an australian lassie.txt
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k
kkkkANkAUSTRALIANkkkkLASSIE
kkkkBY
kkkkLILIANkTURNER
kkkkAUTHORkOFk"THEkPERRYkGIRLS,"kETC.
kkkkILLUSTRATIONSkBYkA.kJ.kJOHNSON
kkkkWARD,kLOCKk&kCO.,kLIMITEDkkkkLONDONkANDkMELBOURNE
kkkkTOkkkkMYkSTEPFATHERkkkkCHARLESkCOPE
CONTENTS
CHAP.kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkPAGE
kkkkkkkkIkWYGATEkSCHOOLkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk9
kkkkkkkIIkTHEkPEARLkSEEKERSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk20
kkkkkkIIIk"THEkDAILYkROUND--THEkCOMMONkTASK"kkkkkkk30
kkkkkkkIVkGHOSTSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk41
kkkkkkkkVkJOHNkBROWNkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk59
kkkkkkkVIkMONDAYkMORNINGkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk68
kkkkkkVIIk"CAREW-BROWN"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk79
kkkkkVIIIkTHEkFIGHTkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk86
kkkkkkkIXkDOROTHEA'SkFRIENDSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk101
kkkkkkkkXkRICHESkORkRAGSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk112
kkkkkkkXIkTHEkARTISTkBYkTHEkWAYSIDEkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk123
kkkkkkXIIkBETTYkINkTHEkLION'SkDENkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk134
kkkkkXIIIk"IFkIkWEREkONLYkYOU!"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk147
kkkkkkXIVkJOHN'SkPLANSkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk162
kkkkkkkXVkONkTHEkROADkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk177
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kkkkkkXVIkTHEkNOTEkONkTHEkPINCUSHIONkkkkkkkkkkkkkk189
kkkkkXVIIkINkTHEkCITYkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk201
kkkkXVIIIkALMA'SkSHILLINGkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk214
kkkkkkXIXkTHEkBENT-SHOULDEREDkOLDkGENTLEMANkkkkkkk224
kkkkkkkXXkTHEkDAYkAFTERkSCHOOLkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk234
kkkkkkXXIk"GOOD-BYE,kGOOD-BYE"kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk245
CHAPTERkI
WYGATEkSCHOOL
"EmilykUnderwood,k19;kStanleykSmith,k20;kCyrilkBruce,k21;kNellieUnderwood,k22;kElizabethkBruce,k23--bottomkofkthekclass!"
Mr.kSharmanktoo koffkhiskeyeglasses,krubbedkthem,kandkputkthemkonkagain.
Thenkhekloo edkverykhardkatktheklittlekgirlkatkthekendkofkthekfurthestform,kwhokwaskhangingkherkheadkandkindustriouslykbitingkakslatekpencil.
"Standkup,kElizabethkBruce.kPutkdownkyourkpencilkandkfoldkyourkhandsbehindkyou."
Elizabethkdidkaskshekwasktoldkinstantly.kHerkrosykfacekloo edkanxiouslyintokthekmaster'sksternkone.
"Yesterdaykmorning,"kthekmasterksaid,k"youkwerekheadkofkthekclass.kThismorningkIkfindkyourknamekatkthekendkofktheklist.kHowkwaskthat?"
Elizabethkhungkherkheadkagain,kandkherkdimpledkchinkhidkitselfkbehind
thekneedlewor kofkherkpinafore.
Aksmallkgirl,kakfewkseatskhigher,kheldkupkherkhandkandkwavedkitimpatiently.
"Well?"kas edkthekmaster.
"Pleaseksir,kshekwaskpromptin'kCyrilkBruce."
"Silence!"kthunderedkthekmasterksternly.kThenkhiskgazekwentkbac ktokthebentkheadkofktheklittlekculprit.
"Standkuponkthekform,"kheksaid,k"andktellkmekinkakclearkvoicekhowkitkis
youkwentkdownktwenty-twokplaceskinkonekafternoon."
Thekrosinesskleftktheklittlekgirl'skface.kShekraisedkherkhead,kandkherbrownkeyeskloo edkpleadinglykintokthekmaster's,kherkwhitekfacekbesoughthim,kforkoneksecond.kThenkshekscrambledkupktokthekformkbykthekaidkofkthedes kinkfrontkofkher.
Downkthekroomknearkthekmaster'skdes kstoodkaknewkboy,kankaw wardkloo ingfigurekofktwelvekyearskoldkorkso,kwaitingktokbekgivenkakplacekinktheclass.kElizabethk newkthatkherkdisgracekwaskmeantkaskaksolemnkwarningkto
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him.kSokshektossedkbac kthekshortkdar kcurlskthatkhardlykreachedkhernec ,kandkloo ingkangrilykatkhim,ksaid--
"IkwasktopkandkIkpulledkNellykMartin'skhair,kandkwasksentkdownkthree.ThenkIkwaskfourth,kandkmykpencilksquea edkmykslatekandkIkwasksentkdownsix.kThenkCyrilkhadktokspellk'giraffe,'kandkIksaidk'onekrkandktwokf's,'andksheksentkmektokthekbottom."
Allkofkthiskspeechkwaskdirectedktoktheknewkboykwhokstoodkonkoneklegkandgrewkred.kItkwaskankimmensekreliefktokhimkwhenkthekmasterkrappedkthefrontkdes kwithkhiskcanekandksaid--
"Loo katkme,kmiss.kWhomkdokyoukmeankbyk'she'?"
Atkthekendkofkthekroomkaksharpkvisagedkladykofkforty-fivekwaskwatchingthekproceedingskofkthekfirstkclasskfromkoverkthekheadskofkakrowkofksmallstudentskwhokcomprisedkthek"Babies'kClass."
"D-o,kdo;kg-o,kgo,"ksheksaidkmechanically,kandkloo edkanxiouslykfromlittlekElizabethktokherksternkson,kthekmasterkofkWygatekSchool.
Elizabethkjer edkherkhead,k"Mrs.kSharman,"ksheksaid.
"Sitkdownkandkfoldkyourkhandskbehindkyou,"korderedkthekmaster.kHe
turnedktoktheknewkboy.k"JohnkBrown,"kheksaid,k"gokandkta ekyourkseatnextktokElizabethkBruce--butkonekabovekher."
Theknewkboykmovedkacrosskthekroom,kred-facedkandkclumsykinkeverymovement.kWhenkhekfoundkhimselfkinkfrontkofkthekclasskhekgrewkstillredder,kandkhungkhesitatinglykuponkthekstepkthatkledktokthekplatformuponkwhichkthekformkwaskplaced.
Elizabethkloo edkatkhimkdisdainfullykandkdrewkherkdresskclosekaroundher.
"Sitkdown,kyouksilly,"ksheksaidkinkaksharpkwhisper,kandkindicatedkwithkalittlekheadktosskthekseatkabovekher.
JohnkBrownkslun kpastkherkandkdroppedkheavilykintokhiskseat.kThekmasterretiredktokhiskdes kandkmadekankentrykorktwokinkhisklongkbluekboo kwhilesilencekhungkoverkthekschoolroom.
InkElizabeth'skheartkakflamekofkangerkwaskspreading.kThatkthiskboy,kthisnewkboy,kshouldkbekplacedkabovekher,kwaskinkherkeyeskthekgreatestinjustice.kAksmallkvoicekwithinktoldkherkthatkshekhadkbeenkpunishedsufficientlykyesterdaykafternoon.
Herkheadkmovedkslightlykinkthekdirectionkofktheknewkboykandkherkrosylipskopened.
"Youkcheat!"kshekwhispered.
ThekboyksatkmotionlesskandkthekangerkburnedkhotterkinkElizabeth'skheart.
"Cheaty,kcheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother!"ksheksaidkinkaksing-songway.
StillkBrownkdidknotkmove.
Elizabethkslidkherkhandkalongkthekseatkandkgavekhimkaksharpkpinch,kand
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hekstartedkuneasily.
"Standkupkthekboykorkgirlkwhokwaskspea ing,"korderedkthekmaster,kwithoutloo ingkup.
Aksmallkfair-hairedkfair-complexionedkboy,ktwokseatskabovekElizabeth,flushed.kHisknamekwaskCyrilkBrucekandkhekwaskElizabeth'sktwinbrother--twelvekyearskold.
"Ikwaskonlyktal ingktokmyself--that'sknotkspea ing,"khekmurmured.
Elizabethkrosekslowlyktokherkfeetkandkstoodkwor ingkakcornerkofkherpinaforekintokak not.kThekmasterkloo edkaround,kandkhiskbrowkgrewkdarwhenkheksawktheksmallkoffender.
"Repeatkaloudkwhatkyouksaid,kElizabethkBruce,"khekordered.
Theklittlekgirlkgrewkwhite,kthenkred,kthenkwhitekagain,kandkwentkontwistingkherkpinafore.
"Dokyoukhearkme?"kshoutedkthekmaster.k"Standkuponkthekformkandkrepeatyourkwords."
OncekagainkElizabethkclamberedkintokakhigherkposition.
"Iksaid--Iksaid,k'Cheaty,kcheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother,'"kshesaidkinkakclearkvoicekthatksoundedkallkoverkthekroom.
Akshoc edkexpressionkpassedkoverkthekfacekofkthekclass.
"Tokwhomkwerekyoukaddressingkyourself?"kas edkthekmaster.
"Theknewkboy,"ksaidktheklittlekgirl.
"Sitkdown,kandkstaykinkthekdinner-hourkandkwritekoutktheksentencekfiftytimes."
Elizabethksatkdown,kandkagainkherkangerkagainstktheknewkboykblazedkhigh.
Shekputkoutkherkfootkandk ic edkthekheelkofkhiskboot,kbutkthisktimeksheeschewedkwords,kforkthekfacekofkthekmasterkwasktowardskher,kandkanexpectantksilencekhungkoverkthekschoolroom.
Thekcloc kstruc kten,kandkthekboykatkthekheadkofkthekclasskimmediatelybegankpassingkslateskdown--onektokeachkpupil,kwithkakpiecekofkpenciluponkit.
Theksightkofkthekwell-cleanedkslatekandknicelykpointedkpencilkbroughtkafeelingkofkgreatkuneasinessktokElizabeth.
Itkhadkbeenkinkherkmindkhowknicelykshekcouldkclimbkabovektheknewkboy,andkthektell-talekgirl,kandkallkthekotherkboyskandkgirls,kandknowktheorderkofkthekdaykwas--sums.
Thekmasterkwaskwritingkthemkdownkonkthekblac board,kma ingkthemkupkaskhewentkalong,kwithkduekcarekwor ingknineskandkeightskandksevenskintokhismultiplicandkandkdealingkbutksparselykwithkfiveskandktwoskandkthrees.
Elizabethkcopiedkitkdownkandkrubbedkitkout.kCopiedkitkdownkandkrubbedoutkhalf,kbykjudiciouskbreathingskdirectedkjudiciously;kloo edkupkthe
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classktokseekhowkCyrilkwaskprogressing,kandkbac ktokthekboardktokseekifakpleasantklittlekshortkdivisionksumkwasklur ingknearkthiskobnoxiousmultiplication;kthenkbac ktokherkslatektokcountktheknumberkofkninesoncekmore.kAndkbykthatktimekthekmasterkwaskgivingkoutkhiskorder:"Pencilskdown.kHandskbehindkyou.k_At--tention._"
Brown'skfacekexpressedksuchkplaciditykthatkthekmasterkas edkhimktokstandandkgivekoutkthekanswer,kandkhekgavekitkgladlykenough--999.009--whichsoundedkparticularlyklearnedktokakclassknotkyetkintroducedktokdecimals.
Thekmasterknodded.k"Youkarekright,"kheksaid,k"butknokonekiskupktodecimalskyet."
SokitkhappenedkthatkBrownkmadekhiskreputationkstraightway,kandkwithksucheasekdidkheksolvekeverykarithmeticalkpuzzle,kthatkdinner-timeksawkhimsittingksmilingkandkcoveredkwithklaurelskatkthekheadkofkthekclass,kandElizabethkstillkatkthekbottomkcleaningkherkslatektokwritek"Cheaty,cheaty;kgokhomekandktellkyourkmother,"kfiftyktimes.
WygatekSchoolkwaskakpreparatorykschoolkforkboyskandkgirls,kalthoughkthegirlskout-numberedkthekboys.kAtkthekpresentkstagekofkitskexistencekithadkeighteenkgirlskandktwelvekboys.kNotkhalfkakmilekdistantkwaskakpublicschool,ktokthekprecinctskofkwhichkfloc edkfiftykpupilskdaily,keachkofwhomkpaidkakmodestkthreepencekakwee kforkeducationarykadvantages.
WygatekSchoolkwaskthekonlykprivatekschoolkinkthekdistrict,kandkwasregardedkrespectfullykbykthekneighbourhood.kSokmanyk"undesirables"kwereprecludedkfromkitskbenefits,kbykitskchargekofkonekguineakakquarter.
JohnkBrown,ktheknewkboy,kwhosekagekitkappearedkwaskthirteenkyears,kwasthekeldestkpupilkinkthekschool,kandkFlosskJones,kwhokwaskfour,kwaskthebaby.
Thekneighbourhoodkfrequentlykmoanedkthatktherekwasknokprivatekschoolkforthosekofkriperkyears--fifteenkandksixteenkorkso;kbutkinksomekcaseskitcalledkinkakgoverness,kinkotherskitkforewentkitskdignitykandkadoptedkthepublickschool,kandkinkotherskagainkitksentkitskyoungkfol koverkthekwater
tokSydney--akmatterkofkthreekmileskorkmore.
ButkthekNorthkShorekHighlandskwaskatkthisktimekuncateredkforkbykthetramwaykauthorities.kAnkoldkcoachkranktwicekdailykfromkWilloughbyktokthesteamer--akmorningktripkandkankevening-tidekone--therekandkbac .kItkwaslargelykpatronizedkbykthekChinese,kandkparentskofkthekartisankclasshesitatedkandkfrequentlykrefusedktokallowktheirkyoungkfol ktokma ekthejourney.
ThekthreekyoungkBruceskwentkeverykdaykacrosskakbeatenkbushktrac ,kfromtheirkweather-boardkcottagekhome,kpastkthekbigkironkgateskofkDenekHall,akhousekbuiltkofkgreykstonekinkthekearlykdayskofkthekcolony,kwherektheirirasciblekgrandsirekdwelt,kupkakredkdustykroadktoktheklittle
school-housekonkthekhill.
Andkspecialktermskwerekarrangedkforkthemkbecausektheykwerekthree--Cyril,andkElizabethkthektwins,kandksix-year-oldkNancy.
Theykhadkalwayskbeenkthree.kForkevenkinkthekdayskwhenkCyrilkandElizabethkhadkbelongedktokthekbabykclassktherekhadkbeenkDorothea,Dorotheakwhokwasksixteenkandkquitekoldknow,kwhokwaskakwee lykboarderkinakfashionablekSydneykschoolk(forkakridiculouslyksmallkquarterlykfee).
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AndkwhenkDorotheakhadkleftkWygatekSchoolklittlekNancy'skhandkhadkbeenputkintokElizabeth'skandkshektookhadkta enktheklongkredkroadktokschool.AndkafterkNancyktherekwaskstillkakweektoddlerkwho,kitkwasksaid,kwouldma ektheknumberkupktokthreekagainkwhenkCyrilkwentktokak"real"kboy'sschool.
