"P. N. Elrod - Jonathan Barrett 01 - Red Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Elrod P N)

"Goodness, children, have you been quarreling?" she asked.
Elizabeth's hand went to her cheek and she began to blush. I kept my hand
s down, but nodded to the concerned woman. "Yes, ma'am, but not with each
other."
"I'll make you a nice poultice of sugar and yellow soap," Rachel promised.
Sarah appeared next to her, squinted at us, and shook her head. "No, dear, t
hat's for boils. What you want is some cotton dipped in molasses."
"That's for earache," said Rachel.
"Really? I could have sworn . . ."
"Please, ladies," Elizabeth interrupted. "It's nothing to trouble over. I am in
no distress. We must get back to our studies."
Dissatisfied as they obviously were and wanting to stay, Rapelji came to he
r support and the two ladies eventually removed themselves and their good i
ntentions. He waited until the door to the kitchen was shut, then gently as
ked for an explanation.
"Mother . .. felt the need to discipline us, sir," I said stiffly.
"And your father agreed?" he asked with surprise. "To this?"
"No, sir. He persuaded her to cease."
Elizabeth heaved an impatient sigh, told me not to be such a diplomat, and g
ave Rapelji the bald truth. She did not, however, mention Mother's obscene a
ccusation, only that she'd thrown an unreasonable fit. She went on to relate
that Father had interrupted things in time and mentioned that Beldon's serv
ices as a doctor had been employed. I found myself listening with surprising
interest. It seemed that Elizabeth had a talent for storytelling.
Rapelji, the poor man, was out of his depth, as I'd expected. He had no heart
for violent domestic disputes, preferring his battles to remain in the history
books; the more ancient, the better.
"I know I've embarrassed you, sir," she said. "And I do apologize, but I fel
t that of all people, you needed to know what has happened."
"Yes, yes. Oh, you poor girl."
"Anyway, you know the truth. I did not think it fair that you should be unawa
re of our situation. Mother has a horrible temper and it is liable to get awa
y from her at the least provocation. Father said she'd inherited it. The doct
or visiting us seems to have things in hand, though."
Rapelji heaved a sigh of his own. "Well, then, I can promise that your confi
dence will stay here"—he tapped one of his ears—"and shall go no farther. I
am so sorry that you have this problem. If you are ever in need, I am at you
r service."
Past him, the ostensibly closed kitchen door moved slightly. Rachel and Sar
ah had heard everything, of course, and Elizabeth knew it. She'd made a poi
nt of speaking clearly and without moderating her tone to a lower level as
others might have done while relating a confidence.
"Mr. Rapelji, you have already helped, just by being here," she said, patting
his hand.
Our tutor smiled broadly. "Why, then, you are very welcome!"
This made Elizabeth laugh and he inquired if we had any other problems req
uiring assistance. That's when I stepped in and told him about the Cambrid
ge business.
"And you don't want to go?" he cried. "Why ever not?"
"If s so far away," I answered. "And it was how she presented it." That sou