Sowing Poison by Janet Kellough Read Free Book Online Page B

Lewis said. He had no confidence in his abilities as a cook.
    â€œCould you stay with Susannah, then?”
    â€œYes, but then you have no one to serve. Maybe we should ask everyone to go down to the tavern this one time.”
    â€œMaybe, although by rights we should offer to pay for it.” This was a prospect Daniel found less than appealing, in spite of his concern for his injured wife.
    Lewis nodded, but as he headed to the bottom of the staircase to intercept the guests, he noticed that Mrs. Sprung was still in the hall.
    â€œHas there been some trouble?” she asked. Her handkerchief was still in her hand and she dabbed at her eyes as she inquired.
    â€œYes, the proprietor’s wife has broken her leg.” A sudden thought had just occurred to him. This woman apparently had no need to be anywhere at any specific time, judging from her return visit to the hotel. Perhaps she had some time to spare. It might even do her good to have someone else to think of for a few minutes.
    â€œI wonder if you might sit with her while we serve dinner?” he asked. “We’re waiting for the doctor. You don’t have to do anything,” he assured her when she hesitated, “If she needs anything, you have only to come and fetch me.”
    â€œIf it would be a help, then of course,” she said.
    He showed her to the room and ran back to the kitchen.
    He quickly refried some of the bacon that had been left over from breakfast while Daniel dished up the potatoes that had by now boiled to a watery pulp. They then carried the bowls through to the dining room where Mr. Gilmour and the Elliotts were waiting. There was no bread to go with the dinner; no one had thought to bring the loaves that Susannah had dropped when she fell. The Elliott boy made a mewling noise when the food was set down in front of him.
    â€œNow, Horatio,” his mother admonished. “Be thankful for what there is.”
    â€œI’m sorry there are no other dishes,” Lewis explained. “I’ll fetch a bowl of pickle to round this out and we’ll do better tonight, all right? We’ve had a bit of an upset this morning. My sister has fallen and broken her leg rather badly, I’m afraid.”
    â€œI’m sorry to put you to so much trouble,” Clementine said. “It’s just that Horatio is so delicate, his digestion is easily upset. I do hope that your sister isn’t in too much pain.” She smiled, and just for a moment Lewis could understand why the men scrambled so to tip their hats. Then the smile left her face and he was left wondering if his eyes had deceived him, for in repose her face was hard.
    When he returned with a bowlful of pickled cabbage, he noted that Horatio appeared to have finished eating, having consumed nothing but a few spoonfuls of the potatoes. He removed the boy’s plate without comment, even though the waste of good food aggravated him. Ah, well, they pay for it anyway, don’t they, he thought, and the pigs will eat it up well enough.
    Lewis had finished scrubbing the pots by the time Dr. Keough arrived to confirm what they already knew — Susannah’s leg was broken in two places.
    â€œI need you to hold her down while I set it,” he told Lewis and Daniel. “And you, ma’am.” He nodded to Mrs. Sprung. “Perhaps you could grasp her foot, just so.”
    â€œI … well … all right,” she said tentatively. “I guess I could.” She looked most alarmed at the prospect.
    Keough knew his business well and it was only a short time before he announced that he was satisfied with the alignment. He fixed two wooden splints to the leg and wound it around with heavy bandaging to hold them in place.
    â€œFortunately, the bone didn’t puncture the skin,” he said. “It should heal without difficulty, although she may have a bit of a limp for the rest of her life.” He sighed. “What a