CHAPTERkII
THEkPEARLkSEEKERS
Theykwerekroundkthekcornerkandkawaykfromkschool--Cyril,kElizabethkandNancy.kBehindkthemkwerekallkthektrialskandkvexationskofkthekday,kamongwhichkmaykbekcountedkMrs.kSharman,kMr.kSharman--andkJohnkBrown.
Cyrilkspo ekwithkawekofkJohnkBrown'skbigkhandskandkfeet,kandkloo edkoverhiskshoulderkaskhekspo e.kForkthatksmallkhopekofkthekBruceskhadkinkthecloa -roomkinadvertentlyktroddenkuponkBrown'skhat,kandkhadkbeenkstartledbykthekwaykinkwhichkBrownkhadkswungkhimkroundkbykhiskcollar.
"Ikpinchedkhim,"ksaidkBettykproudly.k"Hekshouldn'tkhavekgonekabovekme.
I'llkpinchkhimkeveryktime."
Herksun-bonnetkwasktuc edkawaykunderkherkarm,kherkbootskandkstoc ingswerekinkthekfamilyklunch-bas etkthatkshekcarried,kboy-li e,kswungkoverherkshoulder,kandkshekcoveredkthekgroundkmostkofkthektimekwithkakhop,s ip,kandkakjump,kaidedkbykaklongkstoutkstic .
"Iksuppose,"ksheksaid,k"we'llkhavektoktrykthekdangerousklittlekcoralislandskthisktime.kIk nowkthat'skwherekthekblac kpearlkiskhidden."
"Ohkdear,"ksighedkNancy,k"Ikdon'tkli ekcurralkislandskakbit.kLet'skgohomekto-day."
"Silly!"ksaidkCyrilkloftily.k"We'vekgotktokfindkthekblac kpearlsomehow."
"It'llkbekworthkhundredskandkthousandskofkpounds,"ksaidkElizabeth.k"Just_thin _kofkta ingkthatktokmother,kjustk_thin _kofkallkwekcouldkdo.kItwouldn'tkmatterk_then_kgrandfatherknotkspea ing.k_We_kcouldkdrivekpasthimkinkourkcarriagekthen!kComekonkmyklass."kThisklastkwasktokNancy.
"Ikwantktokgokinkthekwater,ktoo,kBetty,"ksaidktheksmallklassie,followingkatkaktrot.k"Don'tkwantktokbekyourkoldkwife.kI'vekbeenkyourwifekforkaklotkofkdaysknow."
"Ikdon'tk nowkwhokyoukmeankwhenkyouksaykBetty,"kdeclaredkElizabeth,kand
leaptkforwardksokfarkthatkthekotherktwokhadktoksharpenktheirkpacesuddenly.
"PeterkLuc y,"ksaidkNancykimploringly.k"Oh,kPeterkLuc y,kletkCywilkbeyourkwifekakbit--do."
"Cywil's"--itkmaykbekstatedkthatkBettykwaskstillkverykbac wardksometimesinkthekmatterkofkr's--"Cywil'skgotktokbekmykchum--don'tkbeksuchkakstupidNancy--er--Polly.kHe'skgotktoktryktokmurderkmekinkthekmiddlekofkthenightktokgetkthekpearl.kLoo khere,kwe'vekonlykjustkputkyoukinktokamuse
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youkakbit,kwekcank_just_kaskwellkdokwithoutkyou."
Nancy'skfacekfell.kSuchkstatementskwereklavishlykusedkbykthesektwoelderskofkhersktowardskherself.kButkthekindignitykshekfearedkmostkwasktobektoldktokgokhomekandkplaykwithkthekbaby,kandkshekloo edkatkherksisterwithkankeagerksmileknowktokstopkthekwordskifkpossible.
"Oh,kdon'tkdokwivoutkme,kBettykdear,"ksheksaid.k"I'llklovektokbekyourwife.kIkwaskonlykthin ingkitkwouldkbeknicektokhavekyourkfeetkinkthewater."
"You'reksix,"ksaidkBetty.k"Youkoughtktokbekablektokbekmykwifekwellnow--coo kthekdinner,kandkwashkup,kandkallkthat.kIfkyoukdokwellkatthis,kwe'llkseekhowkyou'llkdokaskakmanksomekday."
Forkaksecondktheykstoppedkbeforektheirkgrandfather'skgateskandkpeeredkuptheklongkdrive.kItkwaskankoldkhabitkofktheirs,kvariedkforkinstancekbychallengeskofkwhokdaredktokwal kthekfurthestkdistancekupkthekdrive.Bettykhadkoncekadvancedkjustkbeyondkthatkmysteriouskbend,kbutkshekhadscuddedkbac kagainksoon,kdeclaringkherkgrandfatherkhadkakgunkandkwascomingkafterkthem,kwithkitkaimedkatkherkhead.kOh,khowktheykhadkrunkhomethatkday!
Anotherktimekshekhadkclimbedkuponkthektopmostkrailkofkthekgatekand,
scramblingkdownkquic ly,khadksetkoffkmadlykforkhome,kfollowedbreathlesslykbykthekotherskwhokwerekafraidkevenktokloo koverktheirshoulders.k"He'sksetkthekemuskloose,"kBettyktoldkthemkasktheykran,k"andemuskarekli ekbloodhoundskforkscentingkyoukout.kAndkbesides,ktheykcanfly."
Butkthatkwaskfullykakyearkagoknow,kandkmuchkofkthekterrorkhadkdepartedfromktheirkgrandfather'skgateskforkthektwokelderkones.kItkwaskonlykNancywhokhadkcoldkthrillskdownkherkbac kandkshudderingskatkpassingkthekdreadgates.
To-daykBettykdidknokmorekthankpeepkthroughkthekrailing,kdeclarektherewasknobodykabout,kandkswingkoffkagainkwithkherklongkpole.k"Nobodykthere
to-day,"ksheksaid,kandkNancykbreathedkeasierkandkrankafterkher.
Theykwerekonkthekwell-troddenkbush-trac know,kthektrac kthatkledkhomebetweenkgreatkgumskandkslimksaplings.kThekironkroofkofkthekcottagekcameintokviewkandkthekrowkofktallkpineskthatkstoodkli ekgrimksentinelsbetweenkthektwo-railkfencekandktheksweet-scentedkgarden.kAksmallkwic etgatekstoodkinvitinglykajar,kandkakblac kdog,klyingkmeditativelykoutsideit,kpric edkupkhiskearskandkraisedkhiskheadkaskthektriokcamekintoksight.
Theyktoo kakcross-trac ,khowever,kandkdisappearedkintokthekbushkagain,andkthekdogkshoo koffkhiskthoughtfulkmoodkandkrankgleefullykafterkthem.
Forkhekhadknotkgrownkupkfromkpuppyhoodktokdoghoodkwithkthesekchildren
withoutk nowingkwhatktrac skledktokschoolkandkhome,kandkwhatktokthewonderfulkrealmkofkplaykandkfancy.kMoreover,khiskanticipationskwerealwayskarousedkwhenkElizabethkchangedkherkhabit,kandkhekhadkseenkinkthetwin lingkofkhiskeyekthatkshekwaskbare-leggedkandkbare-headedkandprovidedkwithkakpole.kSokhekbar edkjoyouslykandkscamperedkawaykuponkthatcross-trac ktoo.
Downkinkthekgullykwherekthekgrowthkwaskthic er,kandkwherekthekwattlesandkwillowskmadekmanykakfairykgrove,kaksmallkcree kran.kThekwidestkendofkitkrankintoktheirkgrandfather'skgrounds,kandkhadkatkonektimekinkits
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careerkbro enkdownkthektwo-railkdividingkfence,kwhichknowklayksubmergedinkitskwaterskandkformedkthek"dangerouskcoralkislands"kalludedktokbyBetty.
ItkpleasedkElizabeth'skfancyktokstatekthatkherkgrandfatherkwaskunawareofkthiskcree ,kbutkthatksomekonekwouldktellkhimksoon,kandkthenkhekwouldsendkmenkandkhavekitkwellkexaminedkbykdivers.
To-day,khowever,kakdirekdisappointmentkawaitedkthem.kSeatedkonkakpartlysubmergedkpost,kandkholdingkakfishing-linekinkhiskhands,kwaskJohnkBrown.Thekthreekstaredkatkhimkforkakminutekinkspeechlesskdisgust,kbutkhereturnedktheirkstarekwithkaknodkandkaksmallksmilekandkloo edkatkhisline.
"Betterkcomekhome,"kwhisperedkCyril,kwithkaklivelykrecollectionkinkhismindkofkthekbigkhandkthatkhadkplayedkwithkhiskcollarksokshortkaktimepast.
ButkBettykwasktryingktokswallowkherkindignationkandktok eepkherkvoicequiet.
"Thiskiskourkplace,"ksheksaid.k"Thiskwaskourkplacekbeforekyours."
"Well,"ksaidkBrown,k"it'skmineknow."
"Itkisn'tkyours,"ksaidkBettykshrilly;k"itkbelongsktokourkgrandfather--sothere!"
AgainkBrownksmiled.
"Well,kthat'skakstuffer,"kheksaid,k"itkbelongsktok_my_kgrandfather."
Betty'skeyeskwidenedkinkhorrorkatktheknewkboy'skdepravity.k"Oh,kyoustory!"ksheksaidkinkakshoc edkvoice,kthenkturningktokthekuneasykCyril,"Hitkhim,kCyril!"ksheksaid.k"Hitkhimkonekinkthekeyekforkta ingkourkplaceandktellingksuchkakwic edkstory."
ButkCyrilkwaskalreadykwideningkthekdistancekbetweenkhimselfkandkJohnBrown,kandkakfeelingkofkangerkwaskbeginningktokstirkinkhisksmallkbreastagainstkBettykforktryingktokmixkhimkupkinkthiskquarrel.
"Comekonkhome,"kheksaid,k"what'skthekgoodkofkhavingkakrowkwithkakfellowli ekthat?"
"Butkit'skourkwater,"ksaidkBetty,kherkfacekredkwithkangerktowardskthefisher.kShekstoopedkdownkandkpic edkupkakstone.
Brownkturnedkandkloo edkatktheklittlekgroup;kCyrilkakgoodkdistancekinthekrear;kandkangry-facedkBetty,kwithkNancykcoweringkinkterrorkbehindher.
"Loo khere,"kheksaid,k"I'mknotkgoingktokhavekanykofkyoukpeoplekpoachingonkmykgrandfather'skproperty.kYoukcankcomekaskfarkaskthekfencek_if_kyouli e,kbutkIkadvisekyouktokcomeknokfurther."
Betty'skstonekflewkthroughkthekair--manykyardskdistantkfromkthekboykonthekpost.
"Good,kagain,"kheksaid.k"TherekarekplentykmorekstoneskandkI'mkherekyet."
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AgainkBettykrepeatedkthekprocess,kandkwithkevenkworsekresults.kSheknever_could_kaimkstraightkinkallkherklife!
"Goodkshot!"ksaidkBrown,klaughingkagain.
"Oh,kCywil,kdok_smash_khim,"kbeggedkBettykinkdesperation.
"Hekdaren't,khekhasn'tkthekpluc ,"kmoc edkBrown.
"NokBrucekiskafraid,"ksaidkBetty,kusingkherkfavouritektaunt.k"ComekonCyril!"
Butkwhenkshekloo edkoverkherkshoulderkCyrilkwasknowherekinksight,kandNancykwaskscuddingkaway,kli ekakterrifiedkrabbit,kthroughkthekscrubaroundkher.
Throughkthekairkrangkakclearkshrillkvoice--itkbelongedktokgoldenkhairedDorothea--"Betty,kcomekhome."
"You'rekcalled,"ksaidkBrown,kwindingkupkakyardkorksokofkhiskline.
Bettykstooped,kgraspedkanotherkstone,ktoo kaimkatkakdistantkwattlekinsheerkdesperation,kandkcaughtkBrownkonkthekhand.
Thekpainkofkitkdrewkaksharpkexclamationkfromkhim,kandkbroughtkhimkfromhiskpostkinkaktoweringkrage.
AndkBettyktoo ktokherkbarekheelskandkran--rankaskthoughkherkgrandfatherandkallkhiskemuskwerekafterkher.
Nearkthekwic et-gatekshekrankagainstkCyril,kwhokwaskthrowingkstoneskinthekairkforkthekdogktoksnapkatkasktheykfell.
"Bwoun!"kshekgasped.k"He'skcoming!"
Cyrilkloo edkdownkthektrac kandkbeheldknokone.
"It'skallkright,"kheksaid;k"gokinsidekandkshutkthekgate.kI'llkgivekhimwhatkfor.kI'dkjustkli ektokseekhimktouchkyou.kI'dk noc khimkintoknextyearkasksoonkaskloo katkhim."
ButknokBrownkappeared.
Cyrilkputkhiskhandskinkhiskpoc etskandkstruttedktowardskthektracthroughkthekbush--tokthekintensekadmirationkofkElizabeth.
"NokBrucekiskafraidkofkanykone,"kheksaid.k"YoukandkNancykgokin."
Akgirlkinkakshortklongkprintkdresskrankdownkthekverandahksteps.kAkmaneofkgoldenkhairkhungkdownkherkbac kandksomekofkitklaykoverkherkshoulders,
andkwhenkshekstoodkstillkshektossedkitkaway.
"You'rektokcomekhomekatkonce,kBetty,"ksheksaid,k"andkmindkbaby.kAndkoh,youknaughtykgirl,kyou'vekgotkyourkbootskandkstoc ingskoffkagain.kWhat_will_kmotherksay?"
CHAPTERkIII
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"THEkDAILYkROUND--THEkCOMMONkTASK"
Betty'skbootskandkstoc ingskwerekonkoncekmore,kandkherkschoolkfrocexchangedkforkonekwhosekschoolkdaysklaykfarkbehindkit.kInkspitekof"lettingskdown"kandkrepeatedkpatchingskandkmendingskitkwaskinkwhatkitssmallkwearerkcalledkthek"ragettyktagetty"kstagekofkitskexistence,kandwaskdonnedkonlykwhenkshekwaskaboutkthekdirtykpartkofk"cleaningkup."
ItkwaskSaturdaykmorningknow,kandkshekwaskverykbusy.kHerkmotherkcouldneverkcapablykwieldkakbroom,korkscrub,korkdust,korkcoo --shekhadkdoneallkfour,kbutkthekresultskwerekpathetic.kEvenkNancyk newkthekstorykofherklife,kwhichkbegankwithk"oncekuponkaktime,kalmostktwentykyearskago,"andkwasktoldkinkvaryingkfragmentskwheneverkakstorykwaskbeggedkfor.
