The Magic Meadow Read Free Page A

almost overhead when you saw it?”
    â€œNot quite. It was just a little to my left.”
    â€œH’mm. Without knowing directions, there’s no telling whether it was morning or afternoon. But it does rule out most of Europe. As nearly as I can remember, it would be early morning in France, but much later to the east. Say around noon as we get to India, and maybe afternoon in China.”
    â€œI wasn’t in India or China,” Brick said. “I’m sure of that.”
    â€œWhat makes you so sure?” Charlie Pill asked. “Man, you could have been anywhere! ”
    â€œBut not India or China. I was somewhere in America. I felt it.”
    â€œBut—but you couldn’t have been! It’s night all over America!”
    There was an abrupt silence in the ward. Brick managed to struggle up on his elbows—it was a new position he didn’t immediately realize he’d taken—and looked around at the others. On his right, just beyond the thrust-aside screen, Princess and Lily Rose were staring at him tensely, eyes wide with wonder. Without great effort neither girl could do more than turn her head toward him, nor could Charlie Pill on his left, who was all skin and bones. Only Diz Dobie, who was stronger than any of them, was able to force himself over on his side. The brown boy had given the dandelion to Charlie and was now trying to speak, but as usual seemed unable to find words.
    Suddenly Princess exclaimed, “What difference does it make where it is? Maybe it’s on the other side of the moon—but who cares?” Then she added wistfully, “Oh, I’ve just got to go there! I’ve just got to.”
    â€œI’ve got to go, too!” Lily Rose said quickly. “If Brick can do it, I’m sure the rest of us can.”
    â€œSure we can!” Diz Dobie echoed. “Golly, let’s—let’s try it right now!”
    â€œNow wait a minute,” Nurse Jackson cautioned. “I don’t want any of you to try anything until we’ve talked this over a little more. That place may sound nice, but it could be dangerous. Just because Brick managed to go there and return safely doesn’t mean everyone could do it. Suppose you got over on that hill—but couldn’t get back?”
    â€œI wouldn’t care in the least,” Princess said dreamily. “Why, I’d just lie right there on a bed of dandelions till I died. Sunshine and flowers …”
    The nurse shook her head. “Let’s not get carried away,” she reminded them. “I’m all for sunshine and flowers myself, but we have to be practical about this. Brick, you were on that hillside only a few minutes, but I’m sure you learned more than you realize. It’s just a matter of my asking you the right questions. Now, think back. What sounds did you hear?”
    He closed his eyes and slid down upon his pillow. “There was the funny noise those—those quail were making, then there was the grasshopper—he made a sort of clickity buzz. I remember now that I heard more grasshoppers in the distance, only I didn’t realize what they were at the time. There were some birds chirping or singing somewhere, and there was the water on my left. That was the main sound. I couldn’t see the water till I got my head up and looked down at the bottom of the hill, but I could hear it flowing. It was sort of gurgling, only it was more like music. It sure was nice.”
    The silence that followed was broken by a wistful sigh from Princess. Then Nurse Jackson said, “But Brick, those were all nature sounds. Didn’t you hear anything else? Traffic in the distance? A factory whistle? And what about machinery humming or clanking, or maybe a car’s horn?”
    He shook his head. “There was nothing like that.”
    â€œHow about a radio, or a plane?”
    â€œNo, ma’am.”
    â€œNo sounds of