Read Online A Perfect Gentle Knight by Kit Pearson - Free Book Online

lose my courage. Pray do not ever suggest it again, Sir Gawain!”
    He and Roz glared at each other. Lately the two of them had been more like a quarrelling brother and sister than fellow knights.
    C ORRIE STARTED GOING HOME with Meredith during lunch hour. At first she took her own carelessly made, dry sandwich with her. But the homemade soup, toasted sandwiches, puddings, and cookies that Mrs. Cooper offered her were so scrumptious that she started throwing away the sandwich. This was so much better than sitting in an almost empty classroom, a bored-looking teacher at the desk, with Harry and the twins and the few other kids who had to bring their lunch to school.
    When it was Harry’s turn to take home Juliet and Orly, Corrie spent the afternoon at Meredith’s house. Soon she was sometimes staying for dinner on those days as well. Afterwards Mr. Cooper and Meredith would walk her home.
    One Saturday morning at a Round Table meeting, Corrie was called to account for this. “Sir Gareth, you are eating too many meals at Meredith’s house,” Sir Lancelot told her. “It is not right. Her mother will think we are beggars.”
    â€œShe doesn’t mind,” said Corrie. “She really likes cooking. Last night she made something called lasagna.” Her mouth watered at the memory.
    â€œThis will not do,” said Sir Lancelot sternly. “You and Sir Gawain are either away or late almost every night. I have to get dinner ready by myself, when we are supposed to be taking turns. I want this to stop immediately.”
    Roz looked furious. “That’s not fair, Sebastian!” she cried. “You know I have baton two times a week, and other days I have drama and Glee Club. It’s not any trouble to serve what the Elephant makes, and I always make dinners on Saturdays. And you don’t have to wait for me—I can get something later.”
    â€œSir Gawain, you are speaking out of turn. Kindly show more respect, and kindly address me by my proper name.”
    â€œI’ll say what I want to, Sebastian ,” sneered Roz. “And I’ll do what I want, too. School is really important to me right now. I’m not giving anything up!”
    Sebastian glared at her. “The king does not like it,” he said icily. “Last night he asked where you both were.”
    Roz’s voice cracked, as if she were about to cry. “I’m sorry if Fa doesn’t like it, but he’ll have to get used to it. Things can’t always stay the same, Seb.”
    She stood up, gave Sebastian a pleading look, and ran out of the shed.
    The others sat there stunned. Orly edged closer to Corrie and took her hand. Corrie looked at Sebastian’s stricken face. “I’m sorry, sire,” she whispered. “If I’m home every night for dinner, can I still go for lunch? Mrs. Cooper really doesn’t mind.”
    Sebastian smiled at her. “Thank you, Sir Gareth. That seems like a good compromise.” Then he frowned. “I am wroth at Sir Gawain, who is acting strangely out of character. We will all send him to Coventry until he comes to his senses.”
    â€œSend him where ?” asked Juliet.
    â€œTo Coventry. That means we will not speak to Sir Gawain all evening as a punishment,” said Sir Lancelot.
    â€œNot speak to Roz ?” said Orly. He looked scared. “But what if she asks me something?”
    â€œDo not answer,” said Sir Lancelot grimly. He looked at their glum faces. “Let us forget this matter. Would you like to play Bestiary?”
    â€œYes!” said Juliet. She pulled out the bag of cards. Sebastian had invented the game last winter. He had drawn and labelled pictures of medieval beasts, then cut each card in half. They took turns drawing a half and placing it in the middle of the table. If a match came up, the first person to slap it and say “Beast!” got the pile. The game ended when one person