Read Online At the House of the Magician by Mary Hooper - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mary Hooper
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in front like a cart but was somewhat grander, with seats at the back for four persons and a waterproof covering against the weather. We’d seen them off (Mistress Dee weeping a waterfall of tears at the thought of being parted from her beloved child) and then, with Mistress Midge happily occupied chatting with a neighbour, the children and I had begun a game of hide-and-seek about the house.
There could be no dwelling ever built which could better the magician’s house for such a game, and although, of course, Tom-fool didn’t understand (staying hushed while we hid, but often becoming wildly excited and giving away the whereabouts of whoever he was hiding with as soon as anyone entered the room), Beth, Merryl and I were happily occupied for more than two hours, using cupboards, empty rooms and dark corners to conceal ourselves in, wrapping ourselves in bed drapes, hiding under beds and tables, and climbing in and out of wooden chests.
Once, when it was my turn to hide, I left the children counting in the kitchen and hurried along to the library, for I had a mind to creep behind an old tapestry hung in an alcove on the wall and conceal myself there.
On entering the room, however, my attention was suddenly caught by the large stone fireplace in the centre of the facing wall. This, as far as I knew, was never used, for it had been superseded by two smallerfireplaces, one at each end of the room, these being thought to warm the room more efficiently.
Why did it suddenly come to my attention? I wondered this after, thinking it might have been the noble sculpted columns to each side or the pretty carvings in the limestone, but then perhaps it was neither, but just the spirit of inquisitiveness which has dogged me all my life.
As I stood admiring it, something made me wonder if I could stand within the fireplace and glimpse the sky above. I took a step forwards, then looked around one of the marble columns into darkness and sensed, rather than saw, a large space there.
I took another step, to the right this time, and found myself in a small cramped area like a box room or tomb made of stone; a space in which anyone might be completely hidden from anyone else in the library. Here – there was just light enough to see these things – were some traces of habitation: a stool, several grimy candles with flints to light them by, also a plate, knife and small earthenware pitcher which seemed, from the sour smell, to have once held milk. And everything I touched had the dust of years upon it.
I sat down on the stool in the almost-darkness, smiling a little to myself, for I knew the girls would never find me here. After a moment, though, I wondered if it might be better to keep this secret to myself. My reasoning went thus: when I’d been living at home I’d oft wished for a way to conceal myself from my father,and perhaps at this house, too, such a private space might come in useful. Also – were I ever to be so bold – by hiding here in the fireplace I might discover what went on between Dr Dee and Mr Kelly when the door was locked.
Coming out and brushing myself down, I went to my original hiding place behind the tapestry and happily managed to stay hidden from the girls for fifteen minutes or so. Our game swiftly came to a conclusion, however, when the small party returned from the wet nurse, together with little Arthur, for Mistress Dee had been unable to bring herself to part with him. They climbed down from the carriage, rubbing their bones and bitterly complaining about the jolting they’d taken on the journey, and the mistress, looking fearful pale, was helped straight to bed by Mistress Allen.
‘Mama is being silly,’ Beth said as supper was prepared. ‘Papa said so.’
‘Did you and I both go to wet nurses?’ Merryl asked her.
Beth nodded. ‘Of course. And when you and I have children, they’ll go, too.’
‘Mine won’t!’ Merryl said, suddenly snatching Tom-fool from Beth. ‘I’ll keep mine with
There could be no dwelling ever built which could better the magician’s house for such a game, and although, of course, Tom-fool didn’t understand (staying hushed while we hid, but often becoming wildly excited and giving away the whereabouts of whoever he was hiding with as soon as anyone entered the room), Beth, Merryl and I were happily occupied for more than two hours, using cupboards, empty rooms and dark corners to conceal ourselves in, wrapping ourselves in bed drapes, hiding under beds and tables, and climbing in and out of wooden chests.
Once, when it was my turn to hide, I left the children counting in the kitchen and hurried along to the library, for I had a mind to creep behind an old tapestry hung in an alcove on the wall and conceal myself there.
On entering the room, however, my attention was suddenly caught by the large stone fireplace in the centre of the facing wall. This, as far as I knew, was never used, for it had been superseded by two smallerfireplaces, one at each end of the room, these being thought to warm the room more efficiently.
Why did it suddenly come to my attention? I wondered this after, thinking it might have been the noble sculpted columns to each side or the pretty carvings in the limestone, but then perhaps it was neither, but just the spirit of inquisitiveness which has dogged me all my life.
As I stood admiring it, something made me wonder if I could stand within the fireplace and glimpse the sky above. I took a step forwards, then looked around one of the marble columns into darkness and sensed, rather than saw, a large space there.
I took another step, to the right this time, and found myself in a small cramped area like a box room or tomb made of stone; a space in which anyone might be completely hidden from anyone else in the library. Here – there was just light enough to see these things – were some traces of habitation: a stool, several grimy candles with flints to light them by, also a plate, knife and small earthenware pitcher which seemed, from the sour smell, to have once held milk. And everything I touched had the dust of years upon it.
I sat down on the stool in the almost-darkness, smiling a little to myself, for I knew the girls would never find me here. After a moment, though, I wondered if it might be better to keep this secret to myself. My reasoning went thus: when I’d been living at home I’d oft wished for a way to conceal myself from my father,and perhaps at this house, too, such a private space might come in useful. Also – were I ever to be so bold – by hiding here in the fireplace I might discover what went on between Dr Dee and Mr Kelly when the door was locked.
Coming out and brushing myself down, I went to my original hiding place behind the tapestry and happily managed to stay hidden from the girls for fifteen minutes or so. Our game swiftly came to a conclusion, however, when the small party returned from the wet nurse, together with little Arthur, for Mistress Dee had been unable to bring herself to part with him. They climbed down from the carriage, rubbing their bones and bitterly complaining about the jolting they’d taken on the journey, and the mistress, looking fearful pale, was helped straight to bed by Mistress Allen.
‘Mama is being silly,’ Beth said as supper was prepared. ‘Papa said so.’
‘Did you and I both go to wet nurses?’ Merryl asked her.
Beth nodded. ‘Of course. And when you and I have children, they’ll go, too.’
‘Mine won’t!’ Merryl said, suddenly snatching Tom-fool from Beth. ‘I’ll keep mine with
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