3 July 2008 - Grandmother and Uncle ~ Chapter 2
At first no one answered. Hazel repeated her question. I knew that we should see her (Grandmother) at supper, but I didn't say so. But Kat said, "Perhaps we'll go to our rooms before supper.''
Cook rang a bell. A maid appeared, in a blue serge dress, with a starched white apron and cap. 'Take them to their rooms.' The maid turned, and Kat followed. The rest of us trailed after.
The maid put the boys into a room and Kat into hers; she had a desk and a sofa. Anne,Hazel and I had a nice high room, with a fire and washstands.There were roses carved on the bedposts, and lace curtains; a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. Hazel is scared of wardrobes. Don't tell her I said that. She has read C.S. Lewis ( have you?) and is afraid the White Witch will come out and turn her into stone. But that's all make believe.
Before she went I asked the maid, "Are there any tarantulas or spiders in America?"
"Both," she said, and sneezed, running downstairs for her handkerchief. When I see a spider I get all wriggly inside and I feel cold all over. Tarantulas have an even worse effect!
When we went to supper, Grandmother and a gentleman were already there. We supposed he was a guest; but he turned out to be the last person we had thought of: Uncle Herbert! He was Grandmother's son, of course. But we didn't know we had an uncle. All our other uncles were either dead or gone to Australia.
At first we were all too busy eating to talk, or introduce ourselves, or anything of that sort. But when Uncle Herbert turned to Kat and said,
"Katrina, you are, aren't you?" we had to start. Kat said afterwards that Uncle hadn't much grammar or manners. But she said anyway,
"Yes," very fast, with a mouthful of tea. It didn't go down properly, and she got red in the face and coughed. Jim giggled.
"James," said Uncle, "aren't you meant to be in school?" Jim giggled again. He wouldn't answer, so Hazel did.
"We have lessons here," disgustedly.
"Hazel!" Kat was horrified.
"Yes?"
Hazel turned to Kat, with such an angelic expression that Anne, Jim and I all laughed at once. Anne had a mouthful of bread; she choked and shook her fist at Hazel, who looked quite innocent. There was a pause,
"Perhaps we'd better go to bed."
Even Kat was tired. We all followed her upstairs and as soon as our heads touched the pillows, we all fell fast asleep.
Comments
10 February 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rebecaa
Whoops, missed this part! I think you are going to be a great writer, beth! And its hard to believe your only 9!
11 February 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by writer4him
Hello Bethany! I'm Beth, and I found your blog on the member list. You are a wonderful writer--much better than I was when I was nine! I like to write, too. I'd love to add you to my friends list, if you don't mind--and feel free to stop by my blog sometime.
~Beth, or writer4him
9 March 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rebecca
Come on, Beth! :)
