ha! ove! them a hen they ere itte. o theyere )roin) u. +er in)ers itche! to me!!e ith them

an! set them ri)ht. She (ne she shou!nt interere. She

ha! ma!e u her min! not to; hatever haene!. 'ut she

asnt at a sure she ou! &e a&e to (ee her or!

The unch:)on) soun!e!; &an)e! vi)orousy &y Greta.

The chi!ren trooe! out o the ay:room into the !inin):

room. *rs. Farre as there an! she &eame! at them. +ave you :::::: she &e)an; &ut Tony interrute!

her.

*other; have you ashe! your han!s an! !one your

hair B he sai!; chee(iy. i! you ie your shoes hen

you came in B

The others au)he!. Tony as chee(y; &ut it !i! soun!

so unny.

+eres Aunt Grace; sai! his mother; an! the o!

a!y came hurryin) into the room; her )rey; avy hair

neaty &rushe!; an! a &an! o &ac( vevet roun! her nec(.

0e; my !ears; she sai!; heres your tiresome o!

)reat:aunt &ac( a)ain. /am; chi!; you oo( uite )ron

u An! &ess us a; is this Tony B 0hy; Tony; youre ahea! a&ove me An! , remem&er you a suain) &a&y in

your ram ,ve seen you; "i##ie !ear$an! here are the

tins ,ts a )oo! thin) youre &oy an! )ir; or , shou!

never &e a&e to te you aart

The )reetin)s over; the amiy sat !on to their

25



mea. "i##ie hee! her mother ith the servin). ,t

as on the ti o Aunt Graces ton)ue to as( hy /am

!i!nt he too; &ut she stoe! herse in time.

0hat !eicious )reens; she sai!; as "i##ie too( othe i! o one o the ve)eta&e !ishes.

0e; hee! to )ro them sai! avi! rou!y.

<ou must sho me roun! the )ar!en; avi!; sai!

Aunt Grace; remem&erin) ho intereste! the tins ere in

)ar!enin). h; its )oo! to &e &ac( ith you a. 0ere

)oin) to have a )oo! time to)ether $arent e B

<es; Aunt Grace; sai! "i##ie. 'ut she as the onyone ho ansere!

26



CH*!E" !H"EE

Li$$ie / and Eli$abethT+% househo! soon sette! !on to havin) Aunt

Grace in their mi!st. For the irst !ay or to the chi!ren

ere more or ess on their &est &ehaviour. /am !i! not )ive

herse uite so many airs an! )races. Tony as a itte more

oite than usua. "i##ie ran roun! Aunt Grace an! aite! on

her as much as she cou!. The tins incu!e! her in theirconversation; an! even too( her roun! the )ar!en; &ein)

easanty surrise! at a the thin)s she (ne a&out it.

<ou or)et , as a chi! here too; i(e you; sai! the

o! a!y. 0hy; , remem&er the time &eore that raiay

&ri!)e as over there$an! !o you see that hi B ,n my !ay

it as covere! ith trees. 'ut theyve &een cut !on no.

The tins istene! oitey. They ha! hear! a this &eore. Aunt Grace sa their aces an! stoe!.

,ve to! you a that &eore; havent , B she sai!.

0e; e$youre at east oite enou)h to isten; hich is

more than , can say or your &rother Tony. +es ut on a e

arty manners or me; hasnt he$ &ut theyre earin) o

no. Soon he &e ma(in) aces &ehin! my &ac(; an!

imitatin) my unny itte ays.The tins sai! nothin). They (ne uite e that as

e>acty hat Tony ou! !o. +e ou! ma(e a the &oys at

schoo scream ith au)hin); hen he Dimitate! his Great:

aunt Grace. 0hen Tony as unny he as very; very unny.

'ut he as sometimes unny a&out the ron) thin)s.

27



,t as easy to &e unny a&out Great:aunt Grace. Hery

easy. She ha! so many ueer itte ays. She aays ha! a

hair:in or to ain) out an! she as aays attin) her

hair to in! these; an! uttin) them &ac( saey. She ether han!(erchie &ehin! her; an! as aays )oin) &ac(

or it; sayin); ear; !ear; my memory 0here have , ut

my han(y this time B

She cou!nt &ear any crum&; hair or ec( o !ust on

her !ress; an! she as aays ic(in) aay rea or

ima)inary ones ith her in)er an! thum&. Tony cou!

imitate a these thin)s to erection; an! even "i##ie ha!to au)h hen he &e)an. To see Tony attin) a&out or

ain) hair:ins in his short !ar( hair; su!!eny reten!in)

to in! one an! ush it &ac(; &eamin); as too much or

any o the chi!ren. 'ut it as !rea!u hen he &e)an to

!o it =ust &ehin! Aunt Grace.

eia as a terri&e )i))er hen once she &e)an. She

ou! &e)in to )i))e an! that ou! set the others oi; too.

*other ou! oo( u in surrise; an! on!er hat there

as that as so unny in Tony attin) his hea!. 'ut Aunt

Grace (ne. She !i!nt thin( it as unny. She thou)ht it

as &a! manners; an! she as hurt.

o shut u; Tony; !oin) those thin)s in ront o

Aunt Grace herse; sai! "i##ie. +onesty; its au oyou.

<ou au)he! i(e anythin); sai! Tony. +um&u)

, (no , !i!$&ecause , simy cou!nt he it;

sai! "i##ie. 'ut , hate! myse or au)hin). ont !o it;

Tony.

"itte )oo!y:)oo!y; sai! Tony. +e ic(e! u a

28



air o his mothers )asses an! ut them on; eerin)

throu)h them =ust i(e "i##ie. +e astene! a iece o strin)

roun! his ront teeth; an! &e)an to oo( coy an! shy; tryin)

to suee#e himse into a corner. /am roare!. h Tony$you oo( =ust i(e o! "i##ie !oes

<oure a scream. "i##ie; thats ho you &ehave;e>acty

"i##ie oo(e! an! ent re!. <es; she !i! &ehave i(e

that$she !i! try to eace herse an! a!e aay into

corners. 'ut ho siy it oo(e! hen Tony imitate! her$

an! anyho she cou!nt he earin) )asses an! a ire

roun! her teeth

29



" ont; she sai!. <oure un(in!; Tony. <oure

aays un(in!. <oure so )oo!:oo(in) an! cever that you

!ont (no hat its i(e not to &e$you shou!nt ma(e un

o eoe ho are not. ur "i# sai! Tony; )oin) a serious a)ain; an!

reten!in) to &e "i##ie ussin) roun! Aunt Grace. ur

ministerin) an)e Aunt Grace; can , )et you a cushion B

h no; Aunt Grace; , !ont min! etchin) your han(y. ,ve

nothin) ese to !o , Sha , )ive Su(ie some ater B

Tears came into "i##ies eyes. <oure me#n $ " she

crie!. , !ont #nt to &e i(e that. ,! i(e to &e$to &e retty i(e /am. , hate &ein) cae! "i##ie hen my name

is %i#a&eth. 0hy cant you ca me %i#a&eth B ,ve as(e!

you a to heas o times. 0ho can he &ein) ain an!

)a(y i theyre cae! "i##ie B

ont &ame it on your name; sai! /am; siteuy.

<ou! &e =ust as au i e cae! you %i#a&eth.

%li&#beth Farre$ i&&ie Farre$youre =ust the same

erson; hatever e ca you.

%i#a&eth Farre$its a nice name; sai! "i&&ie( "

,! i(e to &e cae! that. , should ee !ierent; hatever

you say.

, you ere a riter or an actress you cou! chan)e

your name to %i#a&eth at once; i you ante! to; sai!eias cear voice.

0hen she as aone a)ain; "i##ie sat an! thou)ht

a&out it. ne !ay she ould chan)e her name to %i#a&eth.

She cou!nt &e an actress; &ecause she asnt a &it o )oo!

at actin). 'ut she mi)ht &e a riter; erhas.

'ut thats years an! years ahea!; she thou)ht an!

oo(e! sa!y out o the in!o. <ears an! years.

3-



An! ,m )roin) no into a "i##ie erson. , shant &e

a&e to chan)e into an %i#a&eth hen , reay )et the

chance

Aunt Grace came into the room to oo( or her han!:(erchie. A enny or your thou)hts; "i##ie; she sai!.

h; e$theyre not orth a enny sai! "i##ie.

, as =ust ishin) somethin); thats a.

Then theyre orth a shiin); sai! Aunt Grace an!

ut a shiin) !on &esi!e "i##ie. , ove to (no hat

eoe are ishin). Go on; chi!; te me

,t asnt anythin) much; sai! "i##ie. , as =ustishin) , as o! enou)h to be somethin)$a riter; or

instance$an! ca myse %i#a&eth Farre instea! o

"i##ie. , hate &ein) cae! "i##ie. %i#a&eth is such a ovey

name. ,m sure , shou!nt ee so siy an! shy an!

a(ar! i , as cae! %i#a&eth.

0e; , i ca you %i#að i you i(e; sai!

Aunt Grace; at once.

h no" sai! "i##ie; hastiy. The others ou! au)h

i(e anythin). 'ut ou!nt it &e nice to see a &oo( , ha!

ritten; ith my name across it$ %i#a&eth Farre$=ust

i(e that. ,! (no , as somebod then; instea! o the

stui!est erson in my amiy.

, !ont see any reason at a hy you shou!nt ritea &oo( some !ay; sai! Aunt Grace. <ou aays rite me

e>tremey )oo! etters. 0hy !ont you rite a story; an!

si)n it %i#a&eth Farre; =ust to see hat it ees i(e B

h$, cou!nt rite a story sai! "i##ie;

au)hin). , can rite essays or schoo$an! etters; o

course$&ut you have to &e auy cever to rite a story;

!ont you B

31



" 0e; erhas you #re auy cever; an! e !ont

(no it sai! Aunt Grace. , hear! you tein) the tins

the other !ay a&out some&o!ys cats. ,t soun!e! most

amusin) to me. 0hy !ont you rite the story o the cats B h; , cou!nt; sai! "i##ie; shyin) aay at the

thou)ht. ,m not cever enou)h eay ,m not.

+o !o you (no B crie! Aunt Grace; )ettin)

su!!eny e>aserate!. +o !o you (no ti you T< B

'ess the chi!; shes scare! o everythin); even herse

%i#a&eth Farre; i you ant to sto &ein) "i##ie; ta(e

ho! o yourse an! somethin). Aays runnin) aayrom thin)s an! eoe %i#a&eth ou! never !o that.

o. %i#a&eth Farre ou! &e u o !i)nity an! charm;

she! ho! her on ith anyone; she! &e orth hie.

o; here did , ut my han!(erchie B

Aunt Grace oun! her han!(erchie; an! then; hearin)

Su(ie the arrot sua(in); ent o to see hat as the

matter. "i##ie stare! out o the in!o a)ain. A itte core

o e>citement &e)an to )ro in her min!.

The Thirteen Cats; &y %i#a&eth Farre; she sai!;

un!er her &reath. Taes o my Great:Great:Granny; &y

%i#a&eth Farre. Fairy Taes rom Austria; &y %i#a&eth

Farre. oesnt it soun! ovey B "i##ie mi)ht not &e a&e

to !o thin)s i(e that$&ut %i#a&eth cou!. , sha &e%i#a&eth art o the time$an! rite the stories ,ve hear!

$an! even ones , havent hear!; ones , can ma(e u

myse. %i#a&eth Farre can !o anythin)

She stoo! u; her ace )oin). She et that she must

&e)in that very instant. Then she hear! Tonys Hoice in the

!istance. +o he ou! au)h i he (ne +o they

ou! a au)h. To them she as ain; )a(y "i##ie;ith her sectaces an! the ire across her ront teeth;

32



soiin) her smie$they ou! never a!mit she as

%i#a&eth Farre; riter o taes

0e; , !o it in secret then; thou)ht "i##ie. ,

shant te anyone. 0hy !i!nt , thin( o it &eore B , ritethe irst story; an! hen ,ve inishe! , si)n my name at

the en!$%i#a&eth Farre. An! no&o!y; no&o!y sha ever

(no

'ut it asnt so easy to rite a story ater a. To &e)in

ith; it ha! to &e !one in secret; an! it as !iicut to !o

anythin) reay rivatey in the +ouse:at:the:Corner.

/eoe aays seeme! to &e rushin) in an! out oevery&o!y eses rooms. "i##ie ha! never min!e! &eore;

&ut she )ot very cross a&out it no.

First *other ou! come an! oen the !oor. h;

"i##ie !ear; are you there B ,ts such a nice aternoon; !ont

sit in!oors. Come aon) out.

r the tins ou! come &urstin) in. h; sorry; "i#.

Cou! you en! us a coyin):in( enci B 0e ant to

rite some )ar!en a&es.

r Greta the mai! ou! come &ustin) in; sin)in) her

usua itte Hiennese air; ain) a !uster as she came.

h *iss "i##ie; , !istair& you , )o very soon. 0hat are

you !oin) here; so oney an! uiet B

r Tony ou! &ar)e in; histin); an! then sto insurrise. +ao; are you here B , (ee or)ettin) youre in

the sare:room no instea! o in your on room. , ant

somethin) out o the cu&oar!.

, ish you! et me have a itte eace an! uiet

"i##ie ou! say at ast; )ettin) tire! o uic(y coverin)

u her ritin). Anyone ou! thin( this as the ay:

room or somethin)

33



" 0hat !o you ant eace an! uiet or B !eman!e!

Tony. Got a secret B +a; "i##ies )ot a secret

Shut u; Tony; "i##ie ou! say. As i anyone

cou! have secrets in this house 'ut in site o a the interrutions an! !istur&ances

"i##ie !i! at ast mana)e to inish ritin) her irst story.

There it as; in her !es($ The Thirteen Cats. A Story or

Chi!ren; &y %i#a&eth Farre. She si)ne! her name at the

en!; rou!y an! soy.

%i#a&eth Farre. ,t oo(e! ine. An!; as she si)ne!

it; "i##ie et chan)e!. She ha! done somethin). She ha!ritten a )oo! story; a story no one ese ha! ritten. She

cou! &e %i#a&eth as much as "i##ie. ,n act %i#a&eth as

a much iner erson than "i##ie$nicer ato)ether; "i##ie

thou)ht. She on)e! to sho her story to some&o!y.

'ut not to Tony or the others; she thou)ht. ,

simy cou!nt &ear them to au)h at it$an! they ou!.

Theyve aays ma!e un o me. They cant he it no.

0hatever , !o i &e unny to them. , can never &e

%i#a&eth Farre to them. 'ut , i &e to myse.

She too( o her )asses an! the ire rom her ront

teeth. She ushe! &ac( her heavy !ar( hair an! oo(e! at

herse in the )ass. +er eyes shone &ecause she as hay

over her story. +er chee(s ere re!. She oo(e! uite!ierent area!y; she thou)ht$not retty; i(e /am; &ut

not ain or homey any more.

Thats %li&#beth in the mirror no; she sai! to

herse. , can aays &e %i#a&eth hen , ant to. An! ,

shant te anyone; then no&o!y can au)h an! soi it a

34



CH*!E" FOU"

Bak at Shool Again

T+% summer term &e)an. A the chi!ren ent &ac(

to schoo. /am as in the hi)hest orm ea)er to ta(e her

schoarshi e>am an! in it; an!; to )o to coe)e the ne>t

term.

course; it !oesnt reay matter i , in it; or not;

she to! ?oan; her &est rien!. ,m )oin) to coe)eanyho. 'ut , mi)ht as e in it

o&o!y stan!s a chance a)ainst you; sai! ?oan.

<ouve aays &een to o your orm. 'ut its oen to other

schoos as e; you (no; an! they say that Summer!ene

Schoo has )ot some =oy )oo! &rains this year.

, can in it on my hea! sai! /am. , ish you

ere )oin) to coe)e too; ?oan. Surey you !ont #nt to)o in or omestic Science B

0e; , !o; sai! ?oan. , havent any on)in)s to )o

into an oice an! anser the teehone a !ay on); or

rite etters !ictate! to me; or a!! u ros o i)ures. ,

ant to &e the centre o a home; i(e omen use! to &e in

the o! !ays.

/am stare! at her. 0hatever !o you mean B shesai!. The centre o a home 0hy; )irs are tryin) to )et

out o &ein) in their homes no. %ven marrie! omen ta(e

=o&s outsi!e their homes

<es; , (no a that; sai! ?oan; in an o&stinate

voice. 'ut hen , oo( at my mother an! see ho hay

she is in her on home; an! ho e a ove to &e there;

an! hen , see a the thin)s she (nos

35



ho to !o so e; , =ust ant to &e i(e her; thats a;

, ant a home o my on; an! to &e in it; to &e the centre

o everythin); to ma(e =am or my amiy an! ic(es; an!

&otte ruit$, ant my chi!ren to eat the thin)s ,ve ma!emyse; not thin)s out o tins. , ant to hear them say; i(e

toe say to m mother; *ums; this is the &est stra&erry

=am ,ve ever taste!. r *ummy; youre a !arin) to ice

my &irth!ay ca(e so &eautiuy. 0e; , can earn a that

(in! o thin) at a omestic Science Schoo; an! thats hy

, ant to )o.

This as a very on) seech or ?oan to ma(e. /amas astonishe!.

<oure ma!; she sai! at ast. Fancy antin) to )et

b#c) into your home hen e )irs have )ot the chance to

)et out o it %veryone (nos that houseor( an! coo(in)

are !ru!)ery.

Theyre not; i you !o them e; an! (no ho to

!o them; sai! ?oan. <ouve never oishe! a ine oa(

ta&e an! &een ease! to see ho it shines. 0e; , have.

An! youve never )athere! re! currants out o your on

)ar!en an! ma!e them into re! currant =ey or your

&rothers to eat in the inter$you @!ont (no ho )oo! it

is to see eoe en=oyin) hat youve ma!e or them. ,ts a

ovey hay eein); /am. ,! rather &e the centre o ahome; a rea home i(e that; than a itte un(non erson in

some&o!ys oice; ith ony a tyeriter an! a teehone

to mess a&out ith.

,ve never hear! you ma(e such on) seeches

sai! /am. <ou soun! i(e my )reat:aunt Grace. She is

aays ta(in) i(e that; na))in) at me &ecause , !ont

(no even ho to coo( an e)) 1 <oure o!:ashione!.

36



" o; ,m not; sai! ?oan. ,m ne:ashione!. , !ont

ant to rush aay rom my home as )irs have &een !oin)

or years$, ant to &e the centre o it; the star o it;

ma(in) it ovey; iin) its sheves ith =ams an! &ottesan! ic(es an! e))s$aays havin) somethin) !ierent

to !o a the year roun!; not the same o! routine o a

musty itte oice. *ou're the o!:ashione! one

?oan as so heate! that /am as surrise!. 0ere

not uarrein); are e; ?oan B she sai!. <ouve never

sai! so much &eore.

o. <ou thou)ht it as a aste o my &rains to )oan! ta(e a thorou)hy )oo! omestic Science course; an!

earn ho to run hat a amiies on) or an! very e

)et$a reay )oo! home sai! ?oan. So , never sai!

much. ,ve &een ta(in) to my mother thou)h; an! , (no

that hat ,m !oin) is ri)ht$ri)ht or me; anyay

0e; !ont ets !iscuss it any more; sai! /am; ith

a au)h; siin) her arm throu)h ?oans. <ou an! my

sister "i##ie ou! )et on e to)ether. "i##ies aays

rushin) roun! the house too$oor ain "i##ie; theres

nothin) much ese she &e a&e to !o

, aays thou)ht "i##ie as much &rainier than you

ma(e out; sai! ?oan. , hear! one o the mistresses

!iscussin) her essays once; an! she sai! they ere theinest in the schoo.

0e; ritin) )oo! essays ont )et "i##ie a )oo!

=o&; once shes et schoo; sai! /am. ,t ont &e orth

hie sen!in) her to coe)e. She hasnt enou)h &rains.

/am et a &it rue! as she et ?oan to )o to her cass.

37



?oan ha! aays a)ree! ith her in everythin) &eore.

She thou)ht erhas it as ?oans mother that ha! uset her

i!eas. /am !i!nt i(e *rs. Simson. *rs. Simson !i!nt

au)h an! thin( it as unny hen /am sai! she cou!ntcoo( an e)). A she sai! as; 0e; it ou! !o you

)oo! to earn; my !ear. <ou ony &e ha a oman i you

miss out thin)s i(e that.

/am tosse! &ac( her retty air hair. She ou! sho

*rs. Simson ho smart she as She ou! in that

schoarshi easiy; ith yin) coours; to o the ist$she

ou! )o to coe)e an! !o reay &riianty. She ou!ta(e a marveous =o&; an! earn a ot o money$she

ou!. . . .

/amea; three times have , as(e! you to &rin) me

your &oo(; comaine! *am#ee. 'ut aays you oo(

out o the in!o an! you smie an! smie. There is no

one to smie at there. 0hat is the matter ith you B

/amea &ushe! an! too( u her &oo(. Soon she

ou!nt have to &e tic(e! o &y *am#ee any more. She

ou! &e ivin) the ree ie o a coe)e )ir. She as =ust

a&out to )o !reamin) a)ain; hen *am#ee !re her &ue

enci ri)ht throu)h the a)e she as oo(in) at.

/amea Farre; this is not the or( , set you. , you

have not the &rains to !o the or(; at east try to anserthe ri)ht uestions

/amea ent &ac( to her ace; her chee(s &urnin). ,t

!i!nt matter &ein) tic(e! o &y *am#ee hen you ere

in the thir! or ourth orm$&ut in the si>th o one ese

&ut *am#ee ou! !are to !o that to her. *am#ee

)ance! at her an! smie! to herse.

38



" Aha she thou)ht. The )reat /amea is annoye!.

Siy; vain chi!. A itte shoc( i &e )oo! or her. She is

soit. She has everythin)$&rains; &eauty; money &ehin!

her$an! yet she has no character. She ou! crac( i(e a &ritte stic( i anythin) haene! to her.

ot (noin) anythin) o *am#ees ueer thou)hts;

/amea or(e! aay an)riy. 0ait ti she ha! )ot that

schoarshi$she! toss her hea! at *am#ee then$siy

o! thin); ith her &un o hair an! enormous )asses. ,n her

annoyance /amea uite or)ot the en!ess (in!nesses that

*am#ee !i!; the atience she ha! or so uis; theay she aays )ave e>tra time to those ho ha! &een

aay i. She ha! annoye! /amea; an! so; or the time

&ein) at any rate; she as =ust a tiresome o! French

mistress; ith a unny &un o hair an! enormous )asses.

"oer !on in the schoo; "i##ie as coyin) out an

essay; or rather a story. To her !ei)ht a story ha! &een set

or this ee(s comosition; an! she ha! !one her very &est

an! en=oye! it. An! she ha! si)ne! it &o!y$%i#a&eth

Farre. ,t as rea!y to )ive in. *iss "acy; her orm:

mistress; too( the or( an! )ance! at it. She notice! the

si)nature at the en!.

Ah$youre )oin) to !ro the name o "i##ie an! use

%i#að she sai! arovin)y. Iuite ri)ht. ,ts a ityyouve aays &een cae! "i##ie$it i &e so !iicut or

you to chan)e it i you ant to. 'ut erhas you !ont ant

to B "i##ie !oesnt reay suit you.

h; , !o ant to; sai! "i##ie; earnesty. 'ut

everyone ou! au)h i , as(e! them to ca me some:

39



thin) !ierent; an! it ou! Je very !iicut or them

to remem&er; anyho. ,m arai! , have to ut u ith it

no

<es; , suose you i; sai! *iss "acy. *y onname is *ar)aret; &ut eoe have cae! me aisy as on)

as , can remem&er; an! , suose they aays i ,m not

a &it i(e a !aisy; either.

She asnt. *ar)aret ou! have suite! her e.

"i##ie si)he!. ames shou!nt matter; &ut they !i!. She

et so !ierent hen she as %i#a&eth

"oer !on the schoo sti as eia; in the secon!orm. 'ut she as not !oin) any essons. ,t as the hour

set asi!e or the schoo )ar!en; an! eia as out there;

ta(in) char)e 1 *iss oot; the teacher in char)e; as uite

iin). eia (ne ar more a&out )ar!enin) than *iss

oot !i! ,n act; thou)ht *iss oot; it as uite ama#in)

hat she (ne; an! hat she !i!.

She ha! tau)ht the cass ho to !ou&e:!i). She ha!

)one to the see! merchant ith her &rother; avi!; an! ha!

or!ere! a the ri)ht see!s. She ha! measure! an! mar(e!

the !u) )roun! or the cros. She as; in act; a erect

)o!sen! to *iss oot; ho usuay ha! to )o an! consut

the schoo )ar!ener; Ta$an! Ta as a sury &a!:

temere! eo; not at a heu; an! uite i(ey to )ive oor *iss oot &a! a!vice; =ust out o site.

0e have the irst ro o eas here; sai! eia; in

her cear voice. An! e have the ettuces there. An! e

must atch the &roa! &eans or &ac( y. Tessie; you can

&e resonsi&e or that.

Tessies eyes oe!. 'ac( y B 0hats &ac(

4-



y B she sai!. <ou !o )ive me au thin)s to !o;

eia.

ont &e siy; sai! eia. ,ts the very easiest

.thin) , can thin( o; or some&o!y ho !oesnt (no asa!e rom a ra(e

She set to chi!ren to hee aay ru&&ish. She to!

+i!a to ee! the ath. *iss oot sat on a &arro

an! atche!. eay; eia as a marve at )ar!enin)

$an! at a (in!s o nature too. There asnt a ee! he

!i!nt (no. She (ne a the &ir!s an! cou! even te

them &y their son)s. *iss oot et uite

41



sma hen she thou)ht o a that eia (ne an! she

!i!nt.

*iss oot; sai! eia; comin) u to her. <ou

havent anythin) to !o; have you B 0e; you mi)ht cearaay those ...

'ut that as too much or *iss oot. She rose u

ith !i)nity. eia; I am in char)e here; she sai!. ?ust

)et on ith your or(; ease. eay; you Farres thin(

too much o yourseves at times

42



CH*!E" F%E

%ihael has an Idea

AKT GAC% en=oye! &ein) at the +ouse:at:the:

Corner. ,t as a ivey house; ith somethin) aays )oin)

on. *r. Farre as a sur)eon; an! ent o every !ay to

his hosita an! rivate atients. +e !rove o in his &i)

car; a uiet; (in!y:ace! man; a&sor&e! in his or( o

&rin)in) heath an! hainess &ac( to as many eoe ashe cou!.

+e as Aunt Graces nehe; an! she ove! him an!

as rou! o him. She ha! hee! him hen he 0as youn)

an! ha! not ha! much money to ma(e his ay; an! he

ove! the o! a!y; an! aays ma!e her ecome.

<ou may au)h at Aunt Grace; he sometimes sai! to

his ie; hen she )rum&e! at havin) to have the o! a!yto stay; an! you may thin( shes a tiresome nuisance; ith

her arrot an! her ussy ays an! shar ton)ue$&ut shes

)ot a heart o )o! an! , sha never or)et ho (in! an!

)enerous she as to me hen , as stru))in) to )et on in

my or(

, ish her heart o )o! ou! sho a &it more;

then; sai! *rs. Farre. Shes reay too shar:ton)ue!ith /am or anythin) /ams amost )ron u no an!

she ont stan! &ein) tic(e! o i(e a chi!. An! Aunt

Grace isnt a&ove tein) me a e thin)s too

?ohn Farre smie! at his retty; in!i)nant ie. She

as so i(e /am$seet to oo( at; uic( in her ays$&ut

she; too; oun! it !iicut to &e ti!y an!

43



resonsi&e an! metho!ica. She as uite ost i her

hus&an! ever ent aay or a hie an! et her to mana)e

thin)s.

,ve soit her; thou)ht her hus&an!. An! noshes soiin) /am. 'ut "ucy isnt seish i(e /am; than(

)oo!ness. /am is )ettin) har! an! iu. An! hat sha ,

!o ith that mon(ey o a Tony B , )ive him a chance to

turn over a ne ea hen he )oes into a hi)her orm. , he

!oesnt , sha have to have a ta( ith the hea!master.

Then he &e)an to thin( a&out his or( a)ain. +e ove!

every minute o it. +e ha! hoe! that Tony mi)ht i(e to &ea !octor or a sur)eon too; &ut he sa that the &oy as ar

too irresonsi&e ever to &e truste! ith eoes ives.

"i##ie no$i she ha! &een a &oy$&ut she asnt. +e

oo(e! at his atch. Time or him to )o to the hosita$

ah; there as Aunt Grace; uttin) Su(ies ca)e into the sun.

+ao; Aunt Grace; he sai!; an! ent out to ta( to

her or a minute. , hoe you an! Su(ie are hay here.

0e are; sai! Aunt Grace; smiin) u at her ta;

!ar(:haire! nehe. "itte &its o )rey shoe! at his

temes no; an! it suite! him; she thou)ht. That as one

o the &est thin)s she ha! ever !one in her ie$hein)

?ohn hen he as youn) She as rou! o him an! on!

o him. Theres aays somethin) )oin) on here; sai! Aunt

Grace; iin) Su(ies an ith ater. /am ayin) the

iano. Tony ma(in) some&o!y au)h; "i##ie !oin) the

oers; the tins shoutin) a&out the )ar!en; Greta sin)in)

one o her Austrian son)s; the hens cac(in) &ecause they

have ai! e))s; the &ees

44



&u##in) in an! out o the hives in the )ar!en; "ucy

cain) some&o!y; you !rivin) u in your car . . . oh; its a

ivey house; an! ,m very hay here.

Goo!; sai! her nehe; an! he )ave his o! aunt auic( suee#e. 0e; o! a!y; you hee! to ma(e it a;

you (no$i you ha!nt hee! me as you !i!; , cou!nt

have &ecome a &usy sur)eon; , cou!nt have marrie! "ucy

an! &ou)ht &ac( our o! house$the chi!ren ou!nt &e

here$its a your !oin); reay

Aunt Grace turne! aay to hi!e the su!!en tears that

came to her eyes. A her !oin) 0e; that as somethin);anyay. She ha! ma!e so many siy mista(es in her ie; it

as )oo! to hear o somethin) orth:hie she ha! !one.

ear o! ?ohn$he (ne the meanin) o )ratitu!e; an! so

e eoe !i!;

,m )a! youre !oin) e; ?ohn; she sai!; )ivin)

Su(ie a )oo! suy o the sunoer see!s she ove!.

*a(in) enou)h money to (ee your ar)e amiy hay

an! e rovi!e! or /am )oin) to coe)e; an! Tony too

ater on; , suose; an! . . .

?ohn; havent you )one yet B crie! *rs. Farre;

rom the in!o. ,ts ast ten ococ(. <ou &e ate

So , sha; sai! *r. Farre; an! smie! at Aunt

Grace. Eeein) me ta(in) here See you at unch:time he ent in his &i) car. The sun shone !on

army. The &ees &u##e! in an! out o the hives that o!

Frost (et at the &ottom o the )ar!en. +e ha! shon the

tins the insi!es; an! ha! tau)ht them a he (ne a&out

&ees. They ha! &een stun); &ut !i!nt seem to min!. They

(ne a a&out the hens

45



too; an! ha! ante! to (ee !uc(s as e; i Frost

ou! ony !i) a sma on! or them.

o; reay; hens are uite enou)h; their mother sai!.

0hy you ant to mess a&out ith hens an! !uc(s an! &ees ,cant ima)ine Sti; it (ees you out o mischie; , suose.

The tins ere sa! at havin) to )o to !ierent schoos.

, ony they cou! )o to a schoo that too( &oth &oys #nd

)irs 'ut there asnt one in ivers:%n!; their ton.

Then; one !ay hen they ha! )one to see their )reat

rien!; *ichae 'est; the son o the ector; he ha! to! them

somethin) that e>cite! them very much. 0hy !ont you as( your ather i you can )o to

&oar!in):schoo B he sai!. There are co:e! schoos; you

(no; that ta(e &oth &oys #nd )irs to)ether$ ine or tins

i(e you

Co:e!$hatever !oes that mean B as(e! eia.

0hat a unny name.

,t means co:e!ucation; &oys an! )irs to)ether &ein)e!ucate!; e>aine! *ichae. 'ut erhas your arents

!ont &eieve in &oar!in):schoo B

, !ont (no a&out that; sai! eia. /am an! "i##ie

never ante! to )o; an! *other aays says she cou!nt

&ear to et Tony eave her even or a ee(. 'ut ,! ove to )o

ith avi!$e shou!nt ee a &it ost or oney there i e

ha! each other$&ut ,! ant to )o to a schoo that et us(ee ets an! thin)s; an! )ave us a )ar!en o our on.

<ou ant to )o to 0hyteeae Schoo then sai!

*ichae. Thats a ine schoo$you have your on ets

there; they (ee hens an! !uc(s an! &ees$tur(eys too no;

, &eieve$an! the chi!ren mana)e the schoo

46



)ar!en themseves. They )ro a their on ve)eta&es

an! ruit an! oers. There are horses to ri!e too$ &ut the

chi!ren oo( ater them themseves.

avi! an! eia &e)an to )o. This soun!e! erectyon!eru , *ichae , ony e cou! )o 0ere so tire!

o aays &ein) the &a&ies at home; an! o )ettin) into

/ams ay; or Tonys. o they !o essons at this schoo;

thou)h B a!!y ou!nt et us )o i they !i!nt.

,!iot course they !o sai! *ichae; au)hin).

They or( =oy har!. An! they have a sort o Schoo

/ariament; you (no$have a meetin) every ee(; an!ma(e their on rues; an! mete out their on unishments

an! rear!s. ,ts =oy sensi&e. <ou! i(e it.

avi! an! eia oo(e! at one another. %ach thou)ht

the same. 0e as( a!!y a&out it at once

0e! &etter )et the$the$hat !o you ca it$ aer

a&out the schoo; sai! avi!.

The rosectus; sai! *ichae. <es$you )et that;an! rea! u a a&out the schoo an! in! out ho much the

ees are an! everythin). Then you &e rea!y to ta( it over

ith your ather an! mother$ nothin) i(e havin)

everythin) at your in)er:tis , , rite an! )et the

rosectus or you i you i(e. courseD the schoo may &e

too e>ensive. <our athers )ot a ot o you to e!ucate; you

(no <es. 0e; e ont as( to )o i its too e>ensive;

sai! eia. 'ut e cou! in! out. Than(s auy;

*ichae. <ou reay are a ine rien! to have

*ichae )rinne!. +e as iteen; much o!er than the

tins; &ut he thou)ht a ot o them. +e as the ony chi! o

the ector; an! a very ine &oy. ,n the

47



hoi!ays he he! a Sun!ay Cass or anyone ho i(e!

to come; an! the tins ent each Sun!ay.

*ichae ha! a serious si!e to him an! a =oy si!e too.

+e meant to )o into the Church i(e his ather hen he aso!er. <ou see; ,m a &it i(e our ather; he e>aine! to

the tins. +e cant &e hay uness he is curin) !isease!

an! !eorme! &o!ies; an! &rin)in) &ac( heath an!

hainess to them. 0e; , shant &e hay uness , can cure

!isease! an! !eorme! minds( <our athers a !octor ho

men!s &o!ies. , sha &e a !octor ho men!s sous.

, sha come to you i ever my sou ants men!in); romise! eia; soemny. +o i you men! it B +o

!o sous )et men!e! B

, shou!nt thin( your sou i )ive you much

trou&e; eia; sai! *ichae; oo(in) !on at the serious;

(in! itte ace turne! u to him. ot i you )o on as you

have &e)un; anyay. o; ets )o e>orin); sha e; an!

see ho many &ir!s e can sot to:!ay.

*ichae as as (een on ature as the tins ere. o

one ese in ivers:%n! (ne as much as *ichae an! the

tins a&out &ir!s an! oers an! animas. 0hen the tins

!isaeare! or hoe !ays in the hoi!ays; their mother

aays (ne here they ere $at the ectory ith

*ichae; or roamin) the oo!s an! his ith him$havin)tea ith *rs. :'est; the ectors ie; or oo(in) throu)h

the ectors o! &oo(s.

Theyre not a &it i(e or!inary chi!ren; she

comaine! to Aunt Grace. They !ont ay the or!inary

)ames; or as( their rien!s here to ay; theyre aays

stu!yin) some horri! creature or other$a he!)eho) or a

moe; or some cateriar or orm

48



An! henever , as( them a&out hat they are !oin);

they =ust shut u an! oo( o&stinate. eay; they mi)ht

har!y &eon) to the amiy at a

"ucy; theyre not i(ey to te you much a&out their &eove! creatures i you thin( those creatures horri! an!

