The Treasure Box by Penelope Stokes Read Free Book Online

firewood, and she instructed him in the finer points of hosting a tea party and making porridge without burning it to the bottom of the pot. They talked. They giggled. They shared secrets. And Jacob discovered, much to his surprise, that fatherhood had rewards he’d never dreamed of.
    He still missed Elena, of course, still thought of her every day and dreamed of her every night, still longed to see her smile at him over the breakfast table or feel her snuggle close for warmth on a cold winter’s night. But in her absence, he began to understand his daughter in ways that many fathers never did.
    Other men might measure wealth in terms of money or power or prestige. Jacob Stillwater’s treasure had auburn curls and sparkling brown eyes and her mother’s lilting laugh.
    Ignoring Cathleen, who was still miffed about the locket, Sophie watched with interest as Papa went to the mantel and brought down a gift swathed in the same kind of thick white paper the butcher used to wrap the pork roast for their dinner. She eyed the bright green ribbon with delight, imagining how fine it would look twined in her hair when next she wore her good green dress for church on Sunday. Or perhaps she’d put Rachel’s locket on it and tie it around her neck.
    â€œThis,” Papa said, setting the gift in front of her with a flourish, “is for my darlin’ girl.”
    â€œOh, Papa, thank you!” She loosened the bow and smoothed the ribbon against the edge of the table, then folded it carefully and laid it aside.
    â€œOpen it, Sophie!” Rachel insisted.
    Sophie removed the paper, and for a moment or two she couldn’t speak. It was the loveliest thing she had ever seen: a small chest, crafted in tin and painted blue, with a map of the world covering its surface and delicate brass workings at the corners. She knew instantly that Papa had made it with his own hands, and that made it twice as precious.
    â€œLook at the dragon!” Rachel squealed. “And over here—an elephant. And the seals!”
    â€œSea lions,” Papa corrected with a smile. “Where the elephant is, that’s Africa.” He extended a long calloused finger. “Here’s England. We’re right up here, amid these hills, near this little lake.”
    â€œWhere’s America?” Cathleen asked in a surly tone.
    â€œAll the way across the ocean, there.” Papa pointed. “Are you interested in America, Cathleen?”
    â€œI’m interested in anywhere but here,” she retorted. “Anywhere a person’s got a chance at a decent life. America’s rich, don’t you know? Gold for the taking, right out of the ground. Big cities with fancy homes and carriages and—”
    Papa frowned at her. “Money isn’t the most important thing in the world, lass.”
    â€œIt is if you haven’t got it.”
    She jerked the box roughly out of Sophie’s hands and turned it around and around, scrutinizing it. “Where’d this come from?”
    â€œWhy, Papa made it, of course.” Sophie grinned and kissed her father on the cheek. “Thank you so much, Papa. I couldn’t have imagined a more special birthday present. I’ll keep all my treasures in it.” She retrieved the box from Cathleen’s grasp, nestled the handkerchief doll inside, and laid the silver locket gently on top.
    â€œIt’s just an old homemade box,” Cathleen muttered under her breath. “What’s so special about that?”
    Sophie didn’t answer. Cathleen could protest all she wanted, but nobody who was looking could miss the glitter of envy in her eyes.

5

CHILD’S PLAY
    S ophie and Rachel sat cross-legged in the shade of a tall oak tree, giggling.
    â€œBehold Titania, Queen of the Fairies,” Sophie declared solemnly, settling the handkerchief doll into a forked space at the base of the tree. “And these—” She lined up a