A cold wind blew rain into the tree house. Jack shivered. He waswearing an old over coat, and rugged trousers, Annie wore scarfand shawl and a long white wool dress. They both wore scarffedworn boots.
So where are we? Said Jack.
He and Annie looked out of the window, the tree house had landedin a tree, at the edge of the green meadow with wooly white sheep.
Next to the meadow was a narrow lane. It ran uphill between lowstone walls. Through the drizzle Jack could see mist coveredmountains in the distance. And a flash of silver sea,It looks like a sea in the fairy tale. Said Annie.
Yeah. The fairy tale with bad weather. Said Jack.
I wonder where the big house is. Said Annie.
I don’t know, but I’d like get inside now. said Jack.
Me too. Said AnnieshiveringLet’ go.
Jack scrambled his cold hands into the pockets of his torn coat. Inone pocket, he felt his notebook and pencil, in the other he felt theIrish whistle.
I’ve got the whistle. He said.
Good, said Annie.
She held her red skirt and started down the rope ladder, Jackclimbed down next her.
Annie pulled her shawl tightly around her shoulders, Jack turned upthe collar of his coat, as they tramped through the wet meadow, hefelt cold water slipping through his whole boots. Jack and Annieclimbed over a stone wall, unto the muddy lane. A horse strongwagon was resting toward them down the hill. The wagon was filledwith squealing pigs.
Excuse me! Annie called to the driver. Can you tell us where the bighouse is?
An old man with a tiredrugged face pointed back up the hill.
Thanks! Said Jack.
The large wooden wheels of the wagon rumpled past, splashingJack and Annie with mud.
Yek! Said Annie.
Now we’re cold, wet and dirty. Said Jack.
Yeah. We get a little grieve when we get to the big house. SaidAnnie.
So what do we do and get there? Asked Jack.
When we find Augusta maybe we’ll tell her Teddy and Catherinesent us. Said Annie.
Like we told Louis Armstrong in new Orleans.
Just thinking about their adventure with Louis Armstrong.
MadeJack smile.
I don’t know if it will work. He said.
This will seem be so different from this world. There were so noisyand busy, here feels lonely.
Well we won't know where we will find Augusta. Said Annie.
Let’s go.
Jack and Annie lowed their heads, they ploughed up the lane,slouching in and out of the giant paddles, when they reached thetop of the hill, they stopped. The muddy lane well come down, pastmore sheep meadows and some cottages past long stable, andseveral barns..
At the end of the lane, was a large open gate, that led onto theground of wide mansion. Grey smoke rose from the mansion’schimneys.
The big house. Said Annie.
Maybe the people who live there would advice us some site to getwarm and dry bya fire. Said Jack.
Jack and Annie started down the lane. As they passed sheepmeadows, black and white dogs barked at them. When they walkedby several boys hauling white hay, the workers looked up an eye atthem suspiciously.
Jack was relieved to get to the gate, and headed toward the bighouse, when they reached the front door, Annie lifted the heavyknocker and let it drop.
A moment later, the door opened, a pale teenager girl looked out.
Who are you? Why are you here?
Ah.. well, stunted Jack,Areyou the ones the bugler sent for? the girl asked.
The bugler? Said Jack.
Yes we are. Said Annie.
Then you should go around to the back. the girl said.
Before Jack or Annie could ask for a gust, the girl slammed thedoor in their faces.
Nice. Said Jack.
I hope she was Augusta. Said Annie.
Why did you tell her yes? Asked Jack.
It’s the way to get inside the big house. Said Annie. come on.
Jack and Annie tramped through the mud, to the back of themansion. They stopped at the door beneath the large smokingchimney.
Annie knocked again, This time a young red haired girl in the capand neborn opened the door.
Yes? She said.
Is your name...
Started Annie.
Who is it? Molly? Someone called from inside.
Molly? So she’s not Augusta. Thought Jack.
Who areyou? Molly asked them,We are the ones bugler sent for. Said Annie.
You? Said molly.
She looked down for...
Then come in and see him then...
Jack and Annie stepped inside,He’s in the kitchen. Said molly.
She started down the hall, Jack and Annie followed molly to thedoor way of the deem lit kitchen. The kitchen smelt fishing andonions, ports and pans hang from long red over big wooden table, astout old woman was bent over to table, rolling out a dew.
Cook! Here are the ones the bugler sent for. Said Molly.
The cook looked up from her dew and squinted at Jack and Annie.
You are the ones he sent for? She said.
Ah..yes, ma’am, that’s us. Said Annie.
The cook turned to fireplace, next to the fire, an ancient lookingman with white whiskers, sat slumping the chair, snoring.
Mr. old leary!
The old man jerked and opened his eyes. The ones you sent for arehere. The cook shouted, as if the man was hard for hearing.
The groggy bugler peered at Jack and Annie.
I sent for you? He growled. Not possible. I sent for a coach driverand a blacksmith.
Really? Said Annie. I guess there was a mistake. But maybe thereare less jobs we can do around here.
Well, what are you good for? Asked bugler.
What do you mean? Said Jack.
Do you know how to sweep inside the chimney? Said the old man.
Am..no. said Jack.
Pluck chicken? The cook asked.
No way. Said Annie.
What about rats? The bugler said, what about them? Asked Jack.
They are all over the seller. Said the cook.
Can you catch them/Ar..I I don’t think so. Said Jack.
Then you are not good to us here. Snarled the bugler. Be on yourway!
At that moment, Jack heard the backdoor opened and shut, a girlabout Jack’s age stepped into the kitchen, she wore a red cape,and carried two long empty baskets. Her red hair was parted neardown to the middle,and pulling to a tight bund in the back.
Ah...said the cook.
Welcome back, Miss. Augusta, |