!is)ustin); sai! Aunt Grace; her (nittin) nee!es )oin) in

an! out ith vi)our. They (no you !isarove o their

i(in) or out:o:!oors thin)s; to naturay they ont te

you anythin). Aso; they re tins; an! have each other as

constant comanions $they !ont nee! other chi!ren as

Tony an! /am !o.Tony as there; istenin). , cant thin( hy the tins

are so rien!y ith that ri))ish 'est &oy; he ai!.

Goin) to his Sun!ay Cass; an! ha:ivin) at the ectory

in the hos. 1 They &e turnin) into ious itte ri)s

themseves ne>t.

h; no they ont; sai! Aunt Grace; ho as on!

o the tins; an! amuse! ith their !etermine!; oemn

ays. ?ust &ecause they are reay serious a&out the thin)s

they !o !oesnt mean they i &e ri)s. ,t ou! !o ou

)oo!; Tony; to &e serious a&out somethin) occasionay$

your or( or instance /eoe ho can never ta(e

anythin) seriousy arent much )oo! in the or!.

h; Tony i or( har! as soon as he )ets out othat siy *r. 'in(ys cass; sai! *rs. Farre; an>ious to

!een! Tony: <ou cant &ame a hi)h:sirite! &oy or

ma(in) un o a master ho !oesnt (no ho to (ee

or!er in his cass.

0e; , !o &ame him; sai! Aunt Grace; una&e to

(ee her ton)ue sti once she ha! starte!. <ou &e sorry;

"ucy; you et him &ehave i(e this at his a)e

49



,t i &e too ate; hen he does ma(e u his min! to

use his &rains in the roer ay

Aunt Grace; , can use my &rains &etter than any &oy

in my cass i , ant to; sai! Tony; stun) &y the outso(enthin)s Aunt Grace as sayin). An! ,! rather &e myse

than a ri) i(e *ichae 'est:runnin) a Sun!ay Cass an!

&ein) scout:master; an! or)ani#in) sorts or the via)e

&oys. /ooh

,m not )oin) to ar)ue ith a sma &oy i(e ou,

Tony; sai! Aunt Grace; tryin) har! to (ee her temer.

'ut , shou! =ust i(e you to (no that *ichae 'est has)ot his Schoo Certiicate area!y$ )ot it ast year; in act

$that he is catain o his )ames at schoo$an! that he

on the schoarshi he ante! ith hi)her mar(s than any

&oy has ever on +o you can ca a &oy i(e that a prig

&eats me ,t ou! &e a )oo! thin) i you ent an! hee!

him ith the scouts in the via)e. , thin( . . .

'ut Tony as )one; &an)in) the !oor ru!ey &ehin!

him. *rs. Farre oo(e! uset. Aunt Grace (nitte!

uriousy; eein) an)ry ith herse or osin) her temer.

,m sorry; "ucy; she sai! at ast. Sorry or

usettin) you; , mean. /erhas you are ri)ht$Tony i

ma(e a )reat eort hen he )oes into a hi)her orm; an!

i sho us a hat he can reay !o hen he tries. ,m sure he i; sai! *rs. Farre; earnesty. "oo(

at /am$aays to o her orm. An! Tony has =ust as

)oo! &rains; you (no. A the same$ , thin( youre ri)ht

a&out *ichae 'est$he isnt a ri). +es =ust a$a . . .

A ine natura &oy; usin) his stren)th o min! an!

5-



&o!y to !o his &est in every ay; sai! Aunt Grace.

An! hes the &est rien! those tins o yours cou! have

,ts a ity he isnt Tonys rien! as e.

o more as sai!. Aunt Grace or)ot her &urst otemer. *rs. Farre thou)ht o somethin) ese. ny Tony

remem&ere! an! as an)ry. +o !are Aunt Grace in!

aut ith him i(e that B +orri!; intererin) o! oman

51



CH*!E" S%

A Family "alk

*,C+A%" rote or the rosectus or 0hyteeae

Schoo. ,t came an! he )ave it to the tins. They stu!ie! it

ith !ei)ht. ,t as ?ust %>acty the Schoo

An! e! &e to)ether a !ay; sai! eia. avi!;

ets as( a!!y an! *other to:ni)ht.

So; hen the amiy as )athere! to)ether or a hieater the evenin) mea; the tins sran) their i!ea on their

astonishe! arents.

a!!y; cou! you aor! to sen! us to &oar!in):

schoo B as(e! eia; su!!eny. +er ather oo(e! u in

surrise.

0hy !o you as( that B he sai!. <es; o course ,

cou!. 'ut /am an! "i##ie have never ante! to )o; an!your mother ou!nt et Tony eave home. 0hats the

i!eaB

avi! ro!uce! the rosectus. 0e! very much i(e

to )o to this schoo; i you cou! aor! it; a!!y; he sai!.

The main reason; o course; is that ere tins; an! e

!ont i(e )oin) to !ierent schoos. An! then ere

ri)htuy intereste! in nature an! )ar!enin) an! animasan! thin)s i(e that$an! this schoo reay !oes )o in or

a those.

Their mother ha! &een istenin) in the )reatest

surrise. 0e This as the irst she ha! hear! o the

i!ea Those tins o&o!y ever (ne hat they ere

thin(in) o. She et a itte annoye!.

52



" 0hats this schoo B she as(e!. eay; tins; you

seem to !eci!e everythin) or yourseves ithout even

consutin) us 'rin)in) the rosectus an! everythin) 1

0e; *other; e thou)ht it ou! &e a he i eoun! out everythin) irst; sai! eia. *ichae 'est to!

us a&out the schoo$he )ot the rosectus or us too.

There as a snort rom Tony. +e ou! ,ntererin)

ri) *other; its au sauce on his art; uttin) the tins

u to this.

, shou! have thou)ht you ou! have &een )a! to

&e ri! o us; Tony; sai! avi!. 0ere aays in youray. <oure aays cain) us the &a&ies an! or!erin) us

out o your si)ht.

*rs. Farre oo(e! uset. avi! ont say thin)s

i(e that. o one ou! &e )a! to &e ri! o you. <ou ma(e

us soun! a horri! amiy$instea! o a$o a most unite!

one.

eia ha! a very honest; strai)ht:thin(in) min!; an!

she ha! not earnt to (ee her thou)hts to herse. So she

so(e out in her cear voice an! )ave everyone uite a

shoc(.

h; *ummy; ere not reay very unite!; are eB

"i##ies one on her on; isnt she B An! Tony an! /am

havent much use or us; so ere on our on too. ; /amony thin(s o schoo an! )oin) to coe)e; she !oesnt he

you at a even hen you ant her to$ she !oesnt reay

belong to the amiy. An! . . .

There as an in!i)ant cry rom /am. *other Are

you )oin) to et eia ta( i(e that B +o !are

*r. Farre ha! &een istenin) in sience. o

53



he so(e in his cam; (in!y voice; an! no&o!y !are! to

interrut.

Arent e a unite! amiy B , ha! aays thou)ht e

ere$an! ,m sure *other thou)ht so too. 'ut ,m not sosure that itte eia isnt ri)ht /am !oes ony thin( o

herse an! )oin) o to coe)e no$ "i##ies so shy that

she har!y ets us (no her$our on aut; , e>ect; or

teasin) her so much; an! aays ushin) her into the

&ac()roun! an! ettin) her !o the =o&s no&o!y ese i !o.. .

.

"i(e meetin) me at the station; ut in Aunt Grace; toeveryones horror.

/erhas; sai! *r. Farre; )ravey. , !ont (no.

An! theres Tony; ony hay i hes attractin) attention an!

ma(in) others au)h$an! no the tins ant to )o o to

&oar!in):schoo 1

?ohn 0hy are you ta(in) i(e this B crie! *rs.

Farre; uite ri)htene!. Arent you rou! o our itteamiy B 0e #re a unite! amiy; , !ont care hat you say.

An! , ont et the tins )o to &oar!in):schoo. Theyre the

&a&ies an! theyre too youn) to )o. , shou! miss them so.

eia oo(e! in !esair at avi!. course; *other

ou! say a thin) i(e that o a!!y ou! say no at

once.

'ut he !i!nt. +e oo(e! across at Aunt Grace; ho sat(nittin) &usiy &y the in!o; hearin) everythin) &ut sayin)

not a or!.

Aunt Grace , <ou havent sai! a or!. 0hat !o ou

thin( a&out a this B

, !ont thin( , ant to interere; sai! Aunt Grace;

arai! that she mi)ht say more than she shou!.

,m not as(in) you to interere; sai! *r. Farre.

54



,m as(in) you hat you thin( a&out it a. 'ou cou!

ro&a&y he us.

Aunt Grace ut !on her (nittin) an! oo(e! roun!.

She sa /ams su(y ace; an! Tonys cross one. She sa"i##ies homey ace; shy an! scare! at the su!!en uset. She

sa the tins earnest aces; 8- very ai(e; oo(in)

!isaointe! an! misera&e.

eias ri)ht; you (no; sai! Aunt Grace. <oure

not reay a unite! amiy$you !ont &eon) to)ether;

someho. , thin( erhas "i##ies the ony one ho &eon)s

to a o you; &ut shes so scare! o thin)s you !ont (no it 0hy shou! amiies &e united, as you ca it B sai!

/am; scornuy. ,t !oesnt matter a scra i they are or

not

h yes it !oes; sai! Aunt Grace. 0hat !o you in!

hi a reay unite! amiy B <ou in! ove an! comra!eshi;

un!erstan!in) an! comassion; unseishness an! )enteness

ith one another$you earn thin)s there that i ast youe a your ie on). ,ts the &est )roun!in) or a )oo!;

orth:hie ie that there is anyhere. Thin( o amiies

you (no that are not unite!$uarrein); seish; mean;

!isoya; na))in); hatin)$hat a ay to start out in ie

The chi!ren a thou)ht o amiies they (ne. *rs.

oeys amiy. She ha! a na))in) ton)ue; ; an! ha!

&rou)ht u a siteu; !isoya trio o )irs. *rs. Thomassamiy. She as aays out; an! her home asnt a home$

=ust a ace here the chi!ren came in an! out as they

ease!; an! no&o!y (ne here anyone ese as or hat

they ere !oin). *rs. Eennar!s amiy. *rs. Eennar!; a#y

an! irresonsi&e; ettin) her three chi!ren )ro u

untrustorthy;

55



untruthu; tein) taes o one another; an! ta(in) each

others thin)s.

0ere not i(e the Eennar!s$or the oeys

&urst out "i##ie. 0ere not 0e !o stic( u or oneanother; an! he one another.

ou !o; "i##ie; sai! eia. 'ut no&o!y ese !oes.

"oo( ho avi! an! , ant to )o to &oar!in):schoo; =ust

&ecause ere tins an! !o hate &ein) aart$&ut no&o!y

stic(s u or us an! un!erstan!s that. %ven *other !oesnt.

She =ust thin(s she i miss us; an! !oesnt at a thin( o

ho e miss one another; avi! an! ,. <ou see$i eere a roer united amiy; you! a un!erstan! ho e

et an! you! &ac( us u.

*other +o c#n you et eia &e so smu) an! $

an!$so chee) B crie! /am; an)ry to thin( that everyone

as istenin) so seriousy to her &a&y sister. She

ants a )oo! san(in).

o; she !oesnt; sai! her ather. Shes uite ri)ht

in hat she says. 'ut suose; eia; , cou!nt reay

aor! to sen! you &oth to this schoo B ,ts uite

e>ensive.

h; a!!y; i its too much money e ou!nt

dre#m o )oin); sai! eia; earnesty; an! avi! no!!e!.

0e ou!nt; reay. 'ut e !ont (no much a&outmoney; so e cou!nt te. 0e ou!nt i(e anyone to

have to )o short o anythin) &ecause o us.

There you are sai! Aunt Grace; in a triumhant

voice. Theres a rea &it o amiy unseishness or you ,

eia an! avi! ant somethin) &a!y$&ut not at the

e>ense o anyone eses hainess. Theyve )ot the ri)ht

i!ea; youn) as they are. They !eserve to )et hat theyant; thats hat , say

56



<oure ri)ht; sai! *r. Farre; an! he smie! at the

tins. They !eserve it; an! , !ont see hy they shou!nt

have it$i *other a)rees. , can aor! it; , thin( it ou!

&e a )reat hainess to them to &e to)ether at this schoo$ hich; , must say; seems to &e a very soun! an! sensi&e

one.

The tins oo(e! !um&oun!e!. They stare! at one

another an! then roun! at everyone ese. Then they oo(e!

at their mother. She no!!e! at them; her eyes u o tears;

tryin) to smie.

<es; , et you )o; !ears; she sai!. , !i!nt thin(you min!e! so much. , cant remem&er that you arent

&a&ies any more. <ou &e hay at &oar!in):schoo; an!

you aays &e to)ether then. , )o to your hea! teachers

myse to:morro an! )ive notice or you to eave at the

en! o this term. <ou sha )o to 0hyteeae in

Setem&er.

The tins un) themseves on their mother; too

!ei)hte! or or!s. She hu))e! them. 0e oo( at the

schoo ist o cothes an! see hat you must )et; she sai!;

an! e see hat ets you can have. <ou &e so

hay

<oure a !arin); *other sai! eia. , never

reay thou)ht you! et us )o. <ou !o (no its not &ecause e !ont i(e home; !ont you B <ou !o (no its

reay mosty &ecause e ant to &e to)ether; avi! an!

, B

/am sie! out o the room; her ace su(y.

Soiin) those to &rats she hisere! to herse.

Anyay; they &e a )oo! ri!!ance a!!y ou)htnt to

have )iven in i(e that; thou)h. , suose he thin(s he can

57



aor! to sen! them aay &ecause , sha in that

schoarshi an! he ont have to ay my coe)e ees

"uc(y or eia an! avi! that theyve )ot a cever sister

She &ume! into Greta; the Austrian mai!. Greta asoo(in) cross. Ah; *iss /amea; she &e)an. Tice to:

!ay have , ti!ie! your room an! , have so much to !o.

o a thir! time it is a uset; ith your !resses on the

oor an! your &oo(s a over the ace. , have no time to

ti!y it. This time you must ti!y it yourse.

0e; , shant; sai! /am; ru!ey. ,ts your =o& to !o

that. ,m )oin) out , Greta are! u; &ut &eore she cou! say anythin)

/am ha! )one. Grum&in) to herse Greta ent into the

(itchen.

ne !ay , sha ac( an! )o i that )ir !oes not treat

me roery she sai!; an! &an)e! the (ette !on on the

stove. That Tony too; ith his siy =o(es an! tric(s$one

!ay , sha )ive him an ear:&o>. An! that arrot ith its

suoo(; suoo(

The tins came runnin) out to her. Greta; Greta

0ere )oin) to &oar!in):schoo in Setem&er $thin( o

that$ together ! 0ere )oin) together !

+ot:temere! Greta or)ot her ra)e an! &eame! at the

to chi!ren. Ah; ho nice or you 1 she sai!. , tooha! a tin once; an! , (no ho &a! it is to art. <ou

sha have a =am:tart hot rom the oven t sho ho , am

)a!.

Greta; you mi)ht &e one o the amiy; the ay you

are )a! or sa! ith us; sai! eia; munchin) her =am:tart.

, !o i(e you.

58



Ah$one o a amiy sai! Greta; ith one o her

enormous; e>a))erate! si)hs. nce , as aso one o a

amiy. o , am aone an! my amiy is !ea!. ,t is a

)oo! thin) to have a amiy; , te you. , have none. 0e; you must share ours; sai! eia; )enerousy.

0e! i(e you to; ou!nt e; avi! B

An! avi!; his mouth u o arm =am:tart; no!!e!

vi)orousy.

59



CH*!E" SEE#

"he Farrell Family are Busy

*A< came in; an! the sun )re armer. The &ees in

the hives at +ouse:at:the:Corner &u##e! &usiy. "ate

!ao!is an! eary tuis &ossome! in the )ar!en there.

Su(ie the arrot sent the hoe !ay out in the sun an!

)re very ta(ative in!ee!.

The tins tau)ht her some more sayin)s. She as acever; imitative &ir!; an! soon ic(e! u anythin) i it as

sai! to her oten enou)h.

0heres my han(y B she su!!eny &e)an to say;

over an! over a)ain. Aunt Grace as in!i)nant.

ont you teach Su(ie to ma(e un o me; her

mistress she sai! to the tins.

'ut it as not eia nor avi! ho ha! tau)ht the

arrot to say that; it as Tony An! no Su(ie )reete!

everyone ith 0heres my han(y B an! oor Aunt

Grace !i!nt !are to say it any more. She as )a! hen

the tins &e)an to teach the arrot to say hi hi hurray

an! ave one o her eet in the air.

/am as hay at schoo that term. +er orm as)ivin) a ay; an! there as a &eautiu rincess in it. She

ha! &een chosen or the chie art.

, !ont thin( /am ou)ht to have such a on) an!

e>actin) art; in the term hen she is hoin) to ta(e her

schoarshi e>am; sai! *iss aes; the hea!mistress; to

/ams orm:mistress. , !ont see ho

6-



sto me innin) the schoarshi she sai!. As i it

cou!.

0e; its rather a on) an! e>citin) art; sai! ?oan.

An! you )et rather rae! u in it; , e>ect. <ouoo( ovey as the rincess; /am. <ou oo( very i(e a

rincess; , aays thin(; ith your mass o )o!en hair an!

your cury eyeashes$a airytae rincess

/am au)he! a)ain; ease!. <es; she ou! ma(e a

ine rincess. She (ne it. %veryone ou! thin( she ie!

the art very e; an! a the youn)er )irs ou! si)h

ith easure hen they sa her in the ay. She as uitea heroine to them.

At irst it as easy to cram u or the e>am; an! stu!y

her art in the ay too. 'ut it as so much more un to

sen! time on the ay ,t as a &ore to have to ut it asi!e

an! ta(e u esson &oo(s.

Then; too; there ere the !resses /am ha! to ear or

the ay. There ere three !ierent ones; each rettier than

the ast /am as no )oo! at sein); &ut ?oan an! "i##ie

ere; an! the to o them sent a )oo! !ea o time

to)ether; sein) or /am. ?oan &e)an to i(e "i##ie very

much.

nce she )ot ast "i##ies shyness; she ma!e her ta(.

"i##ie oun! herse on)in) to te ?oan a&out her story:ritin); &ut as it ou! mean &e))in) ?oan not to te /am;

she et she cou!nt. Ater a; ?oan as /ams rien!; an!

it ou!nt &e air to as( her to (ee thin)s rom /am.

The story "i##ie ha! ritten at schoo ha! &een most

successu. ,t ha! actuay &een rea! out to the cass; an!

"i##ies ace ha! &urne! ith ri!e an! easure. 'ut &est

o a as hen *iss "acy ha!

62



63



sai!; at the en!. This story as ritten &y %i#a&eth

Farre. ot "i##ie Farre. %i#a&eth.

Since then "i##ie ha! ritten more itte taes in

secret. She ha! not attemte! )ron:u stories. She etshe !i!nt (no enou)h to !o that. 'ut she cou! rite

stories or chi!ren. She (ne e>acty ho to te those;

&ecause or many years she ha! to! eia an! avi!

stories hen they ere in &e!.

nce Aunt Grace ha! oun! her ritin) &usiy aay

a &y herse in the summer:house. 0ritin) etters B she

sai!. r stories; erhas; %i#a&eth Farre B Then "i##ie ha! &ushe! an! au)he!. ,m ritin) a

ne story; one ,m ma(in) u a myse; she sai!. For

chi!ren. ,m reten!in) that ,m tein) it to eia an!

avi! hen they ere itte; so that , )et the or!s ri)ht$

not too !iicut; you (no.

, suose , mustnt see it B sai! Aunt Grace; not

attemtin) to ta(e u the sheets o aer. "i##ie hesitate!.

Suose Aunt Grace au)he! at hat she ha! !one$or

over:raise! her in the ay )ron:us ha! hen they

thou)ht somethin) as rather siy &ut !i!nt i(e to hurt

your eein)s a&out it. That ou! &e au. ,t ou! soi

everythin).

ont et me see anythin) i you! rather not; sai!Aunt Grace. , once rote myse; you (no$ oetry ,

ancie! myse at it; &ut , asnt much )oo!. 'ut you

shou! &e a&e to rite e. <ou rite such )oo! etters.

<ou can see the story; Aunt Grace; sai! "i##ie;

su!!eny. Ater a; you starte! me o 'ut ease;

ease !ont au)h at it

Aunt Grace ic(e! u the irst sheet. She rea! it

64



in sience. She ic(e! u the secon! one an! the thir!.

"i##ie trie! to )o on ith her ritin); &ut she cou!nt. She

oun! that she as aitin) most imatienty or hat Aunt

Grace ou! say. h uic(; uic( she crie! in herthou)hts. Te me hat you thin($&ut oh; !ont say its

siy.

Aunt Grace ut !on the sheets an! oo(e! at "i##ie.

Are you sure you !i!nt coy this rom anyhere B she

as(e!.

o. o; o course not , sai! "i##ie. ,ts a out o

my on hea!. ,t comes as , rite it. h Aunt Grace$!ontsay youve rea! it somehere

, havent; sai! Aunt Grace. ,ve never rea! a story

i(e it anyhere.

Then hy !i! you as( i ,! coie! it B crie!

"i##ie.

ny &ecause its so very )oo!; chi!; sai! Aunt

Grace. Ama#in)y )oo!. ,nterestin)$an! sime$ ari!

reay amusin). <ouve certainy )ot the )it a ri)ht.

"i##ie et as i she cou! cry ith reie an! hai:

ness. She )a#e! at Aunt Grace; una&e to sea( a or!.

+er story as )oo!$ama#in)y )oo!; Aunt Grace sai!.

An! Aunt Grace never raise! i(e that uness she meant it.

L 0e$have you ost your ton)ue B as(e! AuntGrace. 'ess the chi!; shes as re! as a &eetroot

"i##ie )ave a )u. h Aunt Grace$!o you reay

thin( its )oo! B , cant te; myse. 'ut its such un

ritin) i(e this. ,ve never en=oye! myse so much in my

ie.

Thats hat artists say hen they aint their ictures;

an! comosers say hen they create a

65



symhony sai! Aunt Grace. Those o us ho

have )its are the uc(y ones$i e use them roery.

<ou certainy have a )it. <ou must )o on an! on. <ou i

)ive many eoe )reat easure. 'ut ho B as(e! "i##ie. o&o!y i rea! these

taes$e>cet you; erhas. The others ou! au)h i(e

anythin) at them.

Theres a aer , ta(e in every ee(; sai! Aunt

Grace. ,ts cae! The +uiet M#g#&ine an! it has to

a)es or chi!ren in it. ,t has aays seeme! to me that the

stu they ut in these a)es is terri&e. o hy !ont yousen! one o your taes there B ,t seems to me uite )oo!

enou)h to &e rinte!. Then you! see your name in rint$

%i#a&eth Farre

"i##ie as ton)ue:tie! a)ain. +ave a story rinte! $

one o her on stories That ou! never haen. 'ut

suose it !i! B 0hat a on!eru thin). +er eyes shone

&ehin! their sectaces as she oo(e! at her )reat:aunt.

h Aunt Grace ,t soun!s imossi&e$&ut , try it

on. Can you )et me the a!!ress B

<es. 'ut you have to tye out your story &eore

you sen! it; sai! Aunt Grace. Can you tye B 0e; you

must earn. A riters shou! (no ho to tye. Saves a

ot o time. <ou can as( your ather i he et you teachyourse on his tyeriter in the sur)ery.

ont te anyone at a; i you; Aunt Grace B

&e))e! i&&ie, her chee(s sti &urnin) in e>citement. ,ts

our secret; isnt it B h Aunt Grace$i , ha! a story rinte!

,! !ie o hainess

o; you ou!nt. <ou! sit !on an! save aay at

another one; sai! Aunt Grace; ith a au)h.

66



M, he you to earn to use the tyeriter. , (no

ho to tye; &ut my o! in)ers are too sti to use a

machine no.

So; hat ith "i##ie earnin) to tye; an! sen!in)many hours ith her athers tyeriter; ta:ta:tain)

aay; an! /am earnin) the art in her ay; ara!in)

&eore her on) mirror as she recite! her ines; an! ?oan

comin) in to it her !resses on her$ an! Tony shut aay

in his room; ma(in) somethin); the chi!ren ere very

&usy. ny the tins ere not much in the house. They

ere out in the )ar!en; &usy there as usua; ee!in);soin); hoein) an! &e!!in) out.

Tony as &usy concoctin) one o his ractica =o(es.

This as his ast term in 'in(ys cass an! he meant to

ma(e the most o it. o&o!y ha! ever !are! to ay tric(s

in Snorters cass. +e as uite caa&e o marchin) the

curit o to the hea!master then an! there; an!

!eman!in) a soun! canin) ,

! 'in(y i )et the surrise o his ie soon

thou)ht Tony; very &usy mi>in) this; that an! the other

to)ether. Soon a erecty horri&e sme arose.

0ant it a &it orse than that; sai! Tony to himse;

ma(in) a ace. ?ust a &it. /hoooo Thats &etter That

ma(e o! 'in(y sit u a &it. , ma(e a &otte u o it; an!(ee my itte srayer in my oc(et. Then henever 'in(y

turns roun! to the &ac(&oar!; , sray a itte o the

mi>ture over his !es(. 0hat a shoc( he )et hen he sits

!on

The !oor oene! an! Aunt Grace oo(e! in. Tony

0hat is the !rea!u sme comin) rom your room B

othin); Aunt Grace; sai! Tony; crossy. ?ust

67



ractisin) a &it o my chemistry homeor(; thats a.

The !oor shut on Aunt Graces annoye! ace. She

!i!nt i(e the tone o Tonys voice. Tony ma!e a ace at

the shut !oor. ,ntererin) o! thin) he sai!; in a voice that he

hoe! ou! reach his )reat:aunt. , ish you an! o!

'in(y ere in my cassroom to)ether hen , ay this

tric(. ,t ou! serve you ri)ht to )et a &it o my mi>ture.

68



CH*!E" E%+H!

Li$$ie Loses Her "emer

T+% eary summer asse! on in a &a#e o sun:shine

an! &ue s(y. *ay as a &eautiu month that year. /am

or(e! har! at the ay; &ut !i! ess an! ess stu!yin) or

the schoarshi. Tony aite! or a chance to ay his tric(.

+e ha! to! a his cass a&out it; sorn them to secrecy; an!

as on)in) or the chance to try out this horri&e:smein)

mi>ture.

"i##ie as earnin) to tye an! )ettin) on uite e.

She ha! tye! out her story as neaty as she cou!; &ut Aunt

Grace ha! sai! there ere too many mista(es. So she ha!

ha! to try a)ain. o it as !one; an! Aunt Grace ha!

arove!.

<ou can sen! it no; she sai!. ,ve sent or my

ma)a#ine; an! here it is. <ou in! the a!!ress somehere

at the &e)innin). 'e sure to ut a stame! a!!resse!

enveoe in ith the story.

'ut hy B as(e! "i##ie; surrise!. h; , see $to

sen! it &ac( i they !ont ant it. h; Aunt Grace; , cou!nt

&ear it to &e sent &ac(

,ts a thin) that most riters have to &ear hen they &e)in; sai! Aunt Grace; cheeruy. , you are successu

imme!iatey you &e very uc(y. *y or!; !oesnt your

name oo( nice on the story$ %i#a&eth Farre. ,ts a )oo!

name or a riter.

"i##ie tye! out an enveoe a!!resse! to herse an!

ut a stam on it. Then she tye! out another enveoe!

a!!resse! to The %!itor; The Iuiet *a)a#ine; an! ut herstory into it. 0ish me uc(;

69



Aunt Grace; she sai!; in rather a trem&y voice. ,t

seeme! to her to &e a very !arin); imortant thin) to !o$

to sen! somethin) she ha! ritten to the e!itor o a )ron:

us ma)a#ine Aunt Grace ishe! her uc( an! too( it to the ost

herse or "i##ie. 'ut aas; to !ays ater the &i) enveoe

that "i##ie ha! tye! to herse; arrive! &ac( on the ront

!oor:mat Tony ic(e! it u ith the other etters an! too(

it into the ay room. "etter or you; he sai! to "i##ie

ith a )rin. A!!resse! to *iss %li&#beth Farre; i you

ease. 0hos it rom B K ti no a the Farre chi!ren ha! share! their

etters; rea! them out to one another; an! never min!e!

anyone ese seein) them. 'ut "i##ie et that she cou! not

ossi&y say anythin) a&out this etter. She in)ere! it

an>iousy. h !ear; oh !ear; it et thic(; as i the story ha!

&een sent &ac( area!y

en it; siy; an! see ho its rom sai! Tony.

, (no ho its rom; sai! "i##ie. ,ts$its

nothin) imortant.

ont &e so secretive; "i##ie; sai! /am; overcome

ith curiosity. "ets see hats in it.

o; sai! "i##ie. ,m )oin) to oen it hen , ant

to$not no.Tony snatche! the etter rom her an! tore it oen.

"i##ie e at him at once; trem&in) ith su!!en ra)e.

er etter$ her story$her recious secret +o !are Tony

!o a thin) i(e that B

Tony !ance! roun! the room; ho!in) the on)

enveoe a&ove his hea!; tearin) it oen as he !i! so; an!

ta(in) out the neaty tye! story. "i##ie stru))e! ith himan! trie! to )et it.

7-



" +i ,ts a story A tye! out$an! my or!; 0+

<K T+,E ,TS '< B yee! Tony. %i#a&eth

Farre Goy; shes ritten a siy; soy Story an! ha!

the nerve to sen! it out to some aer or other. o on!ertheyve sent it &ac(. <es; oo( The %!itor re)rets . . . story

not suita&e . . . returnin) it ith than(s +a; ha; "i##ie

i! you reay thin( you ere cever enou)h to have a

story rinte! B 0hat a conceite! i!iot you are

/am au)he! too. The tins atche! in astonishment;

surrise! at "i##ies e>traor!inary &ehaviour. She stame!

her oot; she shoute!; an! tears oure! !on her ace. <ou &east; you &east; ho !are you ta(e my etter

<ouve soit everythin); as , (ne you ou!. "au)h;

/am; au)h$youre hateu; &oth o you; an! , never

never or)ive you

<ou ou)ht to &e ashame! o &ehavin) i(e that; sai!

/am; co!y. Sto yein) an! stamin); "i##ie $or sha

e ca you %i#a&eth B Give her the etter; or )oo!ness

sa(e; Tony; you have a!!y in here antin) to (no

hats u. Shut u; "i##ie; !o.

Tony he! out the etter an! the story to oor "i##ie.

The so&&in); misera&e )ir snatche! them; an! tore them

into itte ieces. She thre them a into Tonys ace.

There you are; &east she so&&e!. Ta(e them.Ta(e my secret. , thou)ht , cou! !o somethin) an! , cant.

An! youre )a!. , hate you a

She rushe! out o the room; amost (noc(in) !on

Aunt Grace; ho; hearin) a the noise; ha! come to

investi)ate the cause. She !i! not sto to aoo)i#e &ut

rushe! u to her room; sti so&&in).

71



Aunt Grace ent into the ay:room. 0hat has

haene! B she sai!.

h; "i##ie )ot in a tantrum an! thre thin)s in my

ace; sai! Tony; airiy. 'ut "i##ie never )ets into tantrums; sai! Aunt

Grace; ama#e!. 0hatever !i! you !o to her B

She sa the ieces o torn aer on the )roun!; &its o

tyin) shoin) here an! there. She stoo! an! oo(e! at

them. "i##ies story ha! come &ac($an! someho the

others (ne$an! ha! tease! her an! &een un(in!. They

ha!nt (non hat it a meant to "i##ie.Aunt Grace )ance! at Tony an! /am. 'oth ere ;no

eein) ashame! an! ere re! in the ace. The tins ere

near tears. They ere on! o "i##ie an! ere scare! to

thin( o her so an)ry an! unhay.

, !ont e>acty (no hat youve &een u to; /am

an! Tony; sai! Aunt Grace; in a horri! sort o voice. 'ut

, can see its somethin) to &e ashame! o. , am uite oten

ashame! o you; hoever; so its nothin) ne.

"eavin) a !ea! sience &ehin! her the o! a!y

cim&e! u to "i##ies room. The !oor as oc(e!. So&s;

an)ry misera&e so&s; came rom &ehin! it. Aunt Grace

rae! smarty.

en the !oor; "i##ie. , ant to ta( to you; shesai!.

/ease )o aay; came "i##ies trem&in) voice. ,

!ont ant any&o!y.

en the !oor; ease; comman!e! Aunt Grace;

!etermine! to )et her ay. An! "i##ie oene! the

72



!oor. +er aunt ent in; sat !on on the &e! an! ue!

"i##ie to her. She et her cry or some minutes ithout

sayin) anythin).

So the story came &ac( B she sai!. 0e; hoou! have thou)ht you! &e so uset a&out such a itte

thin) B There are enty o other aces to sen! it to$ony

no you have to tye it a out a)ain &ecause youve torn

it u.

,$, tore it u &ecause Tony as so &easty a&out it;

sai! "i##ie; ororny. ,t as my secret; an! he oun! it

out an! au)he! at it; an! =eere! &ecause the story as sent &ac(. ,t as enou)h !isaointment to have it sent &ac(

ithout havin) Tony an! /am au)hin) a&out it. , =ust sa

re! an! stame! an! yee! an! tore it u.

,m not a &it surrise! at your eein)s; sai! Aunt

Grace. ot a &it. o the others )oo! to see you can are

u no an! a)ain. 0ait ti you )et some thin)s accete!

an! rinte!$they au)h the other si!e o their aces

then

Aunt Grace; , sha never rite a story a)ain an!

never never sen! one out anyhere; sai! "i##ie; earnesty.

ever. ,t as siy o me to thin( , as )oo! enou)h.

0e; e$so youre =ust shy; scare! itte;"i##ie

Farre ater a; sai! Aunt Grace; in a !isaointe! tone. An! here ,ve &een thin(in) o you as %i#a&eth Farre;

a&e to !o )reat thin)s; an! settin) a&out them area!y.

"i##ies )ivin) u at =ust one set&ac($an! , ha! thou)ht

that %i#a&eth ou! stan! anythin); so on) as she (ne

she ha! the )it o ritin); an! cou! or( at it. 'ut a )it

is no )oo! ithout character; "i##ie; no )oo! at a. ,

youve not )ot a

73



character stron) enou)h to stan! a !eeat or

!isaointment no an! a)ain; youre not it to &e a )reat

riter. 0e; e; hat a !isaointment

She stoo! u as i to )o. "i##ie oo(e! at her in aarm.Aunt Graces ace as sa! an! a itte scornu. "i##ie

cau)ht at her )reat:aunts han!.

ont oo( i(e that ont you &e scornu o me

too , (no you thin( ,m ea( an! ee&e$ &ut; &ut ...

*y !ear chi!; it rests entirey ith ourseves

hether e are ea( an! ee&e or stur!y an! stron); sai!

Aunt Grace; &ris(y. ,m not ta(in) a&out heath; ,mta(in) a&out character; as you (no. , you cou! ta(e

ho! o this o&stace an! turn it into a stein):stone to

&i))er thin)s; &y sayin) 0hats it matter B , try a)ain

an! a)ain$an! yet a)ain then you! &e a ri)ht. 'ut you

cant !o it.

, can; , can sai! "i##ie; uin) at her aunt to sto

her a(in) out o the !oor. Aunt Grace; !ont &e mean to

me. , try a)ain. <ou (no , i. Give me one more

chance

*y !ear chi!; @ cant )ive chances sai! Aunt

Grace; oo(in) !on at the an>ious )ir. ,t is you ho

must )ive yourse chances ?ust see that you ta(e your

chances; thats a ny you can !eci!e hether to &e!eeate! r not.

Aunt Grace; ,m )oin) strai)ht !on to the tye:

riter to tye out that story a)ain; sai! "i##ie; screin)

u her et han!(erchie an! uttin) it into her oc(et. As

i , care hether my storys sent &ac( the irst time or

not;

She smie! a rather atery smie at her )reat:aunt; an!)ot a ease! smie in return.

74



hen "i##ie e at me i(e that B he sai!. 0hy

shou! , B ?

