The Baby Experiment by Anne Dublin Read Free Book Online Page B

up!” But no matter how hard Johanna shook him, he wouldn’t respond.
    She gestured for Cecile to join her. “We have a little problem.”
    Cecile’s eyes opened wide. “What’s the matter?”
    â€œOur driver is … slightly inebriated.”
    â€œYou mean drunk?”
    â€œRight.” Johanna frowned. “He must have been drinking all night long.”
    â€œWhat do we do now?”
    â€œYou don’t happen to know how to drive a wagon, do you?” said Johanna.
    Cecile grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
    â€œWait. Don’t tell me,” said Johanna, holding up her hand. “Your brother showed you how.”
    Cecile shrugged. “He taught me almost everything I know.”

    They’d gone only a short distance when Daniel woke up. “What’s going on here?” he said. He snatched the reins from Cecile and pulled hard to stop the wagon. “Who are you? What’re you doing driving my wagon?”
    â€œUh, Daniel,” said Johanna. “There’s been a little … change of plans.”
    â€œI asked you and you’d better answer quick. Who is she?” Daniel reached for the jug. “If you’re trying to get me into trouble …”
    â€œShe’s Cecile. My … my friend. She’s coming, too.”
    â€œAnd who says I’ll take her?”
    â€œPlease, Daniel,” Johanna said.
    Daniel looked sideways at the two girls. “What’s in it for me? Ain’t I taking enough risks already?” He brought the jug to his lips. “Agh! Empty!” He plunked the jug down on the floor under the seat.
    Johanna looked hard at Cecile and said, “She’ll pay you, too. Right, Cecile?”
    â€œOf course I’ll pay,” Cecile said. She looked at Johanna. “How much?”
    â€œYou should be asking me , not her!” Daniel said, pointing to his chest.
    â€œSorry. How much, sir?” Cecile said.
    â€œThat’s more like it.” He paused. “Tell you what. I’ll make you a deal. Only ten schillings for you.” He glanced at Johanna. “Less risk. Pay five now, five when we get to Altona.” Cecile counted the schillings into Daniel’s hand. He turned towards Johanna. “Now you.”
    Johanna put nine schillings into Daniel’s hand. She smelled onions, garlic, and some other unidentifiable odour. He stuffed the coins in his pocket.
    â€œNow let’s get out of here,” Daniel said.

— Chapter Seven —
    Plague
    Daniel guided the wagon to the Hafenstrasse, which ran west along the waterfront towards Altona. The sounds of a new day filled Johanna’s ears: the grinding of wagon wheels and the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves, the screaming of gulls and the chiming of the town clock.
    The girls sat huddled together on a blanket in the back of the wagon. They bumped against the sides of the wagon and against each other until they soon felt bruised and irritable.
    Rebecca woke up and began crying. Johanna gave her a piece of bread, but the baby pushed it away. She squirmed and whined in Johanna’s arms. She felt heavier and heavier as they proceeded on the road.
    Daniel was muttering to himself, occasionally glancing back at the girls. After some time had passed, he stopped the wagon in front of an inn. The wooden walls were rotting; the roof was missing shingles. The sound of laughter and shouting wafted out of the open windows and into the street.
    â€œWait here,” Daniel said. “I’m going in to wet my throat a bit.”
    â€œPlease don’t stop,” said Johanna. “We need to get as far away from the orphanage as we can.”
    â€œI’m the driver,” Daniel said. “You’ll do as I say.” He smiled, showing several gaps in his teeth. “Unless you want to walk.” He got down from the wagon, tied the reins to a post near the horse trough, and staggered into