Anna To The Infinite Power by Mildred Ames Read Free Book Online Page A

you. I’ve never seen you act rude to a guest, Sarah. What got into you?”
    “I told you, I don’t care for her. And that scent she wears--she must douse herself in it.”
    “I liked it,” Rowan said.
    “Nobody asked you,” Anna said.
    Graham Hart said, “And you, Anna, should be grateful instead of complaining. The woman’s an accomplished musician. Not only that, her playing has something yours lacks -- warmth. You could learn something from her. I don’t care whether you like her or not.”
    “I don’t see why I have to learn piano anyhow when I have so many more important things to learn. After all, I’m a very special person with a very important destiny.” Anna saw the startled look in her mother’s eyes but she didn’t care.
    “That’s exactly why you have to learn piano,” Graham Hart said. “It may help you to overcome some of that arrogance. Besides that, you’re too lopsided, Anna. Science is fine, but let’s temper it with some knowledge of the humanities.”
    “I’m not going to her house,” Anna said stubbornly. “I’m not, I’m not!”
    “Then I’ll have to insist,” Graham Hart said. “As your father, it’s my responsibility to look out for your best interests.”
    “But you’re not my father!”
    “Now, Anna, don’t give me -- “ A heavy silence fell over the room as he paused and stared at Anna, a bewildered expression on his face. “What did you say?”
    “I said you’re not my father.” Anna could see Sarah Hart and Rowan exchange anxious glances.
    Graham Hart turned to his wife. “What’s she talking about?”
    Anna opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Sarah Hart said, “Anna, go to your room at once. You, too, Rowan. I want to talk to your father alone.”
    Anna said, “But -- “
    “Not another word. I said go!” She shooed both Anna and Rowan from the room.
    You’d think we were kids, Anna thought.
    Rowan said to her, “What a rotten evening,” and glared at her as if it was all her fault.
    Well, it was a rotten evening for her, too. Nevertheless, she was glad she’d told Graham Hart he was not her father. She had the feeling she was almost getting even with someone. After all, why should she be the only one to suffer?
     

7
     
    After classes the next day Rowan made a point of seeking out Michaela Dupont. He had some vague notion that he must somehow warn her about Anna. After all, look what Anna had pulled on his father last night in spite of her promise to keep quiet. Poor Dad. Rowan couldn’t begin to imagine how he would take the knowledge that he wasn’t Anna’s father. No, you certainly couldn’t trust that girl.
    Knowing Anna as well as he did, he was dead sure that somewhere in her dealings with Michaela she would sooner or later do something dishonest or disgraceful. And when she did, he would be the one who would feel ashamed, not Anna. Oh, no, never Anna. He wanted Michaela to know he wasn’t the least bit like his sister. Sister! She wasn’t even a relative. How he wished he could let the whole world know. Perhaps he should tell Michaela that Anna was mentally sick. Or would that also reflect upon him?
    He was pondering the question when he found Michaela at her desk, going through papers. She gave him a bright smile and said, “I’m glad you stopped by, Rowan. I’ve been looking for your father all day to thank him for that lovely dinner. What a treat it was.”
    Was she trying to tell him that, his family had more food than other people? Or was it only his guilty conscience making him feel uncomfortable? “I’ll tell him.”
    “Good. I had a delightful evening.”
    With all that bickering? “I’ll tell my parents,” he said. When she offered nothing further, he shifted uneasily and finally said, “I -- I -- well, I just stopped by to thank you for taking Anna on.”
    “I’m glad to.”
    “But Anna’s difficult -- to teach, I mean.”
    “I’ll manage.”
    She wasn’t making things at all easy. “I