'ecause i you !ont she may in! it very !iicut

reay to or)ive you; sai! Aunt Grace. "itte thin)s i(ethis are hat start site an! unhainess in a amiy. <ou

can ut everythin) ri)ht no ith a e or!s. , you !ont

you may in! you can never ut thin)s ri)ht.

Tony ent to the sur)ery !oor. +e ut his hea! insi!e.

"i##ie; he sai!. Sorry or hat , !i!; o! thin).

"i##ie oo(e! u; starte! an! easanty surrise!.

Tony !isaeare!$&ut ootstes came hurrie!y ater him.They ere "i##ies.

Tony ,ts a ri)ht she sai! &reathessy. ,m

sorry too. ,t as a siy.

o it as Tonys turn to &e surrise!. +e ha!

e>ecte! "i##ie to &e huy an! scornu ith him. ,nstea!

she as her o! (in! se. +e )ave her a thum on the

shou!er.

<ou )o on ith your stories he sai!. , &e the

irst to cheer hen ones rinte!. See B

"i##ie ent &ac( to the tyeriter. Thin)s seeme!

very !ierent no$hat a storm in a tea:cu 'ut it

mi)ht have &een somethin) very much &i))erNNi it

ha!nt &een or o! Aunt Grace 1

76



CH*!E" #%#E

Pamela Gets Into "rouble

*,C+A%" '%ST ha! )one &ac( to his schoo no;

&ut the tins rote an! to! him their nes. +e sent them

&ac( a etter hich !ei)hte! them. ,t as )oo! to have a

rien! i(e *ichae; aays hein) them; sharin) in their

us an! !ons.

Tony ante! to see the etter. +e as aays a itte =eaous o their rien!shi ith *ichae. Ater a; *ichae

as ar more his a)e$an! yet he chose the tins to &e his

rien!s Secrety Tony a!mire! *ichae; an! ou! have

i(e! to !o some o the thin)s he !i!; such as runnin) the

scout cam in the via)e each summer hoi!ays$ony it

as too much &other

The tins ou! not et Tony see the etter. avi! utit irmy aay in his oc(et. o; he sai!; you au)he!

at "i##ie hen she )ot a etter. <ou shant au)h at us. <ou

aays soi thin)s; Tony. /eoe (ee secrets rom you

&ecause you au)h at them an! soi them.

Chee(y itte &east; sai! Tony. ,ve a )oo! min! to

&o> your ears

+e !i!nt; &ecause he ha! a su!!en; uncomorta&eeein) that avi! as ri)ht. +e !i! au)h an! ma(e un o

thin)s that other eoe seeme! to care a ot a&out.

/ooh sai! Tony to himse; eoe aays ma(e

such a uss a&out thin)s. *uch &etter &e i(e /am an! not

ta(e thin)s i(e the schoarshi seriousy$ma(e a =o(e o

it; instea! o savin) aay

77



i(e some (i!s !o; ma(in) everyone misera&e. An!

oo( ho ouar I am %veryone starts to )rin an! cheer

u hen , come &y. Goy; , ish , cou! )et a chance to

ay that tric( o mine. , !ont !are to as on) as the +ea!an!ers a&out; oin) into cassrooms une>ecte!y

/am as or(in) very har! at her art in the ay. ,t

as more !iicut than she ha! e>ecte!. The mistress

ho as ro!ucin) the ay as very an>ious to ma(e it

an outstan!in) success; an! she as !rivin) har! a the

)irs ho ere ta(in) art in it.

0e cant ai in any ay; she sai!. 0e are to )iveit on Seech ay; an! there i &e hun!re!s o arents

an! )uests. , ant it to &e the most marveousy:acte! ay

e have ever !one. As or the !resses; they i &e the &est

eve ma!e

/am ma!e a most a!ora&e rincess. She ha! a ine;

cear voice; an! as very )raceu. %veryone raise! her

an! to! her she shou! &e an actress.

'ut /am (ne she ou! never ma(e a )oo! actress.

She cou! earn her art e; she cou! oo( retty an!

charmin); an! she cou! !o everythin) that *iss omua;

the !ramatic mistress; to! her to$&ut someho she

cou!nt act naturay an! convincin)y. She cou!nt ose

herse in the art. She hasnt enou)h character herse to thro herse

into other eoes; sai! *iss omua. Thin)s have

aays &een too easy or /amea. Sti; she i ma(e a ine

itte /rincess; an! her retty ace an! voice i ma(e u

or her secon!:rate actin). She is certainy or(in) very

har! to ma(e her art a success.

/am as$much too har! ,t &e)an to orry her aitte; an! she oun! herse !reamin) o the ay at

78



ni)ht; an! o(e u sayin) her ines. She oun! that it

as &e)innin) to &e rather !iicut to concentrate on her

essons in cass. A itte ron seeme! aays to &e on her

orehea!. +er ather notice! it. /am$hy !o you aays oo( so orrie! B he

sai!. Are you or(in) too har! at the schoarshi B

o; oh no; sai! /am; uite truthuy. She asnt

or(in) har! at that at a ,m =ust &usy ith the schoo

ay at the moment; thats a; a!!y. ,ve )ot the chie

art; you (no.

, thin( the ay an! the schoarshi or( are toomuch or you; sai! her ather; his (een !octors eyes

seein) ar more than *rs. Farre or Aunt Grace. /erhas

you ha! &etter !ro the ay. There must &e others ho can

ta(e your art.

/am stare! at him in the utmost horror. 0hat , ro

her ovey art$et someone ese ta(e it$that siy itte

An)ea; or instance , She cou!nt ossi&y !o such a thin

a!!y <ou !ont un!erstan!; she sai!; amost in

tears. 0hy; my !resses are racticay inishe! $,m

amost or!:erect$no&o!y ese &ut me cou! ossi&y

ay the art o the /rincess

ont uset the chi!; a!!y; sai! *rs. Farre;

reroachuy. She cou!nt ossi&y )ive u no. <ouveno i!ea ho shes save! at it.

Thats =ust it; sai! *r. Farre; orrie!. Shes &een

!oin) too much. 0e$, suose it ont &e on) &eore

the e>am is over an! the ay acte!$then you must sac(

o a ⁢ /am$or)et essons or a &it an! mess roun! the

house an! he your mother:that i &e a chan)e or you.

/am scoe!. *ess roun! the house That as

79



=ust hat she !i!nt inten! to !o. "et other eoe

ma(e her &e! an! cean her room; &a(e the ca(es an! ma(e

the =am; ut &uttons on her &ouses an! men! her

stoc(in)s She ou! save her &rains or &etter thin)s. That remin!s me; /am; sai! her mother; Greta is

aays comainin) that you ma(e so much or( or her to

!o. Cant you &e a itte ti!ier in your room$cear u a &it

ater yourse B Greta has a ot to !o here; even thou)h she

has a oman to he her in the mornin)s.

Gretas aays )rum&in); sai! /am; su(iy; a the

rettiness )one rom her ace in a ash. , ish e cou!sac( her an! )et some&o!y ese.

'ut Gretas a !arin) sai! eia; une>ecte!y.

She is; reay. Shes aays !oin) thin)s or a o us that

she nee!nt !o$isnt she; *ummy B Shes uite one o the

amiy.

course; you must ut our so(e in; sai! /am;

sarcasticay. ,! i(e to (no hat Greta thin(s o your

to rooms; you tins$ith your &easty cateriars an!

smey mice , &et she has a e or!s to say a&out that

She !oesnt i(e them; &ut shes auy nice a&out

them; sai! avi!. 0e (no she !oesnt i(e the mice;

eseciay$shes scare! sti o them$ so eia an! ,

ma(e our on &e!s an! ti!y our on rooms as much as ecan so that she !oesnt have to sen! too much time there.

<ou an! Greta sneere! /am; an)ry to thin( that

the tins shou! &e &othere! to ti!y their on rooms hen

she never once thou)ht o !oin) hers. , !ont (no hat

you can see in that siy Austrian; yein)

8-



her stui! son)s a over the ace; an! &ein) ru!e

henever she ants to.

That i !o; /am; sai! *rs. Farre. <ou reay

are very &a!:temere! atey. ,ts &ecause shes or(in) too har! at that ay;

&e)an *r. Farre. Thats =ust hat , ...

h; !ont &e)in that a over a)ain crie! /am;

ru!ey; an! ent out o the room. She shut the !oor ar too

ou!y. *r. Farre ent ater her at once.

/amea 1 Come &ac(. Any more &ehaviour o this

sort an! , sha )o to your hea!mistress an! as( her to etsomeone ese ta(e your art in the ay. Come &ac(;

aoo)i#e; an! shut the !oor uiety ater you.

/amea stoo! in the ha; her heart &eatin) an)riy.

+o !are! a!!y sea( to her i(e that She asnt a ten:

year:o!; i(e the tins. 'ut the threat he ha! ma!e scare!

her. Suose he reay !i! )o to the +ea! 1 That ou! &e

au. She ent &ac( to the sittin):room.

Sorry; she mum&e!; an! shut the !oor very uiety.

Then; ith an)ry tears in her eyes she ent out; scoin)

at the astonishe! Greta as she asse! ut. The arrot

)reete! her as she asse! out o the ront orch.

0heres your han(y B +i hi hurray Then Su(ie

screeche! an! ma!e /amea =um vioenty. +ateu &ir! crie! the an)ry )ir; an! &an)e! her

han! on the arrots ca)e; ma(in) Su(ie amost a o her

erch. , ish you ere )one$an! Aunt Grace too. 0hat

&easty eoe ive in this house

"i##ie an! Tony ha! not &een there hen /am ha!

&een so ru!e; &ut they hear! a&out it rom the

81



tins. "i##ie notice! that /am as very coo toar!s

her ather; an! it !istresse! her. +o cou! /am oo( i(e

that at a!!y an! har!y sea( to him uness she as

so(en to B She as erecty oite; &ut she mi)ht have &een uite a stran)er to him; instea! o his &eove!

!au)hter. 'ut neither "i##ie nor any o the other chi!ren

!are! to sea( to hau)hty; !etermine! /am a&out it. *r.

Farre aeare! not to notice it; &ut he as hurt an!

)rieve!.

+e so(e to Aunt Grace a&out it. , e>ect youve

notice! that /am ont &e rien!s ith me any more hesai!. 'ut its ony &ecause the chi!s overor(e! an!

uset. 0hen this ay an! the schoarshi e>am are over

she &e her on seet se a)ain. So !ont say anythin) to

her; Aunt Grace; i you B ,t mi)ht ma(e matters orse.

0hat /am ants is a )oo! san(in); sai! Aunt

Grace. <ou shou! have san(e! her hen she as itte.

Sare the ro! an! soi the chi! Thats hat youve !one

ith /am; ?ohn; my !ear. Ah yes$, (no hat a retty;

ta(in) itte thin) she as$tistin) you a roun! her itte

in)er. o see hat youve !one$ma!e her into a har!

an! seish youn) oman.

o; no; sai! *r. Farre. ont &e so har! on her;

Aunt Grace. Shes =ust overor(e!. Shes &ehavin) very &a!y no; an! erhas , should have san(e! her otener

hen she as a nau)hty itte )ir$&ut she &e sorry an!

as seet as ever hen this term is over.

Aunt Grace sai! no more. She ha! never thou)ht that

/am as seet. She loo)ed seet; yes$&ut she asnt. A

cever &rain an! a retty ace ere no )oo! at a uness

you ha! seetness &ehin! them. 0e

82



$somethin) ou! come aon) to )ive /am a shar

esson one !ay; an! the )ir ou! =ust crume u Aunt

Grace (nitte! vi)orousy; thin(in) har! o the Farre

amiy$/am; Tony; the tins$an! "i##ie."i##ie ha! ritten to more stories. She ha! tye!

them out careuy an! correcty; or she as no very

)oo! in!ee! at tyin). She an! Aunt Grace ha! on!ere!

here to sen! them.

0hat a&out our oca aer B sai! Aunt Grace.

<ou (no; the -i.ers/%nd ee)l ,t oten rints

somethin) or chi!ren. <ou mi)ht try there. 'ut !ont )eta hot an! &othere! i the stories come &ac(; "i##ie. ,ts

hat a riters have to ut u ith. <ou have to ma(e

your on name; you (no; an! you can ony !o that &y

tryin) a)ain an! a)ain; in!in) out hat you can rite &est;

hat eoe ant to rea!; an! so on. <ou try the -i.ers/

%nd ee)l"

" , i; sai! "i##ie. , sen! my to ne stories;

sha ,; Aunt Grace; an! the o! one$the one , tore u an!

tye! out a)ain. 0hatever shou! , ee i(e i one )ot

rinte! B

Aunt Grace au)he!. <ou ait an! see; she sai!.

,t i &e a ovey eein); , can te you.

So "i##ie ut her three stories into a &i) enveoe. Shetye! another enveoe to herse; in case the stories ere

sent &ac(. *iss %i#a&eth Farre; +ouse:at:the:Corner;

ivers:%n!. Miss %li&#beth F#rrell( Such a !ierent

erson rom ain "i##ie Suose she sa her u name

rinte! at the en! o one o the stories B She ou! !ie o

ri!e an! hainess

She ent out to ost the stories. Greta met her in theha. , i ost or you; *iss "i##ie; she

83



sai!; in her usua (in!y ay. She aays ove! to !o

any itte thin) or the amiy.

o; , )o; Greta; sai! "i##ie; smiin). ,ts

somethin) rather imortant; an! , ant to ish it uc(hen the etter )oes o into the iar:&o>

, ish it uc( aso then sai! Greta; her eyes

&eamin). Great )oo! uc( <ou i te me i the )reat

)oo! uc( comes; *iss "i##ie B

/erhas , i; sai! "i##ie; an! ent o to the ost;

thin(in) that Greta ou! certainy re=oice as much as

anyone i her stories ere reay successu.

84



CH*!E" !E#

A Wonder'ul Surrise

% aternoon; hen "i##ie as at schoo; Aunt

Grace ent to ut Su(ie the arrot into the sha!e; or the

sun as very hot. ?une as in no; an! as ivin) u to its

o! name o amin) ?une .

The ostman came u as Aunt Grace !ra))e! the

heavy ca)e into the sha!e. +e )ave her a han!.

0heres your han(y B Su(ie sai! to him; an! ma!ehim au)h.

Than( you; sai! Aunt Grace. h$hat a ot o

etters

She too( the ie rom the ostman an! he ent !on

the ath to the ront )ate; hearin) Su(ie cain) out ater

him; 0heres your han(y B +i hi hurray

Aunt Grace oo(e! throu)h the etters to see i there

ere any or her. <es; to; )oo!. Five or ?ohn$ three or

"ucy$one or the tins rom that nice rien! o theirs;

*ichae. ne or Tony; none or /am$ an! one or

"i##ie.

,t as a!!resse! to *iss %i#a&eth Farre; an! as

tye!. ,t as an or!inary enveoe; &ut on the &ac( aere stame! the etters :%. 0.

,n a ash Aunt Grace (ne hat the three etters

stoo! or$ -i.ers/%nd ee)l( ,t as a etter rom the

oca aer$a letter $ithout returne! stories in; or the

enveoe as too sma to contain them.

,t cou! ony mean that the e!itor o the aer as

intereste! in "i##ies stories. 0hat !i! he say in the

85



etter B Aunt Grace cou! har!y ait or "i##ie to

come home rom schoo that !ay

At ast she sa "i##ie comin) home on her &icyce. She

ran ater her to the &icyce she! ith the recious etter. +ao; Aunt Grace sai! "i##ie. <ou oo( e>cite!.

Anythin) haene! B

Theres a etter or you; an! ,m sure its rom the

-i.ers/%nd ee)l" sai! Aunt Grace. +ere it is.

"i##ie oene! the etter ith in)ers that su!!eny

trem&e!. Suose$oh suose$no; !ont suose ,t

as ro&a&y ony to say that the stories ere no )oo!.She shoo( out the sma o!e! iece o tye! aer

insi!e. She an! Aunt Grace rea! it to)ether.

%A *iss FA%"";

0e than( you or sen!in) us your three stories; hich e i(e

very much. 0e on si> other ee(y aers; aearin) in !ierent!istricts; an! e ou! i(e to &e a&e to rint your stories ee(y; in

each o these aers. 0e shou! i(e to arran)e ith you to sen! us in

one each ee(. /ayment i &e at our usua rates; an! a cheue i

&e sent on u&ication. 0e roose to rint the irst story ne>t ee(.

<ours aithuy;

+. 'KC%; %!itot.

"i##ies eyes )re misty &ehin! their )asses; an! she

saoe! har!. +er mouth trem&e! an! she cou! har!y

sea(. Aunt Grace; she hisere!; oh Aunt Grace 1

Aunt Grace as =ust as much overcome as "i##ie.

86



She !a&&e! at her eyes hurrie!y ith her han!(erchie;

an! ceare! her throat. Then she )ave "i##ie a su!!en hu).

h; ho ovey she sai!. Con)ratuations; my

!ear; you !eserve it. 'ut ancy$a story every sin)e ee(.Can you !o it B

, can try; sai! "i##ie. 'ut Aunt Grace$are they

)oin) to p# me B , never thou)ht o that 1 , =ust thou)ht o

the =oy o seein) my stories in rint$ ith my name on

them$, never thou)ht o &ein) p#id(O

h; o course; you &e ai!; sai! Aunt Grace;

au)hin) at "i##ies ama#e! ace. +o !o you thin(riters ive i they arent ai! or their or( i(e other

eoeB +o on) ere those stories; "i##ie B

A&out iteen hun!re! or!s each; sai! "i##ie.

0hat i they ay me$ive shiin)s a story B

*uch more sai! Aunt Grace. To or three

)uineas; , shou! thin(; eseciay as they are rintin) them

in other aers at the same time. <ouve ma!e a &e)innin);

"i##ie$an! so soon too.

'ut , neary !i!nt; sai! "i##ie. 0hen , tore that

irst story u an! thre the &its in Tonys ace; , ma!e u

my min! never to try a)ain; never. An! i it ha!nt &een or

you; , ou!nt have; either; Aunt Grace. h$isnt it

on!eru Come an! te the others; sai! Aunt Grace; an!

ue! her han!. 'ut "i##ie shoo( her hea!.

o; she sai!. o$not yet; anyay. "et me en=oy it

a to myse or a &it. They mi)ht au)h. An! anyay ,!

rather ait ti the irst story comes out; Aunt Grace$ith

my name on. %i#a&eth Farre

87



$, sha re#ll ee i(e %i#a&eth then$some&o!y

hos !one somethin) an! is )oin) on to !o much; much

more

0e; its your secret; chi!; sai! Aunt Grace. 'utet your amiy share your =oy as soon as you can.

Thats =ust it$, !ont &eieve most o them ill share

it sai! "i##ie. /am i &e =eaous$Tony i au)h

an! say somethin) smart that i ma(e the others au)h

too$an! *other ont un!erstan! hy , ant to ca

myse %i#a&eth Farre. They mi)ht =ust soi thin)s;

Aunt Grace. , must ait a &it an! en=oy it a in secretmyse irst.

, en=oy it ith you; sai! Aunt Grace; an! )ave

"i##ie another hu). <oure a nice chi!; "i##ie $you

!eserve a &it o uc(.

"i##ie cou! har!y &eieve her nes. She (et the

etter in her oc(et an! oene! it to rea! a)ain an! a)ain

hen she as &y herse. +er eyes shone haiy an! her

mouth smie! a the evenin). She ha! ha! a story$ three

stories ta(en &y a aer. They ante! one every ee(.

She; %i#a&eth Farre; as a riter; some&o!y ho cou!

earn money an! ho ou! see her on name in rint. She

!i!nt sto thin(in) o it once; an! Aunt Grace; atchin)

her; as )a! o the )irs su!!en hainess. She oo(s uite retty to:ni)ht; she thou)ht.

0ithout her )asses an! that ire roun! her teeth; she

ou! oo( a !arin). /ams as retty as a icture; &ut her

sco !oes soi her so; an! her mouth is )ettin) such a

!onar! curve. "i##ie or me every time

Greta notice! "i##ies smiin) eyes that ni)ht. She

88



stoe! an! so(e to the )ir hen she sa her aone

or a moment. <ou have ha! your )reat )oo! uc( B she

sai!; in her retty Austrian voice. <our eyes te me so;

*iss "i##ie <es; Greta$, )ot the )oo! uc( sai! "i##ie; in an

e>utant tone. Cant te you a a&out it yet$ &ut , i.

, am )a! or you; *iss "i##ie; vairy; vairy )a!;

sai! arm:hearte! Greta. , i )ive you a iece o my

chocoate to sho you , am )a! or you

o; Greta 1 <ouve )iven most o it to the tins

area!y sai! "i##ie; catchin) ho! o Gretas arm. 'esi!es; , cou!nt eat anythin) to:ni)ht. ,m too e>cite!.

A the same she oun! a iece o Gretas !eicious

Austrian chocoate on her !ressin):ta&e that ni)ht hen

she ent to &e!. /oor Greta$ho she !i! try to &eon)

to this %n)ish amiy; to ee that she ha! a ace there; to

share their sa!ness an! )a!ness =ust as she ha! once

share! in her on vanishe! amiys sorros an! =oys.

o&o!y too( much notice o "i##ie those !ays; thou)h

her shinin) eyes )ave aay the act that somethin) &i) ha!

haene! to her. %veryone as )ettin) or(e! u a&out

/ams ay Tony hear! her art or her time an! a)ain.

"i##ie an! ?oan see! har! at the &eautiu traiin) cothes

she as to ear. *rs. Farre istene! en!essy to accountso a the rehearsas; the stui!ity o An)ea ho aays

ha! to &e romte!; the ay Eatie aays or)ot to come

on to the sta)e at e>acty the ri)ht moment; the &eautiu

ne sta)e:curtains that someone ha! resente! to the

schoo; the ro there as hen some&o!y &e)an to

89



)i))e at the rehearsa ... in act; no&o!y as aoe!

to thin( or ta( o anythin) &ut the on!eru ay

0hen is the schoarshi e>am B as(e! Aunt Grace;

interrutin) /ams e>cite! account o ho *iss omuaha! raise! her actin) that !ay.

,ts this ee(; sai! /am; ronin) at the inter:

rution. 0e; as , sai! . . .

This ee( sai! Aunt Grace; in surrise. 0e;

you never sai! a or! a&out it; /am 1 +o are you )ettin)

on in the e>am aers B

Fine; o course; sai! /am; imatienty. , !ontmin! e>ams; Aunt Grace. ,m not one o those eoe ho

)et a nervous an! uset in e>ams$i(e "i##ie. She never

can !o a thin) in e>ams$never )ets to mar(s even i she

(nos the su&=ect insi!e out. Goes a o.

Cant thin( hy; sai! Tony. , ove e>ams. Give

you a chance o shoin) o your &rains

0e; you !ont seem to have shon o yours much;

=u!)in) &y the resuts ast term; sai! Aunt Grace;

remem&erin) the reort she ha! seen.

h Aunt Grace; !ont na) at a eo )roane!

Tony. <oure aays )ettin) a !i) in somehere. o&o!y

&others to or( in o! 'in(ys orm; , te you. , or( a

ri)ht ith Snorter. +ave to , 0e; , ony hoe /am isnt )ivin) too much atten:

tion to this ay an! not enou)h to her e>am; sai! Aunt

Grace; )oin) on ith her (nittin). ,t ou! &e simy

!rea!u i she aie! to in the schoarshi; ater a our

hoes.

h Aunt Grace; it ou!nt matter a bit i , !i!nt )et

it; sai! /am; e>aserate!.

9-



ot a &it. ,m )oin) to coe)e anyho. a!!ys )ot

the money to ay or me hether , in the schoarshi or

not. ,m sae.

,! =ust i(e to in it to sho everyone ho easy it is.,ve aays asse! ith honours any e>am ,ve ta(en.

The tins came in rom the )ar!en; hot an! !irty.

/am oo(e! at them in !is)ust. 0hat h#.e you &een

!oin) B <ou sme au.

Ceanin) out the hen:house; sai! avi!. ,ts rather

a smey =o& &ut e i(e it. *other; the henhouse oo(s

marveous no. <ou reay ou)ht to )o an! see it. Can ,

hiteash it insi!e; ease B Frost says he hasnt )ot time.

91



" *other; ma(e them )o an! have a &ath; an! chan)e;

)roane! /am.

They sme horri&e. h must they )o an! ao in

hen:houses an! thin)s B The hen:house is lo.el no; sai! eia. o come

an! see it; /am.

, never )o near the hens i , can he it; sai! /am;

turnin) u her nose. Smey thin)s ith eas a over

them

They h#.en't )ot eas sai! eia; in!i)nanty.

Theyre the ceanest hens in ivers:%n!. *other; !o comean! see ho nicey eve !one the hen:house.

, i some time; !ear; sai! *rs. Farre.

<ou aays say that; sai! avi!; an! you har!y

ever do come an! see hat eve !one.

ont &e chee(y; sai! /am; shary.

,m not; sai! avi!; in surrise. ,ts uite true hat

, say$no&o!y ever comes to see hat eve &een !oin) or

ta(es an interest in it. 'ut every&o!y )oes crac(e! over

your o! ay

Aunt Grace au)he! out ou!; su!!eny. Soemn; out:

so(en; har!:or(in) avi! aays amuse! her. 'ut he

as too serious an! soemn. ,t ou! !o him an! eia

)oo! to )o to &oar!in):schoo an! mi> ith hor!es ochi!ren a ith the same interests; a ith the same ove

o nature an! animas an! )ar!enin). They (et themseves

to themseves too much.

Aunt Grace; you shou!nt encoura)e the tins to &e

ru!e; &e)an /am; enra)e!. eay; , thin( its too . . .

+o! your ton)ue; /amea; sai! Aunt Grace;

shary. ,m an o! oman an! , ont &e ut in my ace

92



&y a sniet i(e you. , , !i!nt thin( you ere reay

or(in) much too har! ,! say a ot more.

/am ent crimson. The tins )i))e! an! ent out to

have a &ath; eavin) an aroma o hens &ehin! them. "i##ieoo(e! uset or a minute an! then; remem&erin) her )oo!

ortune; smie! to herse a)ain. Tony ent out histin).

*rs. Farre si)he! an! thou)ht that a amiy as very;

very !iicut.

Aunt Grace (nitte! har!. She (nitte! a her annoy:

ance into the soc(; an! et very much &etter aterar!s.

93



CH*!E" E&EE#

"he Story is Printed

+/+% schoarshi e>am as over. /am ha! har!y

reai#e! it ha! come an! )one; or even in the mi!st o

anserin) e>am uestions she ha! &een !reamin) o the

ay.

She ou! oo( so &eautiu +o a the sma )irs

ou! si)h an! ca an! cheer +o the arents ou!

aau! her An! even *iss aes the +ea! ou! thin(hat a on!eru )ir; she; /am; as.

She too( the schoarshi e>am in her stri!e; *iss

aes ou! say. 0on it an! har!y thou)ht a&out it;

she as so &usy ith the schoo ay. ne o the most

&riiant )irs , have ever ha!. , rohesy a on!eru

career or her.

?une as over no; an! there ere ony three more

ee(s ti the en! o the term. ot much more time to

.rehearse; or the ay$&ut /am !i!nt min!. She as uite

rea!y. +er !resses ere inishe!. , ony stui! An)ea

ou! earn her art roery

Tony as sti aitin) to ay his on!eru tric( on

o! 'in(y. +e ha! hear! that the +ea! as )oin) aay ora e !ays &eore the en! o term$that ou! &e the &est

time to ay the tric(. Then he ou! &e certain that the

+ea! ou! not come an!erin) in une>ecte!y; sniin)

the terri&e sme himse. A the &oys in the orm ere

ea)er or Tony to ay his tric(. 0hat a au)h they ou!

have

"i##ie as sti in the seventh heaven o !ei)ht

94



ea)ery aitin) or Thurs!ay; hen the issue o the

aer ou! &e u&ishe! hich ou! rint her irst story.

0hat ould the others say hen they sa her name at the

en! B,t seeme! as i Thurs!ay ou! never come; &ut it

!ane! at ast. "i##ie har!y set a that ni)ht. She as

!on on) &eore &rea(ast; aitin) or the aers. Greta

as astonishe!.

Ah$you ait or another etter B she sai!; &eamin).

'ut "i##ie shoo( her hea!.

o$, =ust ant to have a oo( at one o the aers &eore the others )et it; she sai!. Ah$theres the aer:

&oy no.

The aers came throu)h the &i) etter:&o>; one ater

the other. a!!ys aer$*others aer:Aunt Graces

aer$the ee(y ma)a#ine or the tins$an!$the

-i.ers/%nd ee)l(

She ic(e! it u an! ran to her room; oo(in) everishythrou)h the &i) sheets. Ah$ Chi!rens Corner. +ere it

as. The Story o the Thirteen Cats. <es; they ha! rinte!

it; reay rinte! it

"i##ie sat !on on her &e! an! rea! the story throu)h;

very soy. ,t soun!e! )oo!$it #s )oo! Surey

everyone ou! thin( it as )oo! an! ou! rea! it to their

chi!ren BThen her heart amost stoe!. She ha! rea! very

soy; savin) u or herse the !eicious shoc( o seein)

her name at the en!$%i#a&eth Farre$an! it asnt there

,t asnt there. There as no name at the en! at a.

They ha!nt &othere! to rint the name o the author. The

story mi)ht have &een ritten &y any&o!y. o&o!y ou!

)uess ho ha! reay ritten it.

95



it. /erhas they ha!nt thou)ht much o it ater a $

ha!nt thou)ht it as orth rintin) the authors name at

the en!.

"i##ie as terri&y !isaointe!. *ost o her =oy ha! &een in oo(in) orar! to seein) her on name in rint;

not ony her story. She ha! ante! to sho the story to the

others ith her name ceary there. o she cou!nt.

0ou! they &eieve it as &y her B 0ou!nt Tony au)h

one o his scornu itte au)hs; an! say she as uin) his

e) B <es; he ou!.

She (noc(e! at Aunt Graces !oor an! entPin. Theo! a!y as sti in &e!; !rin(in) her mornin) tea. She as

surrise! to see "i##ies !isaointe! ace.

Theyve )ot my story in$&ut theyve et out my

name; sai! oor "i##ie; her voice sha(in) a itte.

o&o!y i &eieve its mine no.

0e$ho ou! have thou)ht o that B sai! Aunt

Grace; surrise!. She rea! the story. ,t rea!s very e;

!oesnt it; "i##ie. Cheer u. <ouve reay an! truy )ot a

story in rint an! thats a marveous thin)$may&e they

i rint your name ne>t time. ,t as ro&a&y

overoo(e!. o$hen are you )oin) to te everyone B

At &rea(ast:time B

h no; sai! "i##ie; scare! at the thou)ht o ma(in)such an announcement at ta&e. o. , te you hat ,

!o; Aunt Grace. , )et the others to rea! the story$an!

then; hen theyve a rea! it; , say , rote it. *a(e it a

(in! o surrise or them.

So ater &rea(ast "i##ie too( the aer to her mother.

*other; !o rea! this itte story; i you B An! as(

a!!y to rea! it too. /ease !o.

96



Hery e; !ear. "ater on; sai! *rs. Farre;

va)uey. /ut it !on there. 0hy; is it a very )oo!

story B , never thin( the stories are orth rea!in) in

this aer. 0hats this on!eru story B sai! /am; an! she

ran her eyes !on it. Goy; hat a soy story , shou!

thin( the erson ho rote it must &e &atty

"i##ie ent re!. She stare! in !istress at /am. /am

!i!nt (no that she; "i##ie; ha! ritten it. She ha! cae!

the story soy$that as ho it struc( her$an! erhas

that as ho it ou! stri(e most eoe. She ishe! sheha!nt as(e! her mother to rea! it.

Come on; "i##ie; e must )et o to schoo or e

sha &e auy ate; sai! /am; oo(in) at the coc(.

0eve a rehearsa this mornin). +oe that i!iot An)ea has

earnt her or!s roery or once

They ent o. "i##ie thou)ht o her rinte! story a

the mornin). She on!ere! hat her mother ou! say

a&out it. Surey her mother ou! i(e it B She !i!nt care

h#t /am sai!; it as a )oo! story. /am aays sneere! at

everythin). So !i! Tony.

*other; !i! you rea! that story B she as(e!

an>iousy; hen she )ot &ac( at one ococ(. *rs. Farre

oo(e! u. She ha! oo(e! throu)h the aer that mornin)an! ha! remem&ere! that "i##ie ha! as(e! her to rea! a

story. 'ut *rs. Farre ha! rea! the ron) story She ha!

not rea! the chi!rens story; &ut a story ritten or )ron:

us; an! she ha!nt i(e! it at a.

<es; !ear; , rea! the story; she sai!. ,t as a siy

story; , thou)ht. ,m surrise! you ante! me to rea! it. ,

!i!nt as( a!!y to rea! it; &ecause

97



he hasnt time or such nonsense. , !ont consi!er it

as orth rea!in).

"i##ies heart san( into the &oots. She as )a! there

as no one ese in the room. She as )a! that she ha! notto! anyone &ut Aunt Grace that her story as in the aer.

+o !rea!u to rite a story that everyone thou)ht as

siy She as )a! no that her name as not at the en!.

She as very sa! that !ay. Aunt Grace ha! )one out

or the !ay to see a rien!; or she ou! have comorte!

"i##ie. A the easure o seein) her story in rint as

soit. She !i! not or a moment )uess that her mother ha!not rea! the ri)ht story. /oor "i##ie

'y the aternoon ost there as an enveoe mar(e!

:%. 0. a)ain. "i##ie oene! it$an! insi!e as a

cheue.

'ut not or ive shiin)s$or three )uineas The )ir

stare! at it !is&eievin)y. Three )uineas$si>ty:three

shiin)s For one story 1 ,t simy cou!nt &e true.

'ut it as. "i##ie too( it u to her &e!room an! stare!

at it. 0hy; she as rich , she )ot three )uineas every

sin)e ee(; hat a ot o thin)s she cou! !o She cou!

&uy the most on!eru &irth!ay an! Christmas resents

or everyone She cou! &uy Aunt Grace somethin) reay

ovey or hein) her so much. She cou! &uy *other thateectric coc( she as aays sayin) she ou! i(e to )et.

'ut , shant te A<% here ,m )ettin) the

money rom sai! "i##ie. ny Aunt Grace; an! shes

)ot to (no. They can a thin( the stories are siy; an!

thin( the riter o them is &atty i they i(e$, shant te

them anythin) a&out my stories at a$&ut , sen! my

money on them an! )ive them ovey surrises.

98



, shant et any&o!y )uess my secret at a.

Aunt Grace as !ei)hte! to see the cheue. 0hat

!oes your mother say B she as(e!.

, havent to! anyone; Aunt Grace; sai! "i##ie. An! , !ont ant to. ,ve !eci!e! not to te anyone that

those ee(y chi!rens stories are mine; either. /am

thou)ht the one in to:!ay as$as$soy$ an! *other

thou)ht it as siy$so . . .

h; "i##ie 'ut they ou!nt have thou)ht or sai!

that i they! (non the story as yours crie! Aunt

Grace. , !ont ant them to thin( a story is )oo! =ust

&ecause , rote it; sai! "i##ie; in her most o&stinate voice.

, ant them to thin( its )oo! anyho; an! to &e rou! o

it. <ou !ont un!erstan!; Aunt Grace.

'ut Aunt Grace !i! un!erstan!. ,t as too &a! o that

siteu itte /am to ma(e un o the story. An! hat a ity

*rs. Farre ha! cae! it siy. Aunt Grace cou!nt

un!erstan! that. The story as anythin) &ut siy. She

si)he!. This Farre amiy !i!nt u to)ether at a. They

!i!nt &ac( one another u.

, chan)e your cheue or you; !ear; she sai! to

"i##ie. <ou si)n it$here on the &ac(; oo($ an! , ay

it into my &an(; an! )ive you three oun!s an! threeshiin)s or it. Fancy; "i##ie$every ee($ its simy

marveous

'ut "i##ie ou! not smie. She meant to sen! the

money on her amiy &ut she et resentu toar!s them. ,

ony they ha! i(e! her story an! ha! e>caime! over it an!

atte! her on the &ac(. , ony

99



they cou! have seen that she asnt =ust ain itte

"i##ie &ut cever %i#a&eth Farre$=ust or once(

'ut they ha!nt an! they never ou!. So she ou!

