Eloquent Silence by Margaret Weise Read Free Book Online Page A

could hear rapid, heavy breaths on the other end of the line and knew that something had been stirred up that would have to be followed through to some kind of conclusion. It’s not possible to describe Brian in any greater detail in this missive as he was never clapped eyes upon by the People Like Us in Queensland.
    In spite of himself he knew he was setting certain wheels in motion in Queensland. He sent a photo of himself to Douglas who found that the stranger with the same last name as his mother bore a marked resemblance to Old Jerry in photos he had seen of his father at a younger age. The physical resemblance was all the family needed to find acceptance in their minds towards Brian. All, that is, except Tootsie.
    Douglas was intrigued and could not let go of the strange conversation, thinking he had to follow it through to some kind of conclusion.  He mentioned the story to his siblings somewhat against his better judgment and created a huge schism within the family. He knew the wrath of Tootsie could descend upon his head at any time if he was causing any of her siblings to raise their heads and smell the fair wind of change and information blowing but he mentioned it anyway. She would have no scruples about cutting this person off at the pass should she judge him to be unworthy of the name ‘Gessop.’ For a time Tootsie was more jumpy and crotchety even than usual, nit-picking at Bernard and lecturing him about the sins of the flesh.
    ‘What do you know about that?’ said older brother Barnaby, all the wind gone out of his sails. He pumped himself up importantly, ready to do battle with any questionable goings-on.
    ‘Gosh,’ gasped very conventional Rosalie. ‘Who would have guessed it? Mild-mannered and less obnoxious than some of the others in the family, she merely shrugged and went on setting the table, a grandchild on one hip and another clinging to her skirt on the other side.
    Cold fingers brushed Tootsie’s spine and she bristled.
    ‘I absolutely forbid you to go into the matter any further,’ said she, all puffed cheeks and hostility. She threw up her hands in frustration, her eyes narrow with suspicion. ‘My parents would never have done that. People Like Us simply don’t so such things. Indulge in sex before marriage. Have illegitimate babies and farm them out. At the end of the world, no less. Perth! Impossible.’
    Her eyes sparkled with bad temper as she took in the family at one swoop, over-enunciating each word so that they would be sure to understand her. Behind her well-fleshed back, the von Hildebrand family was in a state of flux but they were all afraid to tell Tootsie so.
    ‘We don’t want some sleazebag barging in here and trying to ingratiate himself into Dad’s will.’ Her jaw was set and her eyes were blazing. Enough control of the family had slipped through her hands already and she was not about to allow herself to be the victim of any more unfortunate circumstances.
    Ham-fisted domination was not a phrase with which Tootsie was familiar, nor would it have meant a great deal to her if someone had whispered it in her ear.
    ‘Humpf!’ said Phillip as he felt his face burn right up to his hairline. ‘Only human, weren’t they? Probably like the rest of the human race and let things get a bit out of hand then didn’t know what to do about it.  Best let sleeping dogs lie if Tootsie’s going to get herself all het up about it.’
    Douglas felt as if his smile was painted on. He was no more anxious to cross the formidable Tootsie than any of the others but he did not intend to let the matter rest, either. Keeping the matter hush-hush, he went on defiantly keeping in touch with the stranger. He had fielded the phone call and didn’t want to let those sleeping dogs lie. If there was another sibling out there he was anxious to make his acquaintance.
    In the course of negotiating over the spare parts for the firm where his missing brother worked, Douglas went further towards