The Mirk and Midnight Hour by Nickerson Jane

Author:Nickerson, Jane [Nickerson, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780385752893
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2014-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

“Sparrow!” I cried. The lieutenant looked startled as I jumped up. Seeley followed me outside.

The girl was darting, deerlike on her skinny legs, into the dripping, misty trees. She would have disappeared if I hadn’t called out once more. “It’s me. Miss Violet. Your cousin Laney’s friend. Don’t run off.”

The girls at school had been frightened of Anarchy, Sparrow’s grandmother, and considered her a witch. On the rare times she was seen, they were also nervous of Sparrow, who was an odd, elusive child. I, however, had visited Anarchy’s little cottage now and again and was delighted by them both.

Sparrow halted. Slowly she turned and came toward us through the drizzle, her great brown eyes wide. “I seen them,” she said. Her voice was so soft I had to lean in to hear.

“Seen who?” I asked.

“The People Things. I seen them a little bit ago, yonder by the big house.”

She was obviously disturbed. I put my arm around her shoulders and she flinched slightly. “We won’t let anything hurt you, honey. You’re safe with us. This is Seeley. You’re about the same age, I think.”

Seeley held out his hand. Sparrow simply stared at it.

“What have you got there?” Seeley asked, pointing to the sling she wore across her middle.

“Coon Baby.” Sparrow pulled the cloth back a little. A pointy nose poked out, along with bright, curious eyes set in a black mask.

Seeley grinned. “Can I pet him?”

Sparrow nodded.

“Come inside where it’s dry—or rather dryish,” I said. “There’s a nice man there. Come tell us about what you saw.” It was the simple truth that the lieutenant was a nice man.

The girl let me lead her to the Lodge. Seeley continued awkwardly petting Coon Baby as Sparrow picked her way with dainty, muddy bare feet through the debris in the front room and on to Lieutenant Lynd’s chamber.

She halted just inside the doorway, twisting her hands together and acting as if she might turn and run any second.

“Look who we found,” Seeley announced to the lieutenant with pride.

“Lieutenant Lynd,” I said, “this is Sparrow. She lives a long ways off with her grandmother in the forest.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” the lieutenant said, smiling. “I couldn’t wait to see who Sparrow was.”

“What on earth are you doing so far from home?” I asked the girl.

It took a moment for her to answer. When she did, she spoke carefully and solemnly. “I been seeking a good place to leave Coon Baby. I tended him ’cause some critter ate his ma, but Memaw says ’tis time he be going to stay with his own kin.”

“Why can’t you keep him?” Seeley asked.

“Memaw says it ain’t right to hold tight to a wild critter. I hate it, though, ’cause I raised him by hand.”

Seeley couldn’t seem to stop looking at Sparrow. It wasn’t just her possession of Coon Baby that was fascinating. With her slight body, wild cloud of black hair, triangular face, and enormous, eyes, she made an enchanting figure. “I like your dress,” Seeley said.

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