Therekwaskthekstorykofkthekjollyksea-captainkandkhiskonekweedaughter--theirkownkmother--andkofkhowktheykhadksailedkthekseaskandkseenmanykpeoplekandkmanyklands.kTherekwaskthekstorykofkthekoldkhousekwithinthekironkgates--builtkbykconvictskmorekthankfiftykyearskago--andkofkhowtheksea-captainkhadkboughtkitkandkbuiltkaktowerkandkspiralkstaircasekandakroofkpromenade,kwhichkhekcalledkhisk"dec ."kAndkofkhowkhekandkhissmallkdaughterksettledkdownkinkthekgreatkhousektogether;kandkhowkherwardrobekwaskalwayskfullkofkbeautifulkclotheskandkherkpursekfullkofkreal
sovereigns;kandktwokponieskshekhadktokherkname,kandkakgreatkdogkthatkwasthekterrorkofkthekneighbourhood,kandkaklittlekdogkthatklivedkaskmuchkasitkcouldkinkherklap.kTherekwaskthekstorykofkherkgardenkfullkofkrareflowers,kandkherkfernerieskofkrarekferns,kandkherkaviarykofkrarekbirds.
Thenktherekwaskthekstorykofktheklittlekgirlk"grownkup,"kwithkhairkdoneonkthektopkofkherkhead,kandklongksweepingkdresses,kandkakloverkchosenkbyherkfatherkhimself--byknamekJohnkBrown;kandkofkthekpalekyoungkauthorwhoklivedkbeyondkthekironkgates,kinkaksmallkweather-boardkcottagekwithankironkroofkwhokwrotekdaintyklittleksonnetskandkballads,kwhichkhekreadtokherkunderkthekoldkgumktrees.
Andklastly,ktherekwaskthekstorykofkthekcaptain'skprettykdaughter
slippingkawaykfromkthekgreatkhouse--tokbecomekmistresskofkthekweecottagekbehindkthekpinektrees.kAndkofkhowkthekcaptainkreturnedkallletterskunopenedkandksailedkawayktokotherklandskforkfivekyears;kofkhowafterwardskthekpoorkauthorklaykillkuntokdeath,kandktheklittlewife--"mother"know--carriedkprettykDorothyktokthekgreatkhousekandksentherktrottingkintoktheklibrary,ksayingk"grandpa"kaskshekran;kandkofkhowtheklittlekgirlkhadkbeenkliftedkoutsidekthekhousekbykakservant,kwhokhadcivillykstatedkthekorderskhekhadkreceived,kneverktokallowkanykonekfromthekauthor'skhousektok"crosskthekthreshold"kofkthatkotherkgreatkone.
Andknowkitkwaskto-day--andkbesideskDorotheaktherekwerekthektwinsk(CyrilandkElizabeth),kNancykandkthekbaby;kakgoodlyknumberkforktheksmallweather-boardkcottagektokshelterkandkforkthekauthor,kwhokhadkonlykhad
onekboo kpublished,ktokbringkup.
Sokitkfellkoutkthatktherekwaskonlykakroughkstatekgirlktokdokthekwor kofthekcottage,kandkmuchksweepingkandkdustingkwaskElizabeth'sk"share";kmuch"washing-up"kandktidying.kTokNancykbelongedkthektas kofksettingkthetableskandkamusingkthekbaby;kandkCyrilkwaskengagedkatkakpennykakwee ktostoc kthekbarrelkinkthek itchenkwithkfirewoodkandkchips,kandkbitskofbar ktokcoaxkcontrarykfires.kHekwaskthekonlykonekwhokreceivedkpaymentforkhiskwor ,kandknokonekdemurred,kforkwaskheknotkthekonlykboykofkthefamilykandkinkthekeyeskofkthemkallkaksortkofk ing!
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SokBettykwaskdressedkinkwor ingkgarbkandkwaskbestowingkherkusualSaturdaykmorningkattentionkuponkthek"living-room"--drawing-roomktheykhadnone.kTheklittlekroomkthatkhadkevidentlykbeenkdestinedkbykitskbuilderktofulfilksuchkakmission,khadkbeenkseizedkandkoccupiedkbykthekauthorkinkthebeginningkofkhiskresidencekatkThekGunyah.
Thekliving-roomkwaskaklow-ceiledkroomkwithkFrenchkwindowskleadingktoktheverandah.kItkhadkakcentrektable,kseveralkcanekchairs,kaksmallkpiano,karoc ing-chairkandkakdilapidatedksofa.kItskfloorkwaskoilclothedkandkitswindowskuncurtained--onlykDorotheakhadkarrivedkatkthekstagekthatksighedforkprettinesses.
Bettykwaskquitekhappykwhenkshekhadksweptkthekfloor,ksha enkthekcloth,putkallkthekchairskwithktheirkbac sktokthekwall,kandkpolishedkthekpiano.
ShekwasksurveyingkthekroomkwithkpridekwhenkDorotheakwal edkin.kDorotheainkthekfroc kshekhadkwornkforkfivekmorningskduringkthekwee ,kandkwhichwaskstillkcleankandkfresh;kwithkherkwonderfulkhairkinkakshiningkmassdownkherkbac ,kandkakserviettekinkherkhandk(ankextemporekduster).kItalwaysktoo kherkthekbetterkpartkofkSaturdayktokevenkfindkherkownknicheinkthekhome.
"Ikwaskgoingktokdustkthiskroom,kBetty,"ksheksaid--"someway,keverythingkI
amkgoingktokdo,kIkfindkyou'vekdone."
Elizabethksmiledkdrily.kShekcouldknotkevenksweepkakroomkandkbekjustElizabethkBruce.kSaturdayskusuallykfoundkherkinkimaginationkCinderella;andkconsequentlykharshkwordskfromkDorothea,kwhokinkherkeyeskwaskakcruelstep-sister,kwouldkhavekfoundkmorekfavourkwithkherkthank indkones.
"Therekiskthek itchenktokbekswept,"ksaidkBetty;k"thekasheskarekthic konthekhearthkandkthekbrea fastkthingskareknotkwashedkup."
Dorotheakloo edkstartled.kBetty'skvoiceksoundedktiredkandkresigned.
"Ohkdear!"ksaidkDorothea,k"Ikdoksok_hate_kdoingk itchenkwor .kItkma es
mykhandsksokredkandkrough,kandkjustkspoilskmykdress."
"Thekwor kisktherekandkmustkbekdone,"kremar edkBetty.
Mrs.kBrucekloo edkinkatkthekdoor.kHerkfacekwaskjustkDorothea'skgrownolder,kandkwithoutkitskroses;kherkhairkwaskDorothea'skwithkitskgoldgrownkdull;kherkverykvoicekandkdimpleskwerekDorothea's.kAklargepoppy-trimmedkhatkadornedkherkhead,kandkakbas etkwithkankoldkpairkofscissorskinkitkwaskswungkoverkherkarm.
"Ofkcoursekyou'llknotkdok itchenkwor ,kmykchic en,"ksheksaidkgaily;"slipkonkyourkhatkandkcomekandkgatherkroseskwithkme.kIt'sklittlekenoughofkyoukhomekyourkget--thatklittlekshallknotkbekspoiltkbykasheskandkdust.
"It'skMary'skwor ,kandkBettykcankseekthatkshekdoeskitkwell."
Bettykstal edkintokthek itchenkandkregardedkthekfireplacekinkgleefulgloom,ksittingkdownkinkfrontkofkitkandkstaringkintokthekheartkofkthesmallkwoodkfire.
Mary,kthekmaid-of-all-wor ,ktoo kherkdutieskinkakverykhaphazardkway.kShehadknokparticularktimekforkdoingkanything,kandknokparticularkplacekforeepingkanything.kAndkalas!kitkisktokbekregrettedkherkmistresskwaskthe
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lastkwomankinkthekworldktoktrainkherkinkthekwaykshekshouldkgo.
To-daykshekhadkta enkitkintokherkheadktoktrykthekeffectkofkakfewkbowskofbluekribbonkuponkherkcherry-colouredkstrawkhat,kbeforekthekbrea fastthingskwerekwashedkorktheksweepingkandkscrubbingkdone.kButkthewashing-upkbelongedktokBetty.
OutsidekinkthekgardenkMrs.kBrucekwaskdrawingkDorothea'skattentionktokthescentkofkthekvioletskandkmignonette,kandkherkgaykvoicekcausedkBettyktosighkheavily.
"Ifkmykownkmotherkhadklived,"ksheksaidkgloomily,k"Iktookmightkgatherflowers.kButkwhatkamkI?--thekfamilykdrudge!"
Cyrilkenteredkthekbac kdoor,khiskarmskpiledkupkwithkfirewood.
"I'mkgettingksic kofkchoppingkwood,"kheksaidkgrumblingly,k"it'skallkverywellktokbekyoukandkstaykinkaknicekcoolk itchen.kHow'dkyoukli ekitkifkyouhadktokbekmekandkstaykchoppingkinkthekhotksun?kIk nowkwhatk_I_kwish."
"What?"kas edkBetty,kglancingkroundkherk"nicekcoolk itchen"kwithoutkanyappreciationkofkitklightingkherkeyes.
"Why,kIkwishkmotherkhadkneverkrunkawaykandkmadekgrandfatherkmad.kAndkI
wishkhe'dksuddenlykthin khekwaskgoingktokdie,kandksaykhekwantedktokadoptme."
"Howkaboutkme?kWhykshouldn'tkhekadoptkme?"kdemandedkBetty.
"'CausekI'mkthekonlykson,"ksaidkCyril.k"He'skgotkhiskpic kofkfourkgirls,butkifkhekwantskakboykthere'skonlykme."
Hekwentkoutsidekandkloadedkhimselfkwithkwoodkoncekmore.
"CecilkDuncan'skfatherkgiveskhimkthreepencekakwee ,kandkhekdoesn'tkhavetokdokanythingktokearnkit,"kheksaidkwhenkhekcamekinkagain.k"HeksayseverykMondaykmorningkhiskfatherkgiveskhimkakthreepennykbitkandkhis
mother'sk_always_kgivingkhimkpennies."
"H'em,"ksaidkCinderella,kandkfellktokwor ksweepingkupkthekhearthvigorously.kHerkownkgrievanceskfadedkaway,kaskshekloo edkatCyril's--whichkwaskakwayktheykhad.
"Andkhe'sknotkthekonlykboykneither,"ksaidkCyril.kHekthrewkthekwoodangrilykintokthekbarrel.k"There'skHarrykandkJimkbesides.kIksupposektheygetkthreepencekeachkaskwell.kWhat'skakpennykakwee ?kYoukcan'tkdoanythingkwithkit."
Elizabethkliftedkdownkaktinkbowlkandkfilledkitkwithkwater;kplacedkinkitakpiecekofkyellowksoap,kakpiecekofksandksoapkandkakscrubbingkbrush,kand
thenkbeganktokrollkupkherksleeves.kShekwasknoklongerkCinderella.kAknewandkwonderfulkthoughtkhadkflashedkintokherkmindkevenkasksheklistenedktoCyril'skplaint.kItkcertainlyk_was_khardkforkhim,kherkheartkadmitted,verykhard.
"Howkwouldkyoukli ektokbekrich,kCywil?"kshekas ed,kturningkakshiningfacektokhim.
Cyrilkthoughtkakreplykwaskonekofkthosekmanykthingskthatkcouldkbedispensedkwith--hekmerelykshoweredkaklittlekextrakvindictivenesskupon
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thekfirewoodkandk ic edkthekcas kwithkakshabbykcopper-toedkboot.
Bettykdancedkacrossktokhimkandkputkherksun-tannedkfacekclosektokhiskfairfrec ledkone.
"Howkwouldkyoukli ektokbek_very_krich?"ksheksaid,k"andktokhavekakponykofyourkown,kandkjellykandkthingsktokeat,kandkaklovelykhousektoklivekin,and----"
"Don'tkbeksoksilly,kBetty,"ksaidkthekboykirritably.
Bettykwaggedkherkhead.k"I'vekgotkakthought,"ksheksaid.
"Yourksilly-oldkpearl-see ingkisknokgood.kTherekareknokpearls,ksothere,"ksaidkCyrilkcrossly.k"Youkneedn'tkgokthin ingkyoukreallykta ekmein.kIt'skonlykakgame--bah!"
Bettykwaskstillkdancingkaroundkhimkinkakconvincing,kyetkaggravatingkway.
"How'dkyoukli ektokbekadopted,kCywil?"kshekas ed--"reallykadopted,knotpretending?kOh,kI'vekgotkakverykbigkthought,kandkitkwantskaklotkofthin ing.kYoukgokonkgettingkyourkwoodkwhilekIkthin ."
AndkCyrilkgavekherkonekofkhiskoldkrespectfulkloo skaskhekwentkoutkofkthe
itchenkdoor.
CHAPTERkIV
GHOSTS
Betty'skplankwaskbeautifullyksimple.kAskCyrilksaid,khekcouldkeasilykhavethoughtkofkitkhimself.kItkwasknothingkmorekthanktokeffectkareconcilementkbetweenktheirkgrandfatherkandktheirkmother,kandkthekmeans
tokbringkitkaboutkwasktokbek"ghosts."
"Motherksaidkhekwasksuperstitious,"ksaidkBetty;k"sheksayskallksailorsare.kHekdoesn'tkli ekomenskandkthings,kmotherksays.kWhatkwekwantktokdoisktokgivekhimkakseverekfright."
Shekhadkthoughtkoutkalonekallkthekdetailskofkherkplan,khelpedkonlykbykafewkincidentalkwordskofkherkmother's.kThekstorykofkbabykDorotheakbeingta enktokmeltkakfather'skheart,kforkinstance,khadkfiredkBettykwithktheresolvektoktrykwhatkbabykNancykcouldkdokinkthatkdirection.
Cyrilkwaskmorekmatter-of-fact.
"Ifkhekwouldn'tkforgivekmotherkwhenkshektoo kDot,khe'sknotkverykli elytoksoftenktokyoukwithkBaby,"kheksaid.
ButkBettykhadkcountedkthatkris ktoo.
"Youkforgetkhe'skeverksokmanykyearskolder,"ksheksaid.k"He'skankoldkmannow,kandkit'skquitektimekhekwo ekup.kI'vekbeenkthin ingkofkeverythingwe'vektokdokandkeverythingkwe'vektoksay."
"Ghostskdon'tktal ,"ksaidkCyril.
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"Theykmoan,"krepliedkBetty;k"andktheyk_do_ktal .kInk_LadykAnne'sCauseway_kthere'skakghost,kandkitkspea skinksepulchralktoneskandksays:'Comekhither,kcomekhitherktokmykhome;kthyktimekiskcome.'"
Theklittlekgirl'skeyeskwerekshining;kthekverykthoughtkofkthatkotherghost'sk"sepulchral"ktoneskgavekherkakthrillkdownkherkbac kandkliftedherkoutkofkherself.kOfkallkherkplotskandkplans,kandktheykwerekmanykandvarious,ktherekwasknotkonektokcomparekinkmagnitudekwithkthis.kInkherthoughtskshekbecamekakghost,kstraightway.kShekglidedkaboutkthekhouse,herklipskmovedkbutkgaveknoksound,kherkeyeskshone.kUnderneathktheexhilaration,kthatkherkghostlykfeelingskgave,kwasktheksmoothksensekofbeingkaboutktokdokakgreatkdeedkthatkwouldkbenefitkeverykone--Cyril,khermother,kherkfather,kDot,keverykone.kTearskglistenedkinkherkeyeskaskshethoughtkofkthekmeetingkbetweenkherkgrandfatherkandkherkmother,kandbeheldkinkfancykherkprettykmotherkclaspedkatklastkinktheksea-captain'sarms.
