Read Online The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons by Barbara Mariconda - Free Book Online Page A

Uncle Victor. It was my fault, it was my … my …” I struggled for something that would work, my eyes scanning the room for some clue.
    â€œWhat was it then?” asked Aunt Margaret. I detected movement just behind her, and to my surprise the flute was levitating above the dresser! Incredulous, my eyes followed it floating around the bookshelf, dancing above the commode and washstand, and finally making its descent toward the bowl of marbles atop my desk. There it hovered and dipped, pointing and jabbing repeatedly at the collection of cat’s-eyes and jaspers, aggies and opals. That was it! Of course!
    Without thinking, I wagged my finger accusingly at the bowl of marbles. The flute rapidly dipped behind the bowl, out of sight.
    â€œI told Uncle Victor I was out doing needlework and airing the carpet,” I blustered. “But I wasn’t. I was out playing marbles, out on a flat place on the path,” I said, gathering energy as the excuse grew. “And then, coming back, I dropped one—yes, that’s it—I dropped a marble on the step, and Uncle Victor must have slipped on it!”
    I was so excited that I’d been led to fabricate a tale to save my little friend that I almost smiled. Addie suddenly appeared in the doorway, watching me curiously.
    Aunt Margaret frowned. “He was right then,” she said, pouting. “You did lie to him!” She made a series of tsk-tsk sounds with her tongue. “Well, thatwill make it all the worse for you, I’m sure. He’s resting in the library. You’d best go and see him, missy, and be ready to take your punishment.”
    â€œI’ll go along, ma’am, and see that she behaves,” said Addie, making a show of ushering me out the door. Aunt Margaret nodded, pleased, I’m sure, to be addressed as the lady of the house. I looked at Addie appreciatively, for I understood her intent. I would be punished less severely in her presence.
    She held my elbow gently as we walked down the stairs, tipped her head slightly toward mine, and whispered in my ear. “Maybe, lass, you’ll be tellin’ me what ’twas you were actually doin’,” she said, not unkindly, concern warming her words.
    The library door was open and Uncle Victor saw us coming. He made quite a show of pulling himself upright. My eyes widened at the sight of his bruised and battered face. His nose had a large bump about halfway down, looking as though one of those marbles I’d lied about had been jammed up there beneath his skin. The area around his eye was swollen an angry red with the promise that by tomorrow it would turn black and blue.
    â€œYou are dismissed, miss,” he said to Addie, the iciness in his voice sending a shiver along my spine.
    â€œI thought I would stay, sir,” she said evenly, “in order that I might help in maintaining thediscipline of my young charge here.”
    â€œI said , you are dismissed!”
    Addie gave my arm a little squeeze, and I watched her mouth pull into a straight line. “But, sir—”
    â€œOut!” he yelled, the snaky veins in the side of his head throbbing.
    Addie nodded and slid silently out the door.
    â€œClose it!” he bellowed. I watched Addie take a deep breath and gently shut the door.
    Uncle Victor walked toward me. Though not a big man, he was taller than me, and he leaned over so that his bruised face was just inches from my own.
    â€œThis,” he said, pointing to his face, “this is your doing! You and that miserable dog of yours.”
    â€œNo!” I began. “No, you don’t underst—”
    â€œSilence!”
    I not only heard the word, but felt the force of his breath explode against my face. I backed up, my mouth dry, hands shaking.
    â€œI have a good mind to have the beast drowned, as he should have been in the first place!”
    I thought, at that point, that my legs might give way, that I might