Perdita by Hilary Scharper Read Free Book Online

the garden of Paulina’s house. Queen Hermione appears as a statue, and at the sight of her, King Leontes falls to his knees, wildly distraught and deeply repentant. But much to his joy, she comes to life…” Shehesitated.
    â€œAnd forgives him,” I finished forher.
    Clare shrugged her shoulders. “That, however, is only Shakespeare’s Perdita.” She smiled archly. “Of course you must remember Pongo andPerdita.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œPerdita from 101 Dalmatians , Pongo’s mate.” Clare looked at me impishly. “Don’t you remember her? Really, Shakespeare is one thing, but not knowing your Disney! Now, that’sinexcusable.”
    I got up to hold the screen door open forher.
    â€œI should let you get to those journals,” she said over her shoulder. “Otherwise I’m going to feel guilty about keeping you fromthem.”
    â€œThose sound like marchingorders.”
    â€œNot at all. And thank you so much for your help today. At least that pie will fortify you for the task ahead. I can take some comfort inthat.”
    We both walked back out to the deck and she looked up at me, holding my gaze for a few seconds. “Her eyes aren’t as piercingly blue as Marged’s,” I thought, but I liked their softnessbetter.
    â€œI think I’ll leave the rest of my unpacking until tomorrow,” she said, stifling a yawn. “My plan is to add to my longevity by sleeping like a dog tonight, but I suppose you’ll be sitting like a tortoise with thosediaries.”
    â€œYes, I’ll be up for a few hours—but only after a sprightly-as-a-pigeon walk withFarley.”
    Mars followed me down the steps, and I played a quick game of fetch with him on the beach while Farley watched. After several minutes of ordering Farley to “come” and then scolding him for refusing to obey, I finally picked him up and carried him over the rocks, telling myself that at least I had discovered one of Farley’s secrets for extending his longevity.
    I thought longingly of bed, but I knew that I had to get to Marged Brice’sjournals.
    I poured myself a glass of scotch and sat down at mydesk.

MARGED BRICE
    Cape Prius—1897
    April 16
    At last our supplies havearrived!
    I ran to get Father as soon as I saw the boat. Uncle Gil came, too, when he heard my cries for Tad. Both of them were so relieved, and Auntie Alis almost started to cry as we unpacked the crates. I had not been aware that our stores were so very low. She said this has been the worst year yet because the road was impassable, even to Mr. Brown’s farm. I do not think it likely that we will ever try to winter hereagain.
    Tonight we had some of the bacon, and it was lovely not to have the aftertaste of vinegar in my mouth. I did not notice just how awful it was until today when we partook of our fresh provisions. Even Mother seemed to smile a little. I am sure that when she closed her eyes, it was not so much a savoring of its wonderful flavor, but more that she was giving a prayer of thanksgiving for ourdeliverance.
    I am so glad that winter is finally ending. There are still bits of ice in the Bay, and it still looks very cold. But the long stretches of silence are gone. That long, deep, frozen silence that the winter brings and now the water is moving again and making so muchnoise.
    Indeed, I am grateful to hear the water roaring again. For days it has been only the wind, dry and bitterly cold, moving about us as if the world were a great hollow place. The wind becomes such a rogue in the winter—or perhaps I am too harsh. Perhaps it is only lonely, left behind in restless, unending motion while the others sleep, oblivious to the dreary, bitter months ofcold.
    April 17
    After supper I took the path down through the forest and out to the Basin to watch the lights on the boats. There are four anchored there tonight, each with a lantern fore and aft. They are setting up