Read Online Chickadee by Louise Erdrich - Free Book Online Page B

ferry owner coaxed the ox aboard and secured the wagon. Then the Sisters stood in a bunch and held tight to the sides of the barge. Seraphica held on to Chickadee and the dog crouched near his feet. If the ferry were to sway out into the river, if the cables were to snap, they would swing out into the treacherous current for a wild and deadly ride. The Sisters prayed fervently, with their eyes closed, all except for Seraphica. Her eyes were open, and her lips moved. It looked to Chickadee like she was enjoying the ride.
    When at last the party was on the other side of the river, Chickadee’s first thought was that now he could escape and follow the river north. It would lead him back home, eventually, although he was farther away than he’d ever been. For a while, the wagon followed the river north. Then suddenly a rutted trail appeared and it veered east. Chickadee watched each small landmark carefully. He was elated to again see trees, then sloughs, then rolling hills and land that looked like home, even though much of it was torn up. Now he saw small board houses painted white or even red. He’d only seen a trader’s house painted this way before. Fluffy white and rust-colored birds ran around these houses. From his mother’s description, he knew that these were chickens. They’d entered farm country, settled by tall people with pale eyes and sun-bright hair. At last, after the endless journey, the wagon stopped outside a log cabin with a cross fixed over the door.
    There were two other log cabins beside the first one, and a barn behind. One of the smaller cabins belonged to all of the Sisters and the Mother. The Father had the other cabin, which was divided into a small room for him and a larger room with several small tables in it.
    In the front of the room there was a smooth piece of wood as black as river rock. Father took a white stick in his hand and traced marks on the blackness. Then, with his other hand, he erased them and made other marks.
    â€œChalkboard,” said Father.
    He gave the white stick to Chickadee. He imitated the marks that Father had made, and Father laughed.
    â€œI believe you’ll have no trouble learning the alphabet,” he said. “This is a school. Can you say school?”
    Chickadee looked at him quizzically.
    â€œOh well, it doesn’t matter. You’ll learn soon enough. For now, you can sleep here, in the corner.”
    He showed Chickadee a tiny area where several blankets were piled.
    â€œThe other students will come in a few days,” said Father, patting Chickadee’s head. He tugged one of Chickadee’s braids and said, “Don’t worry. Mother Anthony will cut these off for you.”
    Chickadee had no idea what the priest had just said, but before he went to sleep, he looked all around the room. On the desk, in an open box, he saw a small knife. Chickadee had been taught never, ever, to steal. But he broke this rule. Something about the strange family made him uneasy. He did not trust the Mother. He took the knife.

THIRTEEN
A DESPERATE MATTER

    T he next morning, Chickadee woke to a rhythmical brushing noise. He peeped out of his blanket to see Sister Seraphica on her hands and knees, scrubbing the wooden floor. As she scrubbed, she began to hum a lovely tune and Chickadee crept from his blankets to listen.
    Seraphica stopped, sat back on her heels, and laughed.
    â€œCome here, little fellow,” she said. She gestured in such a friendly way that Chickadee stood up and walked over to her. She took a piece of bread from her pocket.
    â€œI saved this for you,” she said.
    Chickadee still did not understand a word anybody said, but when Seraphica spoke to him she also made gestures with her hands.
    â€œMother Anthony has begged some clothes for you,” she said. “Today she means to clean you up. She isn’t the gentlest person, but she only wants to help you. Oh, here she comes!”
    The unsmiling