The Christmas Pony Read Free Page A

Lucy told Mama.
    â€œLucy, where are your manners? You don’t call grown-ups by their first names.”
    â€œThat’s my fault,” Veronica said. “But, really, I like to be called by my first name. It makes me feel like an old schoolmarm to be called ma’am or missus.” She elbowed George.
    â€œGeorge is fine for me.” He smiled down at Lucy. “Since we’re among friends.”
    â€œMama’s real name is Miriam,” Lucy told them. “Isn’t that a pretty name?”
    â€œIt’s very nice,” George said. “Nice to meet you, Miriam.”
    â€œAren’t they nice?” Lucy looked at Mama and could tell that something was bothering her. Maybe it was that this couple was nothing like their usual boarders.
    â€œMr. Hempley from the garage gave us a ride here,” Veronica said. “He left my other suitcase on the porch for me.”
    â€œI hope we’re not imposing on you.” George removed his hat. “We met Lucy in town and she said you had rooms available.”
    â€œWe have plenty of room.” Mama made her polite face—not exactly a smile, but not unpleasant either. “I hope you’ll make yourselves at home. Lunch will be ready in about half an hour . . . if you’d like to freshen up a bit. There’s a guestbook in the dining room for you to register in.” Now she nodded toward the stairway where Lucy was waiting. “Lucy can show you where the rooms are located, and you can take your pick.” Mama stepped back. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to help my mother prepare lunch.”
    As the man went out to fetch the other suitcases, Veronica patted Lucy on the head and smiled. “This is a nice little place you got here, doll.”
    The man returned with two more suitcases. They were tan and white and matched the smaller one that Veronica carried in one hand. Lucy wished she could see what was inside those pretty bags and wondered what Veronica might say if Lucy offered to help her unpack.
    â€œI hope you both enjoy your stay here.” Suddenly Lucy felt as if she were playing a part in a movie. Perhaps like Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel . “Now I will show you to your room.” Holding her head high, she led them up the stairs, taking them from room to room and explaining every single detail, including how the pipes might sometimes rattleif air got trapped inside. “You just give it a good whack like this”—she hit the exposed pipe that went to the bathtub—“and it should quiet right down for you.”
    â€œI’ve known plumbing like that before,” George told her.
    â€œWe have an outhouse too,” Lucy explained. “Sometimes it comes in handy, but it can be awful cold this time of year.” She stopped by the front bedroom now. “This room is really the best one.” She proudly pointed to the large window. “Mama says it gets the best light in here.”
    â€œWhy don’t you take this room,” George said to Veronica.
    â€œThank you.” She rewarded him with a pretty smile as he set her suitcase next to the door.
    â€œI’ll take the one in the back,” George told Lucy. “I like the way it looks out over the apple trees.”
    Lucy tried not to show her surprise, but she hadn’t expected them to want two rooms. Most married couples shared a room together. However, she knew that Mama should be pleased by this arrangement because it meant more money, since they charged by the room as well as the meal. Lucy had imagined these people were rich. It seemed she was right. She just hoped they’d stay for a whole week or even more.
    â€œYou make yourselves comfortable,” Lucy said, imitating Mama. She considered offering to help Veronica unpack but was afraid that might sound too nosy. “I should go down and set the table now.”
    But by the time Lucy reached the dining