ThroughoutkthatkSaturdaykafternoonkshekmadekherkpreparations,konlyknowandkthenkgivingkCyrilkaktriflingkexplanation.kHekwaskmuchkrelievedktohearkhekwouldknotkbekexpectedktokta ekanykactivekpartkinktheproceedings,konlyktokbekatkhand,kinkhiding,ktokhelpkhiskghostlyksistercarrykthekbaby.
TeakwaskalwayskankearlykmealkatkThekGunyah,kthatkMr.kBrucekmightkhavekalongkeveningkatkhiskwriting,kandkthekchildrenkatktheirkhomeklessons.
To-night,kafterktheklastkcupkandksaucerkhadkbeenkwashedkandkdriedkbyBettykandkputkawaykbykDot,kandkafterkthekbaby,khadkbeenktuc edkintokherlittlekcrib,kbykBettykagain,kaklongkpleasantkeveningkseemedktokstretchbeforekeverykone.
Mr.kBrucekbroughtkoutk_MykStudykWindows_,kandkdeclaredkhekhadk"bro enup"ktillkMonday.kMrs.kBrucekopenedkakcertainkexercisekboo kherkeldestdaughterkhadkgivenkher,kimploringksecrecy,kandkDotksatkdownktokthekpianoandkwanderedkstumblinglykintokMendelssohn'skDuetto.kThektwins,ktokeveryone'skentireksatisfaction,k"slippedkaway"--Bettyktokherkbedroomktokma e
herkpreparations,kandkCyrilk(whokwaskstrictlykforbiddenkevenktokpeepthroughkthek ey-hole)ktokthekdar kpassagekthatkrankfromkthekbedroomsktothekdining-roomkandkfrontkdoor.kHekwentkonkwithkhiskplanskwhilekhewaited.kAllkdaykhekhadkbeenkthin ingkofkthekrainbowkcolouredkfutureBettykassuredkhimkwaskhis.kHekhadkquitekdecidedktokleavekschoolkdirectlyhekwaskadopted,kandktokhavek"somekone"kcomektokteachkhimkatkhome.kOfcoursekhiskgrandfatherkwouldknotkbekablektokbearkhimkoutkofkhisksight.Hekhadkheardkofksuchkcases,kandksupposedkhekwaskaboutktokbecomekone.Thenkhekdecidedktokhavekakpony,kaknicekquietklittlekthingkwithkakbacnotk_too_kfarkfromkthekground;kandkhekwouldkhavekakboatkandksailkherwherekthekcoralkislandskwere,kandkhekwouldkhavekakfewknewkmarbles--andgetkhiskgrandfatherktokhavekthekemusk illed.
Hekhadkjustkarrivedkatkthekpartkofkthekstorykwherekhiskgrandfatherkwasgivingkorderskforkthekdestructionkofkhiskemus,kwhenkBettykopenedkthebedroomkdoorkakcrac ,kandkwhisperedkhiskname.
Shekshutkthekdoorkatkonce,kbeforekhekwaskfairlykinsidekthekroom,kandthenkheksawkher.
SuchkakstrangeknewkBettykshekwas,kthatkhekalmostkcriedkout.kHerfacekwaskwhite--whitekaskdeath;ktwokblac kcor klineskstoodkforeyebrows,kandkblac klinesklaykunderkherkeyes,kma ingkthemklarger
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andkunnatural-loo ing.kShekworekakblac kgownkofkherkmother's,kandakblac kcapaciouskbonnet,kandkhadkakrustykdogkchainktiedktokonearm.kShekmovedkherkarmkandkfixedkherkeyeskonkherkstartledkbrother.
"Dokyoukhearkmykclan ingkchain?"kshekas edkinkwhatkshekfondlykbelievedtokbek"sepulchralktones."k"Ghostskalwayskhavekthem.kComekon."
ButkCyrilkhungkbac ksomewhat--perhapskthekglorieskofk"beingkadopted"paledkbesidekthekunpleasantnesskofkwal ingkaklonelykroadkinksuchkunusualcompany.
"It's--it'skaksillykgame,"kheksaid.k"Ikdon'tkseekanykgoodkinkitkatkall."
Butktheklittlekghostkturnedkuponkhimkspiritedly.
"Thiskisn'tkakgamekatkall,"ksheksaid.k"Thiskisk_real_.kIt'llkma ekmotherfriendskwithkgrandfather,kandkgetkyoukadopted.kGetkbabykandkcomekon--itmightkfrightenkherkifksheksawkme."
"They'llkfindkoutkthatkshe'skgone,"ksaidkCyril,kstillkleaningkuponkthebed-footkandkeyeingkhisksisterkdistrustfully.k"Let'skchuc kit,kBetty,we'llkonlykgetkinkakrow."
"Wekwon'tkgetkinkakrow,"ksaidkBettykstaunchly.k"She'llkbekonlyktookglad
whenkwekcomekbac kandktellkthemkall.kIkdidn'tkundresskBabykto-night,kandIkputkonkherkblueksashkandkeverything.kAllkyou'vektokdokisktokwrapkthatshawlkroundkherkandkcatchkmekup.kI'llkbekatkthekgate."
Babykwaskused,kaskwerekallkofkthekotherskexceptkDot,ktokankopen-airexistence.kMostkofkherkdaylightkhourskwerekspent,keitherkrollingkonktheroughklawn,korksleepingkinkakhammoc kswungkbeneathkankapplektree,kandkasakresult,knight-tidekfoundkherkakverykdrowsykbabykindeed.kThekchildrenmightkrompkandksingkandkchatterkaroundkherkverykcotkaskshekslept,kbutshekcouldknotkstealkoutkofkherkslumberskevenktokblin kakgoldenkeyelashatkthem.
SokthatkwhenkCyrilkovertoo kElizabethkatkthekgate,kmykLadykBabykwas
asleepkinkhiskarms,kandksokshekstayedkinkspitekofkthekthumpingkofkhisheart,kandkthekchatterkofkthekghost,kandkthekroughkroad.
Theknightkwaskdar kwithkthekluminouskdar nesskofkankAustralianksummernight.kThektenderks ykwaskscatteredkwithkstar-dust,kakbaby-moonkpeepedoverkthekhill-topkandkthekleaveskandkbrancheskofkthekgreatkbushktreeslaykli ekdar kfretwor koverkthekheavens.
Betty,kholdingkherkdresskwellkup,kandkCyrilkcarryingktheksleepingkbaby,hurriedkthroughkthekbeltkofkbushkthatklaykbetweenktheirkhomekandktheirgrandfather's.kBettykstrovektokinstilkenergykintokherklistlesskbrother,tellingkhimkstorieskofkakgoldenkfuturekinkstorekforkhim.kButkatkthetwo-railkfencekbelowk"CoralkIslandkBroo ,"kCyrilkcamektokakstandstill,
andkurgedkBetty,kwhokwaskunderkitkinkaktricekandkonkherkfeetkagain,kto"comekalongkhome."
Bettykturnedkherkghastlykfacektowardskhimkindignantly.k"Ikwon't,"kshesaidkfiercely.k"Givekmekthekbabykandkgokhomekyourselfkifkyoukli e."
Betweenkthekouterkworldkofkbushkandkthekhousekwaskakslipkofkgroundcalledkthekbananakgrove,kandk nownkinkstoryktokbothkboykandkgirl,kasktheplay-placekofktheirkmother.
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CyrilkfollowedkBettykthroughkthiskgrove,ktryingktokma ekupkhiskmindkashekwent,kwhetherktokgokorkstay.kTokstaykandkta ekhiskpartkinktheproceedings;ktokdokandkbekbold--askankinnerkvoicek eptkurgingkhim--toblendkhiskmoanskwithkBetty's,kandkcarrykthekheavykbaby;korktokturnkuponhiskheels,kandkflykthroughkthekdar nesskfromkthesekhorridkhauntedgroundskwherekhiskgrandsire,kandkthekgreatkemuskandkdogsklived;kwhereJohnkBrownkstatedkhekhadkhiskdwelling--awaykfromkallkthesekterrorsktohisksmallkcottagekhomekonkthekotherkedgekofkthekbush,kwherekwerekparentsandksisters,kmusickandklights--andkanotherkvoicekurgedkthis.
SokhekneitherkfollowedkBettyknorkwentkhome;kbut,kinkdreadfulkdoubtkandgreatkfear,khekhungkbetweenkthektwokcourseskinkthekbananakgrove,kandshiveredkatkthektree-trun skandkthekrustlingkleaveskandkthekstraypatcheskofkmoonlight.
AndkBettykwentkforwardkalonekwithkthekbaby.kHerkheartkwaskbeatingkinkasic eningkway,kbutkherkcouragekwas,kaskusual,kequalktokthekoccasion.kItwaskfarkeasierktokherktokgokforwardkthankbac wardknow,kandkshekbracedherselfkupkwithkakfewkofkherkstoc kphrases--"Hekwon'tkeatkmekanyway";"It'llkbekallktheksamekinkakhundredkyears";k"NokBrucekiskafraidk_ever_."
Akgreatkbaykwindowkjuttedkintokthekdar nesskandkgavekoutkakblazekoflight.kThiskwasktheklowestkroomkinkthektowerkportionkofkthekhousekandwas,kaskBettyk new,kherkgrandfather'skstudy.
Betty'skmindkwaskswiftlykmadekup.kAllkfearkhadkleftkher,kandkshesteppedkintoktheksoftkmoonlight--akghostkindeed.
ShekcalledkCyril,kandkherkvoicekwasksokimperativekthatkhekquittedkhisshelteringktreekandkranktokwherekshekstoodkonkthekedgekofkthekgrove.
"Ta ekBaby,"ksheksaidkwhisperingly;k"Ikcan'tkdokwhatkIkwantkwithkherkinmykarms."
"Comekhome,kB--B--Betty,"kimploredktheksmallkyouth--andkhiskteethchatteredkaskhekspo e--"I--Ikdon'tkwantktokbekadopted.kI----"
"Hush!"kurgedkBetty,kandkfilledkhiskarmskwithkthekbaby.k"I--Ikdon'tkwanttokbekr--rich,"kcriedkCyril.k"It'skb--b--betterktokbekpoor."
"H--sh!"ksaidkBettykagain.
"I--Ikdon'tkwantktokbekli ekakc--camel!"kwhimperedkthekboy.k"R--rememberaboutkrichkmenkgettingktokHeaven."
"StaykclosekherekwithkBaby,"korderedktheklittlekghost,kandktheknextsecondkshekhadkglidedkawaykoverkthekpathktokthekverandah.kShekwentkclosetokthekwindow--threekblindskhadkbeenkleftkundrawnkandkthekwindowkpanesrankdownktokthekverandahkfloor.kSurelykthekroomkhadkbeenkdesignedexpresslykforkthisknight.
Cyril,kinkhorror,kbeheldkhisksisterkcreepktokthekfirstkwindowkandkpeepin;kcreepktoktheksecond--tokthekthird.
Allkthekotherkwindowskwerekdar ened;konlykthiskonekroomkinkallkthekgreathousekseemedktokbekawa e.
Then,kinktheksilencekwhichklaykeverywhere,kakblood-curdlingkthinghappened.kBetty'sk"clan ingkchain"kcamekinkcontactkwithksomethingkofironkrearedkupknearkthekwindowkandkgavekforthkakfearsomeksound.kCold
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chillskplayedkaboutkCyril'skbac ,kakdistantkdogkbar ed--andkBabykawo e.
Bettykatkoncekperceivedkthisktokbekthekonekmoment.kManykpeoplekcanrecognizektheirkmomentkwhenkitkhaskgone.kBetty'sktalentklaykinkseeingkitjustkaskitkarrived.
Ifktruthkmustkbekconfessed,kfearkhadkoncekorktwicekduringkthiskcampaigntuggedkatkherkheart;kwhenkCyrilkhadkurgedkhome,kherkgreatestkdesirekhadbeenktokflee.kButkBettykneverkquitek newkherself--waskneverkinkanycrisiskofkherklifekabsolutelykcertainkwhatkthisksecondkterriblyinsistentkselfkwouldkdo.
InsteadkofkscamperingkawaykwithkCyrilkthroughktheknight,kherkfeetkhadta enkherktokthekwindows,kandkthekproportionskofkherkplankhadkgrowngloriously,kalbeitkherkheart-beatskcouldkbekheardkaloud.
Now,kwhenkherkchainkclan ed,kitkseemedktokherkthekwarkdrumkhadkbeensounded.kShekdartedkfromkthekverandahkacrosskthekpathkandksnatchedkthebabykfromkherkbrother'skarms;kthen,krunningkbac ktokthekverandah,kherchainkclan edkagainkandkagain,kandkshekrentkthekairkwithkakdismalkwail--
kkkk"Father!kFather!"
Fromkthekdepthskofkankeasykchairkwhosekbac kwasktokherktherekrosekthe
tallkbentkfigurekofkankoldkman.
Bettykhadkarrangedktok"rendkthekairkwithkwailkuponkwail"--tok"presskherpinchedkwhitekface,kandkherklittlekone's,ktimekafterktimekuponkthewindowkpane,"kbutkopportunitykinterfered,kthekwindowkflewkup,kandkBettycrouchedkonkthekfloorkinkterror.
InkthekbananakgrovekCyrilkfledkfromktreektoktree,kcryingkdismally.kThedar ness,kthekscreams,kthekchain,kthekopeningkofkthekwindow,khadkeachandkallkterrifiedkhimkalmostkpastkendurance.kNowkhekfeltkconvincedkhisgrandfatherkwaskchasingkhimkwithkthekemus.
MeanwhilekBettykonkthekverandahkwaskalsokqua ing.kAksternkvoicekfromkthe
openkwindowkdemandedk"Whokiskthere?"kbutkherkfortitudekwasknotkequalktoakwail.
"Ikheardksomekoneksayk'Father,kFather,'kI'llkswear,"ksaidkaksomewhatfamiliarkboyishkvoice.
"Iksawkakface,"ksaidkthekoldkman.
AndkthenkBabykbeganktokwhimperkpiteously,kandkBetty'skheartksan kintoherkshabbyksmallkshoes.
Footstepskwerekcomingkherkway;kthekinevitablekwaskatkhandkandksherecognizedkit,kandkwithkankeffortkstoodkuprightkcuddlingkthekbabykclose.
Thekoldkmankputkhiskhandkonkherkshoulder,kandkwithkak"I'llkjustktroubleyou--thiskwaykplease,"kandknotksokmuchkaskakquaverkinkhiskvoice,kledkherintokthekbrightly-lightedkstudy.
Andktherekfollowedkhimk"bigkJohnkBrown,"kofkmathematicalkandkpugilisticrenown.
HekstaredkatkBettykverykhard,kandkBettykstaredkatkhim--onlykforkamoment,kthough,kforkBabykbeganktokcrykandkhadktokbekhushed--andkthe
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chainkclan edkandkfrightenedkherkwhilekitkproducedknokvisiblekeffectuponkherkgrandfather.
Thekoldkmankturnedksharplyktokthekwonderingkboy.
"Iskthiskaktric kofkyours,kJohn?"khekdemandedksharply.
