The Stepsister's Tale. Tracy Barrett

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       Chapter 5

      Breakfast was silent. As soon as Mamma left the room, Maude said, “Maybe they went back where they came from and we’ll never have to see them again.” Jane didn’t answer.

      Shortly before noon, Betsy’s bark drew them outside. They stood on the steps as the carriage drew into the drive, the horses pulling it more easily than they had that first day, when it had been loaded with heavy crates. A small copy of the carriage was tied behind. It was painted deep yellow and white, and harnessed to it was a little brown pony, her head bobbing up and down as she trotted to keep up. Seated on the driver’s seat was Isabella, proudly clutching the reins, a coach whip in a holder next to her.

      “She pulls your hair out, and he buys her a pony and carriage,” Jane said.

      “It’s all right, Janie,” Maude said quietly, and looked at the ground.

      The two carriages pulled up in front of the house. Ella stood, still holding the reins, not looking at the girls. She wore a coral-colored dress, and on her feet were the most astonishing shoes Jane had ever seen. They were covered in a mosaic of tiny pieces of glass. They sparkled and shone so that Isabella seemed to be wearing diamonds on her dainty feet. Isabella saw the girls’ stare and lifted one foot up, its toe pointed. “Papa had them specially made just for me.” She turned her foot slowly. “There’s not another pair like them in the entire kingdom. Isn’t that right, Papa?”

      “That’s correct, Ella, dear.” His voice was thick with love as he untied her miniature carriage. “As there is no other like you in the entire world.” Well, thank goodness for that, anyway, Jane thought.

      “Help your sister,” Mamma said.

      “She’s not my sister,” Jane said.

      “Jane,” Mamma said, and startled at the sadness of her tone, Jane went to hold the reins. Harry swung his daughter out of the carriage without acknowledging her. She grimaced at Maude, who giggled. Harry and Isabella went inside, leaving Jane and Maude to stable the pony and the big horse.

      When they finally went in the house, Mamma was slicing cheese. She appeared calm, but Jane saw that her hands were trembling. The man, seated at the table with Isabella, rubbed his hands together. “Sorry we couldn’t send word that we were delayed,” he said to Mamma, as though nothing unpleasant had happened.

      “Yes, I was concerned.” She poured his tea. She, too, sounded calm. Why didn’t she say something to Harry about his daughter’s behavior? Why did she pretend that she wasn’t angry? Jane thought she would explode from frustration.

      “We had to wait for Ella’s carriage to dry.” He smiled fondly at the girl as she nibbled on the corner of her bread. “It was white when we bought it, and nothing would satisfy her but to have it painted the color of the pumpkins by the road—”

      “Stop it, Father.” Isabella flushed. “I keep telling you, it’s not the color of a pumpkin. It’s gold like the prince’s carriage.”

      “All right, then, it’s gold.” Harry was still smiling at Isabella. “Have some cheese, darling.” The girl ate her bread and cheese without looking at anyone, ignoring her father’s attempts at conversation. When they had finished, he stood up. “I have business to do,” he announced importantly. “Have to see about getting that roof fixed.”

      Mamma nodded. “Ask the priest first. He’ll know who needs work.”

      Harry sighed heavily. “Margaret,” he said, in a patient tone that made Jane wince, “running the household is your business. This is man’s business.” Mamma’s face turned red. She didn’t answer, and after kissing the top of Isabella’s golden head, the man left. His daughter trailed after him. Jane peeked through the door and saw her, looking even smaller than she really was in the huge empty front hall, standing at the door and staring out at the empty drive.

      Jane returned to the South Parlor and scrubbed the remains of their breakfast off the worn wooden table. “What did he mean, ‘man’s business’?” Maude asked. “This is our house, isn’t it, Mamma?” Mamma didn’t answer. Maude and Jane washed the dishes with the last of the soap. Maude opened her mouth to speak, and Jane knew that she was going to ask whether Mamma had brought any more back with her. She shot her sister a warning glance, and Maude subsided.

      Isabella came back as Jane and Maude were getting ready for their morning chores. She didn’t look at them, but a line on her cheek sparkled where a tear slid down it. Jane sat down to pull on her boots and heard Maude say, “You can’t wear that dress or your new shoes to do chores.” Jane couldn’t resist looking up to see Isabella’s reaction.

      After what seemed like a long time, the girl squeaked, “Me? Do chores?”

      “You can choose,” Maude said. “You can help me find eggs or go to the barn with Jane and milk the cow and the goats.”

      “I’m not—” Isabella began.

      “You have to,” Jane interrupted. “We all have to work, or there’s nothing to eat.” Mamma acted as though she hadn’t heard, but she pressed her lips together tightly. Isabella glanced at Mamma, but even she seemed to know that no help would be coming from there. With a frown that somehow made her look even prettier, she stalked out.

      Jane was soon instructing Isabella in the art of milking. “First, you wash your hands.” She worked the pump handle up and down. Isabella complied but didn’t look at her. Fine, thought Jane. You don’t have to talk. She rinsed her own hands and wrung out a cloth in СКАЧАТЬ