=ust )o on &ein) %i#a&eth to herse; an! one !ay erhasshe ou! &e such a amous riter that even her on

amiy ou! ca her %i#a&eth an! treat her !ierenty i

'ut she ha! a nice itte surrise that ni)ht hen eia

an! avi! )ot ho! o the ee(y aer an! oo(e! or the

Chi!rens Corner.

, say$theres 2 =oy )oo! story this ee( sai!

eia. *uch &etter than the trie they usuay ut in. ,tsone that "i##ie sometimes use! to te us. ea! it; ave

avi! rea! it an! ronounce! it )oo! stu. "i##ie

)oe! an! su!!eny et very much &etter. eia an!

avi! ou)ht to (no i it as )oo!$it as ritten or

chi!ren

, cut it out an! (ee it; sai! eias cear voice. ,

i(e it. /am; rea! it.

,ve rea! it; than(s; sai! /am. Soy stu , thin(

Give it to "i##ie. ,ts more her stye than mine

,t as nice to atch the tins cuttin) out her story.

She on)e! to te them ho ha! ritten it. 'ut that itte

har! core o an)er that as sti in her heart ou! not et

her say anythin). She sat at her or( an! sai! nothin). <ou (no that tric( , to! you , as )oin) to ay

on o! 'in(y; !ont you B sai! Tony; su!!eny; to the

other our chi!ren; hen they ere a aone in their ay:

room. 0e$its comin) o to:morro

Goo! uc( to you; sai! /am. The tins )i))e!.

1--



They ha! smet the !rea!u sme; an! on!ere! hat

in the or! o! 'in(y ou! say hen he smet it.

The +ea!s )oin) aay to:morro or a !ay or to;

sai! Tony. So its a )oo! chance to ay the tric(.. *a(eo! 'in(y sit u; ont it B

<ou !ont seem to !o anythin) &ut ay a&out in

'in(ys cass; sai! "i##ie. o&o!y ou! !are to !o

thin)s i(e that in m cass. 0e! &e sent out to the +ea! at

once.

/ooh$youre a )oo!y:)oo!y ot; anyay; sai!

Tony. An! not one o you has the &rains to thin( out athumin) )oo! =o(e. Goy; ,m on)in) or to:morro

! 'in(y simy ont &eieve in a sme i(e that

0e; , &e )a! hen you ta(e the sme out o the

house; sai! /am. ,ts a hun!re! times orse than the

hen:house

, te you hat haens to:morro; sai! Tony.

0e have some un; , can te you

1-1



CH*!E" !WE&E

"ony Plays His "rik

T+% ne>t !ay the &oys in Tonys orm ere u o

!ei)hte! anticiation. Tony as reay )oin) to ay his

tric( at ast. The +ea! as not at /rayers that mornin).

,t ou! &e uite sae to ay it.

ot a scra o or( as !one in 'in(ys cass in the

irst to essons. The master; a schoary; mi! man; uiteuna&e to !ea ith &oys i(e Tony; sense! the e>citement

an! si)he!. +e ha! &een a&e to )et on airy e unti

Tony ha! come into his cass. +o he !isi(e! that &oy 1

Aays uin) his e); sac(in); ma(in) the others au)h

an! sac( too.

The tric( as to &e aye! in the esson &eore 'rea(.

,t as an %n)ish esson. The cass ere !oin)

Sha(eseares enr the Fi3th, an! ha! &een ta(in) the

!ierent arts. To:!ay 'in(y anne! to e>ain many o

the o! or!s; an! rite their meanin)s on the &oar!.

The &oys sette! into their aces; ea)er an! e>cite!.

Tony as in one o the ront !es(s; the sme:&otte

he! &eteen his e)s; his sma srayer in his !es(; rea!yto )et out hen the chance came. %very master ma!e Tony

sit in the ront; so that he cou! &e saey un!er the

teachers eye.

0e; &oys; e i not rea! out arts to:!ay; &ut

i )ive a itte time to !iscoverin) the meanin) o some

o the o! or!s use!; &e)an 'in(y; oo(in) short:

si)hte!y throu)h his )asses. The enses ma)niie! hiseyes very much; an! ma!e him oo( rather

1-2



oish. Turn to a)e$er$a)e 64; ease. There

you i in!. . . .

'oys cou)he! an! i!)ete!. Someone oene! his !es(

an! et the i! &an) ou!y; ma(in) 'in(y =um. +e ha!never )ot use! to !es(:&an)in). +e oo(e! across at the

&oy ho ha! !roe! his !es(:i! so vioenty.

ain)s ont !o that.

Sorry; sir. "i! sie!; sir. "i(e this; sir; sai!

ain)s; an!; oenin) his !es(; he et the i! &an) a)ain.

o; not uite i(e that; sir$i(e this. . . .

'oys au)he! ou!y. Tony )rinne!. ain)s as his &est rien!; an! cou! aays &e reie! on to rovi!e a e

au)hs.

%nou)h; ain)s; sai! 'in(y. o$as , as

sayin)$these o! or!s. . . .

+e ent n or a e minutes. Tony ut u his han!.

/ease; sir; it ou! &e a he i you iste! them on the

&oar!. 0e cou! coy them !on; im!. ...

?ust hat , as )oin) to !o; sai! 'in(y; an! turne!

to the &oar!. +e too( u the cha( an! &e)an to rite in his

so; uri)ht ritin).

Iuic( o hisere! ain)s. Go on;

Farre

Tony )rinne! a)ain. +e too( his srayer uiety out ohis !es(; sie! the cor( out o the &otte an! ie! the

srayer. +e ut the cor( &ac( into the &otte at once; or he

!i! not ant to &e cho(e! &y the au sme. As it as; he

ha! to ho! his &reath or a minute.

'in(y as sti soy ritin) his or!s. Tony

reache! out over his !es(; an! su!!eny an! uiety

sraye! some o his terri&e concoction in a ine mist

1-3



toar!s 'in(y. The in!o haene! to &e i!e

oen; an! a &ree#e &e in; ta(in) the mist toar!s the

&ac(&oar!.

'in(y su!!eny )ot a hi. +e stoo! sti; starte!;the cha( he! uri)ht in his han!. +e snie! cautiousy

an! amost cho(e!. 0hat in the or! as that ri)htu

smeB +e ha! never smet anythin) i(e it in his ie 1

+e ma!e a cho(in) noise. The &oys hear! him an!

)rinne! in !ei)ht. ,t as &e)innin) 1 'in(y turne! roun!

an! )ot another hi. To his intense surrise none o the

&oys seeme! to sme hat he as smein). This as notsurrisin) at Tony ha! &een careu to sray the sme ri)ht

aay rom the cass.

'in(y stare! at the &oys; saoin) har!; tryin) not

to sni any more o the ri)htu sme. %r$er can you

&oys sme somethin)$er$somethin) reay horri&e B

&e)an oor 'in(y; an! cho(e! into his han!(erchie.

Tony ansere! or the orm. +e cou! (ee a

erecty strai)ht ace hen he ante! to. +is ace as

uite soemn an! serious no as he ansere! 'in(y.

0hat !o you mean; sir B A horri&e sme B o $

there !oesnt seem to &e one. +e snie! ou!y. That as

the si)na or everyone to !o the same; an! imme!iatey

the cass:room as ie! ith the soun! o thirty &oyssniin) vi)orousy; their noses in the air.

othin) to sme; sir; reorte! Tony; ater a sate o

terriic sniin). ne or to &oys sni))ere! an! Tony

oo(e! roun!; ronin). +e !i!nt ant 'in(y to )uess it

as a tric(.

'in(y too( his han!(erchie aay rom his nose an!

snie! !eicatey an! cautiousy; i(e a cat; arai! to

1-4



sni too stron)y in case he as overheme! &y that

incre!i&e sme a)ain. To his immense reie he cou! no

on)er sme the horri&e o!our.

,t seems to have )one; sai! 'in(y; ta(in) a on) &reath. +e ent to the in!o an! eane! out; eein)

uite overcome ith his e>erience. 0hat a truy terri&e

sme 0hat cou! it have &een B 0ere the !rains o the

schoo &oc(e! u; or somethin) B Cou! there &e a !ea!

rat somehere B

ne or to &oys; una&e to contain themseves; too(

the chance o e>o!in) into their han!(erchies hist'in(y as eanin) out o the in!o. 'ut hen the

master returne! to his ace; the cass aeare! to &e

oitey aaitin) him. +e too( u the cha(; a)ain.

o et me see$ah; yes$, as =ust ritin) the

meanin) o the or! . . . he &e)an a)ain; an! the cha(

once more scrae! on the &oar!.

Iuic( as a ash Tony sraye! some more rom his

sme:&otte; an! the ine mist evaorate! in the air roun!

oor 'in(y; eavin) &ehin! it the same astoun!in) sme.

,t !escen!e! on 'in(y; an! et him etriie!. +e stoo!

there har!y !arin) to &reathe. That sme a)ain +e ou!

&e sic($he ou! aint. There cou!nt &e such a sme in

the or! 'in(y cho(e! an! )ase!; suttere! an! ut his

han!s over his ace. +e reee! to the in!o an! hun) his

hea! out in the resh &ree#e. The &oys e>o!e!. ain)s

he! his si!es; his ace ure. Tony yee! too. %veryone

!i!. The tric( as an even )reater success than they ha!

!are! to hoe.

'in(y; intent on )ettin) aay rom the earu stench;at irst hear! nothin) o the uroar. Then he

1-5



+e ha! a tremen!ous au)h; e:(non a over the

schoo. ,t as most inectious; an! the &oys roare! a the

more hen they hear! it. "itte 'ron; overcome ith his

mirth; roe! o his chair on to the oor; An! (ic(e! hise)s in the air.

'in(y cou! !o nothin) to sto them. +e as sti

tryin) to recover rom the oisonous stench he ha!

&reathe! into his un)s. 'ut in the cass ne>t:!oor as *r.

"ehman; secon! ony to the +ea! himse. +e as ta(in)

Scriture; an! as area!y ama#e! &y the continua soun!s

o mirth that ha! &een comin) rom 'in(ys cassroom orsome time.

*r. "ehmans cass istene! in surrise too. ,t as

nothin) ne to hear noises in 'in(ys orm$everyone

(ne that he asnt much )oo! at (eein) or!er$ &ut no

one ha! ever hear! such terriic &ursts o au)hter &eore.

+ar( at o! ain)s hisere! one &oy to

another. ?ust har( at him 1 0hatevers haenin) B

*r. "ehman cou! not ima)ine hat as )oin) on

ne>t !oor$&ut he =u!)e! that it as certainy time or him

to in! out. 'in(ys casses ere (non to &e !isor!ery$

&ut reay; it as too much this mornin) 0hy; he cou!

har!y hear himse sea(. /ity the +ea! as aay; or he

mi)ht have hear! the ro himse; an! )one to inuire intoit , *r. "ehman et retty certain that that &oy Farre as

at the &ottom o the !istur&ance. 0retche! &oy$no sense

o resonsi&iity or !ecency at a.

*r. "ehman stro!e to the !oor an! oene! it. +e

marche! !on the corri!or. +e came to the !oor o

'in(ys room rom &ehin! hich screeches; cac(es

1-7



an! )uas ere sti comin). +e un) it oen; hite

ith ra)e.

At irst the &oys !i! not notice him. either !i!

'in(y; or he as sti eanin) out o the in!o. *r."ehman )a#e! in astonishment at the si)ht o the

srain); yein) &oys. 0ere they ma! B An! here as

'in(y B

0ith a shoc( the &oys su!!eny sa *r. "ehman.

0iiams nu!)e! 'ron. Get u; i!iot$"ehmans here 1

+arris o(e! ain)s. Shut u; oo$ heres

"ehman. Fie!in) shoo( Tony. "oo(; Farre$theres"ehman.

ne &y one the &oys so&ere! u; sat roery in their

seats; an! )a#e! in ri)ht at *r. "ehmans set an! an)ry

ace. They ere scare! o him. +e as as )oo! a

!isciinarian as 'in(y as a &a! one. +e as more

eare! than either Snorter or the +ea!$ hat &a! uc( that

he shou! have hear! the ro 1

Tony ishe! he ha! not )ot the sme:&otte ith him.

Suose *r. "ehman sa it +e ou! &e cau)ht re!:

han!e! then. +e )ance! at the in!o. +e ou! thro

the &otte out as soon as he )ot the chance$hen *r.

"ehman turne! aay or a moment.

'in(y Sa))e! aay rom the in!o; eein) &etteror the resh air. +e sa *r. "ehman an! )ue!.

, came to see hat the e>traor!inary noise as; sai!

*r. "ehman; co!y. , cou!nt hear myse sea(.

,t as the sme; sai! oor 'in(y. The most

terri&e stench , have ever smet in my ie; "ehman. ver

here$&y the &ac(&oar!. *a!e me cho(e an! . . .

*r. "ehman stro!e over to the &ac(&oar!. There

1-8



1-9



as no sme at a et &y then. +e snie! har! an!

oo(e! at 'in(y , can sme nothin); he sai!.

othin)

An uncontroa&e )i))e came rom oor 'ron;ho; once he ha! reay et himse )o; oun! it amost

imossi&e to sto. A thou)ht struc( *r. "ehman. 0as it

one o those o&no>ious tric(s aays &ein) aye! &y that

cever scam; Tony Farre B +e )are! at Tony; ho

oo(e! &ac(; eein) most uncomorta&e; an! ishin) that

the sme:&otte as anyhere &ut &eteen his (nees.

*r. "ehman turne! to 'in(y$an! uic( as a ashTony raise! his arm an! Sun) the sme:&otte !ety out o

the oen in!o. Than( )oo!ness$it as Qone. o not

even o! "ehman cou! trace the tric( to him 1

11-



CH*!E" !H%"!EE#

A Shok 'or "ony

T+% &otte e out o the in!o. Tonys cass:

room as on the secon! oor o the &i) schoo:&ui!in);

an! the in!o overoo(e! the ay)roun!. The &oys

istene! or the smash.

There as a thu!$an! a hi)h scream 1 Then sience.

*r. "ehman; starte! at the an)uishe! scream; stro!e to the

in!o. +e oo(e! out. on &eo; on the ay)roun!;ay a sma &oy; uite sti. ver him &ent another sma

&oy; evi!enty very ri)htene!. *r. "ehman cae! !on.

+ey there$hats the matter B

The sma &oy oo(e! u. ,t as avi!. +e sa *r.

"ehman an! cae! u to him.

h sir; , !ont (no , as crossin) the ay)roun!

ith 0aters; ta(in) a messa)e; hen 0aters su!!eny

screame! an! e !on. Somethin)s hit him on the hea!;

sirR hes &ee!in)$an! oh sir$ theres a most T%,'"%

S*%""

Stay there; youn) Farre; an! , come !on;

cae! *r. "ehman. avi! staye! here he as; una&e

any on)er to &en! over his rien! 0aters &ecause o theunen!ura&e sme that su!!eny enveoe! them. +e ha!

not seen the &ro(en sme:&otte; an! !i! not even (no

that it ha! hit 0aters on the hea!. +e as hite an!

ri)htene!.

*r. "ehman ent !on; cain) to *rs. Eenton; the

+ea!s ie; as he asse! her !oor; Theres a &oy hurt;

*rs. Eenton; can you come B

111



*rs. Eenton rushe! ater him. Soon they ere

&en!in) over the unconscious &oy$&ut imme!iatey they

!re &ac( &ecause o the ri)htu sme aroun! him.

*r. "ehman !ra))e! the &oy out o it an! then ite!him u a itte. There as a terri&e cut on his hea!. ?ust

near him ay the ra)ments o the &otte. At irst the master

an! *rs. Eenton ere too much concerne! ith the

in=ure! &oy to ta(e any notice o the &ro(en )ass.

0e must )et the !octor; sai! *rs. Eenton. She

)ance! at avi!. avi!$you can teehone; cant you B

Go an! rin) u the schoo !octor at once. +urry avi! se! o; )a! o somethin) to !o. 0hat could

have haene! B 0hy; he an! 0aters ere =ust a(in)

uiety aon)$hen somethin) struc( oor o! 0aters on

the hea!$an! he )ave that au scream an! e !on

i(e a stone.

Kstairs; on the secon! oor; in 'in(ys cassroom; a

!ea! sience rei)ne!. o&o!y ha! &een a&e to hear uite

hat avi! ha! shoute!. o&o!y (ne hat ha!

haene!; an! they ere on)in) to (no. ain)s

thou)ht ith reie that it as a )oo! thin) somethin) ha!

haene! to turn o! "ehmans attention aay rom their

cass. /erhas he ou! or)et a&out the ro.

,n the or!inary ay ha the &oys ou! have shot tothe in!o an! eane! out. 'ut they ere scare! no; an!

no&o!y move!. 'in(y ent to the in!o himse; &ut

cou! not ma(e out hat ha! haene!. Some sort o

acci!ent; evi!enty. 0e; "ehman as there; an! *rs.

Eenton too. +e ha! &etter )et on ith the esson.

112



+e ace! a very su&!ue! cass in!ee!. %ven youn)

'ron ha! so&ere! u cometey. Tony oo(e! scare!. +e

hoe! that no&o!y ou! in! his smashe! sme:&otte;

herever it ha! an!e!. +e !i! not (no that it ha! hitanyone. The ay)roun! as usuay !eserte! at that time

o the mornin). Goy; hat &a! uc( that "ehman ha!

come in i(e that

'in(y as eein) ea( an! uset. +e et that he

cou! not say more than a e or!s. Than( )oo!ness it

as racticay time or 'rea(.

/ease rea! the hoe o the ne>t scene; he sai!;ea(y; an! the &oys; uiet an! o&e!ient; set to or(;

har!y a&e to see hat they ere rea!in); each earin) in

his min! the rath o *r. "ehman.

,t as a )reat reie hen the &e can)e! ou!y or

'rea(. Tonys orm race! out; ea)er to in! out hat ha!

&een haenin) in the ay)roun! &eo. avi! came u

to Tony an! ue! at his arm. +is eyes ere u o tears;

hich he trie! in vain to (ee &ac(.

, ant to sea( to you; Tony. Tony; isten; sai!

avi!; in an ur)ent voice. Somethin) !rea!us

haene!

0hat B as(e! Tony; imatienty.

0e; , as a(in) across the ay)roun! ith0aters$you (no; Tom 0aters; my rien!$an!

su!!eny somethin) e .!on an! hit him on the hea!

an! he e !on; &ee!in). An! there as a at once a

most ri)htu sme.

Tony stare! at avi!; his heart sin(in). +e sa at

once hat ha! haene!. +is sme:&otte$it ha! struc(

oor itte Tom 0aters An! Tony; , ha! to rin) u the !octor$an! he

113



came$an! hes ta(en Tom to$to$the hosita; sai!

avi!; in a trem&in) voice; a tear runnin) to the ti o his

turne!:u nose. h Tony$i he !ie B

Tony ent very ae. +e too( avi! to a uiet corneran! the &oys sat !on on a &ench there. Tony !i! not (no

hat to say. This as a rea !isaster$ a most terri&e thin)

$&ut he ha!nt meant to !o it; he ha!nt; he ha!nt

avi! thou)ht that Tonys sience meant that he as

certain oor Tom ou! !ie; an! he &urst into tears. h

Tony; he oo(e! so au yin) there uite sti$an! he

as &:&:&ee!in)$an! that au sme. ... Shut u; sai! Tony; in a cho(in) voice. avi!;

!ont say anythin) to anyone a&out the sme.

avi! stare! at Tony in su!!en horror. +is eyes )re

i!e. Tony Tony$it asnt your sme:&otte; as it B

Ton $it asnt . . .

, te you; shut u a&out it; sai! Tony; crue in his

terri&e an>iety over hat he ha! !one. Shut u; you siy

i!iot; shut u

+e )ot u an! et avi!. The sma &oy stare! ater

him; horriie! an! )rieve!. +is min! as in a turmoi an!

he on)e! or eia.

Tony ent o &y himse; his min! in much more o a

turmoi than avi!s. +e as ie! ith horror $his &otteha! hit youn) 0aters$&ut he ha!nt meant it; he ha!nt

meant it$so surey no&o!y cou! &ame him very much B

'ut suose 0aters !ie!$ suose he as &a!y in=ure!

even B 0hat ou! the +ea! say B An! *r. 0aters; ho

as a stern an! outso(en man. An! oh$his on ather

an! mother

114



,t as a &ac( an! terri&e time or Tony the i)ht:

hearte!; Tony the =o(er; the mirth:ma(er.

The other &oys ha! hear! the nes no; an! athou)h

nothin) ha! &een sai! to them &y avi! a&out the &otte;they )uesse!. They oo(e! at Tony as they ent &ac( into

cass. They nu!)e! one another. Tony ha! in=ure! youn)

0aters. 0hat as he )oin) to !o a&out it B 0as he )oin)

to on u$ma(e a cean &reast o the hoe =o(e$hat

as he )oin) to !o B

?ust as they ha! ooe! an! a!mire! an! aau!e!

Tony hen he as actin) the oo; so no they avoi!e!him an! even oo(e! at him 0ith scorn &ecause thin)s ha!

)one ron). Tony as ama#e! an! hurt. 0hy shou! they

a !esert him no; =ust &ecause somethin) ha! haene!

that he cou!nt he B ny ain)s seeme! sti to &e

reay rien!y.

Tony !i! not (no that he ha! no rea rien!s. one

o the masters resecte! him or even i(e! him. The &oys

au)he! in !ei)ht at his ooin) an! cever tric(s; &ut they

!i! not reay a!mire his character or trust him. +e as to

in! that out no; an! it as very &itter to him in!ee!. +e

ante! rien!s no; he ante! someone to say; Cheer

u; it ont &e so &a!$0aters i soon &e a ri)ht. ,

stic( u or you'ut not even ain)s !i! that. ain)s =ust ta(e!

to him as usua an! !i! not mention youn) 0aters; or try

to ease the au an>iety that as )nain) at his heart.

The hoe cass as so easy to mana)e or the rest o

the mornin) that 'in(y as ama#e!. +e ha! not Seen *r.

"ehman a)ain; an! he hoe! that the master

115



ou! say no more a&out the !istur&ance; an! not

reort it to the +ea!.

At the en! o the mornin) Tony ro!e home on his

&icyce; an! on the ay he cau)ht u ith avi!. Anynes o 0aters B he as(e!; )ruy.

o. ,m )oin) to as( *other to rin) u an! as( a&out

him; sai! avi!; e!ain) uriousy. h;

Tony$its a !rea!u; Tony; , ont say anythin)

a&out that &otte i you !ont ant me to$e>cet to eia

$&ut Tony; youre )oin) to on u a&out it; arent you B

,ts none o your &usiness; avi!; sai! Tony

116



even more )ruy. See B ,t asnt reay my aut;

you (no that. Anyay; the +ea!s aay; so the hoe

thin) may &o over.

'ut Tony$Toms &a!y hurt sai! avi!. <ouor)et that. <ou !i! it to him; even thou)h you !i!nt mean

to. <ou ou)ht to )o to *rs. 0aters $you ou)ht to as(

a&out Tom yourse$you ou)ht to . . .

<ou shut u; sai! Tony; una&e to &ear any more

instructions rom avi!; arty &ecause he (ne his sma

&rother as uite ri)ht. 'ut he as arai!. Terri&y arai!.

Arai! o hat this erson mi)ht say an! that erson. +emust =ust ie o or a !ay or to$an! erhas the hoe

thin) ou! ass over$ the masters ou!nt )uess it as

he; Tony; at the &ottom o everythin).

<oure ayin) the coar! sai! avi!; an! ro!e

aay uic(y to avoi! the (ic( that the e>aserate! Tony

trie! to )ive him.

avi! to! eia the hoe story. She istene! in

horror. 'ut &oth she an! avi! ere cometey oya to

Tony; an! sai! nothin) hatever a&out his art in the

acci!ent. avi! to! his mother that Tom 0aters as in

hosita an! as(e! her to rin) u an! in! out i he as a

ri)ht.

'ut there as no nes to &e ha!; e>cet that anoeration ha! ha! to &e !one on his hea!. ,n act; sai!

the nurse; it is &ein) !one no$&y your hus&an!; ,

&eieve; *rs. Farre. o !ou&t he i te you a a&out it

hen he comes home.

Tony cou! har!y ait or his ather to come &ac(.

avi! ent to meet him. a!!y ,s Tom a ri)ht B ,s he

very &a! B

117



" 'a! enou)h; oor a!; sai! *r. Farre; comin) into

the !inin):room. 'ut he &e a ri)ht. ,ve !eat ith that

!ama)e! hea! o his; &ut it i &e some time &eore he can

)et out o the hosita. 0hat a thin) to haen , cantma(e out e>acty hat did haen$no&o!y seems to

(no. <ou ere ith him; erent you; avi! B

<es. , as there; sai! avi!; an! )ance! at Tony;

ho as sittin) very sti an! hite at the ta&e. Tony

oo(e! at avi! &eseechin)y; hoin) an! rayin) that the

&oy as not )oin) to te the hoe story. avi! aite! or

Tony to ta(e the chance o e>anation; &ut the &oy assient.

,t seems as i some&o!y must have thron a &otte

out o one o the secon! or thir! oor in!os; sai! *r.

Farre; tuc(in) into eas an! ne otatoes. 0ic(e! thin)

to !o 0hoever !i! it ou)ht to &e e cane!. *i)ht have

(ie! youn) Tom. , shou! &e very sorry i any son o

mine !i! such a stui! an! !an)erous thin).

h; ?ohn$o course none o our chi!ren ou!

ever !o a thin) i(e that sai! *rs. Farre; in!i)nanty.

avi! cho(e! over his unch; an! Tony trie! in vain to

sao his mouthu. +o cou! he ever eat his ateu

o meat; otatoes an! eas B 0hat a terri&e eein) this

as that he ha! insi!e him$shame an! ear an! orry an!!rea! 0ou! it ever )o aay B

, suose an inuiry i &e ma!e into the hoe

aair; sai! *r. Farre. , hoe there i &e. an)erous

ooery i(e that shou! &e stoe!. /ity the +ea!s aay;

or he ou! have )one into thin)s at once. These eas are

most !eicious; "ucy. , must say Gretas a very ine coo(.

118



Tony as than(u to have the su&=ect chan)e!. "i##ie

notice! ho sient he as an! oo(e! at *m in aarm. 0as

he i B +e !i!nt seem to &e eatin) his unch very ast.

Are you a ri)ht; Tony B she as(e! in a o voice.She )ot a sco rom her &rother in rey. *rs. Farre

oo(e! u.

Tony; you do oo( rather hite; she sai!. Are you

eein) sic( B ont eat your unch i you !ont ant it.

,m erecty a ri)ht; than(s; sai! Tony; untruth:

uy; an! shovee! eas into his mouth. ont &other me;

ease , hate &ein) usse!. Theres nothin) ron) at a

119



CH*!E" FOU"!EE#

Greta and Pam

*S. FA%"" mi)ht have &een more inuisitive

a&out Tonys oo(s i other thin)s ha! not caime! her

attention =ust then. /am as orryin) her very much. She

as irrita&e; nervy an! imatient. The ay as the very

ne>t !ay; an! /am as )ettin) a or(e! u a&out it.

She as sti co! to her ather; an! even turne! her

hea! aay hen he (isse! her )oo! ni)ht. She no on)er

!i! the ovin) itte thin)s or him that she ha! aays

!one. She ut no seet:smein) oers into his !ressin):

room. She !i! not &other to ic( him the resh ras&erries

he i(e! so much at &rea(ast:time. She no on)er rue!

his )reyin); cury hair or sat on the arm o his chair. Sheas an un(in!; su(y; unor)ivin) )ir; an! her ather as

unhay an! )rieve! a&out it.

'ut he ut it a !on to the ay an! her !ou&e or(

on that an! the schoarshi. Aterar!s surey she ou!

&e her on se a)ain 'ut ho cou! she &e so har! an!

&itter to him; !ay ater !ay B +e as sa!y !isaointe! in

his much:ove! e!est !au)hter an! turne! to uiet itte"i##ie or comort an! ove.

"i##ie as !ierent these !ays; he thou)ht. She ha!

aays &een a (in!; ovin) chi!; (eein) herse too much

in the &ac()roun!; scare! o eoe an! thin)s. 'at no

she seeme! more coni!ent; she oo(e! eoe strai)ht in

the ace; she carrie! herse e an! oo(e! as i she ha! a

hay secret. "i##ie notice! that /am

12-



as sti co! an! un(in! to her ather an! sense! ho

much it )rieve! him. She trie! to ma(e u to him or /ams

&ehaviour &y runnin) erran!s or him; an! &rin)in) him a

secia &uttonhoe in the mornin)s. <oure a nice chi!; "i##ie; her ather sai!. ,ts

a&out time you ent to the ocuist a)ain; , thin($ you

may &e a&e to sto earin) those u)y )asses$ an! ,

ta(e you to the !entist too. Those ront teeth o yours seem

to &e )ettin) roery into ace no.

h )oo!; a!!y sai! "i##ie. , &e so )a! to

)et ri! o that ire roun! them$an! it i &e such a reienot to have to ear my )asses

<ou oo( a !ierent chi! ithout them sai!

Aunt Grace. ?ohn; !ont you thin( our "i##ies )ettin)

uite )oo!:oo(in) atey B

"i##ie &ushe!. *r. Farre au)he! an! oo(e! cosey

at her. <es$"i##ie ha! a (in! o &oom on her. She oo(e!

a hay; contente! erson$not a &it i(e !iscontente! itte

/am; hose mouth as )roin) har! an! u)y.

, hoe "i##ies )asses an! ire i )o &eore ,

!eart; sai! Aunt Grace. ,! i(e to see her ithout

them

h; Aunt Grace$are you )oin) B sai! "i##ie; in

surrise. h; , ish you! stay on. ont )o yet. *y !ear; ,ve area!y staye! on)er than , shou!;

an! sai! more than , ou)ht; an! ma!e myse a orse

nuisance than usua sai! Aunt Grace; o(in) some

sunoer see!s throu)h the ires o Su(ies ca)e. As

soon as the summer hoi!ays are here ,m )oin) to your

Aunt oras.

Goo! ri!!ance too; thou)ht /am; comin) &y on heray out. ,ntererin) o! thin). She sa her

121



ather an! oo(e! the other ay. +e cau)ht her arm

=o(in)y an! sun) her roun! to ma(e her smie at him.

ont; a!!y; she sai! co!y. <ou mess my

!ress.+e et her )o; his eyes sa!. /am ent out an! !i! not

even say )oo!:&ye.

0hat that )ir ants . . . &e)an Aunt Grace;

iercey; &ut *r. Farre interrute! her .

0ait ti the ays over; he sai!. Shes a rou)ht

u. She &e a ri)ht aterar!s.

Aunt Grace !i! one o her snorts. Tony cou! coythese to erection$&ut Tony as not !oin) anythin) o

the sort =ust then. o&o!y cou! )et a or! or a au)h out

o him. avi! an! eia avoi!e! him. They ere ashame!

o him; an! arai! o hat mi)ht haen to him hen the

hoe story came out; as surey it must !o

That evenin) trou&e &e u &eteen Greta an! /am.

,t ha! &een &rein) or some time; or /am vente! her

nerviness an! irrita&iity on Greta more than on anyone

ese. She snae! at her. She oun! aut ith her. She et

her &e!room in such a mess that at ast Greta reuse! to

ti!y it.

/am ha! ante! a &ouse irone!. She ha! thron it on

a chair an! it ha! sie! to the oor; )ettin) very crease!.She ha! )one to the (itchen ith it an! ha! un) it !on

there.

,ron this; Greta; she sai!. , ant to ear it to:

morro. ,ts a crease!.

o on!er sai! Greta. <ou never han) u your

thin)s; *iss /amea; never.

ont in! aut ith me; snae! /am.

122



, !i!nt as( you or your oinions. An! or heavens

sa(e !ont scorch the &ouse.

, have no time to iron it; sai! Greta; in an o&stinate

voice. To:ni)ht , have much to !o; much much; much. ,cannot iron &ouses.

<oure ony men!in) the tins stoc(in)s sai!

/am; in a ra)e. "eave those an! !o somethin) or me or

a chan)e. <ou aays ma(e such a uss hen , as( you to

!o somethin).

<ou !o not as( me. <ou or!er me; sai! Greta;

threa!in) a nee!e ith !arnin) oo. , !o not i(e that. ,i !o anythin) or anyone; *iss /am; i they as( me$

&ut me; , i not &e or!ere! i(e a !o). "ie !on ,ron my

&ouse Eee to hee 1 Ti!y my room

This soun!e! comica; &ut /am sa nothin) unny in

it at a. She ost her temer. She &an)e! on the ta&e an!

shoute!.

<oure an insoent creature , !ont (no hy

*other (ees you. , , ha! my ay ,! sen! you ac(in)

to:morro. <oure !iso&i)in) an! ru!e an!$an! . . .

Then Greta ost her temer too. She un) !on the

stoc(in) she as men!in) an! eat to her eet. +er um

rosy ace seeme! to se u ith ra)e.

Ah; you &a! &a! )ir she hisse!. So rou!; sovain; so crue , +o , hate you 1 <ou i )ive me an

aoo)y or your ic(e! or!s; or , G

0e; )o shoute! /am; &esi!e herse. Go; an!

=oy )oo! ri!!ance to you. , te *other at once o your

ru!eness.

+a:cryin); she turne! to )o. 'ut Greta cau)ht

123



ho! o her arm. <ou i )ive me an aoo)y; yes B

she !eman!e!. , or)ive you; i you are sorry. <ou are

nothin) &ut a soit chi!. , you !o not )ive me the aoo)y;

, )o. 0hat Aoo)i#e to ou I <ou must &e ma! crie!

/am an! shoo( o Gretas han!. ont !are to touch me.

<ou ac( an! )o

The )ir rushe! out o the room an! oure! everythin)

out to her mother an! her )reat:aunt; ma(in) out that Greta

ha! &een insoent an! ha! reuse! to !o anythin) or her;

an! ha! cae! her ic(e! names. *rs. Farre as verymuch !istresse!.

h; /am !ear$, reay cant &eieve that Greta ou!

&ehave i(e that. +ar!y ha! she inishe! the sentence than

the !oor oene! an! Greta herse came in. She ha! on her

out!oor cothes

*a!ame; she sai! to *rs. Farre; , have to eave

you. ot one ni)ht more can , see un!er the same roo asthis &a! )ir

Come; Greta sai! *rs. Farre; you mustnt say

thin)s i(e that. *iss /amea is not a &a! )ir an! you (no

it.

She is &a!; very &a!; she is har! an! crue an! vain;

asserte! Greta; uite carrie! aay &y her eein)s. Ah; you

are (in!; *a!ame; an! *iss "i##ie is i(e you an! the tins;they; they . . .

*other; or )oo!ness sa(e et her )o; crie! /am.

+o can you ut u ith her *other; i you !ont ma(e her

)o; ,$, run aay

onsense; chi! 1 sai! Aunt Grace; &ris(y. Storm

in a tea:cu; thats hat this is. Go an! ash your ace; /am.

124



Greta; ta(e o your thin)s an! &e sensi&e. <ou ou)ht to

(no &etter than to ta(e *iss

/am seriousy; =ust hen she is over:an>ious a&out the

ay shes in. ,ts nothin) to !o ith the ay; *a!ame; ansere!

Greta. Shes aays i(e that to me. ,ve !one my &est; &ut

to:ni)ht , must )o. , i sen! someone or my &o> to:

morro. Goo!:ni)ht; *a!ame; )oo!:ni)ht to you &oth.

Greta <ou cant eave i(e this crie! *rs. Farre.

<ou cant. <ouve no ri)ht to. <ou have to )ive me notice.

*a!ame; , i ay you money i it is not ri)ht or meto )o; sai! Greta; her mouth uiverin). 'ut , must )o.

This )ir; she ma(es me very unhay.

"et her )o; *other; et her )o crie! /am; an!

ou! have ushe! Greta out o the room herse i her

)reat:aunt ha! not cau)ht shary ho!; o her han!s.

Greta ent out o the room. Amost at once there came

the soun! o the (itchen !oor shuttin). Then Greta came intosi)ht o the in!o; )oin) stea!iy toar!s the )ate; a sma

suitcase in her han!. *rs. Farre sat sient; on!erin) ho

in the or! the househo! as )oin) to mana)e ithout

Greta

A ine ic(e youve ut us into no; ith your

tantrums; /am; sai! Aunt Grace; ic(in) u her (nittin).

0e; e$you ont &e so ease! ith yourse hen youin! youve )ot to turn to an! he in the house no Gretas

)one. <our mother an! , cant !o everythin) ourseves.