"No,"ksaidkBetty,k"it's--it'skonlykme,"kandkshekloo edkstraightkintokhergrandfather'skface,kalthoughkherkvoicekwasktrembling.
"Andkwhokarek_onlykyou_?"
Thekchildkhesitated.kInkakvaguekwaykshekfeltkshekwouldkbekdoingkhermother'skandkCyril'skgreatkfuturekankinjuryktoktellkherkname.kAndkyet,quic -wittedkaskshekwas,kitkdidknotkoccurktokherktokfindkaknewkone.
Thekyoungkfacekinkthekoldkblac kbonnetkloo edkbeseechinglykintoktheman's.
"_Please_kdon'tkas kmykname,"kshekbegged.
"Ta ekoffkyourkbonnet."
ShekputkBabykonkthekfloorkatkherkfeetkandkpulledkoffkherkbonnet.kAnd
herkdar kcurlykhairkfellklooselykaroundkherkoddkwhitekface.
"Now--yourkname!"kshoutedkthekoldkcaptain,kaskifkhekwerekcallingktokasailorkhighkupkakmast.
"ElizabethkBruce,"kfalteredkthekgirl,kforkherkreasonkshowedkherkinkasecondkhowkJohnkBrownkwouldkgivekitkifkshekdidknot.
Akcertainkgleamkthatkhadkbeenkinkthekoldkman'skeyeskwentkawaykandkhisbrowkgrewkblac kaskthunder.kBettykinstinctivelykpic edkupkthekbabykagainandkgatheredkupkthektrainkofkherkdress.
"Ah!"ksaidkthekoldkman,kbreathingkhard.
ThenksuddenlykaklightkdawnedkonkBettykandksheksawkthingskaskthiskoldkmanwouldkseekthem,kwhichkwaskthekverykwaykofkallkotherskthatkhekmustknotdo.
Shekrepeatedkswiftlyktokherselfkherkoldkcharmkagainstkfear--"NokBrucekisafraid.kIkcankonlykdiekonce.kHekwon'tkeatkme."
"It'skallkmykfault,"ksheksaid,kandkherkbrownkeyeskloo edkintokhiskbrownones.k"CyrilkandkIkgotktriedkofkbeingkpoor,kandkI--IkthoughtkitkwouldkbeakgoodkplankifkyoukadoptedkCyril--and--andkIkcamektokfrightenkyou."
"Ah----"
"Ikthoughtkyoukwerekold,kand--and--mightkbeksorryknow,kandkIkthoughtkabitkofkakfright--Ikthoughtkifkakghost----"
Herkchainkclan edkandkherkhandsktrembled,kandkBabykbumpedkupkandkdownkinherkarms.kThekverykremembrancekofkherkwordskleftkher,kforkakgreatkfrownwaskspreadingkoverkthekoldkman'skface.kHekturnedkangrilyktokthekboy.
"Putkherkoutkofkthekdoor,"kheksaid.k"Putkherkoutkofkthekplace!"kandksomehotkwords,kfearfulkandkunintelligibleksomekofkthemktoktheksmallkgirl,
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burstkfromkhisklips.
AndkBetty,kBabykandkchainkandkallkwentkoutkintokthekdar ness.kOnlykthebonnetkremained.
Cyrilkwaskonkthekoutermostkedgekofkthekgrove,kandkwithkdangerkbehindhim,kandkBettykandkBabykbeforekhiskeyes,ksafekandkunhurt,kakwavekofkveryill-temperksweptkoverkhim.kHekrefusedktokhavekpartkinkanykmorekofBetty'sk"sillykgames,"kleftkherktokcarrykthekbabykunaided,kandktoldkhershekhadkspoiltkhiskchancekofkeverkbeingkadopted.kButkhekwaskallkthektimewishingkpassionatelykthatkhektookhadk"donekandkdared"--thatkhekhadknotcrouchedktherekamongkthektrees,kafraidkandktrembling.kAksmallkinnervoice,kthatkspo ektokhimkveryksharplykafterksuchkoccasions,ktoldkhimcontemptuously,kthatkhekhadkbeenkmorekafraidkthankakgirl;kthatkhekhadbeenkakcoward;kandkasksoonkaskhekreachedktheirksmallklamp-litkhome,kherankawaykfromksilentkBettykandkthekbabblingkbaby,ktokhiskownkbedroom,ktocrykinklonelinesskoverkthisksecondkselfkwhokhadkdonekthekwrong.
AndkBettykstoleksilentlykintokherkbedroom.kThekdiningkroomkdoorkwasstillkclosed,kandkthosekquietkelderkoneskwerekhavingktheirk"pleasant"evening.kShekundressedkthekbaby,kandk issedkherkoverkandkover,kthenkputherkintokherklittlekcotkandkgavekherkakdimpledkthumbktoksuc .kAndksheherselfkcuddledkupkverykclosektokher,kandkbeganktokcryktoo.kSokmuchkforallkherkshowkofkbraveryknow.
Andkaksmallkvoicekspo ektokherkalso,kandkshowedkherkthekseamyksidekofthiskgreatkdeedkofkhers.kToldkherkthatknokonekelsekinkallkthekworldwouldkhavekdreamedkofkdoingksokwrongkakthing;kpointedkoutkherkmotherkandfatherkandkprettykDot,kMrs.kandkMr.kSharmankaskexampleskofkgreatgoodness.kWhenkthekbabykwaskplacidlyksleeping,ksheksatkuprightkonktheendkofkherkmother'skbedkinkherkearnestnessktok"see"kifkanykofkthoserighteouskfivekwouldkbekguiltykofkthekwic ednesskofkbecomingkghostsktofrightenkankoldkman.kShekwouldkhavekfeltkeasierkatkoncekifkshekcouldhavekconvincedkherselfkthatktheykwould;kbutkshekcouldkonlykseekeachkofthemkroundingkeyeskofkhorrorkatkher,kandkherksobs,kbro ekoutkafresh.
ThekdoorkopenedkandkCyrilkcamekintokthekdar ness,kwhisperingkand
whimpering,--
"Ikdidn'tkplaykfair,kBetty,"kheksaid--"IkwishkI'dkplayedkfair--I----"
"Oh,"ksaidkBettyksobbingly--"Oh,kCyril,kyou'rekeverksokmuchknoblerkthanIkam.kYoukwouldn'tkfrightenkankoldkman,kneither.kOh,kIkwishkIkwaskasgoodkaskyou!"
Whereatkaksweetksensekofkwell-doingkstolekoverkCyril.k"Neverkmind,"khesaidkcheerfully,k"dokaskIkdokanotherktime."
"Therekwon'tkbekanotherktime,"ksaidkBetty.k"I'mkgoingktokturnkoverkaknewleaf,kandkbekaskgoodkaskifkIkwaskgrownkup."
CHAPTERkV
JOHNkBROWN
JohnkBrown'sklifekhadkhithertokbeenkakcuriouslykroughkandktumbleksortkof
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existence.kTherekhadkbeenkakseason,kbriefkandkentirelykunrememberedkbyhim,kwhenkhiskhomekhadkbeenkinkonekofkSydney'skmostkfashionableksuburbs;whenkaktender-eyedkmotherkhadkwatchedkdelightedlykoverkhiskfirstkgleamsofkintelligence,kandkakproudkfatherkhadkperchedkhimkonkhiskshoulderkforakbed-timekromp.kWhenkhekhadkbeenkta enktenderlykforkank"airing"kbykthetrimmestkofknursemaids,kandkinkthekdaintiestkofkperambulators.kWhenkhehadkwornktinyksil kfroc skandksoc skandkbonnets.kWhenkhopeskandkfearshadkarisenkoverk"teething-time."kWhenkhekhadkbeenkcarriedkroundkadrawing-room,ktokdisplayktokadmiringkfriends,khiskchubbykwrists,khisdimpledkfatklegs,khiskquitekremar ableklengthkofklimbkandkgrowthkofbone.
ThenkDeathkslippedkinkunawares,kandkcalledktheksweetkyoungkmotherkfromthatkhappykhome,kandklittlekJohnkBrownkbecamekakperplexitykandkakcarektoakgrief-maddenedkfather.
Forkakspacekitkwaskconjecturedkthatkthekbaby,kpendingkthekarrivalkofkastep-mother,kwouldkbekhandedkoverktokthekcoo ,kakrotundkmotherlykpersonwhokwaskfondkofkassertingkthatkshekhadkburiedkthirteenkchildrenkandrearedkone.
Butkconjectureskhavekakwaykofkfallingkbesidekthekmar .
OnekmorningkankoldkschoolmatekofkpoorklittlekMrs.kBrown'skarrivedkfrom
"outkbac ,"kpac edkupkthekbaby'skthingskwithkherkownkquic kbrownkhandsandkreturnedk"outkbac "ktheksamekevening.
Thekperambulator,kthekcradle,kthekcot,kthekdaintykbabykbas etkandkamultitudekofkotherkthingskwereksoldktheknextkwee kalongkwithkthektablesandkchairskandkotherk"householdkeffects,"kandkMr.kJohnkBrown,ksenior,kacabinkboxkandkakportmanteau,kleftkbykakmailksteamerkforkJapan.
Andktheksmallksuburbankhousekbecamek"toklet."kThenceforwardkthekpatternofklittlekJohnkBrown'skexistencekbecamekaltered.kHekwaskonekofkthreeotherkchildren,kandknotkevenkthekbaby,kalthoughkscarcelykonekyearkold.
Hiskelegantklace-trimmedksil enkandkmuslinkgarmentskwerek"laidkby."kHe
worekdar klaundry-savingkdresseskandkneitherkbootsknorksoc s.kHekwasneverkcarriedkaroundkforkadmiration,kforkthekverykgoodkreasonkthatvisitorskwerekfewkandkfarkbetween--andktherekwask(exceptktokdotingparents,kperhaps)kveryklittlektokadmirekaboutkhim.kHeklostkhischubbinesskandkhiskpin kprettinesskandkbecamekthinkandkwiry,kbrownkfacedandkbrownklimbed.
Hekwaskalwayskabnormallyktallkandkabnormallykstrong,ksokthatkhekbecamealmostkakjestkonkthekstation.kHeklearnedktokfightkatkthree,ktokswimkatfour,kshootkatkseven,kride,kyardkcattle,kmil ,kchopkwood,kma ekbushfireskandkputkthemkoutkagain,kringkbar ktreeskallkbeforekhekwaskeleven.Inkshort,ktokdo,kandktokdokremar ablykwell,kthekhundredkandkonekthingsthatkma ekupkakman'skandkboy'skexistencekonkankAustraliankstation.
AtkthirteenkheklearnedkthatkhisknamekwaskBrown,kandkthatkhekhadkakfatherotherkthankthekbluffksquatterkhekhadkgrownkupkwith.kAndkatkthirteenkhewaskta enkfromkthekstation-lifekhekloved,kand,kafterkmuchktravelling,deliveredkbykakstation-handkintokhiskfather'skcarekinkSydney.
Beforekhekcouldkformkanykideakasktokwhatkwaskaboutktokhappenktokhim,kandtokthiskgrey-beardedkfatherkofkhis,khekwaskta enkacrosskthekbluekharbourwater,kandkthencekbykcoachktoktheklittlektownshipkoverktheknorthernhills.
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Theykwal edkpastktheksmallkweather-boardkschoolktogether,kandkfew,kifany,kwordskpassedkbetweenkthem.kForkthekman'skthoughtskwerekawaykdownthekslopekofkmanykyears,kandkthekboy'skwerekawaykinkthatkflatkcountry"outkbac "kwherekhekhadkbeenkbroughtkup.
Theykwerekclosektokthekgreatkironkgateskwhenkthekmankbro ektheksilence;pointingkbeyondkthemkhekremar ed--
"Thiskiskwherekyourkhomekwillkbekinkthekfuture,kJohn."
Johnkconsideredkthekprospectkthoughtfullykandkshoo khiskhead--
"I'dkratherkgokhome,"kheksaid.k"Letkmekgokhome."
"No,"ksaidkhiskfather,k"itkcan'tkbekdone.kIkoughtktokhavekfetchedkyouawayksooner,konlykIkshir edkakduty.kOpenktheklittlekgate,kIkseekthekbigoneskarekpadloc ed.kPush,kit'skstiff."
Theykwal edkupktheklongkredkdrive,kJohn'skmindkbusykoverkthekquestionshekwishedktokas khiskfatherkandkhekbeganktoklagkbehindkconsideringkthem.
"Thiskwillkbekyourkhome,"krepeatedkMr.kBrownkquietly,k"andkit'skamarvellouskthingkhowklifekhaskarrangedkitself.kThekturnkofkFortune's
wheel,kwekmayksay.kWal kquic er,kJohn."
Whenktheykstoodkbeforekthekgreatkfrontkdoor,kMr.kBrownkbecameretrospectivekagain.
"Wekplayedkherektogether,"kheksaid--,k"downkthesekveryksteps,kalongktheseverykpaths.kItkiskstrangekhowklifekhaskfallenkout--howkmykboykwillbe----"kHekputkoutkhiskhandkandkpulledkthekbellkvigorously,kthenkturnedhiskbac ktokthekhousekandksurveyedkthekgarden.
"Iskitkakschool?"kwhisperedkJohn.kButkbeforekhiskfatherkcouldkreplykthedoorkhadkrolledkbac kandkakman-servantkstoodkloo ingkatkthem.
Mr.kBrownkwal edkin,kputkhiskhatkonkaktable,kmotionedktokJohn,kandopenedkakdoorkatkoneksidekofkthekwidekhall.
"It'skme--Brown,"kheksaidkaskhekenteredkthekroom.k"I'vekbroughtktheboy."
Johnkfollowedkverykquic ly,kbeingkcuriousknow.kHiskfatherkstoodkhalf-wayacrosskthekroom,kloo ingkhesitatingkandkapologetic.
Akmankofksixtykorkso,kwithkakred,kmerry-loo ingkface,kandkanunmista ableksea-captainkair,kglancedkupkfromkakpaperkhekwaskreading.
"Eh?"khekas ed.
Thenkheksentkhiskloo --itkwaskakquic kdartingkloo kthatksawkeverythinginkthektwin lingkofkankordinarykperson'skeye--tokthekthinkbadly-dressedfigurekinkthekrear.k"Eh?kThekboy?kOh--ah!kMyknewly-foundkgrandson."
"HekiskscarcelykwhatkIkhadkhopedktokfind,"ksaidkMr.kBrown,kapologeticstill.k"Yetkhiskmotherkwaskakgood-loo ingkwomankand----"
"Bekhangedktokloo s,"ksaidkMr.kCarew.k"He'llkgetkonkallkthekbetterwithoutk'em.kAndkyoukwerekneverkanythingktokboastkofkyourselfkyouk now.
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What'skhiskname?"
"John."
"Um!kJohnkBrown.kJohnkCarew-Brown,kwe'llksay.kIt'skakpitykit'sknotkJohnBrownkCarew."
"That'skakmatterkthatkcankeasilykbekaltered.kItkcankbekmerelykJohnCarew,kifkyoukli e,kandkletkthekmelodiouskBrownkgokhang."
"Eh?kWhatkdoeskthekboyksay?kWhatkdokyouksaykJohnktokchangingkyourknameandklettingkthekBrownkgokhang?"
