The High Calling by Gilbert Morris

Author:Gilbert Morris [Gilbert Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781441270610
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-01-22T18:48:51+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

The Face of Death

“One wouldn’t think that a couple of three-year-olds could bring such devastation!”

Lady Grace Braden was smiling as she looked about the drawing room, which was in considerable disarray. The twins had torn into their gifts like hurricanes, including the picture books and stuffed animals Kat had brought, scattering paper and string all over the floor. The table that had held the cake and ice cream was also cluttered.

Veronica Braden was trying to stop an argument between the birthday celebrants. “Turn loose of that, Paul. It belongs to Heather.”

“No, mine!”

Veronica slapped Paul’s hand. “Let go of it, I say!”

Paul drew his hand back quickly and looked up reproachfully at his mother. “You’re mean! Don’t be mean, Mums!”

Veronica shook her head impatiently and straightened up. “I’ll have the servants clean up this mess,” she said crossly.

“Oh, I’ll help. I don’t mind,” Kat said quickly.

“They’re paid to do such things—but as you please.” She stared at Kat for a moment, an unreadable expression in her eyes. “Thank you for coming,” she snapped before turning and abruptly leaving the room.

“She always gets flustered at things like this,” Grace told Kat. “She’s much better with adults, I think.” She smiled then and added, “But you seem to have no problem handling three-year-olds.”

“I practically raised triplets. My father married late in life, and he and my stepmother had triplets. I’ve had a lot of experience changing diapers, mixing formula, and separating the boys between battles.”

She stooped down next to Paul, who was sitting on the floor looking hurt. “Look, Paul,” she said. “I’ll tell you what. You let Heather have this stuffed toy and I’ll read you a story when it’s naptime.”

“I wike stories,” he said.

“I want story too,” Heather piped up.

“Then if you’re both good children, I will not only read a story, I’ll make up one just for you.”

This fascinated the twins, and they at once announced that they were ready to take their nap.

“Well! That’s never happened before,” Grace said, an astonished smile on her face.

“You look rather tired, Lady Braden. Why don’t you go lie down for a while. Three-year-olds can put you in bed.”

“Indeed they can, Katherine. But I think I’d rather stay up. It makes me sleep better at night. I’ll run along and see that the twins are properly dressed for their nap.”

Kat almost smiled. She had never heard of dressing properly for a nap. When she used to put her little half brothers to bed, she’d simply tossed them in and warn them to go to sleep or she’d strangle them. “I’ll just clean up some of this mess, and then I’ll come and tell them some stories.”

Grace left the room, and Katherine began cleaning up. It had been a strange birthday party. There had been no guests except for herself. Grace and Veronica and she had been the entire group. Grace had told her that her husband wasn’t feeling well enough to attend. Veronica had mentioned that they hadn’t invited any other children because it was hard enough to keep two children from tearing the house apart.

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