Read Online Mistress Pat by L. M. Montgomery - Free Book Online

bargain counters,” retorted Cuddles…and the laugh was on dad. It did not take much to make the Silver Bush people laugh. Laughter came easily to them.
    â€œIsn’t she the cliver one,” said Judy…and then stiffened in horror.
    Tillytuck was proudly uncovering his Christmas present for “the missus.” A Jerusalem cherry! A pretty thing, to be sure, with its glossy green leaves and ruby red fruit, and mother was delighted with it. But Judy beat a sudden retreat to the kitchen, followed by Pat.
    â€œJudy, what is the matter? You’re never going to be sick today!”
    â€œPatsy darlint, it’s well if there’s nothing worse than me being sick happens here this blissed day. Were ye seeing what that Tillytuck did be giving to yer mother? A Jerusalem cherry no less! Sure and didn’t I come all out wid gooseflesh whin I saw it.”
    â€œBut what about it, Judy? It’s a pretty thing. I thought it lovely of Tillytuck to remember mother.”
    â€œOh, oh, don’t ye be knowing a Jerusalem cherry brings bad luck? There was one brought into this house thirty years ago and yer Uncle Tom slipped on the stairs and bruk three ribs that very night. I’m telling ye. Patsy darlint, can’t ye be contriving to set the thing outside somewhere till the dinner be over at laste?”
    Pat shook her head.
    â€œWe couldn’t do that. It would offend Tillytuck. Anyway, I know mother wouldn’t hear of it. You mustn’t be superstitious, Judy. A pretty thing like a Jerusalem cherry can’t bring bad luck.”
    â€œI’m hoping ye’re right, Patsy, but we’ll be seeing what we’ll see. ‘Fogging, Judy,’ sez he. No wonder it do be fogging, and him wid that Jerusalem thing in his granary that blissed minute! But wid all there is to see to I’m not to stand bithering here.”
    â€œI’m going to see about the spare room right off so that it will be all in order if any one comes early,” said Pat briskly. “May I have that new hooked rug you’ve got stored away in the attic to lay by the bed…the one with the great soft, plushy roses?”
    â€œAv coorse. I mint it for yer hope chist but the way ye’re snubbing the min right and lift there’ll be lashings av time for that . Put plinty av blankets on the bed, Patsy darlint. If the Bay Shore aunts come they may be staying all night. Style widout comfort is not the way av Silver Bush. Yer Aunt Helen at Glenwood now…ye do be knowing yersilf what style she puts on…silk spreads and liddle lace and ribbing cushions…but I’ve always been hearing that people who slipt there vowed they were cold in bed. The minister slipt there one night and so cold he was he started prowling for a blanket in the night and fell down the back stairs. That was be way av being a disgrace. I’m telling ye.”
    Cuddles had already made the spare room bed and was infuriated because Pat insisted on making it over again.
    â€œYou’ll be as bad as Aunt Edith before you’re thirty, Pat. She imagines nobody can do anything right but herself. And Judy’s no better, no matter what she thinks. She’s been teaching me to make gravy for weeks but now when I want to make it today she won’t let me. You all make me weary.”
    â€œDon’t be cross, Cuddles. You made the bed as nicely as anyone could but the extra blankets have to be put on. Cuddles, do you know I love to make up beds and think of all the tired people who will lie in them. I couldn’t bear it if anyone should be cold in bed in Silver Bush. Will you get some of the silver polish and do the mirrors? I want them to shine like diamonds…especially the one in the hall.”
    The hall mirror was one that had been brought out from France by Great-great-grandmother, Marie Bonnet. It was a long, softly gleaming thing in a ruddy copper frame and Pat loved it. Cuddles had an