Read Online Morning Star by Judith Plaxton - Free Book Online Page A

then placed the kitten inside her jacket. It didn’t scratch, just settled in. The girls walked out from of the shelter of the trees and put their heads down, against the wind. As she struggled home, Felicia felt the warmth of the kitten, damp against her chest, and wondered if a cat was able to understand the concept of gratitude.

CHAPTER 19
    Flower
    GENTLE HANDS palpated
Gabriel’s chest and neck. “Poor wee babe, too young to be swimming in a cold
river.” The doctor laid his ear against the rapidly moving chest and listened.
“What care has he been given?”
    Sarah Pemberton described the poultice. Dr. Simon
placed two fingers on Gabriel’s neck. “Is he drinking?”
    â€œHis sister has been giving him water.”
    Doctor Simon looked at Flower, noticing her for the
first time.
    â€œYou’ve been giving water to your brother?”
    â€œYes, Sir.”
    â€œAnd how did you do that?”
    â€œMrs. Pemberton showed me how to drop water from a
spoon into Gabriel’s mouth, just the tiniest bit.”
    â€œDid he swallow or choke?”
    â€œMost spilled from his mouth, no choking.”
    â€œYou did well, a good help to your sick brother.
Now, who else ails in this household?” Noah Pemberton led Dr. Simon up the
stairs.
    After Samuel had been examined, the two men
returned to the kitchen, their faces grim. They sat at the table with Eldon as
Mrs. Pemberton and the doctor’s wife served tea and biscuits. Flower and her
mother stayed by the warmth of the hearth. Cleo held her baby close as Flower
aimed at his mouth with a spoon, tipping in drops of water.
    â€œHas this other person been badly treated?” asked
Mrs. Simon, as she and her hostess settled in chairs.
    â€œHis right ear was severed from his head, and the
wound is now festering.”
    Mrs. Simon brought her hand to her mouth. She
turned to Sarah Pemberton. The women shook their heads and looked down into
their teacups.
    â€œThe institution of slavery is an abomination,” Dr.
Simon said. “Men forget how to be human.” He turned to Eldon. “Are you in good
health, at least?”
    â€œYes, I’m strong, and my tiredness is lifting.”
    Mrs. Pemberton passed the plate of biscuits to
Eldon. “Take. Eat. I know you’re hungry.” She stood up from the table and
carried the biscuits to Cleo and Flower.
    â€œWe must make plans,” said Noah.
    â€œSamuel should stay with us,” said Dr. Simon. I’ll
be able to look after him until his wound has started to heal and he’s well
enough to travel.” He looked toward his wife, who nodded in agreement.
    â€œWe have, at the most, two days’ grace. Then the
jackals will be howling.”
    â€œWhen the babe can nurse again, he will be healthy
enough to move.”
    â€œThe family would be well suited at the Jensons’.
Jeremiah Jenson is unwell. Eldon would be most helpful there.”
    â€œWhat is your plan?” Dr. Simon asked Eldon.
    â€œI led my family through the hills and across the
river. Now we must make our way to a place called Ripley.”
    Noah said, “Tell us about this pastor who visited
you, the man who wrote the letter to introduce you.”
    â€œHe started coming to see us on Sunday afternoons,”
Eldon began. “We sang hymns. He told stories from the Bible, stories about brave
people: Daniel in the lion’s den, David and Goliath, Jonah in the whale.”
    â€œWas your master happy with that?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m not sure. The Reverend stopped
coming for a bit, and then one Sunday he showed up again. He talked about
heaven. Someone told him we didn’t know about heaven but we sure knew about
hell.”
    Everyone’s eyes fell on Eldon’s clasped hands. He
continued, “One afternoon he spoke to three of us after the service. He told us
about a real promised land, a place where we could be free. He told us a