The Callender Papers by Cynthia Voigt Read Free Book Online Page A

afraid.
    â€œI don’t need any help,” he answered, his back still to me. Then he turned around again and smiled at me, with his mouth and eyes. “That’s a lie. I’m hopeless at it. And it was sneaky. Next time I’ll tell you, if I’m there. All you do is read or moon around anyway. Once”—he grinned—“you were dancing.”
    I didn’t know how to react. It was horrid to think you were alone and to find out that you weren’t. “Why shouldn’t I dance?” I demanded.
    â€œNo reason. It wasn’t too bad, for a dance.”
    I said nothing.
    He shrugged. “But listen, there’s something else. I think somebody else was there too. Watching you.”
    He did not seem to be teasing; his face was serious. Somebody else there? Did he mean to frighten me with tales of ghosts? “I don’t believe in spirits,” I said.
    â€œNo, not that bosh. Across the brook, behind the trees, I thought I saw—something. Somebody. Who didn’t want to be seen and was pretty good himself at tracking. If there was anybody there.”
    â€œWhy should anybody spy on me?”
    â€œIt could be another boy, like me. But nobody goes near the Callender property. At least, nobody Iknow of, and I think I’d know. There’s a shallow ford above the falls so I went to look. I saw a footprint, a boot footprint. Well, it might have been my imagination, it might not have been a footprint. That’s pretty rocky ground there. It was just a couple of days ago, it was just a shadow moving. Father says my imagination runs away with me. He says I’m not a reliable witness.”
    â€œHow can I learn to tell if people are spying?”
    â€œOh, I could teach you.”
    At that moment, Mr. Thiel returned. Mac put down his rod and scrambled up the bank to shake his hand. “How are you, sir?”
    â€œI’m well,” Mr. Thiel replied.
    Mac grinned at him, undaunted by his forbidding expression. “Father will be pleased. He says the highest tribute a doctor can receive is a six-month period with only childbeds to attend, and the odd broken arm.”
    â€œSo you’ve met Jean,” Mr. Thiel said.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHow do you like her?”
    They spoke as if I were not there.
    â€œShe seems all right. She’s probably smart.”
    â€œThat’s why she’s here. You might come visit hersome day, if you like. She has no other company.”
    Mac nodded warily. “I might.”
    â€œOf an afternoon. We work in the mornings.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œJean, we should return now.” Mr. Thiel finally looked at me. I started walking back, without waiting for him. He caught up with me easily and said, “It’s good you met him.”
    I didn’t answer. I would decide that for myself.
    â€œYou might enjoy some youthful companionship,” he said.
    Finally I spoke. “He seems to be one of the few people around here who will speak with you, so I guess you would approve of him.” I was silent all the rest of the way to the house.

Chapter 5
    By the time we reached the house I was thoroughly ashamed of myself. The long, silent walk had given me more than enough time to swallow my anger and recall my manners. What of it if Mr. Thiel had been ungracious? That did not excuse my own rudeness. As I tidied myself for dinner, I determined to make my apology. Aunt Constance had taught me that unpleasant tasks must be got out of the way briskly. That was her word, briskly, and I liked it because it sounded like a new broom, energetically sweeping away.
    As soon as we were alone in the dining room, with full plates before us, I made my speech. “Mr. Thiel, I apologize for my rudeness. What I said was inexcusable. I should not have said it, and I am sorry for doing so.” That done, I began to eat.
    You can imagine my surprise when I heard himstart to laugh. He did not laugh loud or