Secret of Richmond Manor Read Free Page B

with a large tray of biscuits that he had warmed in the oven. He glanced at Leah with a mischievous look as he sat down. “Why don’t you ask the blessing, Leah?” he asked innocently. “And besure you give a special thanks to the Lord for these frog legs.”
    Leah flushed and shook her head stubbornly. “I won’t do it! I’m thankful for almost anything but not those old frog legs!”
    â€œI’ll do it,” Tom said cheerfully. He asked a simple blessing—paying special heed to the frog legs—and when he said, “Amen,” he reached out and speared one of the succulent legs from the platter. Grabbing a biscuit in his left hand, he began to take alternate bites. “Boy, this is good! Nothing like good, fresh frog legs for breakfast!”
    The men all were grinning as they ate. Leah saw they were watching her. She sat bolt upright, her lips set in a stubborn line.
    Finally Silas said, “Just try one, Leah. It won’t kill you.”
    Leah looked at him and then sniffed. “Well, all right, but just one.” She picked up a frog leg from the platter and took a small bite. She took another bite.
    â€œIt’s good, isn’t it? I told you it would be,” Jeff said. “Just jump in now and eat all you want.”
    Leah found, to her surprise, that she really did like frog legs. They tasted a little like chicken and a little like fish.
    â€œNow every time you want a good meal, all you have to do is go out and gig you a frog,” Jeff said.
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t stick that gig into a frog or anything else.”
    â€œYou’re not as tenderhearted toward the chickens though,” Jeff teased. “I’ve seen you wring the neck of many a fine bird.”
    â€œChickens are different,” Leah argued. “Anyway, I’m not gigging any old frogs.”
    After the meal, she cleaned up, and soon afterward Lt. Majors and Tom took their leave.
    â€œWe’ve got to get back to camp,” the lieutenant said. “We sure appreciate that good meal, Leah. You’re a fine cook.” He turned to Silas. “Thanks for having us out.”
    Jeff said, rather formally, “Let me stay another night, will you, Lieutenant? I don’t have anything to do when I get back to camp. Maybe I can go hunting and get some rabbits for Mr. Carter.”
    His father glanced at Leah, cocking his head to one side. He looked back at Jeff and looked about to tease the boy but must have decided better of it. “If it’s all right with Mr. Carter, it’s all right with me,” he said. “As long as you’re back tomorrow.”
    â€œLet the boy stay.” Silas nodded. “Some fresh jackrabbit would go down pretty good.”
    â€œAll right then.”
    Lt. Majors and Tom said their good-byes and went out and climbed into the wagon. Jeff and Leah came outside and waved as they disappeared.
    â€œCan I go hunting with you, Jeff?”
    â€œWhy, sure. It’ll be like old times. But first I’ve got to teach your Uncle Silas who’s the best checker player.” He went back inside and challenged his host. “I’m ready to show you how to be a real checker player, Mr. Carter.”
    â€œAll right, we’ll see about that.”
    Uncle Silas set up a board on the kitchen table, and soon the two were deeply engaged in a fierce battle.
    Leah was amused at the seriousness with which Jeff took the game. When he made an especially good move, he would pound the table, making the checkers jump up and down, and shout, “Yahoo!”
    On the other hand, when Silas jumped one or two of his men, Jeff would scowl and hunch down in his chair as if preparing to make a bayonet charge.
    Finally at midmorning the game was interrupted when someone called out, “Hello, is anyone home?”
    Leah went to the door and saw a young neighbor outside, Rafe Tolliver. He was sixteen years old—and she had