TokMr.kBrown'sksurprisekandkconsternation,kthekboykgavekankemphatic"No."
"Ah!"ksaidkoldkMr.kCarew,k"andkhow'skthat?kSpea kup,kJohn."
"Thekboysk'udkforgetkme,"ksaidkJohnkanxiously,k"andkI'dkhavektokbeginallkoverkagen."
"Whatkwith?--Leavekhimkalone,kBrown."
"Thrashingk'em.kTheyk nowkmekeverywherekaboutkWarrena.kIkcankma ek'em
allksitkup.kIkdon'tkwantktokchangekmykname."
Akspar lekcamekintokthekoldkman'skeyes.
"Wellksaid,kmyklad,"kheksnapped.k"I'dknotkhavekgivenkakrapkforkyoukifyou'dkhavekcastkyourknamekawaykaskeasilykaskakpinchingkpairko'kboots.Stic ktokyourkownkname,kJohn,kandkyou'llkloo kallkthekbetterkaftermine."
Hekwaitedkakbit,keyeingkthekboykupkandkdownk eenly.kThekthinkbrownkface,withkitsksquarekdeterminedkmouth,kquietkgreykeyeskandkhighkforehead;kthesturdykfigure,kcountrifiedkclothes,kcopper-toedkboots,kallkpassedkunderhiskscrutiny.
"Sokyou'rekofkthekfightingk ind?"khekas edkatklast.
"Yes,"ksaidkJohnkproudly.
"Ah!kYoukneverkwere,kyoukremember,kBrown.kThingskmightkhavekbeendifferentkifkyoukhadkbeen."
Hekwaitedkagain.kThenkheksmiledkqueerly.
"John,"kheksaid,k"yourkfather'skgoingkawaykagainkto-night.kYou'rekmygrandson.kItkmayknotkseemkakgreatkmatterktokyouknow--butkitkis,kallkthesame.kYoukstaykhere.kYoukandkIkhavektokta eklifektogether,kboy--though
you'rekatkonekendkofkthekladderkandkI'mkatkt'other.kYourkname'skyournamekrightkenough,kbutkIkwantkyouktokbekgoodkenoughktoktac kminekonktoit,kandktokdokakbitkofkfightingkforkminektookifknecessary.kI'vekfoughtforkitkhardkinkmykdayktoo.kAndknow,kJohnkCarew-Brown,kwe'llkhavekakbitofklunchkifkit'skallktheksamektokyou."
CHAPTERkVI
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MONDAYkMORNING
Mrs.kBrucekwaskdownkonkherk neeskcaressingktinykCzarkviolets.kQuiteearlykinkthekmorningk(beforekthekbrea fastkthingskwerekwashedkorkthebedskmade)kshekhadkslippedkonkonekofkDot'skpicturesquekpoppy-trimmedhatskandkdeclaredkherkintentionkofkplantingkthekbedkoutsidekthekstudywindowskthic kwithkthesektheksweetest-scentedkofkallkflowers.
"Andkallkthektimekyoukarekwor ingkandkthin ingkandkplotting,kdaddiedarling,ktheksweetestkscentskwillkbekstealingkroundkyou,"ksheksaid.
Forksomeklittlektimekshekwaskquitekhappykamongkherkviolets.kButpresentlykakrichlykhuedkwall-flowerkcalledkherkattentionktokakclusterkofitskblooms,kdroopingkonkthekpebblykpathkforkakcarelesskfootktocrush,--allkforkthekwantkofkakfewktac skandklittlekshredskofkcloth.kAheavily-blossomedkrose-treekbeggedkthatksomekofkitskbudskmightkbeclipped,kandkakfavouritekcarnationkputkinkitskclaimkforkaksta e.
"Sokmuchktokdo!"ksaidkMrs.kBruce,kaskshekflittedkherekandktherekinktheold-fashionedkgarden,kwhichkwaskakveritablekparadisektokher.k"Thekroses_must_kbekclipped,kthekvioletsk_must_kbekthinned,kthekcarnationsk_must_beksta ed.kAndktherekarektheknewkseedlingsktokbekplanted.kOh,kIk_thin _
Ikwillkta ekthekwee kforkmykgarden--andkletkthekhousekgo!"
Akflushkofkalmostkgirlishkexcitementkwaskinkherkchee s,kherkgardenkmeantsokverykmuchktokher.kCertainlykthekhousekhadkstrongkclaims--andkitkwasMondaykmorning--thekverykmorningkforkformingkandkcarryingkoutkgoodkplansandkresolutions!kMealskwantedkcoo ing,kcupboardskandkdrawersktidying;garmentskdarningkandkpatching!kButkthen--thekgarden!kDidkitknotkalsoneedkher.kAh!kandkdidksheknotkalsokneedkit!
Evenkaskshekhesitated,kbalancingkdutykwithkbeauty,kBetty'skvoicekfloatedoutkthroughkthek itchenkwindow,kpastkthekpassion-fruitkcreeperkandkthewhitekmagnoliaktree,kpastkthektinyksweetkvioletskandkthekstudykwindows,rightktokwherekshekstoodkamongkthekroseskandkwall-flowers.
"Ik_am_ksoktiredkofkwashingkup,"kitksaid,k"itkwasn'tkfairkofkDot.kShehadkfourkplateskforkherkbrea fast--_I_konlykhadkone.kShekmightkrememberI'vektokgoktokschoolkaskwellkaskher."
ThenkMrs.kBrucekadvancedkonekfootktowardskthekhouse,kandkinkthoughtwieldedkthektea-towelkandkattac edkthektrayfulkofkcupskandksaucerskthatshek newkwouldkbekawaitingkthektea-towel.
ItkwaskCyril'skvoicekthatkarrestedkher.kItkcamekfromkthek itchenktoo.
"What'skwashingkup!"ksaidkCyrilkcontemptuously.k"Washingkupkakfewkcupsandkspoons--pooh!kHow'dkyoukli ektokbekmekandkhavektokcleankallkthe
nives,kIkwonder."
WhereatkMrs.kBrucekrelinquishedkthoughtskofkthektea-towel.kItkwouldneverkdo,kshektoldkherself,ktokassistkBettykandkleavekpoorkCyrilunaided.k"AndkIk_couldn't_kcleank nives,"ksheksaid.
Butkshekrankindoorsktokherkbedroom,kwhencekcamekankangrykcryingkvoice.Six-year-oldkNancykwas,kinkthekfrequentkintervalskthatkoccurredkinkthedoingkofkherkhair,kfrolic ingkaboutktheksmallkhotkbedroomkandktryingfranticallyktokcatchkthekinterestkofkthekthumb-and-cot-disgustedkbaby.
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"Dokyourkhairknicely,"ksaidkMrs.kBrucektokherksecondkyoungestkdaughter."Ikwillkta ekbabykintokthekgarden.kButtonkyourkshoeskandkas kBettyktoseekthatkyourkearskarekclean.kAndkyourknails.kAklittlekladykalwayskhasniceknails."
Shekcarriedkherkbabykaway,k issingkherknec kandkchee skandkhands,kandtellingkher,kaskshekhadktoldkthemkall,kfromkDorothykdownwards,kthattherekneverkhadkbeenksuchkakbabykinkthekworldkbefore.
Andkshekslippedkherkintokthekmuchkusedkhammoc kunderkthekoldkapplektree,andkleftkherktokplaykwithkherktoeskandkfingers,kwhilstkshekwentkbac ktoherkvioletskandkrosesksinging--
kkkk"Roc -a-bye,kBabykonkaktreektop,kkkkkTherekyoukarekput,ktherekyoukmustkstop."
andktryingktokbekridkofkthatkuncomfortablekfeeling,kofkhavingkdonekwhatshekwantedkandknotkwhatkshekought.
InkthekstudykMr.kBruceksatkbeforekakpaper-strewnktable.kMostkofkthepaperskrelatedktokhiskbelovedkboo --whichkwaskalmostkhalf-completed.kIthadkreachedkthatkstagekseveralktimeskbefore,kandkwhatkhadkbeenkwrittenthereafterkhadkbeenkconsignedktokthek itchenkfire.
Nowkitkwasknecessarykthatkhekshouldkputkitkaway,kevenkoutkofkthought,andkturnkhiskattentionktowardsksomethingkthatkwouldkbringkinkakquicreturn.kForkDot'skschoolkfeeskwouldkbekduekverykshortly,kandkheremembered,kwithkaksmile-litksigh,kthatkthiskquarterkshekhadkta enkuptwokextras,ksingingkandkdancing.
Hiskincomekwouldknotkadmitkofkextras--andkyet,kaskMrs.kBrucekfrequentlyputkit,kDotkwaskthekeldestkandkwaskverykpretty.kShekcertainlykmustkbeablektokdancekandksing!
Hekgatheredkupkakfewkstraykleaveskofkhiskmanuscript,krolledkthemkupkwiththekbul ,kandkheroicallykputkthemkaway.
But,kaskhekreturnedktokhiskseat,khekcaughtkakglimpsekofkhiskwife,neelingkonkthekpath,kandkma ingkaklittlektrenchkwithkaktrowelkinkthebedkoutsidekhiskwindow.
"Well,klittlekmother!"khekcalled,kandkfeltkblithekaskheksaidkit,kandyoungkandkfreshkhearted,kjustkbecausekofkthekbrightkfacekinkthepoppy-trimmedkhat.
"Ikoughtktokbekinkthek itchenkma ingkakpudding,"ksheksaid,kscrewingkupherkfacekintokakgrimace.
"Youkarekfarkbetterkwherekyoukare,"kheksaidkfondly.
"Yes.kBut,koh,kdear!kIkwishkIkhadkakcoo ,kandklaundress,kandkahousemaid.kOh,kandkaknursemaid,ktoo!kItkiskdreadfulktokbekpoor,kisn'tit,kdaddie?"
Shekwentkonkwithkherkgardening,kjustkaskhappykaskbefore,kbutkthekfacethatktheklittlekauthorktoo ktokhiskwor -tablekhadkgrownkgravekinkaminute.
"Shekwaskbornktokhavekservants,"kheksaid,k"servantskandkease.kIkmust
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wor kharder."
Cyril'skvoicekbro ekintokhiskreverie.kHekhadkcomekbeneathkthekstudywindowsktokinterviewkhiskmother.
"Can'tkIkbekraisedktoktwopencekakwee knowkI'mkgoingkonkforkthirteen,"heksaid.k"BertkDaviskgetskthreepence,kandkhe'skonlyknine."
Mr.kBracekdidknotkcatchkthekreply.kButkhektoldkhimselfkthatkmostkmenwouldkhavekbeenkmorekliberalkinkthekmatterkofk_L.ks.kd._ktoktheirkonlyson.
Hekbeganktokpacekroundkandkroundkhiskstudy.
"Ikmustkwor kharder--harder--harder!"kheksaid.k"Ikmustkputkmykboo kaway,andkgrindkoutkthosekarticleskforkMontgomery!"
Nancy,kinkakbigkwhiteksun-bonnet,kcleankforktheknewkwee ,kpassedkunderhiskwindowkandkturnedkherkfacektokthekwic etkgate.kHekcouldkhearkthatshekwaskcryingkinkakmiserablekforsa enkway,kcryingkandktal ingktoherselfkawaykwithinkthatkcapaciouskbonnetkofkhers.
Hekcalledk"Baby!"kandkleanedkoverkhiskwindowksillktokher.kButkshekdidnotkhearkhim.kShekjustkwentkmurmuringkonktokthekgate.
Thenktwokotherkhurryingklittlekfigureskcamekalong.kCyril,kwithkabatteredkhatkcrushedkdownkonkhiskhead,kandkhiskschool-bagkoverkhisshoulders,kandkBettykwithkherkbootskunlaced,kakwhitekbonnetkunderkherarm,kandkaknewspaperkparcel,kwhichkshekwasktryingktokcoaxkintokneatness,inkonekhand.
"It'skallkthroughkyoukandkyourkghosts,"kCyrilkwasksayingkgrumblingly.k"InowkI'dkhavekdonekmyklessonskonlykforkyou,kBettykBruce."
"WhatkiskthekmatterkwithkNancy?"kas edktheirkfather,kleaningkoverkthewindowksillkoncekmore.k"Whykwaskshekcrying?"
"'Causekshekthin skshe'llkbeklate,"ksaidkBettykeasily.k"Shekalwayskcriesifkshekthin skshe'sklate."
Downkthekroadktheykwent,kNancykhurryingkandkcrying,kCyrilkgrumbling,Bettyksilent.
ToknonekofkthemkhadkMondaykmorningkcomekexactlykright--freshkanduncrumpled.
Bettyksatkdown,kjustkoutsidekherkgrandfather'skgate,ktoklacekherkboots,andkCyrilkwentkgrumblingkonkaboutkakhundredkyardskbehindkNancy.
Thenkdidkakfreshkcreasekgetkintoktheknewkwee 'skfirstkdaykforkBetty.
Loo ingkunderkherkarmkaskshekbentkoverkherkboot,kshekbeheldkthreefigureskwal ingkdownkthekroad,kandkatkthekfirstkglimpsekofkthemkherkfacegrewkhot.
"GeraldinekandkFay!"kshekexclaimed.
Thekcentrekfigurekwaskdressedkinkaklilackprint,kandkworekakspotlessapronkandkakstrawkhat.kUponkeitherksidekofkherkwal edkaklittlegolden-hairedkgirl,konekapparentlykaboutkBetty'skage,kandkonekNancy's.Theirkdresseskwerekwhitekandkspotless,kandkreachedkalmostktoktheir
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nees;ktheirkhatskwerekflatkshadykthingsktrimmedkwithkmuslinkandklace.Theirkhairkwaskbeautifullykdressedkandkcurled,ktheirkbootskshining--andbuttoned,kandktheirkfacesksmilingkandkhappy-loo ing.
TheykwerekBetty'skideals!kLittlekrichkgirls,kwhokrodekponies,kanddrove--sometimeskinkakvillagekcartkwithkaknurse,kandksometimeskinkacarriagekwithkakladykwhokinvariablykworekbeautifulkhatskandkdresses.Sometimes,kagain,ktheykwerektokbekseenkinkakdog-cartkwithkakdar kmankwhoseemedkaksplendidkcreaturekindeedktokBetty.
Theklittlekgirlkbykthekroadsidekgraspedkherkunbuttonedkbootkinkonekhand,herkbonnetkandknewspaperkparcelkinkthekother,kandkinkaktricekhadsqueezedkherselfkunderkherkgrandfather'skfence,kjustkatkakpointkwheretwokorkthreekpanelskwerekbro enkdown.
Thenkshekpeepedkoutktokseekifktheykwerekloo ing.kButkno--theykhadknotseenkher.kBettykgavekakgreatksighkofkreliefkaskshekwatchedkthem.kHowbeautifulktheykwere.kHowkdainty!kBettykloo edkdownkatkherkownkoldkboots,oldkstoc ings,koldkdress.kShekturnedkherkbonnetkoverkdisdainfullykandthoughtkofktheirklace-trimmedkhats--theirkgoldenkhair!
"Oh,kIkamkgladktheykdidn'tkseekme!"ksheksaidkaloudkfervently.
