Joan Wolf Read Free Page A

and David's aunt gave French lessons. They were different in so many ways, but in the most important way of all they were alike. It was not something that needed to be said. Simply, for the first time in their lives each child had someone he loved.
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    Chapter III
    Here's one a friend, and one that knows you well.
    —William Shakespeare
    All through that first summer of their friendship, Jane and David ran free. They rode their horses; it was understood, without ever having to be said, that Flash belonged to David. Jane never asked to ride him and very soon he was even referred to by the grooms as “David's pony."
    They spent many hours in their secret place and, to Jane's great delight, David taught her how to swim. “My parents drowned,” she had told him solemnly, looking at the calm water of their lake.
    "You'd better let me teach you to swim,” he had answered practically, which seemed to Jane an admirable solution to her unspoken fear. Obviously she couldn't drown if she knew how to swim. Soon she and David were splashing happily in the water, unself-conscious in their underwear, which they dried by stretching themselves full-length on their grassy beach. David kept an old scythe hidden in the woods and by this simple expedient they kept the wild grass cut to a comfortable length.
    By the end of the summer David was deeply tanned and even Jane's translucent skin had taken on a peach-brown color. They were strong and healthy and, in the way of children, looked for their pleasant life to continue without interruption.
    The first snake in their garden appeared in early September when Jane's uncle returned from a race meeting to find that Miss Kilkelly had asked for an interview with him.
    "It's about Lady Jane's education, my lord,” she began diffidently when he had sent for her to attend him in the library.
    The Marquis knit his dark brows and stared thoughtfully at the small, plump, middle-aged person before him. “Yes, I suppose I must do something about it,” he sighed. “Won't do to let her run wild completely, I suppose. Still, she looks marvelously healthy. And she certainly can ride! Tuft tells me she has the best hands on a horse he's ever seen.” The Marquis's handsome, indolent face looked impressed.
    Miss Kilkelly, who did not share the Stanton passion for horses, was impatient. “There is more to life than horses, my lord,” she said, a trifle tartly.
    The Marquis cocked an eyebrow. “If you say so, Miss Kilkelly. I hate to pull the reins in on the child, though. She is obviously enjoying herself enormously. I remember when I was that age.... “The Marquis sighed nostalgically, then caught the implacable eye of Miss Kilkelly, who reminded him uncomfortably of an old nurse of his own. “Yes, well, I suppose we must engage a governess,” he said hastily. “I'll see about it, Miss Kilkelly."
    "Thank you, my lord,” she said approvingly.
    The next person to demand an interview with him was Jane herself. She had heard about the governess from Miss Kilkelly and, without waiting to change her riding clothes, had sought her uncle out immediately. He had just come in from a drive to the Rivingdale's, who were spending a few weeks at their Newmarket residence, and she found him in the marble hall, beautifully dressed as usual. “I must speak to you, Uncle Edward,” she said in her clear child's voice. “Are you busy at present?"
    "Not at all, Jane,” he replied courteously. “Come into the library.” He held the door for her and watched the small black head march past him, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He had seen little of Jane since she had arrived at Heathfield, but what he had seen of her he liked. She had made herself a favorite in the stables and she didn't seem to expect anything of him. If one had to be saddled with a small girl, he thought as he closed the door behind her, Jane was obviously the best one could hope for.
    "Sit down, Jane,” he said