Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl, Rosemary Nichols Read Free Book Online Page A

harm done!”
    The door lock squeaked and Rory jumped back. No sooner had the door swung open than Sister Anna stepped inside, filling the doorway with her tall frame. Her dark nun's bonnet shadowed her face. “Rory, it's time to go.”
    Rory wanted to run and hug Sister Anna, but that would never do. She contented herself with waking up Brigid to say goodbye. “This is the nun I told you about. She came. I knew she would!”

CHAPTER Ten
    R ORY FOLLOWED S ISTER A NNA TOW A RD A W A ITING HORSE C A B. She hung back to rub the horse's nose, postponing the trouble she knew was coming. His coat was rough and his eyes were dull; the horse looked like he needed as much help as she did.
    “Rory!” Sister Anna's voice made her start.
    “Yes, Sister.” Rory climbed in. Sister Anna settled back in the seat as the cab lurched forward. Silence filled the cab and Rory wasn't interested in breaking it. She leaned away and pressed her ear into a leather seat that smelled of mold, her eyes fixed on the shadowy city passing by. She'd forgotten how loud the taverns could get, although she well remembered not being able to fall asleep at night. A woman in a scanty dress stumbled out of a tavern and hit the side of the cab. The cabbie shouted at her, using such language that Sister Anna covered Rory's ears.
    “I've heard worse, you know,” Rory said.
    “I know,” Sister Anna said sadly. “But no child shouldhear such things.” She took Rory's hand and didn't let it go until they reached the Foundling.
    Back home, Sister Anna brought Rory to the kitchen. Rory loved the Foundling kitchen. There was an enormous cast-iron stove in one corner and shiny copper pots hanging from the ceiling. Rory knew the cook's secret; there was a fat black cat that liked to sleep on the floor under the stove. Cook doted on the animal but Sister Anna would never allow her to keep it. As they walked in, Rory saw the tip of a black tail disappearing into the pantry.
    The cook had kept a bowl of stew and fresh bread for her. Rory wolfed it down, all the while waiting for the axe to fall. Sister watched her eat, still silent.
    Finally Rory could not stand to wait another moment. Stumbling over her words, she said in a rush, “Sister, I'll take any punishment you have for me if only you'll let me stay with Violet!”
    “Rory …” Sister Anna sounded tired. “I don't want to punish you, but you have to face the facts. Violet is going.”
    “I thought you cared about us,” Rory said, keeping her voice quiet. Sister Anna had rescued her and deserved a chance to explain. “After all we've been through, how can you split us apart?”
    Sister Anna sighed and sank into a chair next to Rory. “Someday you'll see that I'm doing the right thing by Violet. I understand why you were upset. To someone your age, three years with your sister seems like an eternity. But we must move forward, and Violet needs a home.” She removed herbonnet and placed it on the table then ran her hands through her short hair. “That's better. It's been a very long day.”
    Rory stared, distracted by Sister Anna's never-before-seen hair. “You've got red hair too,” she said, wonder in her voice.
    Sister Anna smiled. “Perhaps that's why I understand you so well.” She reached over and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Rory's ear. “Today when you left my office …”
    Heat flushed Rory's face to the tips of her ears.
    “I was furious,” Sister Anna said. “And frightened. I am very glad that we found you and brought you back to where you belong. We see so many children. It doesn't do to get attached. But you, Rory, have managed to find a special place at the Foundling.”
    Rory wiped the bowl with a bit of soft bread and waited. There had to be more.
    “Rory, you have many good qualities. But you have just as many faults. The worst is how you tend to leap first and ask for permission afterwards. It shows that you don't respect authority. Orphans don't have that