Norton, Andre - The Magic Books 06 by Norton Andre

Author:Norton, Andre [Norton, Andre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-08-15T15:51:17+00:00

"Well enough. Now get your cloak, girl. You and Emmy are to go across to the Hodgins' cottage—"

Nan shook her head. "No."

For a moment she thought Aunt Prudence might box her ears for such open impudence. Then instead, she sighed. "I suppose you feel you have a right. But this is no game we play, Nan. Havers' men are rogues, no matter what is said of Gentlemen." Aunt Prudence's tone made a lie of that title.

"I would not have you here when they come."

"I will not go!" Nan summoned up determination. "There must be something I can do. Carry a message to the Manor—"

But Aunt Prudence swiftly gave her the same answer her own good sense had given earlier. "To what purpose? The Squire is not there, and none of his servants would lift a finger. There is this you can do. Get on your cloak, and take up a basket, as if you were sent upon an errand, and go down the road to Malmsey's. Say to Granny that I have sent you for feverfew. By now all in the village—if Jos has done the work I believe he has—know well we have here a wounded man to be tended. If Granny asks you questions, say that the King's dragoons are on their way here to protect him, for he is an officer of some consequence. While you go, watch well for any sign that we are spied upon."

Nan nodded and went. A little more than a half hour later, she was back.

"Well?" Aunt Prudence took the dried herb packet from her basket.

"I did not see anyone. It was as if all have gone from the village. I told Granny about the dragoons. She said, 'Bad cess to them redcoats.' But she winked at me when she said it."

"They'll all take care in the village that they have nothing to do with what happens. Well, I could expect no more. But Havers will not come before nightfall; his kind slink in the darkness. Emmy has gone. You can make yourself useful to Cook now."

The big kitchen seemed full of corner shadows. Cook made a clashing with kettle and pans, but there was a curious emptiness. She shot a look at Nan. "If you had the sense of a newborn calf, wench, you'd take off with Emmy."

Nan's chin came up. "I don't see that you've run," she retorted.

To her surprise, Cook laughed. "I'm not one for running, not with all m'

weight. Anyways, I've been with Mistress since I was smaller and thinner

'n you. She and her da' before her were good to me. I don't see as how this is the time to go skittering off and leaving her. Not with this to hand!" She touched finger to the handle of a mighty meat cleaver. "Jos and Noel are gone though. Rats scuttle fast enough. Let 'em. Now you get to work a-chopping them winter apples. I'm not setting away any work, and we've mouths to be fed here still."

They ate in the middle of the gray day.

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