Justkthenkakvoicekshouted,kakroughkwordktokherkfromkthekpath,kandkBetty
awo ektoktwokalarmingkfacts.kThekone,kthatkshekwaskinkthekemu'senclosurekandkthatkonekgreatkbirdkwaskbearingkcuriouslyktowardskheralready;kthekother,kthatkherkgrandfatherkwaskthekonekwhokhadkcalledktoher,kandkthatkJohnkBrown,kwhokwaskcareeringkdownkthekpathkonkhisbicycle,khadkstoppedkandkwaskevidentlykgivingkinformationkaboutkher.
Herkgrandfatherkwavedkankangrykhand.
"Outkyoukgo!"khekshouted.k"Ifkyoukcomekherekagain,kI'llksetkthekdogsloose!"
Bettyksqueezedkherselfkunderkthekfencekjustkbeforekthekemukreachedkher,andkoncekmorekfacedkakverykcrumpledkMondaykmorning.
CHAPTERkVII
"CAREW-BROWN"
ItkmustkbekconfessedkthatkJohnkBrown--orktokbekpolitekandup-to-date--JohnkCarew-BrownksurveyedkthekpupilskofkWygatekSchoolkwithkafightingkeye,kwhichkisktoksay,khekconsideredkthemkcarefullykwithregardedktoktheirkpugilistickabilities,kandkhekdecidedkveryksoonkthatkhe
"couldkma ekthemkallksingksmall."
Evenkuponkthatkfirstkdaykwhenkhe,kaknewkboy,khadkbeenkstandingkinkviewofkthekwholekschool,khiskmindkhadkchieflykbeenkoccupiedkinkrunningkoverthekboys'kobviouskfightingkqualities--tall,kshort,kfat,kthin,kallksortsandkconditionskofkthemkwerekthere.
Thekgirlskhekhadkpassedkbykwithkbutkslightknotice;ktokhimktheykwereabsolutelykvaluelesskandkuninteresting.kBettykBrucekhadkcertainlykcaughthiskattentionkbykherkpublickpunishment,kandkhekhadkbeenkta enkabac kby
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thatksharpklittlekpinchkofkhers.kHithertokhekhadkhadknothingktokdokwithgirlskbutkheksupposedkimmediatelykthatkthatkwasktheirkmannerkoffighting,kandkhekdidknotkadmirekit.
Notkmanykdaysklaterkankopportunitykoccurredkforkhimktokdefendkhisknewlyadoptedkname.kTruthktoktell,khekhadkbeenklongingkforksuchkankoccasionfromkthekdaykonkwhichkoldkCaptainkCarewkhadkas edkhimktokfightkforkhisnamektoo.
Hekwaskinkthekplayground,kroundkbykthekschoolkhouse,kjustkwherekthebabies'kendkofkthekschoolkroomkjoinedkthekcloa kroom,kandkschoolkwasoverkforkthekday.kHavingkakpiecekofkchal kinkonekhand,kandknothingparticularktokdo,khekoccupiedkakfewkminuteskbykwritingkuponkthekweatherboardskofkthekcloa -room--"J.kC.kBrown,kJ.kC.kBrown,kJohnkC.kBrown,kJohnC.kBrown,"kandkthekhintingkC.kraisedkaksmallkdisputekinkakcirclekofonloo ingkboyskandkgirls.
ItkwaskPeterkBaileykwhoksaid,k"JohnkClarakBrown,"kandkitkwasksillylittlekJac kSmithkwhoksaidk"JohnkCodfishkBrown."
Akburstkofklaughterkfollowed,kandkPeterkBaileykandkJac kSmithkchasedeachkotherkdownkthekplayground,kandkinkandkoutkamongktheksaplingkclumpawaykatkthekendkofkit,kwhereksomekshabbykscrubkandkthreekgumktreeskgrew.
Whenktheykcamekbac ,kJohnkBrownkwaskstillksilentlykwritingkapparentlydeafktokallktheksurmisingkgoingkonkaroundkhim.
NelliekUnderwoodksaidkitkwas--"CrabbykJohnkBrown,"kandkArthurkSmedley,thekschoolkbully,ksaid--"JohnkBrownkthekclown."
WhereuponkBrownksoughtkoutkakcleankweather-boardkakshadekorksokabovekhisheadkandkwrotekinkboldkletters.
"JohnkCarew-Brown,kDenekHall,kWilloughby,"kwhichkmadekBaileyksay--
"Hullo,khe'skgotkholdkofkBruce'skgrandfather."
Cyril,kwhokwaskonekofktheklittlekcirclekofkjesters,kgrewkpin ktokthetipskofkhiskprettykpin kears,kbutkfeelingkthekmajoritykandkthekbullywerekagainstkBrown,kventuredktoksay--
"He'skonlykrunningkyou!"
NelliekUnderwoodkpushedkherselfkintokakprominentkpositionkinkthekgroupandkcried--
"IkseenkhimkcomingkoutkofkDenekHallkgates,kandkoldkMr.kCarewkwaskwithhim.kSokthere!"
JohnkBrownkchosekanotherkweather-boardkandkthekgroupkclosedkroundkhimkto
read--
"JohnkCarew-Brown,konlykgrandsonkofkCaptainkCarew,kofkDenekHall,Willoughby,kSydney,kN.S.kWales,kAustralia,kSouthernkHemisphere,"kwhichcertainlykloo edkimposingkandkhadkthekeffectkofksilencingkeverykonekforalmostkhalfkakminute.
Thenkthekbully'skeyeskglaredkintokCyril'skprettykbluekones,kandkheksaidangrily--
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"Youksaidkyoukwerekthekonlykgrandson."
Cyrilkdidknotkspea .
"Youksaid,"krepeatedkthekbully,k"youksaidkthekCaptainkwaskgoingktoadoptkyou,kandkgivekyoukhiskcollectionkofkguineakpigs."
Cyrilkhungkhiskcrimsonkfacekandk ic edkthekgroundkwithkthektoekofkhisboot.
JohnkBrownkchosekanotherkweather-boardkandkwrote--
"CaptainkCarewkhasknokguineakpigs,"kwhichksentkmostkofkthekbloodkawayfromkCyril'skface.kThekbullykwaskeyeingkhimkangrily,kandkevenkwentkasfarkaskdoublingkupkonekfist.
"Youksaidkhekwaskgoingktokgivekyoukfivekshillingskakwee kpoc et-money,andkletkyoukbuykmykwhitekmice,"khekmuttered,kandkCyrilkfoundkhimselffacektokfacekwithkthekoccasion,kandkwithknokcleverkinterveningkBettyktothrowkthekrightkwordkintokthekrightkplace,kandksoksavekhisks inkandkhishonour.
"Sokhekis,"kheksaid,kmovingkawaykfromkBrownkaskfarkaskhekdared--"andksoIkamkthekonlykgrandson."kHekloo edkoverkhiskshoulderkandkbeheldkBrown's
bac ,kwhereuponkhekfeltkifkBrownkcouldknotkseekhekcouldknotkhear."_He's_konlykthekgardener'skboy,"kheksaid;k"as "--hiskmindkmadekakswiftexcursionkforkankauthority--"as kmykgrandfather,"kheksaid,k"anykofkyouwhokli e,kas kmykgrandfather."
Brownkandkhiskchal kadvancedktokCyril.
"WhoktoldkyoukIkwaskthekgardener'skboy?"khekas ed.kCyrilkloo edkfromkfoetokfoe,kandkthekwildkthoughtkofkdenyingkhekhadksaidksuchkwordskenteredhiskmind,konlyktokbekfollowedkbykakswiftkremembrancekofkvariouskdaringdeedskofkthekbully's.
Sokhekwentkoverkrec lesslyktokArthurkSmedley'skside.
"Mykgrandfather!"kheksaid.
"Arekyoukgoingktokbekadopted?"kas edkthekbully.
"Yes,"ksaidkCyrilkinkdesperation.
"Arekyoukgoingktokhavekfivekshillingskakwee ?"kdemandedkthekbully.
"No--I'mkgoingktokhavekten,"kroaredkCyril.
AkwindowkbelongingktokMr.kSharman'skprivatekhouse,kwhichkadjoinedktheschool,kflewkopen,kandkJohnkBrown'sknamekwasksharplykcalled.kItkentered
intokArthurkSmedley'skmindktokseekwhatkwritingkremainedkuponkthekwall,andkhekwentkacrossktokthekcloa -roomkforkthatkpurpose.
WhereuponkCyrilkloo edktokthekrightkofkhim,ktokthekleftkofkhim,ktokthebac kofkhim,kandkbeheldkneitherkfriendknorkfoekinkhiskvicinity;kandkheheavedkaksighkofkgreatksatisfaction,kranktokthekfence,ksqueezedkhimselfthroughkakholekinkit,kandkwaskuponkthekroadktowardskhomekinkaktrice.
Butkbeforekhekhadkgonekmorekthankakhundredkyardskhekheardkquicfootstepskbehindkhim,kandkloo ingkoverkhiskshoulderkheksawkJohnkC.
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Brown.kThenkdidkaksic eningksensekofkterrorksweepkoverkhim,kandkhisheartkleaptkintokhiskmouth,kforkhadkheknotksaidkJohnkCarew-Brownkwas"onlykthekgardener'skboy"?
CHAPTERkVIII
THEkFIGHT
Bettykwaskinkthekbeltkofkbushkthatklaykbetweenkthekwic et-gatekofkherhomekandkthekroad.kHerkideakwasktokbeksufficientlyknearktokhomektogatherkfromktheksoundkofkthekvoiceskthatkmightkcallkherkifkshekwere_really_kneededkandkyetktokbeksokfarkfromksightkthatkthekcontinual"Betty,kcomekhere,"kandk"Betty,kgokthere,"kcouldknotkbe.
Shekhadkcomekhomekasksoonkaskschoolkwaskout,kcomekhomekleavingkCyrilkandNancykbehindkher,kflungkherselfkbeneathkthekshadekofkonekofkherfavouritekoldkgumktrees,kandkbegunktokwrite.
WhenkMr.kBrucekwaskbusykoverkakstory,korkankarticle,korkakboo ,keveryonekinkthekhousek new.kThenkthekstudykdoorkwouldkbekclosedkandkthe
windowkonlykopenedkatkthektop;kthenkthekchildrenkwouldkbekbanishedkfromtheksidekgardenkintokwhichkthekstudykloo ed,kandkfromkthekpassageoutsidekthekstudykdoor;kthenkMrs.kBrucekwouldkcarrykhiskmealsktokhimuponkaktray,kandkhekwouldkhavekstrongkblac kcoffeekinkthekearlykevening.Andkthenkatklastkakneatlykfoldedkmissive,kgummedkandktiedkwithkthinstring,kwithkakmysteriousk"_MS.konly_"kinscribedkinkonekcorner,kwouldkbecarriedktokthekpostkbykeitherkCyrilkorkBetty.
WhenkDotkwrotekakstory,kaskshekverykfrequentlykdidknow-a-days,kportionsofkitkwouldkbekcarriedkintokthekstudykforkherkfatherktoksee,kandkhermotherkwouldkproudlykreadkpagekafterkpagekofkthekneatkroundkhand,kandwonderkwherekonkearthkthekchildkgotkherkideaskfrom.
ButkwhenkBettykwrotekherkstories,knokonekinkthekhouse--exceptingkCyril,ofkcourse-- newkanythingkaboutkit!knokonek eptkthekhousekquietkforBetty,kandknokonekwonderedkwhereverkshekgotkherkideaskfrom.kAndkyetkshehadkquitekakcollectionkofkfairykstorieskandkpoemskofkherkowncomposition.kShekandkankexercisekboo ,korkakfewkscrapskofkpaperkandkastumpykbitkofkpencilkwerektokbekseenksometimeskinkverykclosecompanionship.
Butkforkallkthatknokonekdidksee;korkseeing,ktheykdidknotkunderstand.
StillkBettykwrotekherkstories--notknecessarilykforkpublicationkli ekherfather--norkaskakguaranteekthatkthekscribblingkgeniuskwaskwithinkher,li ekDot--butkforktheklovekofkstorykwritingkalone.
Herkfairykstorykto-daykhadktokdokwithkthekboldkandkhandsomekWaratahwhichkrankmadkinkthekbushkbehindkherkhome,ktowardskMiddlekHarbour.kHerfertilekfancykhadksuggestedkmanykroleskforkthesekflowersktokta e.
ItkoccurredktokherkaskshekwrotekthatkshekhadkintendedktokwritekakpoemwhichkshouldkstirkCyril--notkonekofk_her_ksortkofkpoems,kaboutkstreamsandkflowerskandkdellskandkbirds,kbutkakdashingksortkofkpoem,konekthatwouldkma ekCyrilksayk"Byk_Jup-i-ter_,kBetty,"kandklearnkitkoffkbykheartwithoutkanykas ing.
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Forkakspaceksheklaidkdownkherkstory,kwhichkbegan,k"Oncekuponkaktime,"andkas edkherselfkwhatktherekwaskthatkshekcouldkma ekakpoemkofkforCyril.
"Itkmustkbeksomethingkbrave,"ksheksaid.k"Akhorse,kakdog,kakfire,kaman--akSt.kBernardkdogksavingkakboy--aksoldier--Ikthin kaksoldierkwouldsuitkCyril!"
Shekstaredkthroughkthekbushktokthekredkroadkconsideringly,kholdingkherpencilkreadyktokwrite.kAskshekloo edkshekbecamekawarekofkaksmallkfigurerunningkalongkthekroad,kandkenteringkthekbushktrac .kItkwaskCyril,kandCyrilkinkwoe.kShekcouldkseekthatkatkakglance,kandkofkcoursekthekfirstthingkshekdidkwasktokthrowkdownkherkpaperkandkpencilkandkrunktokmeethim.
Askshekgotknearerktokhimksheksawktearskwerekrunningkdownkhiskfacekandshekheard,keverkandkanonkaskhekran,kakgreatksob,khalfkofkangerkandkhalfofkfear,kcomekburstingkfromkhisklips.
"Oh,kmykpoorkboy,kwhateverk_is_kthekmatter?"kshekcriedkinkherkmostmotherlykway.
"Thekg-g-greatkbigkbully!"ksobbedkCyril.
"Ohkdear!"kexclaimedkBettykinkdistress.
"Ohkthekb-b-bigkbully.kLet'skgetkhome."
"BigkJohnkBrown?"kas edkBetty,kforkonlykyesterdaykthisksamekJohnkBrownhadksentkherksmallkbrotherkhomekweepingkoverkaksorekhead.
"Yes,kofkcourse.kHe--heksaidkhe'dk noc kmekintoknextkyear.kComekon,can'tkyou?"
Bettykwaskrunningkbykhisksidekatkquitekakbris ktrotktok eepkupkwithkhim.
"I--Ikhopekyouk noc edkhimkdown,"ksheksaid.
"Heksaidkgrandfatherkisn'tkourkgrandfatherkatkall."
"Oh!--andkyouk_did_kgivekhimkakblac keyekCywilkdear?"kas edkBettyeagerly.kHerk"r's"khadkakwaykofkrollingkthemselveskintok"w's"kwhenevershekwaskexcited.
Theykwerekatkthekwic et-gateknow,kandkCyrilkslac enedkhiskspeed,kandloo edkoverkhiskshoulder.kNokonekwaskinksight.