0e can easiy )et some&o!y ese; sai! /am; su(iy.

An! *rs. +ooay; the oman ho comes in the

mornin)s; can easiy come a !ay. 0ere e ri! o Greta.

125



" 0ere not; sai! Aunt Grace; in a shar tone. Greta

as a )oo! an! (in! )ir; har!:or(in) an! sensi&e. 0hat

the tins i say , !ont (no

The tins sai! a tremen!ous ot hen they hear! hatha! haene!. Greta )one$)one ithout even sayin)

)oo!:&ye to them They stare! at one another in

consternation.

'ut; *ummy$she come &ac(; ont she B sai!

eia. *ummy; e cant !o ithout her. , !i! so i(e her.

So !i! avi!. *ummy; she simy must come &ac(

0heres she )one B !eman!e! avi!. , )o an!etch her &ac(. ,m sure she come i eia an! , )o or her

an! carry her &a).

*r. Farre as annoye! an! uset hen he hear! the

nes. +e as very on! o Greta. She as reay one o

the amiy he sai!. 0hat a ity you uset her; /am.

She as such a )oo! sort.

<es$you ta(e any&o!ys art a)ainst me," are! u

/am. Any&o!ys. ,m aays the one in the ron). ,m....

That i !o; /am; sai! *r. Farre. Go to &e!

eary to:ni)ht$youre over:tire!. Than( )oo!ness this ay

i &e over soon. , !ont ant to see you oo(in) ae an!

ain as the rincess to:morro.

, !ont ant you to come; sai! /am; stan!in) u. ,! rather you !i!nt come; a!!y. So !ont I

She ent out o the room; eavin) a sience &ehin!

her. *r. Farre si)he!. 0hat h#d come over /am B She

!i!nt seem i(e his chi! any more. She soun!e! amost as

i she cou!nt &ear him at a.

ont ta(e any notice o the siy chi!; sai! Aunt

126



Grace; )rieve! to see her nehes ace. Come to the

ay an! ca her. She soon recover

L $, !ont thin( , )o; sai! *r. Farre. She

mi)ht act &etter i ,m not there. /oor itte /am$ she must &e terri&y over:tire!.

Aunt Graces nee!es e in an! out an! her thou)hts

e ith them. ver:tire! B ot a &it o it ?ust a su(y;

nau)hty itte schoo)ir ho ants a )oo! esson$an!

ro&a&y ont )et it , she as ten years youn)er ,! )o

u an! san( her myse

127



CH*!E" F%F!EE#

"he (ay o' the Play

T+% Farre amiy as not very hay that ni)ht. The

)ron:us ere sa!; a&out Greta )oin) so su!!eny. /am

as an)ry an! resentu. Tony as so u o his on

orries that he har!y notice! Greta as )one. "i##ie as

misera&e &ecause eoe seeme! to &e so cross an!

unhay. 0here ha! a the o! un an! au)hter an! theo! ove an! hainess )one to B %ven the tins ere

!on in the !ums. They cast !is)uste! )ances at Tony

an! !i! not sea( to him; an! turne! aay hen /am

aeare!.

0hats the matter ith everyone B thou)ht "i##ie;

u##e!. 0eve a )ot across one another $ere not

uin) to)ether a &it. 0e mi)ht &e enemies; not mem&erso one sma amiy. %ven , am (eein) somethin) rom

them$, cant te them my ovey secret &ecause , !ont

thin( they share my !ei)ht in the ri)ht ay$e>cet

erhas a!!y an! the tins. ,ts horri!

The ne>t !ay came. either /am nor Tony ha! set

much$/am &ecause she as thin(in) a&out the ay an!

Tony &ecause he ha! orrie! a&out itte Tom 0aters.'oth o them oo(e! hite an! hat Aunt Grace cae!

ea(e!.

Somethin) is ron) ith Tony; she thou)ht. ,ve

never (non him so uiet. +e hasnt crac(e! a sin)e =o(e;

an! he !i!nt au)h even hen Su(ie )ot mu!!e! at

&rea(ast:time an! screeche! +i hi han(y; instea! o

hi hi hurray .

128



,t ha! &een stran)e to &e ithout Greta that mornin).

"i##ie ha! )ot u eary an! !one Gretas or(. *rs. Farre

an! Aunt Grace ha! coo(e! the &rea(ast. The tins ha!

ai! the ta&e. either /am nor Tony ha! aeare! ti the)on) as soun!e!. They &oth muttere! )oo! mornin) an!

sat !on ithout even a smie or their mother.

*rs. Farre &e)an ta(in) a&out ans or the !ay.

<ou stay to unch at schoo tor!ay; /am !ear; she sai!.

An! you too Tony. The tins can come home an! "i##ie

too; &ecause she he me. 0e a &e in )oo! time to see

your ay; /am$not avi! an! Tony; o course; they &eat schoo$&ut the rest o us. <ou i come; ont you;

a!!y B

o. , shant &e there; sai! *r. Farres voice rom

&ehin! the nesaer. "i##ie nu!)e! /am vioenty.

Te a!!y to come; /am; she hisse!. Go on. Te

him

'ut /am ou!nt. She scoe! at "i##ie an! !u) the

soon har! into the marmaa!e. "i##ie on!ere! ho

anyone cou! &e so har!:hearte! toar!s such a nice ather

as *r. Farre. eay; /am as ueer.

A the chi!ren ent o to schoo. *rs. +ooay;

the !aiy oman; came; an! *rs. Farre ent to te her

that Greta ha! et an! to as( her i she cou! come in moreoten unti they )ot some&o!y ese. Someone came or

Gretas &o>. ,t as sa! to see it carrie! out o the )ate.

Su(ie the arrot sua(e! or her sunoer see!s an!

Aunt Grace hurrie! to )ive her them. *r. Farre )ot out

his car; sai! a or! or to to o! Frost an! starte! u his

en)ine.

"ucy; ,m )oin) he cae!. Ksuay *rs.

129



Farre came out to (iss him )oo!:&ye; &ut she as

ta(in) to *rs. +ooay an! !i!nt come. Aunt Grace sa

her nehe sittin) in the car; oo(in) so )oomy that she

et sorry or him. She ent to the car in!o. Cheer u; ?ohn !ear 1 she sai!. A amiies )et

&ac( atches 1 Cheer u; my &oy; an! ose yourse in

your sen!i! or(.

She )ave him a (iss an! a at; an! he smie!. <oure

the nicest o! a!y , ever (ne 1 he sai!; an! o Lnt the

car !on the !rive.

The mornin) e &y at +ouse:at:the:Corner. Thereas so much to !o ithout Greta there ,t seeme! no time

at a ti the tins came home to their unch an! "i##ie

ooe! soon ater.

%veryones )ettin) e>cite! a&out the ay she

sai!. , !ont thin( there i &e an emty seat; *other. ,

say$a!!y mill come; ont he B o ma(e him; *other.

,m sure he ants to.

, see i he i; sai! *rs. Farre. ,ts so 'iy;

the ay /am has &ehave! to him atey. o; you serve

the ve)eta&es; "i##ie !ear. Tins; have you ashe! B <ou

!ont oo( as i you have.

*other o course e have; sai! avi!. <ou

aays thin( e havent. h )oo!$marro. Give me ots;"i##ie

They &e)an their unch. *rs. Farre oo(e! at the

coc(. a!!ys auy ate to:!ay , , suose he has )ot

hun) u on some case. "i##ie; ut meat an! ve)eta&es on

a ate or him an! o it into the oven to (ee arm.

They inishe! their unch. Sti there as no si)n o

*r. Farre. h !ear sai! *rs. Farre; his

13-



unch i taste horri!. ,ts time or us to )o an! )et

rea!y to )o to /ams ay too. 0hat a ity Greta isnt here

to see to ?ohn hen he comes. *rs. +oo:ay has )one.

There ont &e anyone here to see to him. , see to him; sai! Aunt Grace; &ris(y. <ou )o

u an! chan)e into your retty ne roc(; "ucy. , ait

an! see to ?ohn. 0e cant eave the house emty; ith no

one to )ive him his unch or to anser the teehone. <ou

(no that.

o. , suose e cant; sai! *rs. Farre. 'ut , !i!

ant you to see the ay; Aunt Grace$,m sure /am i &e uite the star o the aternoon ,

Aunt Grace as not sure that she ante! to see /am

shinin) i(e a star She as eein) very much annoye!

ith her. That nau)hty )ir ha! uset the hoe househo!

$an! no as )oin) to ueen it over everyone that

aternoon; )ettin) raise an! aause the hoe time. o;

!einitey Aunt Grace !i!nt ish to =oin in. She ou!

much rather stay at home $an! see to oor hun)ry ?ohn

*rs. Farre chan)e! into her retty ne roc(; sa

that "i##ie an! eia oo(e! nice; an! set o. ,t as a

)orious aternoon$hich as very uc(y; or the ay

as to &e in the schoo )roun!s. Aunt Grace turne! !on

the )as in the oven; ceare! aay; ashe! u an! then sat!on to her (nittin). Cic(; cic(; cic(; sai! Su(ie;

coyin) the soun! o the nee!es.

At three ococ( or =ust ater; the teehone &e ran)

shriy. Aunt Grace ha! !roe! o into a !o#e an! it

o(e her ith a start. She !roe! her (nittin); ic(e! it

u careuy; an! ent to the teehone. ,ts ?ohn sayin)

he cant )et &ac( to unch ater

131



a she thou)ht. So i(e the !ear &oy to rin) u

on) ater the time ,

+ao sai! a voice. ,s that ivers:%n! --12 B

<es; sai! Aunt Grace. 0ho is sea(in) B ,s that *rs. Farre B as(e! the voice. *r.

Farres ie B

o. Shes out; sai! Aunt Grace. 'ut this is *r.

Farres aunt sea(in). , can ta(e a messa)e or his ie.

There as a ause. Then the voice ent on. This is

r. %is sea(in). ,m arai!$, have rather &a! nes or

you.Aunt Graces heart ent co!. 'a! nes B 0hat !i!

that mean B

0hat is it B she as(e!; amost in a hiser.

%r$*r. Farre has ha! a car acci!ent; sai! the

voice. A orry ran into him. ,m arai! hes rather &a!y

hurt.

Te me the orst; ease; sai! Aunt Grace; in a

trem&in) voice. ,! rather (no.

That is the orst; sai! the voice. +es un:

conscious. +is ri)ht arm is &ro(en; an! his ri)ht han! is

&a!y in=ure!. 'ut he come roun! a ri)ht; thou)h it i

&e some time &eore his han! is ri)ht. +es in the +aerton

+osita. /erhas you ou! te his ie an! she can comeover. ,m so sorry; so very sorry. Such a ine man$an! a

most &riiant sur)eon.Aunt: Grace ut &ac( the receiver

an! san( into a chair. +is ri)ht han! 1 she sai!; an! a

tear ran !on her chee(. The han! that ho!s a his s(i

an! oer$the han! he oerates ith; to &rin) &ac(

heath an! stren)th to oor retche! eoe 1 0hy

cou!nt it have &een his et han! B

132



133



cever an! retty she as; an! *rs. Farre et so

rou! that she cou! har!y contain herse. 0hat a ity

?ohn asnt there; &esi!e her , +e ou! have &een so

rou! to see /ams success ,A han! touche! her on the shou!er. She turne!; to see

*iss Thomass )rave ace. *rs. Farre$ ,m so very

sorry$&ut a messa)e has come to as( you to return home

at once. ,m arai! there may &e some &a! nes or you.

*rs. Farres heart amost stoe!. 0as anythin)

ron) ith Tony$or avi!$erhas it as Aunt Grace B

, ony ?ohn as ith her; to he her She rose u; oo(in) rather ae. She or)ot a&out

"i##ie an! eia. 0hat is it; *other B hisere! "i##ie;

&ut *rs. Farre !i! not hear her. "i##ie on!ere! hat to

!o. She ha! va)uey cau)ht the or!s &a! nes an! she

as scare!. She or)ot a&out /am; &ut sat starin) in ront

o her; u##e! an! ri)htene!.

/am ha! seen her mother )o out; an! et annoye!.

o; hy !i! *other )o out i(e that in the mi!!e;

!istur&in) every&o!y B An! no there as "i##ie rushin)

out , 0hatever as the matter ith them B ?ust as she as

comin) to her nicest art; too; here she !i! a itte statey

!ance ith the rince

"i##ie cou!nt stay. She simy h#d to )o ater hermother. eia; et aone; oo(e! roun! in aarm. 0here

ha! *ummy an! "i##ie )one B 0hat as the matter B

Somethin)s haene! to avi! 1 sai! eia to

herse. Thats hat it is B h !ear; hat can it &e B , cant

stay here aone. , !ont ant to atch /am in her o! ay i

anythin)s ron) ith avi!

135



So; to /ams intense annoyance she sa eia too )et

u an! )o out. o there as not one sin)e mem&er o

her amiy to see her triumh An)ry; an! a itte aarme!

too; /am or)ot her ines an! ha! to &e romte!. Thatuset her an! soon she or)ot a)ain. *iss omua rone!.

Surey /am as not )oin) to soi the ay &y or)ettin);

hen she (ne the or!s so e

Theyve soit the ay or me thou)ht /am;

tryin) to smie seety at the rince. 0hat a horri!

amiy ,ve )ot They ould )o an! soi this aternoon or

me too

136



CH*!E" S%!EE#

A Blak Path

*%AT,*% *rs. Farre; "i##ie an! eia ere =ust

arrivin) home. Aunt Grace met them at the )ate. *rs.

Farre ran to her.

0hats haene! B she crie!. Iuic(; te me;

Aunt Grace.

,ts ?ohn; sai! Aunt Grace. +es ha! an acci!ent$ &ut he &e a ri)ht; my !ear; so !ont oo( i(e that. ,ve

or!ere! a car an! it &e roun! in a minute. 0e )o

strai)ht to the hosita an! see him. o cheer u$it

mi)ht &e a ot orse ,

The car came roun! the corner at that moment. "i##ie

an! eia; hite:ace!; ent to the car:!oor too. o; you

cant come; sai! Aunt Grace. ny your mother. 0e &e &ac( as soon as e can. <ou )et tea at ha:ast our;

"i##ie !ear; an! see to thin)s or us. ont orry no.

a!!y i &e a ri)ht. +es not !an)erousy hurt.

The car ent o. eia un) herse on "i##ie;

so&&in). a!!ys hurt; hes hurt she sai!. /oor !arin)

a!!y. Thats hy he !i!nt come in to unch$an! e

!i!nt (no. "i##ie; , ant avi!.+e soon &e home; sai! "i##ie; tears runnin) !on

her chee(s too. /oor a!!y She cou!nt &eieve it. a!!y

ou!nt come u the !rive that evenin); !rivin) his car to

the )ara)e. +e ou!nt sit there at suer:time an! as(

them a hat they ha! &een !oin) that !ay. Come an!

te Greta;

137



she sai!; on)in) or the comort o the (in!y

Austrian. Then she remem&ere! that Greta ha! )one. She

an! eia cun) to each other or a moment; uite !esoate.

, ant avi!; so&&e! eia. , !o ant avi!.avi! came home &eore Tony; u o nes or eia.

+e !i!nt .notice at irst that eias eyes ere re!. , say;

he sai!; in a orrie! voice; ,m arai! oor o! Tonys

)oin) to )et into a ri)htu ro. The +ea!s come &ac($

an! Tonys )ettin) into an au ste. The +ea! ha!

'in(y an! *r. "ehman in his stu!y a aternoon.

avi!$a!!ys ha! an acci!ent; &urst out eia. h; ,m )a! youve come &ac(. Come u the )ar!en to our

secret ace.

"i##ie atche! the tins )o o; their arms roun! each

other. They ou! comort one another. She &e)an to &usy

herse ith tea:rearations. She simy must !o

somethin). , ony there as some&o!y ese in the house.

Greta ou! have &een such a comort.

Tony came home; oo(in) )oomier than ever. The

&oys ha! sent him to Coventry. 'easts They came roun!

)a!y enou)h hen thin)s ent e an! he ma!e them

au)h$&ut no he as )ettin) into trou&e they turne!

their &ac(s on him. An! hat ou! haen ater the

meetin) o the +ea!; 'in(y an! *r. "ehman B They ere uttin) to an! to to)ether$an! soon he; Tony ou!

&e haue! out an! reuire! to )ive an e>anation o that

au sme.

"i##ie to! him a&out his ather. Tony as struc(

!um&. +is on trou&es et his min! or a minute. a!!y

hurt +o terri&e. +e ie! "i##ie ith

138



have it. ont touch me she crie!. ,m ic(e! 1

This is a unishment or me or &ein) so mean to a!!y

h /am$thats nonsense; sai! "i##ie; stur!iy.

a!!ys acci!ent ou! have haene! hether you ha! &een mean to him or not.

,t ou!nt; it ou!nt; sai! /am; cho(in). , ,!

as(e! him to come to my ay$as you ante! me to at

&rea(ast:time$he! have &een home in )oo! time or

unch$an! the acci!ent ou!nt have haene!. , (no it

ou!nt.

"i##ie )a#e! at her sister !esairin)y. She !i!nt(no hat to say. , Aunt Grace as here she ou! (no

ho &est to !ea ith oor /am; &ut "i##ie ha! no i!ea.

/am; sti eein); ent u to her room an! thre herse

on her &e!. She !i! not sto to thin( that she mi)ht have

hee! "i##ie to reare tea. She as unhay an! that as

a that mattere!.

,t as a very sorrou itte househo! that )athere!

to)ether or a ate tea. *rs. Farre ha! staye! &ehin! at the

hosita. *r. Farre as conscious a)ain; &ut in ain an!

he ante! his ie near him. She sat &y him; reroachin)

herse &ittery or not havin) )one out to say )oo!:&ye to

him roery that mornin). Such itte thin)s$an! hat

&i) thin)s they &ecame hen it as too ate. *ou ent an! (isse! him )oo!:&ye; et *rs.

Farre to Aunt Grace. , !i!nt &other.

That !oesnt matter at a; sai! Aunt Grace; in a

comortin); matter:o:act voice. <ou ere ta(in) to

*rs. +ooay. For )oo!ness sa(e; "ucy; !ont ret

yourse ith itte thin)s i(e that hen there are so many

&i))er thin)s to orry a&out

14-



She ent &ac( to the chi!ren; eavin) their mother

&ehin! at the hosita. The ive Farres custere! roun! her

as soon as she aeare!; eein) )a! to see a resonsi&e

)ron:u ith them at ast 0e; my !ears; a!!ys not unconscious any more;

sai! Aunt Grace. +e &e a ri)ht. +is ri)ht arm is

&ro(en; &ut that i soon men!.

0as he hurt anyhere ese B as(e! "i##ie;

an>iousy.

Aunt Grace hesitate!. The )ravest thin) o a as the

in=ury to their athers ri)ht han!; hich mi)ht ma(e itimossi&e or him ever to use it a)ain or anythin) s(iu

or !et; such as sur)ery. An! sur)ery as his or(; his =o&.

0hat ou! he !o i he cou!nt ractise his roession B ,t

ou! &e a terri&e thin) or him. Aunt Grace cou! not

ma(e u her min! hether or not to te the chi!ren.

Aunt Grace$youre (eein) somethin) rom us

sai! /am; su!!eny. <ou are; , (no you are. 0hat is it B

<ouve got to te us.

0e; , i; sai! Aunt Grace. a!!ys ri)ht han!

is &a!y in=ure!. <ou i (no hat that means to him.

There as a sience. Then eias voice as ite! in a

ai. h Aunt Grace a!!y i &e miser#ble I

Tony as shoc(e!. 'ut Aunt Grace$ont he ever &e a&e to; to$to !o oerations a)ain B he stammere!.

0hat i he !o; then B

0e ont cross our &ri!)es &eore e come to

them; sai! Aunt Grace. Thin)s may &e &etter than they

seem to &e at the moment. ,m !yin) or a cu o tea.

"i##ie; is the (ette &oiin) B

141



" <es; Aunt Grace; sai! "i##ie; )a! to turn her tear:

staine! ace aay or a moment. , )et it.

, !ont ant any tea; sai! /am. ,t ou! cho(e me.

Aunt Grace; it !oesnt seem rea$it !oesnt seem true. ,ee so !rea!u &ecause ,$&ecause ,

<es. , can )uess ho you ee; sai! Aunt Grace; in

a )ente voice. emorse is a terri&e thin) to &ear; /am;

one o the orst o a unishments in this ie. To ish

un!one somethin) you have !one; to ish you cou! oo(

&ac( on (in!ness to someone you ove; instea! o on

un(in!ness$that is a very terri&e thin)./am et !eseratey unhay. "ie as very &ac(

in!ee!. , ony; ony she ha! as(e! a!!y to come to her

ay /am et certain that it as &ecause o her

un(in!ness that her ather ha! met ith his acci!ent. She

cou!nt or)ive herse. An! , never sh#ll or)ive myse

1 she sai!. ever , !i!nt (no , as so ic(e! ti to:

!ay. o , !o (no. 0hatever sha , !o B

The tins !eci!e! to )o out an! !o some )ar!enin).

Aunt Grace arove!. 'etter to !o some har! or( hen

trou&e haens aon); she sai!. +ar! or( is aays a

he. <ou )o out an! )ar!en too; /am.

, cou!nt; sai! /am. , cant !o anythin). , cant.

Aunt Grace et her to herse. /oor /am$so rae!u in her on eein)s. o&o!y cou! !o anythin) or her.

She ou! have to u herse to)ether sooner or ater.

Goo! itte eia an! avi! $ee!in) aay uriousy in

the !rive$an! "i##ie coo(in) somethin) in the (itchen;

Tony as nohere to &e seen. 0hat as the matter ith

that &oy B Aunt Grace !i! hoe he asnt )oin) to &e i.

There as trou&e enou)h area!y at +ouse:at:the:Corner;ithout any more comin)

142



*rs. Farre !i! not come home that ni)ht; &ut

teehone! to say that her hus&an! as no orse; an! she

ou! stay ith him that ni)ht. Aunt Grace so(e to her

cheeruy. o !ont you orry a&out anythin); "ucy. ,m here

an! , can oo( ater the chi!ren as e as you can. 0ere

mana)in) very e. "i##ie; as usua; is &ein) a itte &ric(;

an! the tins are savin) aay in the )ar!en. ont you

orry a&out anythin)

, !ont (no hat , shou! !o ithout you; Aunt

Grace; sai! *rs. Farre. <ou ont )o o to oras; iyou; no this has haene! B <ou stay on or the

hoi!ays; ont you B$ti e see ho ?ohn !oes. ont

!esert me

course not; "ucy sai! Aunt Grace. , sha &e

ony to )a! to stay on an! he. 0ith Greta )one; , can !o

uite a &it or you.

Aunt Grace &uste! roun!; her heart sa! &ut her ace

as cheeru as she cou! ma(e it. *rs. Farre ou! have

to &e at the hosita a )oo! !ea or the ne>t ee(. Greta

as )one. *rs. +ooay cou!nt )ive them very much

e>tra time. So she an! the chi!ren ou! have to &estir

themseves i they ere )oin) to (ee the house cean an!

ti!y; an! everythin) )oin) as usua.%veryone must have his or her =o&. <es; even that a#y

itte /am. o her )oo! to turn to or a &it , , she as as

sorry a&out thin)s as she sai! she as; then she must sho

it &y reay hein). She su!!eny remem&ere! the itte

&oy; Tom 0aters; ho ha! &een so &a!y hurt the !ay

&eore. She on!ere! ho he as )ettin) on.

143



She cae! to avi!. avi! +o is TomB +ave you

hear! B

Tony; u in his &e!room; hear! avi!s cear voice

rom the )ar!en; anserin) Aunt Grace ho stoo! at thesi!e !oor. h; hes a &it &etter to:!ay; Aunt Grace. ur

orm:master to! us. 0ere ta(in) him oers to:morro;

an! ,m )oin) to )ive him my &oo( on &utteries an!

moths. +es ma! on those. eias sen!in) him her &oo( on

&ir!s.

Tony istene!. +e et ei)he! !on ith misery an!

an>iety. a!!y in hosita$itte Tom hurt &ecause o hisooish ran($a the &oys co!:shou!erin) him$even

avi! not sea(in) a or! to him +e hear! avi!s voice

a)ain. Toms ather is urious a&out it. +es seein) the

+ea! to:ni)ht.

A icture o the stern *r. 0aters ashe! into Tonys

min!. +e )roane!. Thin)s ere )oin) rom &a! to orse.

144



CH*!E" SEE#!EE#

Saturday %orning

T+% ne>t !ay as Satur!ay. *rs. Farre ha! set at

the hosita in or!er to &e near her hus&an!; an! it seeme!

very stran)e to everyone not to see either their mother or

ather at the &rea(ast:ta&e. "i##ie an! Aunt Grace ha! )ot

&rea(ast &eteen them. /am sti seeme! too !istresse! to

!o anythin) at a. She et ithout ceasin); an! her aceno on)er ha! any rettiness et in it.

/u yourse to)ether; chi!; sai! Aunt Grace a

itte shary. 0hat )oo! are you !oin) to anyone; cryin)

i(e that B <ou certainy are not hein) your ather. +e

ou! &e most uset i he sa you i(e this.

<ou !ont un!erstan!; Aunt Grace; you !ont

un!erstan!; et /am. , ma!e a!!y have his acci!ent., , ha!nt &een so mean; i ,! as(e! him to come to the

ay; he ou!nt have$he ou!nt have ha!$his

acci!ent. An!; oh; , ou!nt even say )oo!:&ye that

mornin). , (ee on an! on thin(in) a&out it; , cant or)et

it; , cant or)ive myse; , ee so ic(e!; so very ic(e!. .

. .

0e; I thin( youre &ein) rather siy; sai! AuntGrace. , can un!erstan! your &ein) very; very sorry or

your un(in!ness$, thou)ht you ere a seish an! un(in!

!au)hter; , must say$&ut , !i! thin( you ou! have a

itte more stren)th o character; an! ou!nt )ive ay so

cometey i(e this.

, ma!e a!!y thin( , !i!nt ove him; sai! /am;

145



&e)innin) to ee a over a)ain. 'ut , !o. ,m more

uset than anyone a&out this acci!ent$, cou!nt ossi&y

eat a &i) &rea(ast i(e the tins$or set a&out househo!

or( i(e "i##ie. , ee much too uset.That as too much or "i##ie. She stoo! u iercey.

/am , ee as &a! as you; an! orse; a&out a!!y$&ut

,ve )ot a &it more contro over myse an! my eein)s;

than( )oo!ness. An! ho cou! , ossi&y eave Aunt

Grace to !o everythin) hist , sat a&out an! et B , ant

to ho every time , thin( a&out a!!ys oor han!$&ut ,

cant =ust thin( o my on eein)s hen there are thetins to see to; an! so many thin)s to !o. 0hy cant ou

he B 0hat a&out the ee(:en! shoin) B Cant you )o

an! !o it B

0hat , 0ith my eyes a soen an! ace a re! B

crie! /am. <oure har! an! un(in!; "i##ie.

Theres the teehone; sai! Aunt Grace; than(u to

hear the &e rin)in) out. Anser it; "i##ie !ear. ,t as

someone to inuire ater *r. Farre. ,t as one o many

many cas rom his scores o rien!s; or he as a much:

ove! man. "i##ie as u o !ee =oy to (no ho much

resecte! an! ove! her ather as. She rote !on a the

messa)es to )ive to her mother hen she ne>t sa her.

The tins ent to cean out the hen:run an! henhouse.They !i! this every Satur!ay. ! Frost as there aitin)

or them. ,m that sorry to hear a&out your /a; he sai! to

them. A ine )enneman he is; a roer man. <ou te me

hen you can )o an! see him; itte *issy an! *aster; an!

, &rin) you the &est roses out o my cotta)e )ar!en or

him. An! oo(y here$my o! oman has ma!e these or

you to.

146



+e han!e! the tins a aer &a). ,nsi!e ere to

ar)e:si#e! =am:tarts. eia an! avi! ere touche!. ear

o! *rs. Frost$it as her ay o tein) them she as

sorry or their trou&e$to &i) =am:tarts

,ts auy !ecent o *rs. Frost; sai! avi!;

&e)innin) to eat his tart. She !oes ma(e such nice tarts.

0e ca in an! than( her this evenin); Frost. <es; e i; sai! eia. An! e ta(e your roses

hen e )o to see a!!y. <ou (no; Frost $hes hurt his

ri)ht han! very much.

Frost eane! on his or(. Ah; thats &a!; he sai!.

Thats rea &a!. 0hats he )oin) to !o i

147



he cant use it B +is =o& i &e )one Ah; its a &a!

thin) hen a man cant !o his or(.

The tins no!!e! soemny. The act that their ather

mi)ht not &e a&e to carry on ith his or( as orryin)them very much.

,ts a ity ere ony ten; sai! eia; as they

metho!icay ra(e! the !roin)s out o the henhouse.

0e cou! easiy eave schoo an! )o to or( then; to he

a!!y.

<es; e cou!. 0e cou! !o =o&s in anyones

)ar!ens; sai! avi!. 0e can )ro =ust as )oo!ve)eta&es as Frost can. , e ere ei)hteen; i(e /am; or

si>teen i(e "i##ie; e cou! easiy eave schoo an! or(.

, shou! i(e that. r even i e ere ourteen i(e Tony;

e cou! eave an! in! a =o&.

/ooh$Tony ou!nt &e any )oo! at #n =o&; sai!

eia; uttin) the !roin)s into a tin:&ath. +e me to

carry this to the comost:hea; ave. Catch ho!. <ou see;

Tonys not trusta&e; is he B +e! =ust oo aroun!; hatever

=o& he )ot.

, thin( a!!y aays hoe! Tony mi)ht &e a !octor

too; sai! avi!; hein) eia to carry the tin &ath. ,

thin( hes !isaointe! that Tony ont oo him in his

=o&.There as a minutes sience as the tins emtie! the

&ath on to the &i) comost hea; ra(e! it; an! thre a ayer

o o! eaves over the !roin)s to hi!e the sme. They

aays !i! everythin) very thorou)hy. Frost sai! they

ere &etter than any )ar!en &oys ho ha! ever or(e!

un!er him.

eia; sai! avi!; thou)htuy; !o you thin( e

148



ou)ht to ma(e u our min!s to &e !octors; so as not to

!isaoint a!!y B

" , thou)ht e! ma!e u our min!s to &e armers; an!

have a arm to)ether; sai! eia; in a !isaointe! voice. , !ont thin( ,! i(e messin) a&out in eoes insi!es. 'ut

, i; i you ant to.

o; , !ont ant to; sai! avi!. Come on; ets ut

some eat:moss on the hen:house oor. , ant a arm ith

you more than anythin) in the or!. ny$, ee so sorry

a&out a!!y no$that , =ust thou)ht i it ou! ma(e him

hay ,! te him e! &e !octors. A ri)ht; sai! eia; an! heave! a si)h. 0e cant

#ll !isaoint a!!y. /ams au. Tonys an i!iot; the ay

he &ehaves. "i##ies nice; &ut she never !oes anythin) to

ma(e a!!y or *other rou! o her. So , suose e!

&etter !o our &it.

0e as( *ichae; sai! avi!. +e (no.

0e ou)ht to as( *ichae a&out /am; too; sai! eia.

, hear! Aunt Grace say that oor /am as sic( in her

sou. /erhas *ichae ou! (no hat to !o a&out it.

+es )oin) to &e a men!er o sous. +e cou! try himse

out on /am ,

ont you say that to /am , sai! avi!. She! &e

urious. 0hy !oesnt she sto hoin) an! he B Shes =ustas a#y an! seish as ever. Thats enou)h eat:moss; eia.

o ets men! that hoe in the ire.

Ta(in) seriousy to one another; as they aays !i!;

the tins )ot on ith their =o&s. o one &ut Frost (ne

ho much they !i! in the )ar!en. They ove! it. They &oth

ha! hat Frost cae! )reen thum&s an! cou! ma(e

anythin) )ro in a most miracuous ay.The teehone (et rin)in) every no an! a)ain.

149



The tins hear! it as they or(e!; an! )uesse! it as

eoe rin)in) u a&out their ather. They ishe! their

mother ou! come home. 0ithout either a!!y or

*other the house !i!nt seem home. There )oes the teehone a)ain; sai! eia. /oor

o! "i##ie must &e tire! o anserin) it

+ao "i##ie as sayin). <es; this is *r.

Farres house. h$you ant Tony , , =ust )o an! in!

him. ne minute ease.

She ent to in! her &rother. +e as not in the ay

room. She cae! him. Tony 1 Tony <oure ante! onthe teehone.

, cant come shoute! Tony rom ustairs. ,m

&usy. , e>ect its ony ain)s. , !ont ant to ta( to

him.

,t !i!nt soun! i(e ain)s; sai! "i##ie. She ent

to the teehone a)ain. +ao ,m arai! my &rother is

en)a)e! at the moment. Can , ta(e a messa)e B

o; sai! the voice; shary. +es to come an! ta(e

it himse. Get him; ease. Te him its his hea!master

sea(in).

h$yes; , i; sai! "i##ie; scare! at the shar

voice. She ut !on the receiver an! once more shoute!

ustairs to Tony. Tony <ou must come ,ts your hea!master an! he

soun!e! auy cross.

Tonys heart ent co! an! a horri&e sin(in) eein)

came into his stomach. +e as sittin) on his &e! an! he

trie! to ma(e himse )et u. +is e)s shoo( un!er him 1

The +ea!$that cou! ony mean one thin). They (ne

he! )ot somethin) to !o ith the acci!ent to Tom 0atersI

15-



" Tony <ou must come shoute! "i##ie a)ain.

+urry u; !o.

Tony )ot himse !onstairs someho. +e ent into

the sur)ery an! shut the !oor. +e ic(e! u the teehonereceiver.

Tony Farre here; sir; he sai!; in as &ri)ht a voice

as he cou! mana)e. Sorry to have (et you aitin); sir.

Farre; , ant you to come to the schoo this

aternoon at ha:ast to; sai! the +ea!s voice. To my

stu!y. Shar at ha:ast to. ,s that cear B

<es; sir; sai! Tony; in a sma voice; his heartsin(in) !on into his &oots.

, have no !ou&t that you i )uess hy , ant to

see you; sai! the +ea!; in a stern voice. Tony hesitate!.

Shou! he say yes$or no B Shou! he un)e into a hurrie!

e>anation no; an! hoe that ou! &e enou)h B r

shou! . . . &ut it as too ate to !eci!e anythin); or the

+ea! ut !on his mouthiece ith a cic(; an! the

teehone ent !ea!.

Tony sat !on in a chair; eein) ost an! misera&e. ,

his ather ha! &een at home he ou! have )one to him;

ma!e a cean &reast o everythin) an! &e))e! him to he

him. a!!y ou! have (non hat as &est to !o. 'ut

even *other asnt at home. There as Aunt Grace$&utshe ou! &e so scornu o him; an! say such shar thin)s.

o; he cou!nt te Aunt Grace. +e cou!nt te anyone.

"i##ie oene! the !oor an! eee! in. h; youve

inishe! teehonin); Tony. , say$hatevers the matter B

<ou oo( au. Are you i B

o; sai! Tony; stan!in) u. ,m a ri)ht.

151



0hy !i! the +ea! ant you B as(e! "i##ie. +e

soun!e! in rather a ra)e.

ont &e so inuisitive; sai! Tony an! a(e! out o

the room. +e urse! u his is; tryin) to histe a tune.'ut his is trem&e! an! no soun! came. 'o +e

cou!nt even histe no ,

"i##ie stare! ater him; trou&e!. ,t cou!nt &e =ust

a!!ys acci!ent that ma!e Tony act i(e that$ he ha!

&een ueer &eore then. 0hat cou! it &e B She atche!

him )oin) u the stairs; oo(in) so misera&e that her heart

as touche!. Tony she cae!. 0hats u B o; !o te me. ,

mi)ht he.

Tony turne! roun! an! or a moment as temte! to

te (in! o! "i##ie everythin). Then he turne! &ac( a)ain.

o$&est not to te anyone. *ay&e; once he! ha! his

roin) an! hatever unishment the +ea! ha! !eci!e! on;

everythin) ou! &o over; an! no&o!y nee! (no

anythin) at home. +e cou!nt &ear "i##ie or the rest to

(no that he as in !is)race.

0hen the )on) ent or unch; the tins )ame

hurryin) in to ash their !irty han!s an! aces. /am came

to the ta&e; oo(in) hite an! misera&e; &ut rea!y or her

unch. Tony came !on too; tryin) to oo( the same asusua.

