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and ran a rather noisy machine about the floor and rugs for a time, ran a cloth over the furniture, picked
and straightened up some more, and was done.
She came back over. Now you be good, she admonished, ruffling his ears. Don t let anyone know
you re here. I ll keep your secret if you will, okay? Now give me a kiss. Right here. She bent down,
offering her cheek. C mon, just a little kiss.
Abernathy licked her dutifully on the cheek.
Good dog! She patted him on the head and rubbed his muzzle. Then she picked up her cleaning gear
and headed out the door. Bye, old boy, she called back.
The door closed softly and the footsteps moved away.
Abernathy wished he had something to wash out his mouth.
Elizabeth returned around mid-afternoon, unremittingly cheerful. Hi, Abernathy! she greeted, pushing
through the door and closing it tightly behind her. How was your day?
It would have been better, Abernathy replied archly, if you had thought to warn me that the
housekeeper might clean!
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Oh, that s right, it s Monday! Elizabeth groaned and dropped her books on the writing desk with a
thud. Sorry about that. Did she see you?
She did. But she thought I was a pet and said I was your responsibility and not hers. I don t think she
plans to tell anyone.
Elizabeth nodded solemnly. Mrs. Alien is my friend. When she gives her word, she keeps it. Not like
some I know. She frowned menacingly. Nita Coles used to be my Friend, but she isn t anymore.
Know why? Because she told everyone I like Tommy Samuelson. I don t know why she did that. He
isn t even my boyfriend or anything, I just said I sort of liked him. He is cute. Anyway, she told Donna
Helms, and Donna tells everyone everything, so the first thing you know, the whole school is talking
about me and Tommy Samuelson, and I am embarrassed beyond tears! I bet even Mr. Mack, my
teacher, knows! I told Eva Richards, my other Friend, that if Nita doesn t take it all back and right now,
I won t...
Elizabeth! Abernathy cut her short with something very much like a bark. Elizabeth, he said her name
again, this time more gently. She stared at him. Have you come up with a way to get me out of here?
Sure. She said it matter-of-factly, as if there had never been any question about it. She dropped
herself down on the bed next to him. A real good way, Abernathy.
How, Elizabeth?
She grinned. We ll send you out with the laundry! The look on Abernathy s face sent the grin scurrying
for cover. Look, it s simple, really. A truck from the cleaners picks up the laundry every Tuesday.
That s tomorrow. Several big canvas hampers go out, full of sheets and stuff. You can hide in one. The
guards never check the laundry. You ride out in the back of the truck and when it stops to unload, out
you jump. By then, you ll be miles away. She grinned again. What do you think?
Abernathy thought. I think it might work. But what about when they load me in the truck? Won t they
think the laundry is a bit heavy?
Elizabeth shook her head firmly. No way. The towels and stuff go out wet all the time. They weigh a
ton. I ve heard Mr. Abbott say so. He s the driver. He won t think anything about it when he puts you in
the truck. He ll just think you re a load of wet towels or something.
I see. Abernathy was undecided.
Believe me, it ll work, Elizabeth assured him. All you have to do is sneak down to the laundry early in
the morning. I ll go with you. If we go early enough, we won t run into anyone. I can set my alarm. On
the clock, she added, pointing.
Abernathy looked at the time-telling device doubtfully, then back at the little girl. He sighed. Can you
give me a good map of the country to take with me, Elizabeth something that will help me find my way
to Virginia?
Elizabeth immediately shook her head no. I have an idea about that, too, Abernathy, You can t go
trekking across the country on foot all the way to Virginia. It s just too far. There are mountains between
here and there, and it s almost winter. You might freeze!
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She reached over and put her hand on his head. I ve got some money saved. I want to give it to you.
I ll have to make up something for Dad, but I can do it. I ll give you the money, and here s what you do.
You wrap yourself all up in bandages so no one can see what you look like. They ll think you re all
burned or something. Then you go to the airport and buy a standby ticket to Virginia. They re real
cheap I ll show you how to do it. You can fly back in a couple of hours. You ll still have to walk a bit
when you get there, but not nearly so far as from here maybe a hundred miles or so. And it will still be
warm there; you won t freeze.
Abernathy didn t know what to say. He just stared at her for a moment. Elizabeth, I cannot take your
money...
Shhhh, shhhh! She cut him short with a hiss. Don t say that. Of course you can. You have to. I can t
sleep thinking about you out there wandering across the country. I have to know that you re all right.
Really, I should go with you. But since you won t let me, you at least have to take the money. She
paused. You can pay me back later, if you want sometime.
Abernathy was overwhelmed. Thank you, Elizabeth, he said quietly.
Elizabeth reached over and gave him a big hug. It was a much better hug than the one he had received
from Mrs. Alien.
Abernathy stayed in Elizabeth s room when she went down to eat dinner, waiting patiently for her to
bring something edible back for him. He passed the time reading idly through something called TV Guide,
which he didn t understand. He expected Elizabeth to return in short order, just as she had the previous
night, but the minutes slipped by and she failed to show. He began listening at the door for her and even
risked a quick look down the empty hall. No Elizabeth.
When she finally appeared, she was ghost white and visibly distressed.
Abernathy! she exclaimed with a hiss, closing the door quickly behind her, You ve got to get out of
here immediately! Michel knows about you!
Abernathy went cold. How did he find out?
Elizabeth shook her head in anguish, tears starting down her cheeks. It was all my fault, Abernathy,
she sobbed. I told him! I had to! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]