The Toll by Jeanette Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

bloomers, and
chemise soon followed, smacking me with a soft slap in their
wake.
    “ Mamma, what are
you…?”
    “ Look,” she started,
whirling around, “I need your help.” Huffing out a long breath, she
stopped suddenly and gripped my hands in hers, her eyes a little
wild and blood shot. “I mean, we need your help, your Papa and I.”
    “ Okay, Mamma,” I mumbled in
a sleepy voice. “What do you need me to do?”
    There was a noise in the other room
and her head shot to the door.
    “ Get dressed quickly,” she
ordered, rushing out of my room in her nightgown and tattered robe.
“We haven’t much time, dawn will be upon us soon enough, and then
it might be too late.”
    “ Too late?” I echoed,
hurriedly dressing and tossing on my boots to follow.
    I made it into the kitchen in record
time, taking the cape she had held out in front of her for
me.
    “ Hurry. Hurry, now, child.”
Mamma shoved a brown sack into my hands and urged me outside,
nudging my back almost painfully to get me going.
    “ Mamma,” I protested,
“what’s gotten into you? It’s-”
    “ What’s all this?” Papa
demanded as he scratched at his balding head, his nightgown hanging
off his slender shoulders crookedly.
    “ Daphie’s going to offer
the troll everything we’ve already offered, plus,” she patted the sack I held
loosely in my hands, my eyes widening with dawning horror, “my
mother’s diamond rings and great Auntie May’s ruby necklace,” Mamma
informed Papa primly, the fire and defiance in her eyes daring him
to argue.
    “ Heart…” Papa croaked, but
Mamma made a cutting motion.
    “ She will do this for us,”
Mamma barked, “she will.” Turning slightly, she glanced at me.
“Won’t you, Daphedaenya?”
    “ Of course, Mamma,” I
stuttered timidly, scared spit-less as my eyes darted back and
forth between them.
    Papa rubbed at his face, looking older
than I’d ever imagined in that moment.
    “ At least let me take you
most of the way.” Papa addressed me, but looked to Mamma as he
spoke.
    Without another word, he left the room
before she could answer, and we were both left standing there, my
hands clutching the brown sack she used to store potatoes in
gripped tightly in my hands, Mamma’s clutching her robe.
    As minutes ticked by the silence in
the room stretched out before us, but neither one of us broke
it.
    Papa came walking out moments before
one of us might have cracked, having hastily dressed, his night
shirt tucked into his trousers, tossing his thick winter coat on
over it.
    Unsure, I followed him out, glancing
back to see Mamma worriedly watching us go, a troubled expression
on her face. It was hard to make it out, it was still so dark
outside, but I know I saw it. In fact, it must still be the middle
of the night, it was just that dark.
    Glancing around, I turned back to find
my father watching me, swallowing thickly as he walked up to me and
led me to his horse, offering me his hand to help me get up.
Surprised at the generous gesture, I smiled gratefully, graciously
accepting his proffered assistance.
    “ Up you go,” he mumbled
distractedly.
    Papa’s hands were warm, despite how
thin they were, and I felt like a little girl again, like when he
used to take me for rides when I was young.
    “ Thank you, Papa,” I
whispered as he mounted and settled himself in front of me. Papa
froze and stared straight ahead, head dipping as he sat up a little
straighter, back stiff, urging the horse on as we started
off.
    “ You’re, uh, you’re
welcome, child,” he said finally, but his voice sounded strange and
strangled.
    Oh, no. He must think this
won’t work either. Wishing to give him
strength, comfort him somehow, I gave his back a little pat,
pleased when he accepted it. It was a rare thing for the two of us,
since he wasn’t much, like Mamma, for shows of
affection.
    “ Don’t worry, Papa,” I
assured him, lying through my even, white teeth, “We’ll get her
back.” Lifting it