'ut he cou! eat har!y anythin); or he as orryin)

so much a&out seein) the +ea! that aternoon. 0hat ou!

haen to him B 0ou! he &e cane! B 0ou! *r. 0aters

&e there B Tony as very much arai! o him. +e trie! to

eat his meat &ut he cou!nt. +e )ot u; muttere! an e>cuse

an! ent out.

152



"et him &e; sai! Aunt Grace. Somethin)s uset

him. /erhas i he rests this aternoon; he &e a ri)ht.

'ut there as to &e no rest or Tony that aternoon

At a uarter:ast:to he as on his &icyce e!ain))oomiy to schoo. +e !i!nt !are to &e even one secon!

ate

I

153



CH*!E" E%+H!EE#

In the Headmaster)s Study

AT e>acty ha:ast to Tony stoo! trem&in)

outsi!e his hea!masters stu!y !oor. From insi!e came the

murmur o voices. To the &oys intense !ismay he hear! the

!ee rum&e o *r. 0aters voice.

+e (noc(e!. The +ea!s voice came rom insi!e.

Come in.

Tony ent in an! shut the !oor. +e stoo! =ust insi!e; a

&i) e:&uit &oy; his easy smie no on)er on his ace.

'eore him; seate! roun! the +ea!s !es(; ere our men

$the +ea!; )rave an! stern R *r. "ehman; a scornu oo(

on his thin aceR 'in(y; eerin) throu)h his )asses;

oo(in) very orrie! in!ee! R an! orst o a; *r.0aters; &i); &ury; overhemin) in every ay.

Goo! aternoon; sir; atere! Tony; to the +ea!.

<ou$you ante! me; sir.

0e !i!; sai! the +ea!. , ima)ine you (no hyB

ot$not e>acty; sir; sai! oor Tony; ishin) that

his (nees !i!nt ee so ea(.

0e; it i &e our &usiness this aternoon to et you(no e>acty an! accuratey h e ant you; rae! out

the +ea!. Farre; !i! you thro that &otte out o the

in!o; an! hit youn) 0aters on the hea! B

Tony saoe! har!. , ony he ha!nt thron that

retche! &otte <es; sir; he sai! at ast.

154



, !i! thro it$&ut , !i!nt (no anyone as in the

ay)roun!; honesty , !i!nt.

,t !i!nt occur to you that it as a !an)erous thin) to

!o; to thro a &otte out o the in!o ithout evenoo(in) to see i anyone as &eo B ent on the +ea!.

o; sir; sai! Tony. ,m very; very sorry.

Sorry hen its too ate to &e sorry 1 e>o!e! *r.

0aters. Sorry hen youve an!e! yourse into trou&e

Sorry hen you (no you &e unishe! 'ut not sorry

a&out my youn) Tom. *ou !i!nt try to in! out ho the a!

as$ ou !i!nt come to me an! te me hat you! !one;an! as( i you cou! !o anythin) or Tom. /ah

This as a sai! very iercey. Tony ent hite; an!

stare! seechessy at the an)ry man. The +ea! so(e

a)ain; )ravey an! sterny.

Farre; your &ehaviour in this matter is a )reat

!is)race to a amiy honoure! in this !istrict$a o us

(no an! resect your ather very hi)hy. ,t is astoun!in)

to us a that he shou! have a son ho is so irresonsi&e;

so coar!y; an! so untrustorthy in every ay.

+ot tears ric(e! at the &ac( o Tonys eyei!s. ever

in his ie ha! anyone so(en i(e this to him; never; never

ha! anyone to! him he as coar!y.

Sir$sir; ,m not coar!y; he )ue! out. An! , say you are &urst out *r. 0aters. <ou

thre that &otte to )et ri! o it &ecause you ere arai! o

&ein) haue! u or that i!iotic tric($an! then you ere

too coar!y to on u to &ein) the cause o my Toms

acci!ent$too coar!y even to as( ho the a! as ,

155



Tony cou!nt say anythin) to that. +e su!!eny sa

that he as in!ee! a coar!$a smies an! &rava!o hen

thin)s ent e; &ut no uc( or coura)e to tac(e thin)s

ri)hty hen they ent ron). <es; he #s a coar!. <our orm:master has to! me o the stui! tric( you

aye!; hich e! u to the acci!ent; sai! the +ea!. +e

has aso )iven me an e>tremey &a! reort o your )enera

&ehaviour an! &a! inuence on the other &oys. +e a!!s

that you have very )oo! &rains in!ee!; &ut that you never

use them or anythin) orth hie at a$ony to uset the

cass an! ma(e thin)s easy or yourse an! !iicut oreveryone ese. *r. "ehman has aso reorte! uy to me;

an! , have ha! reorts rom other masters ho ta(e your

orm or various essons. , am arai!; Farre; that no one

has a )oo! or! or you.

o; sir; hisere! Tony.

<ou have ha! many chances; my &oy; sai! the

+ea!; an! each time you have thron them aay. 'rains

are no )oo! ithout stren)th o character. <ou are in your

iteenth year; an! so ar have aste! most o your

schooin). <our arents must &e e>tremey !isaointe! in

you.

Tony stare! !eseratey at the +ea!. 0as he never

)oin) to sto sayin) these terri&e thin)s in that au;stern voice o his B

*r. 0aters ees that you shou! &e cane! or this

aair; sai! the +ea!. +e thin(s that ro&a&y that i

revent you rom !oin) any more !ama)e or some time at

east. +e as )oin) to as( your athers ermission to )ive

you the unishment.

Tonys heart san( urther sti. +e stare! in !esair

156



at the &ury orm o *r. 0aters. There as a sience

or a e moments. Then *r. 0aters so(e.

<es; thats hat , thou)ht ,! !o; youn) Farre; an!

thats hat you nee!. 'ut your ather !i! a ine =o& on myToms hea!; an! hes a man ,ve a )reat i(in) or. , cant

cane his son$an! , hear hes ha! a &a! acci!ent too; oor

eo. +e ee orse sti hen he hears a&out you &ein)

the cause o my &oys acci!ent. %>traor!inary that such a

ine eo shou! have a &oy i(e you

0as he then to have no unishment B Tonys heart

)re a itte i)hter. 'ut it san( a)ain at once. *r. 0aters as )oin) to unish you or &ein) the

stui! cause o his &oys acci!ent; sai! the +ea!. , am

)oin) to unish you or your continua &a! &ehaviour;

hich has such a &a! inuence on the cass you are in.

This schoo; Farre; has too many &oys area!y; an! e are

havin) to ic( an! choose amon) them. , inten! in uture

ony to (ee or to accet those e ee i &e a cre!it to

the schoo. , am arai! , must as( your ather to ta(e you

aay this term. 0e ou! rather you !i! not atten! any

more.

Tony cou! har!y &eieve his ears. 0hy$that meant

he as &ein) e>ee!$the &i))est !is)race that cou!

&ea any &oy , +e cou!nt &eieve it. o; no$he; TonyFarre; son o the much:ove! !octor R he cou!nt &e

e>ee!

<ou un!erstan! hat , am sayin); Farre B sai! the

+ea!; )ravey. <ou i not return here ne>t term.

Sir$oh sir$!ont !o that to me &e))e! Tony an!

the tears )ushe! out !on his chee(s. ,ve &een a oo an!

a coar!; , (no , have. 'ut ont you

157



&eieve that ,m sorry; ,ve earnt my esson; , never

&ehave i(e that a)ain B Sir; !ont e>e me$you !ont

(no hat my ather i ee i(e$an! it i &rea(

*others heart. ont !o that to me Farre; , have other &oys to thin( a&out &esi!es

you; sai! the +ea!. ther &oys ho may )ro sac( an!

irresonsi&e an! untrustorthy; astin) their time an!

their &rains &ecause o you. <ou are a &a! inuence. , am

sorry or your arents$&ut , have a !uty to the other &oys

an! their arents aso. <ou have ha! your chance$many

chances$an! you have aste! them a. 0hether anotherschoo i ta(e you or not , cannot say$&ut i your ather

in!s one; then et this &e a esson to you; an!; in uture;

use your &rains to )oo! urose; an! turn over a ne ea

rom the irst !ay you )o there.

Sir; !ont sen! me aay rom here; Tony &esou)ht

the +ea!; amost &esi!e himse ith !esair. 0hat ould

his mother say B An! a!!y 1 An! a the rest o them.

An! a the ton ou! (no$ho the &oys ou! sneer

'in(y su!!eny so(e out o the (in!ness o his

heart. Sir; erhas the &oy i have earnt his esson no

$shou! e )ive him one more chance B , !ont &eieve he

is reay &a! at heart.

Tony cou! have ic(e! 'in(ys &oots or those e(in! or!s. 'ut the +ea! as ma!e o har!er stu than

(in!:hearte! 'in(y. +e shoo( his hea!.

o. The &oy must have a har! esson. ,ts the ony

ay. Farre; , sha rite to your mother this ee(:en!; as

, cannot rite to your ather.

/ease; sir; , !o &e) o you$!ont rite to *other

yet; &e))e! Tony. Shes so uset a&out my ather

158



$she cou!nt &ear to have this &a! nes too. /ease

!ont rite yet. , !o anythin); anythin); i ony you ont

rite an! te her. Shes so uset =ust no.

0e; sai! the +ea!; an! ause!. *r. 0aters ut ina or!; sea(in) very )ruy.

,t have a &a! eect on the ather; i the mother )ets

uset =ust no; he sai!. , !ont ant to ma(e thin)s

har!er or either o them. *r. Farre as so )oo! a&out

my &oy$:too( no en! o trou&e over him at the hosita.

For his sa(e e! &etter not te the mother yet.

Hery e; sai! the +ea!. othin) sha &e sai! tithin)s are &etter ith the Farres. /erhas; Farre; you

ou! rather te your arents yourse; hen your ather is

&etter B

/oor Tony 1 +e trie! to thin( hich ou! &e &etter

or his arents$hearin) the nes rom him; or havin) a

etter rom the +ea! +e thou)ht erhas it ou! not &e

so !rea!u or them i they hear! it rom him$thou)h

ho he as ever )oin) to &rea( the nes to them he !i!nt

(no. "ie as in!ee! very &ac( or Tony =ust then.

, te them myse; he sai!. Than( you; sir. ,

(no , !eserve my unishment; an! , ta(e it; an!$an!

earn rom it; sir. ,m terri&y sorry a&out youn) 0aters. ,

*r. 0aters ou! et me$ , )o an! see him no$an!te him ,m sorry. , as in such a mu!!e; an! so arai!

a&out everythin) &eore that , !i!nt even !are to as( ho

he as$ &ut ,! i(e to )o an! see him. h sir$,m sorry

to have &rou)ht a this on the schoo

/oor Tony )ave a ou! so&; an! then; ashame!;

159



trie! to turn it into a cou)h. 'in(y oo(e! most

uncomorta&e. +e as intensey sorry or Tony. +e ha!

never i(e!:him; &ut he ha! a )ente; (in!y nature an!

hate! to see any &oy in !is)race or unhay. <ou may )o; Farre; sai! the +ea!. "earn rom

this aternoon; an! it i not &e aste!. /erhas you i

ma(e )oo! ater a; an! &rin) honour to your amiy;

instea! o !is)race.

Tony turne! an! ent out. +e ent to the she! here

he ha! ut his &icyce. There as no one there at a. The

&oy sat !on on a oo!en &ench; ut his ace in his han!san! crie! &ittery. +e as not ony cryin) or himse$&ut

or his arents; ho ou! &e so unhay a&out him$an!

or his &rother an! sisters ho ou! ee his !is)race. +e

as &rin)in) unishment on them too; as e as on

himse.

, =ust thou)ht o myse; et Tony. , !i!nt thin(

o !isaointin) the others. 0hat am , to !o B ,m sure no

other schoo i ta(e me. , sha have to )et a =o&. 'ut ,

!ont (no hat or( , cou! !o. ,m hoeess. ,m a

aiure. , ish ,! never &een &orn

+e sat there ti he hear! the schoo coc( stri(e ha:

ast three. Then he scru&&e! his soen ace ith his

han!(erchie an! smoothe! &ac( his rume! hair. +e! &etter )o home an! ash his ace. +e! cyce home &y the

itte anes; so that no one ou! see him. Than( )oo!ness

the +ea! ha! romise! that he ou!nt rite to *other.

That ou! ut o the &a! nes or a &it. +e ou!nt

nee! to et any&o!y (no at a yet.

+e )ot on his &icyce an! ro!e o33, a very misera&e

16-



an! ashame! &oy. +e remem&ere! ho he ha!

!etermine! to or( har! the ne>t term in Snorters cass.

o he ou!nt have the chance. +e ou! have to )o to

schoo or the ne>t e !ays$then hen they &ro(e u onThurs!ay; he ou!nt &e )oin) any more. ,t seeme!

imossi&e ,

+e sie! into the house unseen &y anyone e>cet

Su(ie the arrot. She cae! ater him. 0heres your

han(y B 0heres your han(y B

+e hear! the voices o the tins; sti or(in) in the

)ar!en. +o they save! out there +e hear! some&o!y!on in the (itchen; ironin). 'um:&um::&um ent the

iron. %verythin) as )oin) on as usua e>cet that a!!y

an! *other ere not there$ )oin) on as usua; hen his

hoe ie ha! &een chan)e!; an! he cou!nt see into the

uture at a

0hat a oo ,ve &een sai! Tony. 0hat an

un&eieva&e oo

161



CH*!E" #%#E!EE#

Sunday

T+% nes as &etter that ni)ht rom the hosita. *r.

Farre as more cheeru an! *rs. Farre as comin)

home or the ni)ht. The chi!ren cheere! u at once. ,t

ou! ma(e a !ierence i *other as home Aunt Grace

as )oo! an! (in! an! oo(e! ater everythin) e$&ut

no&o!y as the same as *other.*rs. Farre arrive! home ate; an! the chi!ren came

roun! her at once; uestionin) her; ecomin) her &ac(.

She ha! ma!e u her min! that she ou! &e &rave ith

them an! ta( cheeruy$&ut their an>ious aces an!

ovin) han!s ma!e the tears come to her eyes. +o )oo!

to have her chi!ren roun! her a)ain$hat ine chi!ren

they ere; thou)ht *rs. Farre ovin)y.She sa that Tony oo(e! ae an! thin:ace!; &ut she

thou)ht that it as &ecause he ha! &een orrie! a&out his

ather. She as sa! to see /ams ace so atere! too$hat

a shoc( it ha! &een or them a.

Aunt Grace ha! ha! a ta( ith /am &eore her mother

ha! arrive!. o you u yourse to)ether; /am; hen

your mother comes; she sai!. Shes uset enou)h as it isithout you havin) hysterics a over her. Eee your

eein) an! aiin) or hen shes at the hosita. ,

youve )ot to &e ea( an! ee&e i(e this; !ont et her see

it.

/am thou)ht Aunt Grace very un(in!$&ut she !i! u

herse to)ether; an! !i!nt in!u)e in too

162



much eein). They a )ot uite cheeru over suer;

even Tony; ho as !oin) his &est not to et his mother

)uess his unhainess.

The ne>t !ay as Sun!ay. ,m )oin) to church;announce! Aunt Grace. 0e coo(e! the =oint ast ni)ht;

an! it can &e eaten co! to:!ay ith saa!; so that no&o!y

nee!s to sto at home an! see to thin)s i they! rather )o

to church. ,m )oin) to )et !on on my (nees an! than(

Go! or sarin) your ather to us$he mi)ht easiy have

&een (ie!

0ere )oin) too; sai! avi!. ,ts a )oo! ace to )oto hen youre in trou&e. nce; hen eia an! , . . .

h; !ont te a&out that; ave; &e))e! eia.

Thats rivate.

avi! sai! no more an! the amiy never (ne hy

eia an! avi! ha! once )one soemny into the via)e

church a &y themseves.

,m comin); sai! "i##ie. *other; you &e )oin)

to the hosita; ont you B ont or)et to )ive a!!y

our messa)es; i you$an! the oers eve ic(e! or

him$an! the &oo( , &ou)ht him B

An! you ill )ive him the ras&erries e ic(e!;

ont you B &e))e! eia. +e !oes i(e them so.

, )ive him everythin); romise! *other. +e &e so ease! to (no hat a ovin) amiy he

has.

/am ha! ushe! a note into her mothers han!. ,ts

very rivate; or a!!y aone; *other; she hisere!.

?ust to te him ,m sorry; an! , !o ove him. An! you

)ive him the roses; ont you B

Tony sent him a =i)sa to !o. +e i(e! !oin) thosehimse hen he as i in &e!; an! he et sure his

163



ather ou! i(e to as e. +o he ishe! he cou!

te his ather some sen!i! nes$that he as )oin) to &e

move! u in orm$or as to in e>ams 'ut he cou!nt.

,m comin) to church too; announce! Tony; toeveryones surrise. As a rue it as very !iicut to )et

him to )o. /am sai! nothin). Shou! she )o B She har!y

ever !i!$&ut; as Aunt Grace sai!; her sou as sic(; an!

erhas it cou! &e ma!e to ee a itte &etter i she ent

there; an! (net !on to our out everythin) in her rayers.

o&o!y seeme! to isten to her se:reroaches$&ut Go!

ou!.She !i! not )o ith the others; &ut set o &y herse

ater. She sat ri)ht at the &ac( here no one sa her. She

et &etter as soon as she entere! the coo; uiet church;

ith its o!; o! sme an! its sense o eace.

She ha! or)otten that rayer cou! &rin) comort an!

eace. o she earnt it a over a)ain as she (net &y

herse in the &ac( e. The suni)ht came throu)h the o!

staine! )ass in!os an! ma!e ueer cooure! atterns

on the stone oor. ,t as stran)e ho near Go! aays

seeme! in a church; /am thou)ht. ,t #s a )oo! ace to

come to hen you ere in trou&e. eia an! avi! ere

ri)ht.

The ector came u to the Farre amiy ater theservice; to sea( a e or!s o symathy. eia cau)ht

his han!. . 0hen is *ichae comin) home B she as(e!.

This ee( B

+es comin) &ac( to:morro; sai! the ector. +is

schoo is &rea(in) u eary &ecause o some reairs that

have to &e !one. +e &e sure to come strai)ht aon) an!

see you

164



" To:morro sai! avi!. h; =oy )oo!. 0e

&a!y ant to ta( to him. ,ts very imortant.

The Farres a(e! home to)ether; /am =oine! them;

oo(in) much &etter. Aunt Grace )ance! at her curiousy &ut sai! nothin). She as )a! to (no the )ir ha! &een to

church even thou)h she ha! not sat ith the others.

?oan came roun! in the aternoon; u o concern

a&out *r. Farre. She ha! ony hear! the nes that

mornin). She as surrise! hen the !oor as oene! &y

"i##ie instea! o &y the &eamin) Greta.

0heres Greta B she as(e!. ,s she out B , ant toas( her i she )ive me the recie or that Hiennese

u!!in) she ma(es. :o you thin( she! min! B

Gretas )one; sai! "i##ie. o you ant to see

/amB Shes in her room; , thin(.

<es; , )o u; sai! ?oan. , #s uset to hear o

your trou&e; "i##ie. *other an! , ere aay or the !ay

yester!ay an! e ony hear! this mornin). Sha , =ust

eave a note to as( Greta to rite out that recie or me B

<ou sai! she! )one out; !i!nt you B

, sai! she! gone $et; sai! "i##ie; an! oo(e!

em&arrasse!; or she !i! not i(e to te ?oan a&out the ro

that Greta an! /am ha! ha!.

Gracious sai! ?oan; surrise!. , thou)ht she asuite one o the amiy. She seeme! so on! o you a.

0hat a ity to )o =ust no hen youre in trou&e.

She ent &eore a!!ys acci!ent; sai! "i##ie.

Theres /am cain) you; ?oan. Go on ustairs.

/am; i(e "i##ie; ou! not say much to ?oan a&out

165



Greta. She as eein) ashame! o that aair no; an!

aso thin)s ere not neary so comorta&e ithout the

har!:or(in) Austrian. /am ishe! she ha! (et her

temer. Gretas )oin) ha! ma!e thin)s har!er or thehouseho! =ust hen they cou! have !one ith the

(in!ness an! iin)ness o the )enerous:hearte! Greta.

, suose you have to turn to an! !o a ot o =o&s

no; then B as(e! ?oan; sittin) on the in!o:seat.

h$"i##ie !oes most; sai! /am. She i(es

messin) a&out. , never !i!. , suose , sha have to he a

&it in the hos. Than( )oo!ness , sha &e o to coe)e inSetem&er thou)h. i! you (no Aunt Grace is stayin) on

no or most o the hos. anyay$an! that horri!

arrotB

0e; your )reat:aunt i &e a he; sai! ?oan. A

ive o you i &e home; ont you$there &e a ot to !o.

<ou reay have to he; /am. ,ts a ity youve never

earnt much a&out coo(in) an! houseor(. /erhas ,!

&etter come an! )ive you a e essons

h; e soon )et someone ese; sai! /am; easiy.

Then her ace en)thene!. ?oan; isnt it au a&out

a!!y B ,ve never crie! so much in my ie.

<es. , as terri&y sorry; sai! ?oan. , !o i(e your

ather. %very&o!y !oes. +e =ust sen!s his hoe ierushin) roun! )ivin) eoe &ac( their heath an! stren)th.

+es a on!er.

*rs. Farre came &ac( in time or suer that

evenin); u o messa)es or the chi!ren rom their ather.

She ha! a rivate or! ith Aunt Grace aterar!s.

166



" ,ts terri&e a&out his oor han!; she sai!; oo(in)

straine! an! an>ious. The seciaist has e>amine! it to:

!ay. DThey can save the han!$not ta(e it o; , mean;

than( )oo!ness$&ut they !ont thin( it i ever &e anyuse or his or( a)ain. 0hatever sha e !o; Aunt

Grace B A those chi!ren to e!ucate$ an! this &i) house

to (ee u$an! the &i) )ar!en. 0e cant !o it.

Aunt Grace as sient. +er (nittin) nee!es e in

an! out. +er thou)hts ere not ith the chi!ren &ut ith

the in=ure! man. 0hat ou! he ee i(e i he cou! never

!o his or( a)ain B +er heart ache! or her nehe. /oor?ohn

course; /am can )o to coe)e ith her schoar:

shi; sai! *rs. Farre. So e shant have much e>ense

ith her( Tony can sti (ee on at his schoo $its not so

terri&y e>ensive. ,m arai! "i##ie i have to eave;

thou)h. /ity shes never &een cever enou)h to in a

schoarshi , An! o course the tins cant )o to that

e>ensive &oar!in):schoo no. ,m arai! they &e

terri&y !isaointe!.

0e must have a amiy counci soon; sai! Aunt

Grace; attin) her hair or ain) hair:ins an! ushin)

one or to &ac( irmy. As soon as the hoi!ays &e)in. ,

"i##ie has to eave e must arn the +ea! at once$an!e must rite to 0hyteeae Schoo an! te them e cant

aor! to sen! the tins no. A ity that$they ou! have

en=oye! themseves there; to)ether a !ay on).

/erhas Tony can in a schoarshi no; sai! *rs.

Farre; &ri)htenin) u a itte. +es so cever; Aunt Grace

$an! ,m sure as soon as he eaves that siy 'in(ys orm

an! )oes u into a hi)her cass

167



un!er$hats his name$, can ony thin( o his

nic(name; Snorter$,m sure Tony i or( marveousy

then. +e cou! easiy in a schoarshi. That ou! &e a

)reat oa! o our shou!ers. 0e mana)e; "ucy; !ont you orry; sai! Aunt

Grace. Face u to trou&e; , aays say; an! its

on!eru ho it mets aay. un aay rom it an! it i

sao you u ,

<oure such a sensi&e erson; sai! *rs. Farre;

attin) Aunt Graces han!. , !ont (no hat , shou!

have !one ithout you this ee(:en!. <ou (no$,m not.er )oo! at acin) u to trou&e; Aunt Grace$,ve aays

ha! eoe to !o it or me$ irst my mother; an! then

?ohn. Theyve aays tac(e! trou&e or me. , ee a &it

ost someho.

u&&ish sai! Aunt Grace; (nittin) aay &ris(y

a)ain. , you cant tac(e thin)s at your a)e; my !ear; you

never i. ?ohn i oo( to ou no or a hie; an! the

chi!ren i too. 0e mana)e thin)s a ri)ht; you see

+ave the tins &een )oo! B as(e! *rs. Farre. ,

suose theyve &een )ar!enin) as usua

Goo! as )o!; sai! Aunt Grace.. Theyre a ine

stur!y air o characters; "ucy. <ou sti thin( o them as &a&ies. Theyre not.

They ro&a&y &e as cever as /am an! Tony; sai!

*rs. Farre. /oor "i##ie$shes so ain an! shy an! !u

$the ony one o them that !oesnt shine in any ay. ,

!ont e>ect she min! eavin) schoo.

Aunt Grace on)e! to te *rs. Farre a&out "i##ie $

no; not "i##ie$%i#a&eth , She on)e! to te her ho ethe )ir rote; an! hat a ine success she

168



ha! area!y ha!. She on)e! to sho her the stories

the )ir as havin) rinte! ee( &y ee(. /ain$ shy$

!u$hy; "i##ie as the &est o the ot 1

'ut she ha! romise! "i##ie not to say a or!. Shean! "i##ie share! the secret to)ether; an! the )ir seeme!

uite content. She ha! a ine store o money no; or Aunt

Grace chan)e! the cheues every ee( that came or her.

Aunt Grace )uesse! that )enerous "i##ie ou! use it to

he the amiy; no that it oo(e! as i her ather ou!

not &e a&e to )o on ith his roessiona or($at any

rate or some consi!era&e time. "i##ies a ine )ir; sai! Aunt Grace; cic(in) her

nee!es ou!y. 0ait ti shes )ot those )asses o an!

that ire roun! her teeth$then you ont ca her ain

As or havin) no &rains$you ait an! see *ar( my

or!s; our "i##ie i )ive you a a 'i) Surrise one !ay

,

169



CH*!E" !WE#!'

A Shok 'or Pain / and a "alk

to %ihael

T< ent &ac( to schoo the ooin) !ay;

su&!ue! an! very uiet. 'in(y as sorry or him; an!

treate! him ith )enteness. The other &oys; thin(in) that

Tony as uset over his athers acci!ent; ere (in!er too.

'ut no&o!y cou! )et even a ha:smie out o him. ,t as a

very chan)e! Tony ho sat in cass that *on!ay.

+e as )oin) to see youn) 0aters in the !inner:hour.

+e as ta(in) him his most recious ossession $his

&eautiu itte microscoe. ,t ha! &een a resent to him

rom Aunt Grace hen he as teve; an! (een on usin)

one. +e (ne that Tom 0aters as as enthusiastic as the

tins over everythin) to !o ith ature an! that a othem ove! to use his recious microscoe hen they )ot

his ermission to !o so. +e (ne youn) Tom ou! reve

in havin) it or his on.

Tom as sittin) u in &e!; oo(in) e>tremey ae &ut

uite cheeru. +e ha! an enormous &an!a)e on hich

ma!e his hea! seem much &i))er than usua. +e oo(e!

surrise! to see Tony. , say$its )oo! o3 ou to come he sai!. ,ve

seen the tins area!y.

Goo! o him to come Tony stare!. +a!nt anyone

to! Tom then that it as a his; Tonys aut; that he as

here in hosita. o&o!y; ha! aarenty.

17-



" 0e$o course , came; sai! Tony; rather

a(ar!y. , ou)ht to have come &eore. The thin) that

hit you on the hea! as a &otte , thre out o my

cassroom in!o; Tom. Fat:hea!e! thin) to !o. ,mri)htuy sorry.

Coo sai! youn) Tom; his eyes oenin) i!e.

Thats hat hit me; as it B , smet a ri)htu sme too.

0hy !i!nt anyone te me B Goy

,ve &rou)ht you my microscoe; sai! Tony an! ut

it on the &e! in its neat oo!en &o>. , thou)ht you! i(e

it. ot$not to gi.e me sai! Tom; his hite ace

)oin) re!.

Tony no!!e!. <es. <ou have it. ,! i(e you to.

Coo sai! Tom; re!!er than ever. *ine 0hat

the tins say B o$you (ee it; Tony$, (no you ant

it. <ou !ont nee! to &e as sorry as a that. <ou =ust en! it

to me.

, !ont ant it. ,ts yours; sai! Tony. Come on;

ets !o a =i)sa or somethin).

C sai! Tom; )a#in) at the microscoe. ,ve

as(e! an! as(e! my ather or one an! he aays says

theyre too e>ensive. 0hat he say hen , sho him

this C Anyone ou! thin( you ere a !ove; the ay you

(ee cooin) 1 sai! Tony an! Tom au)he! his inectious

chuc(e.

<oure )oo! at ma(in) eoe au)h; arent you B

he sai! to Tony. 'o$theres the nurse to say youre to

)o. o come a)ain$i its not a &ore. An! Than(s *ost

Auy.Tony ent out; eein) a itte &etter. ,t ha! &een

171



har! to art ith his &eautiu itte microscoe$&ut

he ha! )ot to )et ri)ht ith himse someho. +e et

&etter or )ivin) it aay. +e cou! hear youn) Tom sayin)

C an! he et amost i(e smiin). Then the &ac(cou! cose! !on on him a)ain as he thou)ht o the

!is)race he as in. o&o!y (ne as yet$&ut they soon

ou!

/am; "i##ie an! eia ent o to schoo that !ay too.

,t as )oo! to &e &ac( in the or! o schoo a)ain ater

the uheavas o the ee(:en!. "i##ie eseciay as )a!.

She ove! schoo; the comanionshi there; the au)hter

an! un; the har! or( an! the

172



)ames. ,t !i!nt matter that she asnt )oo! at them $

she ove! them a the same.

At 'rea( there as )reat e>citement; an! a iece o

nes &u##e! rom one cassroom to another; as the )irs oure! out. %>am resuts are out$an! the schoarshi

resuts Theyre u on the notice:&oar!

/am et a itte sur)e o e>citement. ,t ou! &e )oo!

to see her name there; at the to; )oo! to have everyones

con)ratuations; an! to or)et; or a hie; the !is)ust she

ha! et or herse a the ee(:en!. "i##ie cau)ht ho! o

her arm. Come on; /am. "ets )o an! see. +oe our schoo

has )ot some )oo! resuts

They rushe! to the notice:&oar!; hich as area!y

surroun!e! &y an e>cite! cro! o )irs. /am )ance! at

the schoarshi resuts. A the names o the entrants ere

there; in their correct or!er; ith their mar(s; an! the

names o the !ierent schoos that the )irs came rom.

ny ive ha! entere! rom /ams schoo.

/ams name as not at the to. ,t as not even secon!

$or thir!$or ourth ,n the utmost horror the )ir ran her

eyes !on the ist. +er name must &e there 1 She ha! )one

in or the schoarshi; ha!nt she B

,t as there . . . ith rom the &ottom An! An)ea;An)ea ho aays or)ot her ines or the ay; as thir!

on the ist , She as ar hi)her than /am.

/am turne! aay; sic( at heart. o she ha!nt on

the schoarshi$no everyone ou! ity her; &ecause

the hoe schoo ha! &een so certain that it as in her

oc(et 0hat a )oo! thin) she ha! &een

173



entere! to )o to coe)e anyho$hether she on

the schoarshi or not

Then she ha! a co! eein) roun! her heart; as i a

stony han! as suee#in) it. 0ou! she &e a&e to )o nothat a!!y as i an! not i(ey to &e a&e to or( or

some time B +e ou! have to ay the ees; instea! o her

innin) a )rant or them. She ou!nt &e a&e to )o

The !isaointment as too much or her. She ent

&in!y out into the ay)roun! an! oun! a oney corner.

0hy ere a these au thin)s haenin) to her B She

!i!nt !eserve them; she !i!nt o a her uture ansere in ruins. She ha!nt anythin) to oo( orar! to at a.

%verythin) as simy hateu$an! terri&y; terri&y

unair.

"i##ie came to in! her; &ut /am ushe! her aay.

ont say anythin); she sai! iercey. , ont have

anyone croin) over me ,

h /am$as i , ou!; sai! "i##ie; hurt. , came

to say ho sorry , as$oor o! thin). <ou or(e! too

har! at the ay.

That ay &urst out /am. ,t cause! a!!ys

acci!ent &ecause , ou!nt as( him to come to it$ an! its

revente! me rom innin) the schoarshi. 0hy !i! ,

ever ta(e art in it B She ou! not &e comorte! &y "i##ie; so the )ir

ent aay. 'a! uc( seeme! to &e comin) rom a

uarters. "i##ie as sure Tony as in trou&e. +e as so

uni(e himse$an! yet she cou!nt )et a or! out o him.

An! no here as /am )ettin) a !iicut a)ain. eay;

the Farre amiy !i!nt han) to)ether at a

That evenin) *ichae 'est came over to sec the tins

174



an! the rest o the amiy. They ere a )a! to see

him; or; athou)h Tony cae! him a ri); he secrety

a!mire! the ta; strai)htorar! &oy very much.

, say$,m most ri)htuy sorry a&out your ather;sai! *ichae. 0hat a &o or you a

They ta(e! to)ether or a time. *ichae as u##e!

&y Tony an! /am. They ou!nt oo( him in the eyes; an!

it seeme! to him as i &oth ere hi!in) some (in! o

secret. As i they ere ashame! o somethin); thou)ht

*ichae. ,ts more than )rie or their ather$somethin)s

orryin) each o them. Tonys ost a his merriness an!smies an! /ams ost a her oo(s. 0hats the matter ith

them B

The tins ent out into the )ar!en ith *ichae.

0e ant to ta( to you; sai! avi!. ,ts *ost ,mortant.

They ent out an! sat !on on a &ench outsi!e. Tony

ent u to his room. The tins cear voices oate! u to

him an! he hear! *ichaes reies too.

*ichae$erhas you havent hear! a&out a!!ys

han!; &e)an avi!. ,ts hurt so much that they !ont

thin( he &e a&e to use it a)ain or sur)ery$ anyho not

or a)es. So that means he cant earn money; !oesnt it$at

!octorin); , mean B

,m arai! it !oes; sai! *ichae. 0hat har! uc(on him

0e; e cant )o to that &oar!in):schoo; thats

certain; sai! eia. 0eve uite ma!e u our min!s

a&out that. An! , suose Frost i have to )o too; ont

he B +e )ets a ot o money a ee(; you (no. 0e shant

&e a&e to aor! him no.

175



So e thou)ht e cou! ta(e over the )ar!en an! the

hens an! the ruit an! everythin); sai! avi!; earnesty. ;

Frost says ere as )oo! as any )ar!en:&oys he has ever

ha!. 0e cou! !o everythin); =ust the same as he !oes.An! that ou! &e a )oo! ay o savin) money; ou!nt

it; *ichae B Frost )ets over three oun!s a ee($so i

eve save! that much on his a)es &y !oin) the or=t

ourseves; that ou! &e as )oo! as e#rning three oun!s;

ou!nt it B

,t ou!; sai! *ichae. , thin( youre a coue o

&ric(s An! , te you hat$youre )oin) to have cro!so ums; )reen)a)es; aes an! ears this year$, he

you to ic( them; an! e se them an! save u a ot

more money that ay

h es $ sai! the tins.

<ou have to or( very har!; sai! *ichae;

oo(in) roun! the &i) )ar!en. Theres a ri)htu ot to !o

here. , he in the hos.$&ut ,m o to schoo a)ain in

Setem&er. 0hat a&out Tony B Cou!nt he he B

Tony B 0hy; he never !oes anythin) e>cet oo

a&out; sai! eia; in her cear voice. +e! au)h at us. i

e as(e! him. Anyay he! or)et everythin) $hes no

use at anythin) reay; i it means har! or(.

Tony hear! a this. +e et an)ry$then he rone!.+e (ne it as true. +e ha! never &een any use. 0hen he

ha! !ei)ne! to or( in the )ar!en he ha! et the toos out

or &ro(en the &arro or !one somethin) euay annoyin).

+e as not a &oy to &e truste! $an! even youn) eia an!

avi! (ne it.

0e$, shou! #s) Tony; anyay; sai! *ichae.

