Read Online The Seasons Hereafter by Elisabeth Ogilvie - Free Book Online Page B

anything except if she was warm enough or wanted more to eat. They talked among themselves of people and events that meant nothing to her, though she dimly remembered hearing Barry say some of the names. Sometimes one of them turned to her and explained a reference, told her who the person was and where he lived. She nodded and said, “Oh?” or “I see.”
    â€œHas Gina taken off yet?” Helmi asked. “I haven’t seen her for a few days.”
    â€œNo, but I expect her to start rowing anytime now, if Willy won’t give her fare for the mailboat,” said Joanna.
    â€œNeeds her bottom warmed,” growled Mark.
    â€œMark has one cure for everything,” Joanna said to Van. “Gina’s our child bride. Her husband works for Steve and as far as Gina’s concerned, this is like Death Valley, only not so nice.” They laughed at that, and Van smiled. They are so stupid, she thought. The cat leaned against her legs and she reached down and scratched behind his ears. She felt a curious relationship with him, because he had been with her as she struggled up over the ledges. The child played on the floor with his boats and cars. She was glad he was not an effusive brat who would insist on charming her as his father was trying to do.
    â€œThey live in the yellow house,” Helmi was telling her. “The one you pass on the way here, after the Binnacle. The Eastern End’s too lonely for her, Willy says.”
    â€œMore people to despise up here,” said Joanna. “Keeps her toned up.”
    Somebody rapped at the back door, and Mark shouted, “Don’t be so formal! Come in!”
    A skinny, sandy young woman put her head in and said, “The store’s wide open and nobody’s there. Anybody could steal you blind.”
    â€œAnybody that hungry around here, they’re welcome to it.” Mark shoved back his chair. “Hey, Maggie, you met Vanessa? Maggie Dinsmore, Van Barton.”
    Maggie grinned at Van. She was freckled, and had a gap between two big front teeth. “Hi! Come in when you’re out walking around. Ours is the house where the roof’s always going up and down. Mark, you got any decent lean pork for beans?”
    â€œLet’s go see.”
    â€œCoffee, Maggie?” Mrs. Mark asked.
    â€œIf I get set down, Lord knows when I’ll get up again.”
    â€œIt’s time for me to go,” Vanessa said. “I need some things at the store.”
    Helmi got up and walked to the door with her. Her voice was still low, as it had been on the ledges, but no longer lifeless with dread. “We’ll always be grateful to you for being where you were when that happened. And don’t stay away. Jo says you like to read, so please, any time you run short come over and help yourself.”
    â€œThank you,” Vanessa murmured. In a hall mirror she saw two tall effortlessly elegant women, one in a skirt and cardigan, the other in narrow, impeccably cut slacks. She was suddenly fascinated by this stranger and wanted to look into her face and find a name there, an identity, but sane women do not stop to stare into mirrors as if at ghosts, even if the ghosts are there. When she got out into the air the wind seared her wet forehead. She picked up her moccasins and strode down the path with her bundle of clothes under her arm, while behind her Mark was telling Maggie Dinsmore what had happened.
    â€œWell, I never!” the girl gasped. “ Imagine ! And you know something, I bet that’s what my dream meant, only I thought it was one of my young ones about due to fall overboard. I ain’t been letting them out of the dooryard!” She caught up with Vanessa at the foot of the path. Her freckled bony face was brilliant. “You were meant to be there. Something made you go there—you was sent, sure as preachin’. I know about these things.”
    â€œNow, Maggie,” said Mark, “you be