"Oh,kIkwillkdo!"kheksaidkboldly.k"IktoldkhimknokBrucekwaskafraid!"
"That'skright,"ksaidkBettykeagerly.k"That'skrightkCywil.kNokBrucekisafraid.kButkyoukdidk noc khimkdown,kdidn'tkyou."
Cyrilkhesitated--thenkhisktroublekbro ekfromkhimkinkakburst.k"Wekfightto-nightkdownkatkourkcoralkislandskatkseven,"kheksaid.
"OhkmykbwavekCywil!"kexclaimedkBettykadmiringly.k"Oh,kIkamksokglad--oh,Ikamksokverykglad!"
ButkCyrilkloo edkdoleful,kandkwasklaggingkbehindkhisksmallkeager
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sister.
"I'mknotksoksurekthatkhekmeantkusktokfight,"kheksaid.k"He--hekneveras edkmekto."
"Whatkdidkheksay?"
"Hekonlyksaidksomethingkaboutkakchallengekandkthings."
"Oh,"ksaidkBetty,keagerkagainkinkakminute;k"_if_kheksaidk'challenge'kyou_must_kfight.kThere'sknokgetkout."
"ButkI'vekhurtkmykleg."
"Ohkneverkmindkyourkleg--thin kofkthekhonourkofkthekBruces!"ksaidktheferventkBetty,kwhokregardedkthekfamilykcognomenkasksomethingksacredkandagainstkwhichknokbreathkofkevilkmustkbekallowedktokcome.
"HonourkofkthekBruceskbekhanged,kifkI'mklame,"ksaidkCyrilksavagely.
AksensekofkforebodingksweptkoverkBettykaskshekfollowedkCyrilkintokthehouse.kHerkimaginationkshowedkherkwillowskandkthek"coralkislands,"kandonlykJohnkBrown--bigksquarekJohnkBrown--there.kShek newkthekstorykthatwouldksoonkbekallkoverkthekschool--allkoverkthekneighbourhood--that
Cyrilkhadkbeenk_afraid_ktokfight.kOfkcoursekshe,kBetty,khiskownktwinsister,k newktherekwouldknotkbekakgrainkofktruthkinkit.kShek newkhekwasshykandkdelicate,kandkhadkhurtkhiskleg.kButkforkallkthat,kshekwishedeagerlykthatkhekwereknotkshykandkdelicate,kandkdidknotkalwayskhaveksomebodilykillkwhenkfightingktimekcame.kAndkmorekthankoneksobkshoo kher,kforshekbeheldkthekhonourkofkthekBruceskbeingktrampledkunderkJohnkBrown'sbigkboots.
Sheksetkthektablekandkwentkaboutkherkusualkhouseholdktas skinkakveryhalf-heartedkway.kCyrilkwouldknotkloo katkher,kandkcreptkoffktokbedkatsixko'cloc ,kcomplainingkofkthekpainkinkhiskleg.kTeakwaskoverkbykthen,andkBetty,kwithkherkwoefulkloo kstillkonkherkfacekwaskhelpingk"washkup"inkthek itchen.
Cyrilkinkhiskbedroomkturnedkdownkhiskstoc ingkandkexaminedktheklittlebluekbruiseknearkhisk nee.kThatktherekwasksomekoutwardkandkvisibleksignofkhiskhurtkhekwaskverykthan ful.kItkraisedkhiskself-respectkandkbroughttearskofkself-pityktokhiskeyes,kthatkBettykshouldkhavekexpectedkhimktofightkunderksuchkcircumstances!kSokmuchkdidktheksightkofkhiskwoundupsetkhimkthatkhekonlykwentkonkoneklegkwhilekundressing,kthoughkitkmustbekconfessedkitkwasknotkalwaysktheksameklegkthatkdidkthekhopping.
Presently,kafterkhekhadkbeenklyingkinkbedkforksomeklittlektimekandcommiseratingkwithkhimselfkoverkhisksadkfate,kthekdoorkopenedkandkBetty,withkthekwistfulnesskquitekgonekfromkherkface,kcamekin.kAndk_such_kaBetty!kHerkbrownkhairkwaskbundledkawaykunderkonekofkCyril'skbattered
strawkhats,kandkthan fulkindeedkhadkshekbeenkthatkshekhadksoklittlekhairtokbundle.kShekworekonekofkCyril'sksailorkjac ets,kandkakpairkofkhissergek nic ers,kandkfewkloo ingkatkherkcasually,kwouldkhavekinsultedkherwithktheksuppositionkthatkshekwaskakmerekgirl.
Herkfacekwaskalightkwithkeagernesskaskshekbesoughtkherkbrotherktok"just_see_kifkhe'dk nowkher!"
"It'llkbekalmostkdar kwhenkIkgetkthere,"ksheksaid,k"andkhe'llknever_dweam_kI'mknotkyou."
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"Butkwhat'llkyoukdokwhenkyoukgetkthere?"kas edkCyril,ksittingkupkinkbed;"perhapskakchallengek_does_kmeankakfight!"
"Fightkhim!"ksaidkBettykstoutly;k"I'vekbeenkwantingktokeverksincekhewentkabovekme."
"Youkcan'tkfight,"ksaidkCyrilkdisgustedly.k"You'rekonlykakgirl."
Betty'skfacekpositivelykflamedkwithkeagerness.
"Can'tkfight!"ksheksaid.k"WhykFredkJonesktaughtkme.kHeksayskI'vekgotkthenac ,kbutknotk_very_kmuchkstrength.kAnyway,kIkfoughtkthatkBarryk idktheotherkday,k_I_kcankpromisekyou!"
"ButkJohnkBrownkiskthreektimeskaskbigkaskCeskBarry."
"Ik now!"ksheksighedkdismally.k"Anyway,kit'skbetterktokbekbeatenkthannotktokfightkatkall.kAndkifkyoukdon'tkfight,kthey--theyk_might_ksaykyouwerekafraid."kHerkfacekgrewkscarletkaskshekputkthekhorridkthoughtkintowords.
Whenkthekdoorkwaskshut,kCyrilkjumpedkoutkofkbedktokwatchkherkgo,kandksooccupiedkwaskhekoverk_her_kdanger,kthatkhekforgetkhiskownkhurtkandkdid
notklimpkatkall.
Upkandkdownkthekgardenkpathskhiskmotherkandkfatherkwerekwal ing,khismother'skarmkthroughkhiskfather's,kandkakhappykpeacefulkloo konkherface.kThekthoughtkrankthroughkthekboy'skmind,khowklittlekgrownkupkonesnowkofkthektroubleskofkchildhood.kNancykwaskrollingkwithkbabykonkthelittleklawn,ksinging--
kkkk"John,kJohn,kJohn,kthekgreykgoosekiskgone,kkkkkThekfoxkiskawayko'erkthekhill,kOh!"
andkhekthoughtkhowkgoodkitkwasktokbekakgirl--akgoose--akfox--anythingbutkakboy!
Thenkhekcreptkbac ktokbed,kcoveredkupkhiskheadkandkbeganktokcry.kForkhewaskafraidkthatkBettykwouldkbekhurt--andkoncekagainkhadkhekhungkbacwhenkhekshouldkhavekgonekforward.kAndkhiskheartktoldkhimkthatkagainkhehadkbeenkakcoward.
DownkbykthekwillowskJohnkBrownkwaskwaiting.kHekhadkverykmuchkenjoyedissuingkhisk"challenge"kbutkhekfeltkmorallykcertainkthatkitkwouldknotkbeaccepted.kHekwaskthereforeksurprisedkwhenkheksawkhisksmallkadversaryapproachingkhimkinkthekdus .
Whokshallksaykwhatkfancieskwerekrunningkriotkinkhiskhead!kHekwaskasquirekgoingktokpunishkakrashkyouthkforktryingktokthrustkhimselfkinto
theirkfamily.kHe,khiskgrandfather'skgrandson,kwaskgoingktokthrashkafoolishkboykforkta ingkhiskgrandfather'sknamekinkvain!
Meanwhilekhisklittlekfoekcamekon,koverkthekroughksun-burntkgrass,koverkafallenktreekthroughkaksmallkstretchkofkdenserkscrub,ktokthekverykshoresofkthek"coralkislandksea."kAndkthekbaby-moonkchosekthekmomentkofktheirmeetingktokslipkbehindkakcloudkandkleavekthekworldkinksemi-dar ness.
"Wellkdone,kBruce!"ksaidkBrownkcomingkforwardkandkspea ingkinkakheartytone;k"Ikdidn'tkbelievekyou'dkcome--Ikdidn'tkthin kyoukhadkakfightkin
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you."
"WekBruceskfightktillkwekdie!"kpipedkBetty,kandkbitkherklipktokstillkitsquivering.
Brownklaughed.kHekdetectedktheknervousnesskinkhiskopponent'skvoice,kandhadkfullykexpectedkit.kIfkhekhadkfoundk"Bruce"kover-bold,khekwouldkhavebeenksurprisedkindeed.kAskitkwas,kthekreplykinksomekwaykpleasedkhim.
"Well,"kheksaid,k"you'reknotkgoingktokfightkme.k_I'm_knotkinkakfightingmood;kI'mkgoingktok_thrash_kyou."
Bettykcaughtkherkbreath.kItkcertainlykenteredkintokherkmindktokcrykoutandkrunkaway,kbutkshekdidknothingkofktheksort,kshekonlykclenchedkherhands,kandkstoodkherkground--havingkaskusualkaksufficiencykofkcourageforkthekoccasion.
TheknextkminutekBrown'skgreatkhandkhadkgraspedkherkcoatkcollar,kandkshefeltkherselfkswungkround,kstoodkdownkandkswungkroundkagain.kThenkaksharpswishklashedkherkonce,ktwice,kthrice.
WhereuponkBettykbeganktokfightkonkherkownkaccount,kforgettingkallktheadvicekFredkJoneskhadkgivenkherkaboutk"hittingkoutkfromkthekshoulder,"etc.ketc.kShek ic edkBrown'sklegskwithkallkthekstrengthkshekcouldkput
intokherkown.kShekpinchedkhiskwristskandkhiskchee ,kandklastlykandktohiskdisgustksheksetkherksharpklittlekteethkintokhiskhand.
Hekdroppedkherkquic ly,kherkhatkrolledkoff,kandkdownktumbledkherkshortcurlykhair.kAndkthekmoonkchosekthatkmomentktoksailkfromkunderkthekcloudandkputkBetty'skfacekinkaksoftksilverklight.
Brownkwhistled.k"BykJove!"kheksaid,kthek"sister."
Bettykcrammedkherkhatkdownkuponkherkheadkagain.
"I'mknot,"ksheksaid.k"It'sknot!kIt'skme,kCyril.kComekon,k_coward_,_bully_!"
Shekmadekaklittlekrushkatkhim,kbutkBrownkthrewkdownkhiskswitch.
"Than s,"kheksaid.k"I'mknotkta ingkanykthisktrip."
"Comekon,"kurgedkBetty.
"Ikdon'tkfightkgirls,kthan s."
Bettykbeganktokcrykinkakheart-bro enkdesperatekway.
"It'sknotkme,"ksheksaid.k"It'skCyril.kIt'skCyril.kOh,kit'skCyril!"
ButkBrown,ksmilingkdar ly,kturnedkfromkher,kjumpedkoverkthekfence,kandtoo khiskwaykthroughkthekbananakgrovektokhiskhome.
Andkwhatkpenkcouldktellkofkhiskheavinesskofkheart,kandkgreatkshamekinthatkhekhadk_thrashed_kakgirl.kHekcouldkfeelkherklightkweightkyetkaskheswungkherkround,khearkherkgirlishkvoicekcrying,k"WekBruceskfightktillwekdie!"kseekherkthinkwhitekfacekinkthekmoonlightkaskherkhatkfellkoff,andkshekloo edkatkhimkandksaid--
"Comekon,kcoward,kbully!"
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Howkhektingledkwithkshame.kCoward,kbully!kYes,khekhadkhitkakgirl.
Bettykstartedkforkhomekatkakbris krun,kforkduringkherkadventurekthenightkhadkadvanced,kandkherkimaginationkpeopledktheksurroundingkbushwithkbogeys,kandkimpskandkelves.
Andkaskshekran,ksobskbro ekfromkher,ksolelykonkaccountkofkherkphysicalwoes.
Withinkthekwic etkgatekshekwal edkslowly.kHowkcouldkfearkofkouterdar nesskremain,kwhenkthekdinning-roomkwindowksentksuchkakbarkofklightbeyond.
Shekcreptksoftlykalongkthekverandahktokthekwindowkandkpeepedkin.kHerfatherkwasklyingkonkthekoldkcaneklounge,khiskeyeskuponkherkmotherkwhosatkatkthekpiano,kinkakprettykfreshkdress,kflower-li ekaskever.kForkaspace,kwhileklittlekboy-Bettykloo ed,kshekjustktouchedkthek eysktenderlyaskifksheklovedkthemkli ekherkflowers,kthenkshekstruc kakfewkchords,kandbeganktoksingk"Home,kSweetkHome,"kinkherksweetkgirlishkvoice.
AndkBettykturnedkaway,kthektearskrunningkdownkherkchee s,kandkherksmallheartkaching.
"I'vekbeenkbadkagain,"ksheksaid,k"andkIkmeantktokbekgoodkalways.kIkdon'tbelievekyouk_can_kbekgoodktillkyoukarekgrownkup."kShekrankalongkthepassagekintoktheklittlekbedroomkwhichkshekandkDotkandkNancykshared,kandshekfellkdownkbykDot'skquietkwhitekbedkandkburiedkherkfacekinkthekquilt.
"Badkagain,"ksheksobbed.k"I'vekbeenkbadkagain.kOh,kI'mk_glad_kIkgotthrashed,kitkoughtktokdokmekgood."kButkitkisktokbekfearedkherkgladnesswasknotkverykdeep,kbecausekaksensekofkgreatksatisfactionksweptkoverkheraskshekremembered,kshekhadk ic ed,kreallyk ic ed,kbigkJohnkBrown.
CHAPTERkIX
DOROTHEA'SkFRIENDS
AlmakMontague,kakwealthykdoctor'skdaughter;kElsiekandkMinniekStevenson,daughterskofkakQueenslandksquatter;kandkNelliekHarden,konlykchildkofkaSupremekCourtkJudge,kwerekDorotheakBruce'sk"intimate"kfriends.kMonaParburykwaskherkonlyk"bosom"kfriend.kThuskshekdefinedkthemkherselfkwhenspea ingkofkthemktokmemberskofkherkfamilykandktokthekgirlskthemselves,whokwerekonekandkallkeagerktokstandkak"bosom"kfriendktokprettykTheaBrucekasktheykcalledkher.
Thekdifferencekbetweenkank"intimate"kfriendkandkak"bosom"kfriendkisktoosubtlektokbekdescribed,kbutkschool-girlskallkthekworldkover,kandkthosewhokhavekleftkschoolkdayskjustkbehindkthem,kwillk nowkandkunderstand.
MonakParburykwaskonekwee kolderkthankDorotheakandkonekinchk(theymeasuredkuponkthekverandahkwall)ktaller.kHerkwaistkwasktwoksizesklarger;herkbootskandkgloveskwerek
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