?ust &ecause he hasnt hee! so ar isnt to say he

176



ont he no. , &et he! !o anythin) to he his

ather; reay. Give him a chance

*ichae; theres somethin) ese e ant to as( you;

sai! avi!. ,ts a&out a!!y. o you thin( you cou! as(your ather to say an e>tra:secia rayer or a!!ys han!

each ni)ht$to ma(e it &etter enou)h or him to use it

a)ain B

0hy !ont you as( Go! yourse B sai! *ichae; in

surrise.

h; e !o; each ni)ht; sai! eia. 'ut you see;

your athers a rector$so Go! ou! ro&a&y isten to animortant man i(e him more than +e ou! to us.

<ou are =ust as imortant in Go!s eyes as any (in)

or riest; sai! *ichae. ,t isnt ho imortant e are that

matters$its ho much e ove other eoe. The ones

ho are nearest to Go!s ear; , aays thin(; are those ho

ove others unseishy ith a their heart. course ,

as( my ather$ he &e very )a! to !o anythin) or you.

, ish rayers came true otener; sai! eia. ,

sha ray an! ray ith a my heart that a!!ys han!

i &e ma!e &etter$&ut , !ont e>ect it

i.

/ray to Go!; Saior$&ut ro or the shore 1

uote! *ichae. <ou (no hat that sayin) means.0hen you or your amiy are in trou&e; ray to Go! or

he$&ut !o your &it too; an! ro har! or the shore , <ou

)o on rayin) to Go! or your ather$ &ut !o a you can

yourseves to he him an! your mother; &y or(in) har!

in the )ar!en; ic(in) ruit an! sein) it$i your ather

(nos youre !oin) a that it i certainy he him to )et

&etter

177



/ray to Go!; Saior$&ut ro or the shore reeate!

eia. , i(e that. *ichae; , thin( youre the most

sensi&e erson , (no. Aunt Grace is sensi&e too.

<ouve hee! us a ot; *i(e; so than(s auy;

178



CH*!E" !WE#!')O#E

"ony *+os 'or the Shore

T< eane! out o his in!o. +e ha! hear! every

or!. o he on!ere! i he ou)ht to have istene!.

*ichae as a &ric($an! certainy he as sensi&e. Tony

ishe! he as his rien!. <ou cou! )o to eoe i(e

*ichae an! te them thin)s you ere ashame! o; an!they ou! never au)h at you or &e scornu$they ou!

he you. .

The tins ent to etch their sa!es. *ichae ma!e

his ay to the )ate to )o home. n an imuse Tony cae!

to him. *ichae 0ait or me. , a( home ith you.

ather surrise!; *ichae aite!. Tony came hurryin)

out. The to &oys ent !on the ane an! struc( acrossthe ie!s to the rectory.

, say; *ichae; &e)an Tony; an! stoe!. ,t as

!iicut to (no ho to &e)in$hat to say an! hat to

(ee &ac(. 0e$he ou!nt (ee &ac( anythin) 1 +e

too( the un)e an! race! on &reathessy.

*ichae; an au thin)s haene! to me$the

+ea!s e>ein) me. , cant )o &ac( to schoo ne>t term.*ichae oo(e! at him in ama#ement an! horror.

Tony , o you mean it B 0hatever have you !one B o

your arents (no B

o; they !ont. ot yet. The +ea! romise! not to

rite &ecause o a!!ys acci!ent; sai! Tony. ,ve )ot to

te them myse. , ee such a orm.

179



" 'ut Tony$hat h#.e you !one B as(e! *ichae

a)ain.

Tony to! him everythin). +e to! him o a the years

he ha! aste!; the ay he ha! ooe! a&out; the &a! timehe ha! )iven 'in(y$he sare! himse nothin). ,t as the

irst time he ha! ever conesse! so much to anyone.

An! no$,m e>ee!$=ust as *other )ets this

au &o; he en!e! &ittery. ,m useess. 0hat can ,

!oB , cant even earn anythin) at my a)e; ith my &a!

reort too

,t as &eyon! the iteen:year:o! *ichae to )iveTony reay )oo! a!vice. +e sa that thin)s ere reay

serious ,t asnt ony Tonys ast that came into it$it as

his uture. +e ha! &rains; there asnt a !ou&t o it$&ut

there ou! &e no &riiant career or him no. 0hat cou!

&e !one B

Say somethin) sai! Tony; imatienty. ,ve

never to! anyone so much &eore. Cant you )ive me some

(in! o a!vice B ,m orryin) my heart out ,

Tony$you come in an! see my ather; sai!

*ichae. ,t ants a )ron:u to see to this. +onesty it

!oes. a! i (no hat to !o. +e he you a ri)ht.

+es not to )o runnin) to *other or Aunt Grace

&eore ,m rea!y to te them; sai! Tony. course he ou!nt;B sai! *ichae; in!i)nanty.

An! !ont you ta(e that tone; either$ youre in a ri)htu

i> an! a! i try to sho you the ay out$&ut he &e

the one to say hats to &e !one; not you

, !ont (no i , ant to te your ather; sai! Tony;

hen they arrive! at the rectory. Then he

18-



smie! a croo(e! smie at *ichae. Sti$hat as

that sayin) you uote! to the tins$ /ray to Go!; Saior

$&ut ro or the shore 0e; ,ve )ot to ro or the

shore a ri)ht. +ere )oes They ent in. The ector as in his stu!y; rea!in).

*ichae too( Tony in.

a!; he sai!; Tonys in a sot o trou&e. +e ants

to te you a&out it. , (no you he.

*ichae ent out an! shut the !oor. +o many; many

eoe ha! )one to his ather in their trou&es; an! ha!

&een hee! The rector cou! &e stern an! soemn; hecou! &e )ente an! (in!; he sa throu)h everyone; ri)ht

into their secret hearts an! as as much ove! an!

resecte! as *r. Farre; heaer o &o!ies. o here he

as; ace! ith a ri)htene!; misera&e an! ooish &oy;

son o one o the men he ove! most.

+e istene! in sience. <es; this &oy as in!ee! in

nee! o he$the rectors he an! Go!s he too. +e as

i(e one o the ost shee; an! !i! not (no hich ay to

)o.

Tony as ith the ector or neary to hours. 0hat

haene! in that stu!y he never to! anyone. 0hen he

came out; re!:eye!; he oo(e! a !ierent &oy. +e as at

eace ith himse once more. +e (ne hat to !o$an!hat as more; he ha! the stren)th to !o it. +e ent to

in! *ichae.

*ichae$its a ri)ht; he sai!. ,ve oun! out

hat to !o. <our ather is ine; reay ine. *i(e; &e my

rien! as e as the tins an! he me; i you B

"i(e a shot; sai! *ichae. 0ont the tins &e

surrise!

181



" <our ather su))ests , shou! )o to Farmer Grant or

the hoi!ays an! or( on the an! or him; sai! Tony. ,m

&i) an! stron) or my a)e an! he ants or(ers or the

harvest. , can earn money too; that ay. +e says not tooo( too ar ahea!; &ut =ust to !o that strai)htay at the en!

o the ee($an! !iscuss ans or ne>t autumn ith my

on ather hen hes e enou)h. +e says he ta( to him

too$see i they can in! out the &est thin) to !o. The

hoe orrys )one rom my shou!ers no.

Farmer Grants a )oo! eo; sai! *ichae. +e

or( you har!; Tony; &ut arm or( is aays har! or(.An! you have a &it o money to ta(e home too. ?oy

)oo! i!ea. , suose you ont have time to he me ith

the scouts; i you B , cou! !o ith some he.

, he you in anythin) sai! Tony; eein) that he

cou! even he ith the coo(in) at home; his heart et so

much i)hter Anythin); *i(e <ouve ony )ot to as(

me.

Tony ent home; amost histin) a)ain. +e et

ceaner someho. +e ha! to! everythin) an! (et &ac(

nothin); not even the act that he ha! &een too coar!y to

as( ho Tom as at the hosita. +e (ne hat to !o; an!

he as )oin) to !o it. An! ou!nt he or( har! ith

Farmer Grant o ooin) a&out there.The ee( ent &y an! &oth schoos &ro(e u. The

nes continue! )oo! rom the hosita here *r. Farre

as. Tony ent to see Tom 0aters every !ay an! too(

him &oo(s an! ruit. The tins ent to see him too. ,n act;

as Tom sai!; he as =oy )a! he! ha! the acci!ent$he!

misse! an e>am or

182



to; an! as )ettin) more ussin) an! resents than

he! ever ha! in his ie

, to! a! you! )iven me your microscoe; Tony;

he sai!. +e !i!nt say a or!. 'ut he as =oy surrise!./am ha! as(e! "i##ie to te Aunt Grace a&out her

aiure to in the schoarshi; an! to te her mother too.

She sai! she simy cou!nt. So "i##ie &ro(e the nes.

,m not surrise!; as a that Aunt Grace sai!. 'ut

*rs. Farre as !istresse! an! orrie!.

+asnt on it$/am hasnt on the schol#rship !

she (et sayin). 'ut then$e have to ay the ees$ an! e cant no. h !ear; oh !ear; i trou&es never

en!B 0hat in the or! sha e !o ith /am B She

simy hate &ein) at home; an! she ont i(e ta(in) a

tuenny:haenny =o&.

Then Tony announce! that he as )oin) to or( ith

Farmer Grant on the ne>t *on!ay. %veryone )ase!.

h no; !ear$theres no nee! to !o that; sai! *rs.

Farre. ,t ou! &e ar too har! or you.

+ar! or him$ith his stron) &o!y an! &rany

arms sai! Aunt Grace; ont &e siy; "ucy. o him a

the )oo! in the or!$an! , must say ,m very easanty

surrise!; an! he )oes u in my estimation or havin)

character enou)h to in! a =o& himse ,t as the ectors i!ea; sai! Tony +e ent to

see Farmer Grant or me an! so(e or me. ,m stron)

enou)h; *other$an! , ant to &rin) in a &it o money or

you too.

ear &oy sai! his mother. +o ease! your

ather i &e. 0e$you &e out in the oen air;

183



an! , sha see you at &rea(ast an! suer$Dan! i

Farmer Grant or(s you too har!; , sea( to him.

*other ont you !are to say anythin) to him at

a sai! Tony; in horror. ,m ta(in) a mans =o&; an!you cant ossi&y )o an! spe#) ' to the armer. , shou!

&e so ashame!. ,m )oin) to or( very har! an! en=oy it.

Iuite ri)ht; Tony; sai! Aunt Grace. , see that

your mother !oesnt !o any sea(in) to the armer

%veryone au)he!; even /am. *rs. Farre so oten so(e

to eoe; hen she !i!nt arove o somethin) they !i!;

an! the amiy tease! her a&out it./am ha! &een very uiet since she ha! hear! the

schoarshi resuts. ,t ha! &een a )reat shoc( to her ri!e.

She ha! oun! it !iicut to ho! u her hea! an! &e &rave

a&out it; the ast e !ays at schoo.

The hea!mistress ha! sai! a e or!s to her hen

she et. /am; , am very !istresse! a&out your osin) the

schoarshi; she sai!. %seciay no; hen your amiy

ou! have &een )a! o it. , &ame myse very; very

much or ettin) you ta(e the chie art in the schoo ay.

,t as that that revente! you rom !oin) e in the

e>am.

,m not sure a&out that; *iss aes; sai! /am in a

hum&er voice than usua. , et so certain , cou! in it $, !ont &eieve , shou! have or(e! har! enou)h even i

, ha!nt !one the ay. , ,! (non hat as )oin) to

haen$i ony ,! (non $,! never have thou)ht o the

ay; &ut ou! have )one a out or the schoarshi.

Ah; yes$i e cou! see into the uture e mi)ht !o

ots o thin)s !ierenty; sai! *iss aes. +ave

184



you thou)ht at a hat you i !o; /amea; i you

!ont )o to coe)e B

o; *iss aes; sai! /amea. <ou see$, !ont

(no a&out a!!y yet$hat he &e a&e to !o. <ou may in! it is your !uty to stay at home an!

he your mother; sai! *iss aes. Ater a; there are

youn)er &rothers an! sisters; /amea; an! your mother

must have some he.

h; theres "i##ie; sai! /am. She i(e to he.

'ut "i##ie i sti &e at schoo sai! *iss aes.

Surey you ou! not ao your youn)er sister to ta(eyour ace in the househo!; an! eave schoo &eore she

shou!; /amea B , have sometimes thou)ht you are

)roin) seish; my !ear; an! thin( too much o your on

uture an! yourseR <our amiy is eatherin) )reat

trou&e =ust no$you shou! thin( o them irst an!

oremost an! yourse ast o a. ,t may ossi&y even &e a

)oo! thin) that you have not on the schoarshi; &ecause

no you can ta(e your share o the amiy tas(s an! he

your mother ith the youn)er chi!ren.

/amea as horriie! at the thou)ht. Ater a her hi)h

hoes; to &e stuc( at +ouse:at:the:Corner; seein) to those

tins; an! ma(in) Tonys &e! an! )ettin) hot in the

(itchen She or)ot that to ?oan these ou! &e ovey an!natura thin)s to !o; that to "i##ie there as somethin)

very satisactory in !oin) =o&s or eoe she ove!. She

or)ot that such thin)s are rea omans or($oor /am;

ith her tosy:turvy i!eas She cou!nt )et use! to

thin(in) o herse as anythin) &ut a cever )ir ith a

&riiant uture. .

185



A the same; her hea!mistresss or!s san( in; an!

she &e)an to thin( o herse as one o a amiy; sharin)

their us an! !ons; an! not some&o!y searate; )oin) her

on ay. She as uiet an! thou)htu that ee(; thou)hshe sti ha! &ac( times hen she reroache! herse

&ittery or; as she thou)ht; &ein) the cause o her athers

acci!ent.

'ut she sti hoe! someho to )et a sen!i! =o&. She

cun) to the thou)ht that surey; ith her ceverness;

someone ou! ant her to i an e>ceent ost. ne !ay

she ou! &e the cever; taente!; retty *iss Farre an!everyone ou! envy her /oor "i##ie; she thou)ht;

she thin(s she oo( &etter ithout her )asses; &ut she

ont ,ts har! uc( on her$&ut , sha aays &e the

retty ouar *iss Farre; hist "i##ie stic(s in a

corner

/am as so at earnin) her esson$&ut it is har! to

chan)e yourse hen you are as o! as ei)hteen 1

186



CH*!E" !WE#!')!WO

A Family !ounil

,T as cear that the Farre Famiy ou! soon have

to ho! a counci to !eci!e hat as )oin) to &e !one.

0e! &etter have a amiy meetin); a rea amiy

counci; ith everyone there; even the tins; sai! Aunt

Grace; &etter to !o that than to !eci!e thin)s &yourseves; "ucy. "et the chi!ren ta(e their art; an!

shou!er their &it o resonsi&iity. 0e have )ot to an

somethin) no. ,ts ain that ?ohns or( cant &e ta(en u

or at east a year or to$he have to have a (in!s o

treatment or that han! o his i hes ever )oin) to use it

a)ain.

<es. , suose e must have a amiy counci;

thou)h hy e shou! have those &a&ies ta(in) art in it; ,

cant thin(; sai! *rs. Farre. 0hat use ou! the tins

&e in a meetin) i(e that B ,t ou! ony orry them.

For )oo!ness sa(e; "ucy; sto cain) them &a&ies

sai! Aunt Grace; cic(in) her (nittin) nee!es ou!y; as

she aays !i! hen she et e>aserate!. Theyre orthha a !o#en /ams an! Tonics 1 There no$, shou!nt

have sai! that$&ut reay you are most a))ravatin) at

times

*rs. Farre oo(e! hurt. She thou)ht the or! o her

e!est !au)hter an! son. 0e; e have them a in the

counci; she sai!. 'etter )et them roun! us to:ni)ht.

187



So that ni)ht; ater suer; a the Farres; e>cet *r.

Farre; )athere! roun! the &i) !inin):room ta&e to !iscuss

their uture ans. The tins ere there too; o course;

soemn an! )rave; more )ron:u even than /am in their!etermination to !o their share

*rs. Farre &e)an. Chi!ren; you (no hy , ant

to ta( to you. <ou (no that a!!ys acci!ent i ma(e it

very !iicut to (ee thin)s )oin) or a hie$ti e see

hat oer an! s(i come &ac( to his oor ri)ht han!$so

Aunt Grace an! , thou)ht it ou! &e a )oo! thin) or us

a to !iscuss the uture year or to to)ether.She ause! an! oo(e! roun! at the ive earnest aces

o her chi!ren. 0e cant )ive u our house an! )ar!en

&ecause i a!!y can or( a)ain he i nee! it an! the

sur)ery. So someho e must (ee that )oin). 'ut ho; ,

!ont (no

Aunt Grace ai! !on her ever:&usy nee!es. , have

a su))estion to ma(e; irst o a; she sai!. This is a &i)

house an! a very easant one. Cou!nt you ta(e in to or

three ayin):)uests$eoe ho ou! &e very )a! to

ive here an! have )oo! e:coo(e! oo!; easant

surroun!in)s; an! a hay home B 0hist your ather is not

usin) his sur)ery it cou! &e ma!e into a rivate sittin):

room. Guests ou! ay at east ive )uineas a ee( or a)oo! home i(e this $the money ou! &e a very )reat

he.

/am !i!nt i(e the i!ea; &ut sai! nothin). "i##ie so(e

u at once. <es; o course e cou! !o that course e

cou!; Aunt Grace. , cou! eave schoo an! he every !ay

$, cou! !o a the coo(in); ,m sureM

'ut; my !ear; you ou! hate to eave schoo;

188



sai! Aunt Grace. <ou shou! have to more years

there.

0e$, !o ove schoo; thou)h ,m not auy )oo!

at essons; sai! "i##ie. 'ut , i(e my amiy &etter ,that ou! &e a he ,! !o it$*other; you cou! reay

trust me to !o a the coo(in) 1 ?oan ou! )ive me

essons; , (no; an! ,m uite )oo! area!y.

,ts seet o you; "i##ie; sai! *rs. Farre.

An! ater a$youre not very )oo! at schoo su&=ects$

an! you cou!nt earn money at anythin). . . . "i##ie ent

re!. She oo(e! at her )reat:Aunt; ho no!!e! herhea! vi)orousy. <es$the time ha! certainy come to te

the amiy a&out "i##ies ritin) *other; ,ve )ot a

secret; sai! "i##ie; her ace namin) sti re!!er. ,ve

ha! it some hie no. ,m$,m earnin) uite a ot o

money

The Farres )ae! at "i##ie. They cou!nt &eieve

their ears. 0hatever do you mean; "i##ie B !eman!e!

/am.

*ou earnin) a ot o money sai! *rs. Farre

+o; "i##ie B

"i##ie e>aine!. 0e; you see$you (no ,ve

aays ove! ritin)$an! , rote some stories$an! ,

use! a!!ys tyeriter; he sai! , cou!$an! tye! them.Ari! , sent them to -i.ers/%nd ee)l $an! oh *other;

they as(e! me to rite one every ee($ chi!rens stories

you (no$an! they )ive me three )uineas every

Thurs!ay

%veryone )ase! e>cet Aunt Grace. She as reay

en=oyin) herse. Aha 0hat a surrise or the Farres to

in! their u)y !uc(in) turne! into a san

189



Then eia )ave a suea an! un) herse on "i##ie.

"i##ie; oh "i##ie$are they the stories that avi! an! ,

have &een rea!in) in the aer each ee( B Are they B 0e

lo.e them. Theyre i#ar!$ the &est eve ever rea! inthat aer

"i##ie )oe!. <es; those are the stories; she sai!.

*other; you rea! the irst one$&ut you sai! it as siy; so

, !i!nt te you any more a&out my secret.

, sai! it as sill ! " reeate! *rs. Farre;

!is&eievin)y. , cou!nt have , !ont remem&er rea!in)

the chi!rens corner in the aer at a. , remem&er youtein) me to rea! a story some time a)o$an! , rea! it$

&ut it as a tae or )ron:us cae! Sheias Foy;

hich , thou)ht e>tremey stui!. 0hat as your tae

cae! B

The Thirteen Cats ; sai! "i##ie. h; *other $

you rea! the ron) story , ony ,! (non , as so

!isaointe! an! hurt that you cae! my story siy.

As i , ou! sai! *rs. Farre; an! )ave "i##ie a

hu). 0e; reay; "i##ie$to thin( you can rite$an!

have stories rinte!$an! &e p#id or them , never (ne

that riters ere ai! or itte stories i(e that.

h; "ucy$!ont &e so ooish; sai! Aunt Grace.

0hy shou!nt they &e B "i##ie an! , ere !ei)hte! hene sa the irst one in rint.

0hat$ere you in the secret too B sai! *rs.

Farre; a itte hurt. An! you never to! me 0e; , thin(

you mi)ht I''

" ,m not surrise! that "i##ie !i!nt te anyone; sai!

Tony. , as a &east a&out the irst one hen

19-



it came &ac(; asnt ,; "i# B , remem&er no. An! i

you thou)ht *other sai! your story as siy; , !ont

on!er you (et your secret to yourse. 'ut my or!$

three )uineas a ee( , &et they ou!nt ay that i they(ne ho o! you ere

o you use your on name or ritin) your stories B

!eman!e! *rs. Farre; eein) su!!eny very rou! o

"i##ie. "i##ies not a very )oo! name or a riter.

o$, use my roer name; %i#að sai! "i##ie.

%i#a&eth Farre$!oesnt it soun! nice; *other B

<es; it certainy !oes; sai! *rs. Farre. %i#a&ethFarre$e; e; e$, reay !o thin( e! &etter ca

you %i#a&eth no; "i##ie.

h; ease !o crie! "i##ie. , !o so hate &ein)

cae! "i##ie or "i#. , ee much more i(e an %i#a&eth

than a "i##ie

0e; e =oy e ca you hat you i(e; sai!

Tony. <ou !eserve it; "i##ie$, mean %i#a&eth. *y

or!; this i &e a ine &it o nes or a!!y

h es ! " sai! the tins. /am sai! nothin). The

nes she ha! or her ather as o aiure; not o success.

She )ance! at the )oin) "i##ie. 0hy; "i##ie must &e

3right3ull cever to rite i(e that. A&soutey suer. She

et a itte sta& o =eaousy; an! then stie! it. o$"i##ieas )oo! an! (in! an! she must &e )a! she as

successu too. She ha! oere! to eave schoo; an! !o the

coo(in). She as gl#d "i##ie as cever enou)h to have

stories rinte!.

Con)ratuations; "i##ie$%i#að , mean; sai!

/am; an! suee#e! her sisters arm. <oure marveous ,

191



/raise rom the hau)hty; &riiant /am as very rare

an! very seet to "i##ie. She smie!. Then she turne! to

her mother.

*other; , ant to use my money in a secia ay;she sai! . , ant to ay or the tins to )o to &oar!in):

schoo. , (no it ont neary ay a the ees; &ut it ou!

he enou)h to et them )o; ou!nt it B Theyre such )oo!

itte thin)s; an! they !o or( so har! in the )ar!en. They

!eserve to have hat they so much ant$to )o to schoo

to)ether

'ut &eore *rs. Farre cou! anser; the tins so(eu or themseves.

Than(s; "i##ie. <oure i#ar! sai! avi!. 'ut

ere not )oin). 0eve uite ma!e u our min!s.

0eve !eci!e! it a; sai! eia; in her cear;

!etermine! itte voice. The others stare! at them.

An! hat e>acty have you !eci!e! B as(e! Aunt

Grace; amuse!.

0e; sai! avi!. 0e ont &e a&e to (ee Frost

on no$at east not a the ee(; anyho. So eia an! ,

are )oin) to !o the )ar!en; )ro a the ve)eta&es; oo(

ater the hens$an! e thou)ht e! ta(e over Frosts &ees;

*ummy; too; i you !ont min!.

0eve &een rea!in) a&out them in our &oo(s; ut ineia.

An! ere )oin) to ic( a the ruit; )ive "i##ie

hat she ants or; &ottin) an! =ammin); an! se the

rest; sai! avi!. *ichaes )oin) to he us. +e says he

(nos heas o eoe ho i &uy it. +es havin) a

secia &o> ma!e or the &ac( o his &icyce so that he can

ta(e the ruit a&out or us.

192



*rs. Farre stare! at him. This asnt a &a&y

sea(in). This as a resonsi&e; cever an! !etermine!

youn) man She oene! an! shut her mouth; tryin) to

thin( o somethin) to say. 0hat ith "i##ie &urstin) this &om&she on her $ an! no the tins announcin) hat

they ha! anne! to !o $ hy; she !i!nt (no her

chi!ren at a

*other; you !ont min!; !o you B sai! eia;

on!erin) hy her mother sai! nothin). <ou see; i e

ta(e over the )ar!en $ an! e can; uite easiy; inter

#nd summer $ e can save you Frosts a)es $ an! ecan )ive you a ot o money rom the ruit i you et us

an! *ichae se it. ?ust ancy; one o the )reen)a)e trees

has a&out iteen oun!s orth o ruit on this year; *i(e

says.

There as a sience. /am )ae! in ama#ement at the

se:ossesse! air o tins; so earnest in their resove to

he. Aunt Grace saoe! a um in her throat. 0hat a

air they ere ea!y to )ive u their cherishe! an o

)oin) to 0hyteeae to)ether ithout a )rum&e or a

murmur $ rea!y to save har! at schoo an! then in the

)ar!en; every ee(. 'ess them thou)ht Aunt Grace;

an! &e her nose har!. So than( you very; very much;

"i##ie; or your oer to sen! your money on us; sai!avi!; &eamin) at his sister. 'ut e cou!nt ta(e it no.

o one ese can !o the )ar!en &ut us. 0e on!ere! i

Tony cou! )ive a han! ith the !i))in) sometimes. That

cay atch at the &ottom is a &it heavy.

o it as Tonys turn to sea(. +o )a! he as

that he cou! reay oer he too course , !i) or

you; tins; he sai!. *other; you (no ,m )oin) toFarmer Grants on *on!ay; !ont you B

193



, sha )et tenty:ive shiin)s a ee( or the irst

month; an! thirty shiin)s or the secon! month; an! ater

that; hat ,m orth. , sha )ive you every enny o it; so

that i &e a &it o he too; , hoe. *y !ear &oy sai! *rs. Farre. <oure a so

)oo! an! seet$&ut Tony !ear; you can ony or( to

months on the arm; as on) as the hoi!ays ast. <ou must

)o &ac( to schoo then; you (no. <our ather an! , i

insist on that. <ou cant soi your uture &y eavin)

schoo. ny to months on the arm; !ear

Tony as sient. +is mother !i!nt (no that hecou!nt )o &ac( to schoo &ecause he ha! &een e>ee!.

*rs. Farre oo(e! at him.

Tony ont sit !um& i(e that <ou must romise

me to )o &ac( to schoo ater the hoi!ays. ,m not )oin) to

et your i!eas a&out arm:or( soi you or schoo. o;

romise me; Tony$or , ont et you )o to the arm on

*on!ay. Give me your soemn romise

194



CH*!E" !WE#!')!H"EE

"ony Breaks His -es / and Pam

Srings a Surrise

T< as in !esair. +e cou!nt romise his

mother +e ou!nt &e #lloed to )o &ac( $&ut she

!i!nt (no hy. +e stare! at her; on!erin) hat to say.

+e must )o to or( on the arm; he must. +e ou! )et &ac( a itte o his se:resect then an! ee haier.

Tony sai! Aunt Grace; shary; thin(in) that the

&oy as &ein) siy an! o&stinate. Anser your mother.

Tony )ave a )u. +e as cornere!. Thin)s ou!

have to &e to! no$in ront o everyone; too , 0e; they

ou! have to (no some time.

*other; , cant )o &ac( to schoo ne>t term; he sai!;in a o voice. ,ve &een e>ee!.

+e oo(e! at the oor; crimson to the tis o his ears.

/am )ave a )as o horror. "i##ie )a#e! !is&eievin)y at

him. The tins oo(e! at one another.

0as it &ecause that &otte o yours hit Tom on the

hea! B sai! avi!. 0e; its a shame That as an

acci!ent. , suose you one! u ater a B ,t asnt ony &ecause o that; sai! Tony; not !arin)

to oo( at his mother. ,t as &ecause ,! ooe! a&out so

much$an! the:+ea! sai!$he sai! , as a &a! inuence

on the &oys; *other. +e sai! $au thin)s. , cant te

you. +e romise! not to rite to you =ust no$or you

ou! have (non.

195



*other; ,m so terri&y sorry. o you see hy ,

cant romise not to )o &ac( to schoo ne>t term.

*rs. Farre stare! at Tony. Tears roe! !on her

chee(s &ut she !i! not ie them aay. Tony;

she hisere!. , as so rou! o you. , as so rou!

o you. +o cou! you !o such a thin) to me B *other;!ont sai! oor Tony. , ma(e it u to you some !ay; ,

sear , i. ,ve to! the ector a a&out it$an! he )ot

me the =o&. +es )oin) to ta( to a!!y. *other; !ont oo(

i(e that; , cant &ear it

*rs. Farre )ot u; ut out her han!s amost as i she

as &in!; an! stum&e! out o the room. The

196



counci as over as ar as she as concerne!. "i##ie

)ot u to oo her; &ut Aunt Grace ue! her &ac(.

o; she sai!. "et her thin( this out or herse. ,ts

a terri&e shoc($it is to us a; o course. /oor Tony hasha! a terri&e esson. , on!ere! hat as the matter.

0e; Tony$youve ma!e a oo o yourse; an! the ony

thin) et to !o is to atch thin)s u; an! !o the &est you

can. ,ts a ity this haene! =ust ho.

Tony saoe! har! &eore he cou! sea(. ,t ha!

&een terri&e to him to see his mothers )rie. That as the

orst o !oin) ron)$its eects e on other eoe too; eoe you ove!. +e set his teeth to)ether an! voe!

never to ai a)ain. +e! sho his amiy he cou! !o e

someho

0e! &etter )o on ith our counci; sai! Aunt

Grace; her soun! common:sense ma(in) everyone ee a

itte &etter. 0e seem to &e !eci!in) a e thin)s;

anyay. ,ts ain that Tony cant )o &ac( to his schoo.

+e! &etter ta(e u this arm:or( or the resent; anyho.

The tins i stay at their resent schoos an! ta(e over

the )ar!en; &ess them. An! e i ta(e in to ayin):

)uests; an! oo( ater them e. , sha &e one )uest$an!

, i &rin) my rien!; *rs. <oun); or the other. , (no

she ou! i(e to come; h; Aunt Grace$e cou!nt ossi&y et ou ay

sai! "i##ie at once. <oure such a he

0hats /am )oin) to !oB sai! eia. 0e havent

!eci!e! anythin) a&out /am yet.

"i##ie eant orar!; her eyes shinin) &ehin! her

)asses. 0e; i the tins ont )o to &oar!in):schoo; ,

can use the money or /am. She can )o to

197



coe)e ater a /am; you can )o , can earn the

money or you; easiy; an! , can eave schoo an! see to

everythin) or *other.

/ams heart eat. Go to coe)e ater a Then sheoo(e! at )enerous; arm:hearte! "i##ie; ho as )ivin)

u her money an! her schoo:ie or her. She oo(e! at the

tins ho ha! so cheeruy chan)e! their ans an! ta(en

on har! or($at Tony; tryin) to ma(e amen!s an! )oin)

to earn money on the arm. Somethin) haene! to her

har! itte heart. ,t seeme! to &rea( in ha$then it see!

u an! hurt her. ,t )re arm an! ovin).She hear! herse sea(in) uic(y. o; "i##ie; no ,

<ou shant sen! a enny on me; not a enny 1 An! you

shant eave schoo. , ont have it , @am )oin) to &e the

one to come home an! !o the or(. , cant coo( &ut ,

soon earn. , earn a the thin)s ?oan says a oman ou)ht

to (no; the rea thin)s; the thin)s that matter in every

home; an! , !o them e. , ont )o to coe)e; so its no

)oo! sayin) a or! more ,

She ause!; out o &reath. Aunt Grace; a&soutey

ama#e!; ha!nt a or! to say. She ha! even !roe! her

(nittin):nee!es. Tony su!!eny thume! on the ta&e. The

tins; inecte! &y the )enera ama#ement an! !ei)ht at

/ams su!!en chan)e o heart; &e)an to ca as i they ereat a concert ,

Goo! o! /am 1 sueae! eia. , never

thou)ht you cou! !o a thin) i(e that

, !i!nt thin( , cou! myse; sai! /am; surrise! at

hat she ha! &een sayin). 'ut , mean it. 0ere one

amiy$an! , &eon) to it as much as you !o$ an! ,m

)oin) to u to)ether ith you. <ou see i

198



, !ont. I'.e &een an i!iot too$aie! in my schoar:

shi; serves me ri)ht$an!$yes$,ve &een an au

&east; havent ,; Aunt Grace B

<ou certainy have; sai! Aunt Grace; ith mucheein). ,ve ante! to sa you enty o times. 'ut its

never too ate to men!.

h; /am$, !ont ant you to come home an! not

)o to coe)e; &e)an "i##ie. 'ut Aunt Grace stoe! her.

:o; eve ha! enty o )enerosity rom you to:

ni)ht; %i#að she sai!; you must et others sho

)enerosity too; an! hat is more; accet it. /am i haveto months to earn thin)s rom you an! ?oan &eore you

)o &ac( to schoo; an! she never re)ret it. She an! Tony

are ta(in) the ri)ht ay to ma(e amen!s$no more aiin)

an! su(in)$&ut )oo! har! or( an! acin) u to thin)s. ,

te you; even i e !o ron); e can ma(e some )oo!

come out o it i e reay ant to. <our ather i &e

uset; Tony; to hear o your e>usion$&ut )a! to (no

you have character enou)h to ma(e amen!s an! )et a =o&.

+e i &e sa! to (no you have aie! in the schoarshi;

/am$&ut !ei)hte! to see you ta(in) your art in the

home. ut o ron) an! stui!ity you i orce somethin)

orth hie.

%ven the tins un!erstoo! this an! arove!. Thereas somethin) &rave an! coura)eous a&out it. Am ,

(noc(e! !on B 0e; , )et u That as the i!ea

&ehin! Aunt Graces itte ecture; an! it as a )oo! one.

<ou ou)ht to reach in the ectors uit; Aunt

Grace; sai! avi!; earnesty. <ou! &e auy )oo!. ,m

sure everyone ou! isten to you.

199



They a au)he!; icturin) Aunt Grace stan!in) u in

the uit; settin) her )asses irmy on her nose.

, (no hat you! say irst o a; sai! eia;

)i))in). <ou! say; o; here's my han(y ont you &e chee(y; sai! Aunt Grace; !ei)hte! to

see smies on everyones ace. 0e; my !ears; thats

everythin) sette! then$, an! *rs. <oun) come as

ayin):)uests an! , arran)e ayment ith your mother$

&ut min!; /am; , sha ant reay )oo! coo(in) an!

aitin) on; an! so i *rs. <oun). 0e sha ma(e you

very &usy in!ee! , !o my &est; sai! /am. , (no ?oan i )ive

me enty o tis.

An! "i##ie i )o &ac( to schoo; ent on Aunt

Grace. An! Tony i !o arm:or($at east ti his

ather arran)es hat is to &e !one ith him$an! the tins

)o &ac( to schoo too; an! e )ive o! Frost notice so that

they can ta(e over the )ar!en. 0e$eve sette!

everythin) very satisactoriy; , thin(

She ent to in! *rs. Farre; ho ha! uite )iven

ay. +er &ri)ht &oy; Tony +o cou! this have haene!

to him B An! /am ha! aie! in her schoarshi too. 0hy

ere so many !rea!u thin)s haenin) to her a at once B

"isten; "ucy; sai! Aunt Grace; sittin) on the &e!an! ta(in) her han!. Thin)s i(e this haen in every

amiy; an! e have to ma(e the &est o them. <ou soit

&oth /am an! Tony; )ave them a they ante!; et them

)ro u seish an! hea!stron). <ou thou)ht it as enou)h

that /am as &riiant an! retty; an! that Tony as cever

an! amusin). ,t

2--



asnt; an! theyve each aie! !ismay. 'ut they are

&oth )enuiney sorry an! ant to ma(e amen!s. ,ts not

)oin) to he them i you )ive ay i(e this an! cry an!

reroach them; is it B <ou !ont un!erstan!; Aunt Grace; sai! *rs.

Farre; uin) her han! aay.

u&&ish 1 sai! Aunt Grace. course , !o. The

onoo(er sees most o the )ame; you (no ,ts arty your

aut; "ucy; that /am an! Tony ere aiures$no you

too must ma(e amen!s or that an! he them.

