Spiderweb for Two - A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright Read Free Book Online Page B

Finch and Wren and Crane and Quayle and even Raven. But not one combination of jewel and bird together.
    The Braxton cemetery also failed to solve the riddle, and it was not nearly such a pleasant place to wander, being far too grand and modern and well-groomed. The monuments were glossy and severe, the grass more like a stiff plush rug than grass, and the flowers were planted in such uncompromising designs that they did not seem live flowers at all, but imitations made of crepe paper and buckram. The children found themselves whispering, and tiptoeing along the perfect paths.
    â€œIt’s like a field full of big stone furniture,” said Oliver. “It hasn’t anything to do with people.”
    â€œAnd the trees, too,” Randy said. “All they’ve got is weeping willows and those purple beech trees, such mournful, serious trees. I wouldn’t like it here.”
    It was a large place, and they were conscientious in their search; in the end they came away depressed and tired.
    â€œI’m almost ready to give up,” said Randy. “I don’t ever want to see another grave.”
    â€œMe, either,” sighed Oliver. “I don’t think I ever want to be buried even.”
    â€œMy mind’s all seething with names and dates. When I close my eyes tonight I know I’ll see nothing but letters carved on tombstones. Honestly, it’s—it’s gloomy.”
    They rode along in silence, slowly. The wind was against them all the way.
    â€œRandy!” cried Oliver suddenly. “I bet I know where it is! Why didn’t we think of it sooner! They didn’t mean for it to be so hard—”
    â€œBut where? Tell me!” demanded Randy.
    â€œWhy, you know, that little old, old graveyard up near the hill on the place where Mark used to live? The one where there used to be a church that got struck by lightning?”
    â€œThat’s where Mona and I got lilies of the valley last spring; they grow wild there. I bet that’s it!” cried Randy. “Oliver, you’re a genius. Only we’ll have to wait till tomorrow. It’s late, and anyway I couldn’t face another today.”
    â€œWell, the clue said step toward the sunrise, or something like that, remember. We’ll get up early and go on our bikes.”
    It seemed a fine idea at the time; less splendid in the somber dark of five o’clock next morning. Randy had slept with the kitchen alarm clock under her pillow so that it would be muffled when it rang, and stifled quickly. Its hearty tick came pounding right through the pillow into her ear, but it did not keep her awake as long as she had supposed that it would; not more than seven minutes at the most. Its morning peal was something else, however, and brought her out of sleep with a shout of panic; she quickly shut it off and went to rouse Oliver as stealthily as overwhelming drowsiness permitted. It took some time for Oliver to begin cooperating. All he would say was the word “no,” spoken firmly, and he kept rolling himself up in his blankets again as often as she unrolled him.
    â€œThen I’m going alone,” said Randy at last, in desperation.
    That brought him out of bed; grumbling and stumbling and reluctant, but on his way nonetheless, and soon they were out of doors in the chill dim morning, riding bicycles still wet with hoarfrost, down the shadowed road.
    â€œMorning’s never any good till after breakfast,” said Oliver.
    â€œMy teeth are chattering; are yours?” said Randy. “Why did they decide on sunrise, do you suppose? Why not sunset?”
    Oliver did not answer. They rode without speaking. Every farmhouse they passed was silent, but from the barns there issued a tinkle and a clank, and the roosters everywhere were crowing.
    â€œI don’t see how they always know what time it is,” said Oliver. “I don’t see why they care so much.”
    A band of palest light