An Acquaintance with Darkness - Ann Rinaldi [34]
"I didn't say I was going to live here."
She gave my pillow a final pat. "You will."
The powder was starting to work. Rain was pouring down outside. Even through the closed windows we could hear the shouts of the people in the streets. "Kill the damn Rebels! Kill the traitors!"
"I fear for Annie and Mrs. Mary," I allowed.
"And what of this Johnny of yours?" She arched her brows at me.
"He isn't mine," I said sadly. "He never was mine. And he's in Canada."
"Change your clothing. I'll bring some hot tea."
I took off my wet clothing, toweled myself dry, and put on the dressing gown. It felt soft and comforting. My head was spinning from the powder.
Marietta brought up the tea. It was darkening now, so she lighted the gaslight. Then the bells started to ring, what seemed like dozens of them, from all over; deep and solemn, they rang, some from distances far across the city.
"The death bells for Lincoln," she said, "and it's about time, too. Your uncle said Secretary Stanton ordered them hours ago. Oh, that reminds me, if you hear anything, don't be frightened."
"Like what?"
"Sometimes Addie Bassett gets out of her room at night. She's locked in days, because the medicine makes her woozy. Nights she's allowed to walk around, though the rest of the house is locked. She's harmless, so don't worry."
"She's locked in days?"
"It's for her own good."
Of course, I thought. Like my being here is for my own good.
Marietta's smile deepened. "It is for your own good," she said. And before I could reply she was gone.
I drank my tea. I read a bit. I heard some noise outside and went to look out. Uncle Valentine's carriage was just going out the gate. Merry Andrews secured the gate behind it, then leaped back up inside and they drove off. Would Uncle Valentine take Merry into the White House with him? A dwarf? Why not? Tom Thumb and his wife had been received by the Lincolns. Oh, the world had gone mad.
It was raining in gusts. I was glad for the warm fire in the grate, for the rain had chilled the room. I leaned back in the chair and listened to the steady tolling of the death bells. I must have closed my eyes and dozed.
Images flashed through my mind. Uncle Valentine telling me they were looking for Surratt and Booth. Johnny handing me that handkerchief with SUNDAY written on it. Uncle Valentine carrying me out of the house. Mrs. Mary saying how the police were asking entrance, searching, demanding answers. Me running through the backyards in my bare feet in the rain. The Negroes weeping in the street. Annie promising she'd stay in touch. Marietta saying "Don't pry." Inside me my feelings were all crossed, like cavalry sabers clashing. I struggled to wake from this sleep, which was more disturbed than restful. But I could not rouse myself.
Then something else roused me. "Little missy." It was a whisper. "Little missy."
I opened my eyes. An old hag of a nigra woman was bending over me. Her hair hung about her, gray and disheveled. She had two teeth missing in front. Her breath smelled like that of a hedgehog. I screamed.
She touched my arm lightly. "Hush, little missy. Please."
I froze more than I hushed.
"My, you're a pretty one. Did they just bring you in?"
"I just came, yes."
"What ails you? The Wasting Disease? Like me? Oh no, I see the bandage on your foot. Do it hurt?"
"Yes, but I've taken a powder. It dulls the pain."
"You cain't be a prisoner. They doan keep prisoners here but on the third floor."
"I'm visiting." This must be Addie, then. I looked at her. Her clothing was clean, though her breathing seemed to be a difficult business. She took great breaths between sentences. Of course, that could be from her weight. She was very fat. And she smelled of some kind of medicine. "My uncle Valentine doesn't keep prisoners," I told her.
"Your uncle, is he? He be a good man. But I needs to get away. They keep me prisoner here. Locks me in my room days. And locks the house up nights. Would you help me get away?"
"You're Addie Bassett."
She took my measure with eyes so old they made me shiver. "What did