<oure very har!; Aunt Grace; sai! *rs. Farre;!a&&in) her eyes; an! sittin) u.

*y !ear; ,m not reay; sai! Aunt Grace; in a

)enter tone. "ucy; you ant more &ac(&one$ youve

)ot your ish:&one here your &ac(&one ou)ht to &e 1

*rs. Farre cou!nt he smiin). <ou say such siy

thin)s; Aunt Grace she sai!. 0hat haene! ater ,

ent B

Aunt Grace to! her. *rs. Farre har!y (ne hat to

say hen she hear! that /am ha! reuse! "i##ies oer an!

meant to come home an! or( so that "i##ie cou! inish

her schooin).

,ts the very &est thin) she cou! !o; sai! Aunt

Grace. "ucy; youve ove! &ein) marrie! an! havin) ahome o your on to run; &ein) the centre o it; )ivin) the

chi!ren !inners youve anne! an! oten coo(e!; seein)

them eat your ovey marro =am; ecomin) ?ohn home;

carin) or your home an! amiy ith ri!e an! ove;

havent you B

course; sai! *rs. Farre.

0e; you )ive /am a chance o earnin) ho to

2-1



run a home or a ⁢ et her ee the =oy o havin) the

amiy turnin) to her; et her men! an! se; coo( an!

cean; sai! Aunt Grace. She &e a oman then; an! a

the &etter or (noin) hat every oman ou)ht to (no;no matter hat =o& she ta(es aterar!s. An! hen she

comes to marry she ma(e a )oo! ie an! mother. <ou

eave thin)s to her; "ucy; an! !ont soi her any more

, on!er hat oor ?ohn i say ;hen he hears

a&out Tony an! /am; sai! *rs. Farre; su!!eny thin(in)

o her hus&an!.

+es not )oin) to hear a or! a&out it ti hes it tohear it; sai! Aunt Grace. ot a or!; "ucy. 0e ont

cross our &ri!)es ti e come to them. 0e =ust et thin)s

)o on as eve anne! no. o ash your ace an! come

!on. eay; you seem as much o a chi! as the others

The hoe amiy ere much haier hen they ent

to &e! that ni)ht. The tins ere u o ans or the

)ar!en; an! /am ha! to ra on the a to ma(e them sto

cain) out to one another at ha ast ten 1 "i##ie cou!nt

he eein) ease! that she ou!nt have to eave schoo

ater a. Tony as )a! that the amiy (ne the orst

a&out him. o he cou! )et on ith his arm:or(

haiy.

As or /am; she et a !ierent erson. She assharin) the trou&es an! &ur!ens o the amiy; she as

reay one o them. ,t asnt as har! as she ha! thou)ht to

)ive u a her ans an! thin( o the ans o others

instea!. 'ut it ou! &e har! to &uc(e to an! run the house

, Sti; she! !o it. She ha! &rains an! !etermination an!

she cou! !o it 1

She set the (itchen aarm coc( or hah7

ast si>.

2-2



othin) i(e &e)innin) at once , She ! &e !on on)

&eore "i##ie; an! i)ht the (itchen ire an! )et thin)s

)oin). She! aie! in one thin)$&ut she! ma(e a success

o this =o&; no matter ho har! it as. She ou!; sheou!

2-3



CH*!E" !WE#!')FOU"

"he Holidays Go By

T+% hoi!ays sie! aay. The tins too( on the

)ar!en an! or(e! there a !ay on). ! Frost sti came

once a ee( to !irect thin)s an! (ee them )oin). +e as

u o ou! raise or they to youn):uns an! his ie

istene! atienty each Fri!ay evenin) to on) taes o their

)oo! or(.

Theyve tie! u a the ceery roer:i(e; reate!

Frost. An! theyve sta(e! u the ,n!ian corn$ my; its

that hi)h this year An! theyve )ot more e))s out o them

hens than ever. /roer itte or(men they are. The hoein)

an! ee!in) they !o air )ets me.

Tony ent to or( on the arm. At irst he oun! it sohar! that he cou! har!y )et u in the mornin)s. +e as

sti an! tire!. 'ut he (et on; an! soon ost his stiness

an! re=oice! in his stron) musces an! stur!y &o!y; as he

harveste! the corn an! hee! the armer ith his catte.

+e sa *ichae every !ay; or the &oy as aso

hein) the armer; thou)h ony or ha a !ay; as he ha!

many other thin)s to !o. Tony (et his or! an! hee!him ith the scouts an! en=oye! it. The to &oys ran *rs.

'ests ! "a!ies utin) or her too; an! the o! omen

ere ou! in their raise o they to youn) men ho

etche! an! carrie! an! aite! on them so iin)y. The

ector as ease! ith his o! rien!s son an! atche!

Tonys ro)ress ith the )reatest interest$an! ith ri!e

too; or he sa that

2-4



the &oy as !etermine! to ut every ounce o ener)y

an! !rive into his or( that he cou!.

Farmer Grant so(e to the ector ater a ee( or to.

Thats a ine a! youve sent me; he sai!. +es onyourteen; &ut , can trust him more than many a man. Got a

)oo! memory an! uses it. ever or)ets a =o& an! !oes it

as e as , cou!. +es a )reat he to me.

Goo!; sai! the ector. Eee him at it; Grant. ont

et him sac( or a minute.

"i##ie as hein) /am in the house; an! ?oan came in

oten to he as e. *rs. Farre as ony aoe! to !othin)s i(e the oers; or rite etters; hen she as not at

the hosita. Aunt Grace as not aoe! to !o anythin);

either; no she as ayin) or her &oar! an! o!)in). She

!i!nt ato)ether i(e this; &ut hen she sa ho caa&y

the )irs ere runnin) the house; she )ave ay; an! et

ease!.

+er rien!; *rs. <oun); ha! arrive! an! as instae!

in /ams &e!room; hich she ha! )iven u. /am herse

ha! )one into Gretas o! room. ,t as a !ear itte room

un!er the eaves; ith a on!eru vie o the surroun!in)

country. 'ut /am ha!nt much time no or a!mirin)

vies; or !reamin) on!eru !reams. +er thou)hts ere

u o !inners an! shoin); ruit:&ottin) an! =am:ma(in). The tins &rou)ht in enty o ruit an! it ha! to

&e &otte! at the ri)ht moment; hen it as rie enou)h;

&ut not too rie.

The tins aso so! the surus ruit; ith *ichaes

he. They &rou)ht a ot o money in to their mother in this

ay. She !i!nt ato)ether i(e it; or she ha! &een use! to

)ivin) aay so much.

2-5



" 0e; *other; e )ive aay enty; as e as

sein) it; sai! avi!. 0e aays )ive Frost some on

Fri!ays or *rs. Frost. An! e )ive *ichae enty or the

o! a!ies an! the oor eoe ho cant aor! it. <ou cantrust us to &e )enerous as e as &usiness:i(e.

, =ust cant )et use! to you &ein) so )ron:u sai!

their mother; oo(in) at the ie o shiin)s an! si>ences

an! ha:crons they ha! =ust &rou)ht her. She ha! Tonys

a)es each ee( too. +e )ave her every enny. She

thou)ht o him ith ri!e once more. +is har! out:!oor

or( ha! )iven him a e!:,n!ian tan; he ha! )ron taeran! &roa!er; an! he seeme! so !een!a&e no. +is ather

as !ei)hte! ith his oo(s hen Tony ent to see him at

the +osita.

Tony ha! remaine! rien!s ith itte Tom; ho came

oten to he the tins in the )ar!en. Soon Tom ooe!

him i(e a itte !o); an! even as(e! his ather i he

cou!nt )o an! !o arm:or( i(e Tony ,

*r. 0aters cou!nt he &ein) intereste! in the &oy

he ha! seen that terri&e aternoon; the &oy he ha! so

neary cane!. +e ha! seeme! such a youn) scam; &y a

reorts an emty:hea!e!; irresonsi&e youn) rasca$an!

yet here he as or(in) i(e a man; an! Farmer Grant as

aays raisin) him to *r. 0aters henever he sa him;as he oten !i!.

*r. 0aters !i! not )ive Tony aay to the armer R he

!i! not te him o the &oys e>usion an! &a! reort. +e

as u##e! &ecause his Tom o&viousy a!mire! Tony so

much an! as aays antin) to &e ith him. +e (ne

that Tony ha! )iven Tom his

2-6



recious microscoe$an! no here he as; in

Farmer Grants )oo! &oo(s; an! a irm rien! o *ichae

'est; the ectors son. *ost e>traor!inary.

"i##ie as en=oyin) herse. She (ne so much morea&out the househo! than /am !i!; an! it as nice to &e

a&e to te /am so many thin)s she !i!nt (no. /am ha!

aays &een so very )oo! at airin) her on oinions an!

shoin) o her (noe!)e. o it as "i##ies turn.

Aso "i##ie ha! &een to the ocuist an! to the !entist.

The ire roun! her teeth ha! )one; or her ront teeth ere

no in ace. +er )asses ere )one too; or her eyes erecometey &etter.

0hen she ha! come home; ra!iant; ithout her

)asses; an! smie!; shoin) no u)y ire; her mother ha!

stare! at her. 0hy; "i##ie$youre uite retty she ha!

sai!; in astonishment. 0hats haene! to you B o

)asses; o course$&ut reay; youre )ettin) uite retty

"i##ie ha! &ushe! an! )one to oo( at herse. <es$

she certainy oo(e! i(e *iss %i#a&eth Farre to:!ay;

ith her shinin) eyes; hite; even teeth; retty hair an!

rosy chee(s. *iss %i#a&eth Farre. She et sure o

herse; coni!ent an! hay.

The amiy ere )ra!uay )ettin) use! to cain) her

%i#a&eth. o; she thou)ht; oo(in) at herse ha:shyy in the )ass; no they in! it easier sti. , !ont

even loo) i(e "i##ie any more

The hoi!ays se! &y. *rs. <oun) rove! to &e rather

an e>actin) )uest; !eman!in) a (in!s o seciay:coo(e!

oo! an! a ot o aitin) on. She (et /am very &usy

in!ee!. 'ut not once !i! the )ir comain; an! each ni)ht

her aarm coc( as set

2-7



or ha ast si> as usua. Aunt Grace; atchin) her;

et rou! o her.

Then there came a !ay hen "i##ie ha! a shoc(. A

etter came rom the -i.ers/%nd ee)l sayin) that or the resent they ere !iscontinuin) their Chi!rens Corner an!

ou! thereore not nee! any more stories. Their other

aers ere to run a ne eature. They than(e! "i##ie or

her )oo! or(; an! encose! her the ast cheue !ue to her.

The )ir rushe! to Aunt Grace; her ace as on) as a

i!!e. She shoe! her the etter. ?ust hen e ant the

money : she sai!. h; Aunt Grace *y !ear chi!; there are enty o other aers to

try; sai! her )reat:aunt. An! you !ont nee! the money

as &a!y as you thou)ht. 0ith the tins )oin) on at the

same !ay schoos; /am not )oin) to coe)e; Frost )one;

an! Tony earnin) a itte; ere uite a ri)ht. o !ont

oo( so )oomy. This sort o shoc( comes to every riter at

some time or other. ,t simy means you must try a)ain

somehere ese an! it i a &e very )oo! e>erience or

you

*r. Farre as no very much &etter. +e as to

eave the hosita; an! )o to see a seciaist in "on!on;

stayin) there or a ni)ht. Then he as to come &ac( home.

+o a the chi!ren oo(e! orar! to that *r. Farre oo(e! orar! to it too. +e ha! misse!

&ein) at home so much. +e ove! his amiy an! home; an!

on)e! or them continuay. +e orrie! a&out his han!$

&ut he ou! (no the orst very soon; an! he must ait

in atience. +e sti ha! ain in the in)ers; &ut not so

much as he ha! eare!. nce the han! as out o aster he

ou! (no hat he cou! !o ith it an! hat he cou!nt!o.

2-8



The )reat !ay came or him to eave the hosita. +e

ent u to "on!on; *rs. Farre !rivin) the car very

soy an! careuy; or since her hus&an!s acci!ent she

ha! &een arai! o cars.The chi!ren reare! or their athers homecomin)

the ne>t !ay. +e (ne no a&out /ams aiure to in the

schoarshi an! ha! &een to! &y Aunt Grace a&out Tonys

!is)race. +e ha! &een very sient an! thou)htu; an! ha!

sai! har!y anythin) a&out them at a. Aunt Grace herse

ha! sai! very itte.

<ou must remem&er; ?ohn; she sai!; that hatmatters most is; not the aiure; :&ut the resut$not the a;

&ut ic(in) themseves u 'oth chi!ren are !oin) their

&est no; an! , thin( you i sti &e rou! o them one

!ay.

Foers ere ut into their athers !ressin):room an!

sur)ery; rea!y or his home:comin). eia oun! a !ishu

o ate ras&erries; his avourite ruit. Tony &rou)ht home a

=u) o cream rom the arm. A his aers an! =ournas

ere neaty arran)e! &y his chair. a!!y ha! &een aay so

on)$ho ovey to ecome him home a)ain

/am reuse! to et anyone coo( !inner or him &ut

herse. , ant him to see ho e , can !o it; she sai!.

<ou can !o the oers or the ta&e; %i#a&eth. Thats a, sha et you !o

The tins atche! at the )ate or their ather an!

mother. They )ave a hair:raisin) ye hen they sa the

amiiar car. +es comin); hes comin)

0hat a ecome or him Five airs o ovin) arms

roun! him; hu)s an! (isses an! hos o !ei)ht$an!

screeches rom Su(ie the arrot; +i hi hurray , +i;hi; hi; hi; hi; hi; hi . . .

2-9



*rs. <oun) ha! )one; e satisie! ith her to

months chan)e at +ouse:at:the:Corner. There as ony the

amiy et; ith Aunt Grace &eamin) as usua &ehin! the

chi!ren. *r. Farre someho )ot into the house; ith theive chi!ren cin)in) i(e imets.

0ecome home; a!!y 0ecome home , crie!

eias cear youn) voice. "oo( at the a)s , ut u or

you$an! , em&roi!ere! that 0ecome +ome on the

&anner

0e )re the ve)eta&es or !inner 1 sai! avi!.

0e mana)e the )ar!en rto; a!!y.Aunt Grace !isentan)e! the e>cite! chi!ren rom

their ather. *in! his han!; she sai!. 'e careu no

i! you see the seciaist; ?ohn B eia; !ont ye in his ear

i(e that , Come ustairs an! ash; ?ohn$this ha is i(e a

&ear:)ar!en

*r. Farre as !ei)hte! ith the !inner. +e raise!

the oers. +e raise! the ve)eta&es. +e raise! the

coo(in); the !ish o ras&erries; the cream. +e notice!

everythin) =ust as he aays ha! !one.

a!!y; can e come an! sit ith you ater !inner

an! ta(; i(e e use! to !o B !eman!e! eia. 0e ant

to (no such a ot$an! eve )ot such a ot to te you.

0e never seeme! to have time to te you everythin) hene visite! you at the hosita. Can e a come an! ta(

ater !inner B

course; sai! *r. Farre. h !ear$theres a

very amiiar noise$the hone &e rin)in)

,t as the ector; as(in) ater his o! rien!; !ei)hte!

to (no that he ha! arrive! &ac( saey. Can , come

aon) ater !inner an! &rin) a rien! ith me;

21-



ho ants to say a or! or to B as(e! the ector.

i)ht. See you ater

" 0hos the rien! B as(e! avi!; in surrise. oes

he mean *ichae B 0e; ho then B 'ut no&o!y (ne an! no&o!y reay care!. +urray;

a!!y as &ac(; that as a that mattere!. , &et e &e

aoe! to )o to &e! ate to:ni)ht; sai! avi! to eia. ,

ee it in the air

211



CH*!E" !WE#!')F%E

Hay Ending .

0%""; sai! *r. Farre; )ivin) *rs. Farre H his

ie to i or him ater !inner; or his ri)ht han! as sti

in &an!a)es; e; this is i(e o! times a)ain A o us

to)ether. <ou !ont (no ho ,ve misse! &ein) at home.

a!!y$te us a&out your han! no; &e))e! eia;

stro(in) the &an!a)es very i)hty. 0hat !i! theseciaist say B ,s it &etter B

As , e>ect you sa rom *others ace; e ha!

very )oo! nes to:!ay; sai! her ather. *y han! i &e

a ri)ht in time$, sha &e a&e to use it or my or( ,

<ou !ont (no hat that means to me; chi!ren.

h a!!y$its a mirace; surey crie! eia. +er

ather no!!e! at her; smiin). <es$it reay is a mirace he sai!. , as arai!

it ou! never &e any )oo! a)ain. , shant &e a&e to or(

or a year$then , sha &e)in )ra!uay usin) it or

oerations.

A mirace sai! avi!. +e oo(e! at eia.

eia; eve )ot a mirace

0hat do you mean B sai! their mother; amuse!. 0e; e raye! an! raye! that a!!ys han!

ou! )et &etter; reay &etter$&ut e (ne it ou! &e a

rea mirace i it !i!; every&o!y sai! so; sai! eia 'ut

e ent on an! on$an! so !i! *ichae; an! the ector

!i! too; a!!y; &ecause he romise! us he ou!. 0e

thou)ht Go! ou! surey isten

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to such an imortant erson; even i +e !i!nt ay

much attention to *. An! no the miraces haene!;

hasnt it B

,ts haene!; than( Go!; sai! *r. Farre. , !ont(no hat . . . e; , nee!nt thin( a&out hat ou! have

haene! no$the thin) is; , sha &e a&e to or( a)ain.

0eve ony )ot a year or so to )et over; an! thin)s i &e

the same a)ain. ,t ont &e too ate or the tins to )o to

0hyteeae then$e can mana)e a&out sen!in) /am to

coe)e ne>t year too; even i shes a &it o!er than the other

)irs i &e$an! . . . 0e; no; ?ohn; , have a roosa to ma(e;

interrute! Aunt Grace. A ar)e sum o money has =ust

&een ai! to me or some shares , ha!. , as )oin) to

invest it in somethin) ese$&ut , thin( instea! , invest it

in the Farre Famiy

%veryone oo(e! at her in surrise. 0hat !i! she mean

She turne! to *r. Farre; ho as uiety uin) at his

ie.

,U en! it to you; ?ohn; at the same interest as ,

shou! )et i , investe! it. There i &e enou)h to sen!

/am to coe)e strai)htaay$an! the tins to 0hyteeae

$an! (ee "i##ie at schoo. , ony as( one thin) in

return.She ause! an! smie! roun! at the istenin) amiy.

,m so hay here ith you a. "et me stay on$ as a

ayin) )uest; o course$an! ive ith you; an! share in a

your us an! !ons. h; , (no ,m an intererin); shar:

ton)ue! o! oman; aays settin) you a to ri)hts; &ut ,

ove each one o you; an! , !o on) or a home o my on;

here; at +ouse:at:At:Corner

213



" Aunt Grace; youre ecome here as on) as ever

you care to stay , sai! *r. Farre; attin) her han!.

<ou &eon) to the amiy as much as anyone

<es; you !o crie! "i##ie; an! )ave her )reat:aunta hu). eia ooe! suit.

0e cou!nt ossi&y have !one ithout you a this

time; sai! *rs. Farre. As or the money$ e; , !ont

(no. ?ohn has never i(e! &orroin) money.

, !ont min! &orroin) rom Aunt Grace; sai! *r.

Farre; smiin). ,ve !one that &eore$hen , as

stru))in) to &e)in as a sur)eon$!i!nt ,; Aunt Grace B <es$an! you ai! &ac( every sin)e enny o it 1

sai! Aunt Grace. ?ohn; , ou!nt have oere! it to you

at the &e)innin) o the hoi!ays or anythin) in the or!

$&ecause , !i!nt thin( that some o the Farre Famiy

ere orth &otherin) a&out then$&ut 1 !o no.

+o !o you mean B as(e! *r. Farre; surrise!.

0e; theyve a astonishe! me so much these

hoi!ays; sai! Aunt Grace. Those that , thou)ht &a!y o

have !one e; an! those that , thou)ht e o have !one

even &etter than , hoe!.

*rs. Farre no!!e! in a)reement. <es; she sai!;

theyve a &een marveous.

?ohn; /am deser.es to )o to coe)e no; sai! AuntGrace. She has oun! her ace in the amiy; she has

or(e! har! an! e; she has earnt a )reat many o the

thin)s that a omen shou! (no. She has use! those

)oo! &rains o hers; an! the house has run i(e coc(or(.

, sha sen! her to coe)e

/am ent re! ith easure at this raise; hich she

ha!nt e>ecte! at a.

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+er heart ite! an! san). She cou! )o to coe)e ater

a$she ha! e#rned it this time. Then her ace e.

<es$&ut "i##ie$, mean %i#a&eth$cant eave

schoo an! oo( ater thin)s; she sai!. An! *other cant!o it a herse.

0ait a minute; ait a minute; sai! Aunt Grace.

<ou mi)ht )uess , ou!nt et %i#a&eth eave schoo. She

must certainy )o &ac(; an! )o on ith her casses. 0e are

a rou! o her an! her ritin); an! , ou!nt !ream o

ettin) her ta(e your ace here.

h$, suose you mean e )et some&o!y tohe; sai! /am; reieve!. h; Aunt Grace$you reay

are a &ric( Goo! )racious$, have to &estir myse

thou)h$coe)e oens in ive !ays an! there are a my

cothes to )et

<ou can see to those uite e in the time; sai!

Aunt Grace; smiin). at /ams retty; e>cite! ace. The

su(y mouth as )one. There as no u)y ron:ine in the

mi!!e o her orehea!. e>t to her sat "i##ie; hay an!

smiin) too$a coue o retty youn) thin)s; thou)ht Aunt

Grace. 0hat a chan)e in /ams character; an! "i##ies

oo(s.

o a&out the tins; she sai!. , have as(e! o!

Frost to come &ac( an! he is !ei)hte! to. So the tins ihave their ish an! )o to 0hyteeae ater a$an! they

too !eserve it; or i ever , sa to chi!ren or( har! !ay

an! ni)ht; those to !i!. The )ar!en is a icture an! the

(itchen )ar!en is uite marveous

h; Aunt Grace$e ove! !oin) it; sai! eia.

0e !i! reay. An! Tony hee! a ot. An! no that eve

ma!e u our min! ere not )oin) to

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&oar!in):schoo e !ont min! stic(in) to it a &it$

an! not )oin). 0e! har!y i(e to )ive u the )ar!en

no.

<ou i(e it a ri)ht hen youve )iven it u an!in! yourseves at 0hyteeae 1 sai! Aunt Grace. "ucy;

youve )ot three !ays to see to their cothes , hoe you can

!o it

<oure ta(in) my &reath aay; Aunt Grace; sai!

*rs. Farre; har!y (noin) i she as on her hea! or her

hees ith a these su!!en roosas an! !ecisions. ?ohn

$hat !o you say to a this B , thin( it soun!s remar(a&y sensi&e; sai! her

hus&an!; uin) aay at his ie; en=oyin) the amiy

e>citement. 0ron):!oin) shou! aays &e unishe! an!

usuay is in some ay or other$&ut euay; , thin(;

)oo!ness shou! &e rear!e!$an! certainy these chi!ren

have !one e 1

'ut; a!!y$Aunt Grace$hat a&out oor Tony B

sai! eia; su!!eny. <ou havent sai! anythin) a&out

him( a!!y; hes or(e! auy har! too. %very&o!y says

so. 0ou!nt another schoo ta(e him B

0e; sai! *r. Farre; thats the !iicuty. *ost

!ecent schoos noa!ays are a&soutey u$ an! a they

say hen , ay to them or Tony; an! sen! in his astreort; hich , have to !o; is$ere sorry; &ut e have no

vacancy. ,t is a very serious thin) to &e e>ee!; a )reat

han!ica to any career. ,m arai! it has )ot a&out that

Tony has &een sent o in !is)race.

/oor Tony$hen hes trie! so har! sai! eia;

in!i)nanty. They mi)ht )ive him a chance.

Stes ere hear! on the )rave outsi!e. The

216



ector oe! his hea! in at the in!o. +ao;

hao he sai!. A at home; , see +ao; Farre; !ei)hte!

to see you &ac( a)ain. 0eve misse! you very much. Can ,

&rin) in a rien! o mine B +e ants to say somethin) ratherur)enty.

course; sai! *r. Farre. %r$is it rivate B

o; sai! the ector. , &rin) him in at the si!e:

!oor. , see its oen.

o you (no ho his rien! is B sai! eia; in a

ri)htene! hiser. ,ts that au *r. 0aters $the man

ho as so an)ry ith you; Tony.The !oor oene! an! in came the ector an! *r.

0aters. Tony as em&arrasse!. +e ha!nt seen *r. 0aters;

e>cet in the !istance; since that terri&e aternoon. +e shoo(

han!s ith him; &ushin) as he remem&ere! a that *r.

0aters ha! once sai! to him.

Sit !on; sai! *rs. Farre. /ass the ci)arettes;

/am.,n a e minutes the reason or the une>ecte! visit

&ecame cear. <ou remem&er; Farre; that it as 0aterss

&oy ho )ot hurt in that acci!ent; hen Tony thre the

&otte out o the in!o B sai! the ector. 0aters as

very an)ry a&out it$an! it as he ho !eman!e! that Tony

shou! &e e>ee!; or he ou! &rin) a a:suit a)ainst the

schoo. The +ea! a)ree! that Tony shou! )o. o; *r.0aters B

*r. 0aters ceare! his throat an! so(e in his !ee

voice. 0e; *'. Farre; he &e)an; , as very an)ry; an!

ri)hty so. , ou! have cane! youn) Tony; &ut you! &een

so )oo! to Tom$an! , asnt )oin) to have that &oy in the

same schoo as mine i , cou! he it. , thou)ht he as a

thorou)hy &a! &oy; an! the orst inuence in the schoo.

217



" 'ut ,ve &een chan)in) my min! these hoi!ays. *y

Toms )ot very on! o your Tony; thin(s no en! o him$

an! Tonys &een )oo! to him too$)ave him his microscoe

you (no. An!$e; to cut a on) story short; , (noFarmer Grant very e; an! he says your Tonys !one a ine

=o& o or( or him these hoi!ays; stuc( to it roery$he

thin(s no en! o him. An! the ector so(e e o him too;

an! youn) *ichae 'ests his rien!. 0e; sir; there cant &e

so much harm in the &oy as , thou)ht$may&e hes ue!

himse to)ether; or may&e , as ron) a&out him.

+e stoe! an! ceare! his throat. The Farres sat insience; han)in) on to every or!. Tony cou! har!y

&reathe.

0e; *r. Farre$,ve &een to the hea!master ith

the ector here an! eve ha! a on) ta( ith him$an! the

ushot is that Tonys to )o &ac( this ne>t term; an! nothin)

more sai! <ou see. . . .

'ut the rest o his or!s ere ost in a &a&e o noise The tins cheere! an! &an)e! on the ta&e. "i##ie (et

sayin); h; ho on!eru; ho on!eru Su(ie the

arrot sua(e! rom her corner; an! *rs. Farre

murmure!; +o )oo! o you; *r. 0aters over an!

over a)ain.

Tonys ace as crimson ith astonishe! !ei)ht. +e

cou!nt &eieve his ears +e stoo! u an! a(e! over to*r. 0aters. Than( you very much; sir; he sai!. , ta(e

this chance youve )iven me. Than(s very much; sir.

*r. 0aters ut out his han! an! shoo( Tonys har!.

<ou &e a cre!it to that ather o yours yet he sai!.

+e he! out his han! to *rs. Farre too;

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" 0e; , ont stay; *rs. Farre. <ou ant to ta(

this over. 'ut Tonys to )o &ac( the !ay ater to:morro$

an!; my or!; i he !oesnt )et a ine reort; you te me an!

, !ea ith him roery%veryone au)he!. Then the ector an! *r. 0aters

ent out; an! /am cose! the ront !oor &ehin! them. She

e &ac( into the !inin):room.

Tony 0hat )oo! uc( , 'ut you reay !o !eserve it

no. , say; ho !ecent o him to )o to the +ea!. h; a!!y

$no ere #ll anne! or an! sette!

So you are; sai! her ather an! ue! her !on to hero! ace; on the arm o his chair. She snu))e! a)ainst him.

a!!y; , sti ee so au a&out your acci!ent; she

sai!. , ony ,! as(e! you to come to the ay $it ou!

never have haene!. <ou! have come home to unch$an!

not &een hurt at a ,

,t as nothin) to !o ith that; sai! her ather. ,

cou!nt have come to the ay; even i you ha! &e))e! meto. , ha! an ur)ent ca an! ha! to )o o to it. The acci!ent

ou! have haene! anyho. ont orry your hea! a&out

th#t("

The ast oa! roe! aay rom /ams heart. %very ni)ht

she ha! orrie! a&out that$an! she nee!nt have The

acci!ent ou! have haene! anyho$ it #sn't her

un(in!ness that ha! cause! it. She nee! not reroach herse &ittery any more.

She turne! to Aunt Grace; an! so(e an>iousy. Aunt

Grace$e a &e )one to schoo soon:have you )ot

some&o!y ese to he *other B , reay cant )o to coe)e

uness you have

Aunt Grace oo(e! at the coc(. <ou in!

219



some&o!y in the (itchen no; she sai!. , hoe

you a arove o her. Go an! see; /am.

The others )ot u too; &ut Aunt Grace motione! them &ac(. "et /am )o irst; she sai!. So /am ent to the

(itchen; hose every corner she (ne so e no. She

oo(e! roun! the !oor. Some&o!y as aci!y o(in) the

ire.

ret# ! crie! /am. Greta; oh Greta; have you

come &ac( B h; eve misse! you so much. , as a i) to

you; &ut !ont &e an)ry any more. , never &e i))y a)ain.Greta; ,ve &een !oin) a the coo(in); ,m uite )oo! at it

Greta turne! roun!; &eamin). She shoo( han!s har!

ith /am. She &ore not the si)htest resentment to the )ir

or &ein) so ru!e an! seish &eore.

, have hear! a a&out it many times 1 she sai!.

<our Aunt Grace has to! me. She (ne here , as; at

my rien!s; an! oten she came to see me to te me a&outyou a. , as one o the amiy; you (no. , cou! not )et

you out o my hea!$an! ah; the oor !octor 0hen ,

hear! o his acci!ent that ee(:en!; , rushe! roun! here to

as( to come &ac($ &ut your Aunt Grace; she ou! not et

me

0ou!nt et you$&ut hy B crie! /am. <ou

ou! have &een such a he; Greta.

<our Aunt Grace; she say to roe; o; Greta$ e

cannot aor! you no sai! Greta an! her eyes shone

ith in!i)nation. She say that to me; to me; ho ou!

have come or nothin). 'ut she ou! not et me; no. She

say; The chi!ren must !o their ⁢ Greta; they must rove

themseves. This is their chance. They have not ue!

22-



to)ether; Greta; an! this they must earn; to he one

another an! to or(

or one another. They must ho! to)ether as a amiy;

an! this is their chance , !o not (no a that she meant;*iss /am$&ut this is hy , !i! not come ti to:!ay; hen

she sent or me.

/an un!erstoo!. Artu Aunt Grace eusin) Gretas

he in or!er to )ive the Farres a chance to rove i they

ere orth anythin) or not; i they cou! u to)ether; &e

a unite! amiy An! they h#d ue! to)ether; they ere a

hay an! unite! amiy no; as never &eore. Cever AuntGrace$(in! Aunt Grace too.

h; Greta; its ovey that youre &ac(; sai! /am.

Greta; ,m to )o to coe)e; an! the tins are to )o to

0hyteeae Schoo ater a.

Ah no; this , !o not ant; or you a to )o aay as

soon as , come &ac( sai! Greta; her ace ain). 0hy

!o not the tins come to sea( ith me B Are they shy B

They !ont (no youre here; sai! /am; an! she

yee! ou!y. Tins Come an! see hos here

They scamere! in; ooe! &y "i##ie an! Tony; a

very curious. 0hen eia an! avi! sa Greta they un)

themseves on her ith screams o !ei)ht.

Greta; !arin) Greta; youve come &ac( 0herehave you &een B Are you stayin) B Greta; no&o!y ma(es

ca(es i(e you.

A the chi!ren )ave her an uroarious ecome an!

the um itte Austrian &eame! ith !ei)ht. This as her

amiy; she ha! ta(en them to her heart an! she ou! not

et them )o a)ain. She rumma)e! in a &i) &a) she ha!

&rou)ht. See she sai!. , have &a(e! you a ca(e$

221



the sort you ove!. An! , have chocoate or you too;

Hiennese chocoate. An! or you tins; , have these itte!os rom Austria.

ear )enerous Greta. ,t seeme! i(e o! !ays a)ain to

have her there amon) them. /am on!ere! ho she cou!

ever have &een so hateu to the arm:hearte! )ir. She

oo(e! &ac( to that time; an! !i! not (no herse.

Greta oo(e! an! oo(e! at "i##ie. 0hats the

matter; Greta B as(e! "i##ie; au)hin). +ave ,chan)e!B

o , (no hat my rien! meant ast ee( hen

she sai! to me; , have seen your retty *iss Farre to:

!ay sai! Greta. , sai!; 0hat coour , is her hair B an!

hen she to! me , (ne it cou! not &e *iss /am. 'ut

you ere not retty; no; hen ast , as here. 'ut no you

are vairy; vairy retty; an! you are cever too; so , hear$

an! *aster Tony; he is amost a man +o you are

chan)e!; a o you$ &ut you are my amiy =ust the

same

Su(ie screeche!; eein) et:out in the !inin):room.

Greta ut her han!s to her ears. Ah; sti that arrot

suoo(:suoo(s; she sai!. *iss /am; you i ta(e someo my ca(e to your ather$it is his avourite

The chi!ren rushe! &ac( ith the ca(e; u o e>:

citement a&out Gretas return. Aunt Grace au)he! to see

them; an! Su(ie sua(e! in !ei)ht. She ove! ic(in)

the raisins out o a ca(e.

Gretas &ac( crie! eia.

222



. Aunt Grace; youre as artu as can &e sai! /am;

in a o voice; an! tin(e! at her )reat:aunt. <ou (et

Greta aay ti ,! earnt my esson

" ,ve &een an intererin) o! oman sai! Aunt

Grace.

<ou have sai! *r. Farre. An! on) may you

)o on intererin); Aunt Grace$an! on) may you ma(e

your home at +ouse:at:the:Corner

"oo( at the time sai! *rs. Farre; su!!eny.

Tins!$ <ou reay must )o to &e! ,ts shoc(in)y ate.The tins in(e! at one another. They ha! (non it

as shoc(in)y ate or a on) time$&ut it asnt their

&usiness to oint it out; ith so many )ron:us a&out

They (isse! everyone )oo! ni)ht; ent to &i! Greta )oo!

ni)ht too an! cim&e! u the stairs to &e!.

0hat a on!eru !ay cae! eia to avi!.

/ams )oin) to coe)e ater a An! Tonys )oin) &ac( to

schoo.

An! so is "i##ie. An! ere )oin) to schoo

to)ether shoute! &ac( avi!.

An! Gretas &ac( 1 cae! eia; striin) o her

=ersey.

An! eve ha! a mirace shoute! avi!. Thatsthe &i))est thin) o a$a mirace. 0eve aays ante!

one an! no eve )ot one. ur rayers came true ater

a.

A voice came u the stairs. Tins 0i you ease

sto shoutin) B 0e can hear every or! you say

There as sience ater that. /eace !escen!e! on

+ouse:at:the:Corner. Smo(e came curin) out o *r.Farres ie; an! Aunt Graces nee!es cic(e!. Su(ie

223



cic(e! her &ea( too. A &umin) noise came rom the

(itchen$Greta at or( a)ain. A tric(e o son) came rom

there too.

%verythin) as the same as it ha! &een; &ut; as Aunt

Grace oo(e! roun!; she (ne that un!erneath thin)s ere

!ierent; uite !ierent.

0e arent a searate no; she thou)ht; searate

an! uin) a)ainst one another. 0ere one unite! amiy;

a or one an! one or a. That shou! &e our motto. ,t

shou! &e the motto or e.er amiy in the (in)!om Time to u the &in!s !on. o&o!y can see into the

i)hte! room no. +ouse:at:the:Corner is !ar( an! uiet in

the ni)ht. ,ts story is to!; its itte amiy is at eace ith

themseves an! one another. A or one an! one or a$

on) may that &e their motto

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Enid Blyton

225

Blyton Enid House at the Corner

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