Earthquake! by Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Author:Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

Phillip turned to watch a fine pair of dapple grays picking their way over the twisted trolley tracks. They shied at the sound of the automobile engine heading up the street.

As it chugged past, the smell of its smoke hung in the air. Phillip tried not to breathe until the exhaust was all gone. He hated that smell.

But the smoke didn’t go away. It just got thicker. Fire bells clanged nearby. No one ran to see. No one ran to help. No one even looked up.

“So, Phillip,” Papa said, “how are the horses?”

He sounded as if it were just a normal day, Phillip thought. Don’t you know what’s happened, he wanted to yell. Our business is the stable! MacMillan and Son. And the stable is the horses. What was wrong with his father?

He made himself calm and said, “Stormy is cut bad, Papa, but she will be fine. Linen and the bays are scraped up some on the legs. Nothing serious.” He paused. “But Duchess is down.”

“How bad?”

“Two broken legs.” Phillip could only whisper.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Papa stood suddenly. Phillip got up to follow him to the stable, but Papa turned quickly and headed back into the house.

“Herbert!” Mama cried.

“I forgot something,” Papa called from inside. He brushed past Phillip on his way out again and strode toward the stable. Phillip tried to keep up, but his legs were too short. He had just reached the front gate when he heard the sound of a gunshot from inside the stable.

No! Phillip’s knees gave way, and he grabbed for the gatepost to keep from falling. He made himself walk on into the stable. The stink of gunpowder hung in the air. Papa was bringing a harness out of the tack room. Things are moving too fast, Phillip thought.

“Get the bays ready, son,” Papa said. “We’ll hitch them to the buggy.”

“But their legs ...”

“Are they lamed?” Papa asked quickly.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“They’ll do then,” Papa said. “They’re the best team. I’ll be taking your mother and Chester to Aunt Eleanor’s until things are settled up here.”

Phillip felt dizzy. “What about me?”

“You stay and mind the stable. Leave the CLOSED sign up and don’t open for anybody or anything. I’ll be back in a couple of days at the most.”

“But Papa ...”

“The house could drop on us any minute. Somebody has to stay with the horses. You.”

Phillip led the bays out of their stalls and helped harness them to the buggy in silence. He drove them around to the front gate and waited until Mama climbed on and took the reins. Then he helped Papa lift all the bags and boxes into the back. He didn’t say anything. There was nothing to say.

“Bye-bye!” Chester waved with a big grin. Mama gave Phillip a kiss and a long, fierce hug.

“Don’t go into the house,” Papa told him. “It’s not safe now.” He pulled himself up onto the buggy seat. “Oh, and here,” he said, handing Phillip a grain bag.

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