Read Online The Baker's Tale by Thomas Hauser - Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    She turned to the title page:
    For Miss Ruby Spriggs,
    Children who cannot read are like gardens without sunlight.
    We can all do good if we try.
    Fondly,
    Edwin Chatfield
    Had the gift been diamonds, it would not have meant as much to her. Ruby had never been so happy in her entire life. Edwin looked more handsome to her than ever before. Their faces were very close to one another.
    You may kiss me if you like, Ruby thought.
    â€œDickens is meant to be read aloud,” Edwin said. “Perhaps we could meet again tomorrow.”
    â€œI would like that very much, Mr. Chatfield.”
    â€œI would prefer it if you call me Edwin.”
    â€œI would be happy to if you will call me Ruby.”

    The following morning, Ruby rose with the sun. A sun that brought the hope and freshness of a new day. It burst with equal ray through the stained glass windows in lofty cathedrals and paper-mended windows in crumbling hovels.
    In Marie’s bakery, the sun seemed particularly bright. Ruby had suggested that Edwin meet her there at the start of their day together. I was present with Marie. By Ruby’s invitation, of course.
    Ruby was dressed in the prettiest colours that she could muster. Edwin arrived at the invited hour of ten o’clock. It pleased me to see them side by side. There was a kindred spirit between them.
    Edwin had an honest face, which to me is the best kind of good looks. His joy in being with Ruby was clear, as was hers to be with him. Her eyes had never glowed more brightly. Never had there been such a beautiful colour in her cheeks. She gazed at Edwin with the eagerness of a young woman in love for the first time.
    Marie served coffee, pastries, muffins, butter, and strawberry jam. Afterward, Ruby and Edwin left the bakery together and walked out onto the street. He was speaking with his head turned toward her. She was looking at his face and saw nothing else.
    They were, Marie and I agreed, extremely fond of one another. I believe that Ruby would have committed herself to mastering geometry at that moment if she had thought it would please Edwin.
    After they left the bakery, Ruby and Edwin went to the park and read aloud the beginning of Oliver Twist .
    â€œThere are fifty-two more chapters,” Ruby said when the first chapter was done.
    â€œThen I hope we will spend the next fifty-two Sundays together.”
    The sky was beautiful. There was a soft stirring wind. They strolled through Covent Garden market, smelling the fruits andflowers, looking at pineapples and melons, catching glimpses down side avenues of old women seated on inverted baskets, shelling peas. Ducks and fowls with long necks lay stretched out in pairs, ready for cooking. There were silvery fish stalls with a moonlight look about their stock except for the ruddy lobsters.
    Edwin drew Ruby’s arm through his. The touch of his arm was like no other she had known. She would never forget the rapid beating of her heart in that moment.
    It is remarkable how much two young people in love will find to talk about. Their conversation flowed easily.
    At one point, they talked of family.
    â€œMy ancestry is very common,” Ruby acknowledged.
    â€œThat is true of all men and women, including the Queen, if one goes back far enough in time.”
    â€œHave you a memory of your mother?”
    Edwin shook his head.
    â€œHer eyes closed upon the light of the world when mine opened to it. There was a drawing of her on the wall in our home. Beyond that, I know her only by her grave.”
    â€œMy mother was a beautiful woman,” Ruby offered. “My uncle told me that it was so. But there is no likeness of her. I believe that I have a memory of her singing to me when I was very young. But I am not sure.”
    â€œIt must have been difficult to grow up without mother or father.”
    â€œThere was never a better father to a child that my uncle Christopher was to me. Marie has given me more love than many a