A Lion to Guard Us Read Free Page B

Mistress Trippett came in, and she took the purse. She said she was keeping it for us.”
    â€œYou’d best forget about it.”
    â€œIt’s ours, and we need it,” said Amanda. “Jemmy and Meg and I—we need it to go on the ship.”
    â€œWell, you’d best take care how you ask her,” said Ellie. “She’s already upset. You’d best wait a long time.”
    â€œWe can’t wait long. The ship sails next month.”
    But Amanda waited a week. Then she went back upstairs.
    This time Mistress Trippett let her into the sitting room. Her oldest son, Randolph, was there. He was a roly-poly man with pale, fishy eyes.
    He didn’t look at Amanda. “I’ll get my coat, Mother, and meet you downstairs,” he said, and he went out.
    Mistress Trippett was dressed for a party, in cherry-colored silk. She smiled at herself in the mirror.
    â€œI know why you’re here,” she said to Amanda. “You came to say you’re sorry. You came to say you’re going to be a good girl. And if you are a good girl, I’ll forget the foolish things you said.”
    â€œPlease, ma’am—”
    â€œWell?” said Mistress Trippett. “I haven’t much time.”
    â€œPlease, ma’am,” said Amanda, “will you give me the money?”
    Mistress Trippett turned from the mirror. “What?”
    â€œThe money you kept for us.”
    â€œWhat’s that you’re saying? The money —?”
    â€œIt was in the little purse—around Mother’s neck.”
    Mistress Trippett’s face had gone white. “And who do you think paid the doctor? Who do you think gave you everything you have? Who do you think kept a roof over your head?”
    â€œBut I worked, ma’am,” said Amanda, “and Mother, too, as long as she could.”
    â€œAnd now you say I stole your money!”
    â€œI never said that!” cried Amanda.

    But Mistress Trippett was past hearing. She picked up a book and threw it. It barely missed Amanda’s head.
    Randolph came running.
    Mistress Trippett pointed at Amanda. “Get her out of here! Get her out, before I—”
    Randolph seized Amanda and pushed her out of the room.
    She ran down into the kitchen.
    â€œWhat have you done?” asked Cook.
    â€œWhat did you say to her?” asked Ellie.
    â€œI only asked for the money,” said Amanda.
    Jemmy and Meg crept out from under the table.
    â€œAmanda—” said Jemmy, and he sounded scared.
    Randolph came down the stairs. He said to Cook, “Mother’s fainted away. Go help her.” He said to Ellie, “Run for the doctor.” He saw Amanda. “You little pig, you’re the cause of it all. Get out of this house, and take those brats with you. Get out, and don’t ever show your face here again!”
    He reached for her. He tripped over Jemmy and fell to his knees.
    Amanda heard Ellie say, “Oh, run!”
    She caught hold of Jemmy and Meg, and they ran, out the back door and into the night.

VII
Night People
    They went toward the lights of London Bridge. Amanda could feel her heart thumping. She had a pain in her side from running so fast.
    â€œAre we going over the bridge?” asked Jemmy.
    â€œNo,” said Amanda.
    There was trouble on the bridge. Two wagons had run into each other. One had lost a wheel. The drivers had gotten out and begun to fight.
    Amanda led Jemmy and Meg away from the bridge. They saw an inn ahead. Lights shone from the windows. Jemmy pulled Amanda toward it. She pulled back. “We can’t go there.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œIt’s only for those with money.”
    They walked along the river. On the riverbank, people were sitting about small fires.
    â€œWho are they?” asked Jemmy.
    â€œPeople with no homes,” answered Amanda.
    â€œLike us,” said Jemmy.
    Some of the people were cooking. The smell of food was in the