An Acquaintance with Darkness - Ann Rinaldi [50]
But it would cast suspicion on my uncle. And he had given me a home. I didn't need the girls in my class gossiping about my uncle. You have to defend the honor of your kin, don't you?
Then I heard my daddy's voice. "Don't enter into difficult arrangements to save the moment, Miss Muffet," he'd said. "Remember the miller's daughter."
But what if they're going to cut your head off in the morning? I thought. What if all you want to do is live through the next day without losing your head?
Surely with one more day in your favor you can figure out what to do. And for the first time, standing there, I understood why the miller's daughter had given in to Rumpelstiltskin. With one more day to bargain, you could think of something, surely.
"All right," I said. "Give me a day or two to figure out how I can do it."
She hesitated. "How do I know you won't go to him? And give him a chance to get rid of any evidence?"
We had been whispering. Now I whispered savagely. "Do you think I could go to my uncle and ask him to let you in there? He's a busy and important man. I've never been in there. I don't even know how to get in. And I have to figure it out. That will just have to do for you, Myra. Or you can tell the class about your father's investigation."
"You think I won't?"
"I know you would," I said wearily. "But somehow I think what you want more right now is to get into that shed. To please your daddy."
I pushed past her and went to the front door. I was stalling for time.
What if there is evidence of body snatching in that shed? I asked myself, going down the front steps. What will I do then? I was comfortable in Uncle Valentine's house. For the first time in a long time I didn't have to worry about where my next meal was coming from. Or even cook it. I could go to school without any worries. I could study and dream of the future without wondering if I'd have a home next month.
Didn't I have a right to feel such? I was only fourteen.
But I knew better. I wasn't my father's daughter for nothing. I had become too comfortable. I had put my luxury before right and wrong.
I hadn't wanted to face the nagging doubts and suspicions in my mind. And they'd been there all along. Hadn't Addie hinted to me? I had to get into that shed. For my own sanity. It was something I'd known all along I'd have to do if I wanted to live in peace with myself. Myra was just pushing me to do it a little sooner, that was all.
It all got back to something my daddy had once told me. "Our enemies make us strong, Miss Muffet, not our friends. Our friends will lie to us, tell us what we need to hear. Forgive us. We must keep a few good enemies on hand, always, to keep us sharp and teach us never to do anything that needs forgiveness."
Well, I'd gotten that right, anyway. I had Myra Mott. She qualified as a few good enemies all on her own.
"Hello," Robert said. He was waiting for me with the carriage. "I thought you'd never come out. We're late. I was about to turn into a pumpkin."
I looked at him. Somehow the reference to the fairy tale made me look on him kindly. "What are we late for?"
"Your uncle is having company for supper. He wants you there on time."
"Who?"
"Me." He grinned insolently. "And then he has an appointment for the theater. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the rest of the evening."
"Why?"
"He is expecting a shipment, and I'm to be there to receive it."
My head started to swim with the wonderfulness of it. So, I thought, my fairy godmother has not deserted me.
"I'm afraid the evening will be long and dreary with this rain," Robert was saying. "Do you play chess?"
"A little."
"Well, how was the funeral procession? Gory enough for you young ladies?"
"Yes. Speaking of which, Robert, I need a favor."
"Ah, I knew you were being nice for a reason. What's your pleasure?"
"I'm doing a paper for extra grades at school. I want to surprise Uncle Valentine with an A-plus in science. It would help, ever so much, if I could get into his shed in back, so I could see his laboratory and