Read Online The Silver Cup by Constance Leeds - Free Book Online Page B

his attempts to annoy his cousin failed, Martin turned to the dog. At last, he set off to meet his friends, and Anna was glad to see him leave and happier still to see Lukas in the late afternoon.
    â€œHello, Anna. I’ve come to see your new pup. It’s a shepherd’s dog? ”
    â€œYes. I can’t believe he’s mine.”
    â€œHe’ll be good company when your father and Martin are off on the road.”
    â€œI’ll be glad to see the back of Martin,” said Anna with a huff.
    â€œAnd why is that? ” asked Lukas who knelt and rubbed the dog’s cream colored belly.
    â€œHe’s so mean! He just heated some bread in the fire. Then he offered it still smoking to Smudge. I yelled at him, but three times he did this. The dog yelped and was burned twice. And Martin laughed. Finally Smudge learned and wouldn’t be tempted. No matter how sweetly Martin called, Smudge sat away from him, just watching with his ears pressed flat against his head.”
    â€œSmart dog.” Lukas looked at Anna and added, “I’m worried about my brother. I know some of this is just Martin. He’s always loved to joke and tease.”
    â€œBut he’s cruel now.”
    Lukas nodded. “I had a troubling report of him, and came to speak with him. And to meet Smudge.”
    They looked up and saw that Martin had just returned. “Hello Lukas,” he said, clapping his older brother on the back.
    â€œHello, Martin. We were just speaking of you.”
    â€œSinging my praises, no doubt. What brings you here?”
    â€œI came to see the Anna’s dog. But I’d like to speak with you.”
    â€œWhatever I’ve done, I apologize, Lady Anna,” said Martin with a big smile and a deep bow to his cousin.
    â€œNo, Martin, this isn’t about Anna. It’s about two days ago.”
    â€œTwo days ago?”
    â€œYou and some other boys were down by the town gate where three lepers were seeking alms.”
    â€œThey would bring their disease to our town.”
    â€œYou threw stones at them.”
    â€œGood riddance. They’re evil,” said Martin, crossing his arms across his chest.
    â€œNo, they’re afflicted, but they are still the children of God. They have no choice but to seek charity.”
    â€œThey’re a waste of food and firewood.” After a pause, he asked, “I’m evil? Is that what you’re telling me?”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œMaybe I am. What does it matter? All my sins will be forgiven soon enough.”
    â€œWhat sins? ” asked Lukas looking hard at his younger brother. “I don’t understand you.”
    Martin met Lukas’s eyes and said, “You’re the one who wants to be a saint. I want to be a soldier. I’ll be a stronger man than you’ll ever be. Someday I’ll be a hero in this holy war. You don’t understand anything. Mother says how fortunate we are that you chose a life of prayer. You’d never have the courage to do what’s necessary. We understand what has to be done for the sake of all of us. Lepers and fools! Would you share the last of the winter’s food with a useless fool?”
    Anna had been listening with increasing dismay. He’s becoming a monster . She looked at Lukas, who opened his mouth but found no words. He kneeled near the fire rubbing his hands, chilled through, startled, and staring.
    â€œWhere’s your heart?” asked Anna as Martin stormed out.

13
    HERRING AND EELS
    March 31, 1096
    Â 
After a morning helping at the forge, Martin returned to pack for a long northward journey along the Rhine, to Mainz and Koblenz, then on to Cologne. For the past two weeks, he had tried to placate Anna, who had been repelled by her glimpse of his cruelty. He was unfailingly cheerful and considerate. Today, he brought a knot of leather to Smudge, who accepted it reluctantly, after much gentle and patient