A Handful of Time Read Free Page A

disappointed. “Mum’ll tell you,” she said, dismissing her.
    For the rest of that first day Patricia’s cousins ignored her and she tried to stay away from the advances of her well-meaning aunt and uncle. As she wolfed down the comforting dinner, she was tempted to tell Aunt Ginnie about her own recipe for carrot cake. But then she’d have to speak; it was safer to remain silent.
    The end of the day was the worst. She had to share a bed with Kelly. She had never slept in the same bed, or even in the same room, as anyone else. Patricia lay stiffly on the inside edge, as far away from Kelly as she could get. “I hope you don’t kick,” was all her cousin said.
    The wind in the trees sounded like rain. Patricia shivered and drew the flannelette sheets and heavy satin quilt closer around her neck. She didn’t get to sleep for a long time.

3
    T he second day, the one that ended so disastrously with the canoe, began with meeting even more cousins—Christie and Bruce Reid, whose cottage was four doors away. Both had narrow faces and wavy red hair, Christie’s falling down her back and caught at the sides with barrettes shaped like horses. She was ten and her brother was nine, like Trevor. The two of them eyed Patricia suspiciously, and then squatted with Kelly and Trevor in a corner of the screened verandah as if they were banding against her.
    Their parents, Uncle Rod and Aunt Karen, came over with them. They explained that their two older boys were travelling in Europe for the summer. Patricia looked down, away from the curious gaze of all these relatives. Because they were family they seemed to have a special claim on her.
    â€œSo this is Ruth’s daughter!” said Uncle Rod heartily. He had an almost bald, gleaming head. “Come over here and show me your teeth.”
    Christie giggled and Patricia flushed a deep red. Why would he want to see her teeth?
    â€œLeave her alone, Rod,” objected his tiny wife, who looked much younger than her husband. “Your Uncle Rod’s a dentist,” she explained. “He can’t resist examining people, even when he’s supposed to be on holiday.”
    Patricia clamped her mouth shut and remained sitting on the floor. But Uncle Rod wouldn’t leave her alone.
    â€œDo you floss?” he demanded.
    Patricia nodded miserably.
    â€œEvery day? Nothing like flossing to prevent cavities.”
    â€œRod!” Aunt Ginnie gave her brother a warning look.
    It was a relief when Maggie provided a diversion. “ I’ll show you my teeth, Uncle Rod.” She opened her mouth wide. “See? I lost two!”
    â€œDid the tooth fairy leave you some money?” asked her uncle.
    â€œYup.” The little girl waited expectantly as Uncle Rod dug in his pockets.
    â€œHere’s a supplement.”
    Maggie examined the quarter he handed her. “The tooth fairy gave me a quarter for each tooth,” she said firmly.
    â€œMaggie!” Uncle Doug pulled her onto his lap.
    â€œStill trying to get rich, aren’t you, Magpie!” chuckled Uncle Rod. “How much money do you have saved up now?”
    â€œI have forty-nine dollars and twenty-one cents in the bank,” said Maggie proudly, “and every time I watch Rosemary I get a dime.”
    â€œAnd what will you do with all that money?” asked Aunt Karen.
    â€œI haven’t decided yet. But it’ll be something very important.” Maggie looked smug, perched on her father’s knee. Patricia was ashamed to be afraid of a six-year-old, but the little girl’s confidence scared her as much as her brother and sister’s aloofness.
    The older children stood up, and Trevor and Bruce left to go fishing. “Christie and I are going out in the canoe,” announced Kelly.
    â€œTake Patricia with you,” said her mother. “You do know how to swim, don’t you, Patricia?”
    When she was satisfied on that