The Fancy by Mercedes Keyes, Lawrence James Read Free Book Online Page B

her, “Who are you, Suga? Where have you
    come from?” He asked in a curious whisper.
    “My mama say, child o'the earth, to live on it,
    and sweetin' al the places I go, like sugah. She say,
    always leave, a sweet taste behin' for those, who
    know me. She say, my name remin' me, what she
    always want me to be, sweet – like sugah.”

Chapter IV
    In the days that fol owed, slowly, gradual y, he
    could tel she was getting more comfortable –
    confident – trusting him to keep his word. She began
    a routine which involved being as silent around him
    as possible – while carrying on with matters within
    his home he had once been forced to see to –
    matters that waited until he got to them; such as
    making order of his home. With each leave and
    return, she made a better arrangement of things,
    proving that women real y were better at making a
    dwel ing a place one could cal home.
    Something that also did not escape his notice
    was that she had a habit of saying; she had to do her
    bit. In view of that, her words, her deeds compel ed
    Quinton to do his bit, providing things for the home
    and for her – which made it what it should be, even
    though he was stil , in a sense - a bachelor; contrary
    to that, her presence was slowly but surely, altering
    his dwel ing to reflect otherwise.
    When the townsfolk had need of his services, in
    exchange he received coin, materials, livestock ie;
    two goats, one for milking and the other her kid; a
    rooster; geese and a mule with cart. Returning with
    each new trade, he turned them over to her and
    immediately dismissed al things from his mind,
    trusting her to take care so that he could continue on
    with his studies, his tests…
    …his experiments, al necessary in treating and
    improving the conditions and health of citizens in his
    charge. Oft-times his concentration had been so
    intense that he would look up and around to note he
    could not hear Suga, or her dog that fol owed closely
    by her side. He'd bend his ear to locate her upstairs,
    but her tread was so light, he could not be certain
    and would have to rise – taking a break to find her.
    Another time, he went in search for her,
    growing anxious and cal ed out her name, “Suga!?
    Where are you?” and to his embarrassment, she had
    been tucked away in the same room with him,
    sewing, Moose-Taima at her feet – neither of them
    making a sound. “Good god, say something, make a
    noise! Sneeze, cough, clear your throat, ask me
    something!” He'd sputtered - for her to stare up at
    him, clearly perplexed. “Why? Don' wanna botha' you
    mas-...”
    “That's it! That wil be the last slip! Never again
    are you to make that error, I am not your master!
    Quinton – you hear? I am Quinton and you – are
    much too quiet! It is not normal for a woman to be so
    silent al the time. Have I asked for such silence?” He
    demanded. “No … Quinton.”
    “Then why are you?”
    “Don' wanna be no botha'.” She murmured low.
    “Suga, you've been here now, more than a
    couple of weeks, have I ever indicated that you were
    a bother to me?”
    She stared at him a moment, saying careful y,
    “In-di-cated?”
    “Means, to point out, to inform one, to make
    known – in other words, have I said, Suga – you
    bother me?”
    “No sa' – don' want you to, I'mma stay quiet.”
    He drooped, the air went right out of him with
    his shoulders sagging, he moved forward and
    dropped to his knees at her feet, beside Moose-
    Taima, he stroked the animal’s ear while gazing into
    her eyes.
    “Suga, you are – a delight...” He announced
    sincerely, reaching up, he caressed her cheek, “... I
    look forward to – each moment that something you
    do – brings my attention to you. I – I know you've
    taken to sleeping on the sofa – I so wish you would
    not – there was no need.”
    Her eyes grew wide.
    “I would not hurt you Suga, nor would I force
    upon you, something you did not want – this includes
    me. When, if – you would al