Free the maltese angel by Yelena Kopylova Page B

"Lift up your shirt," the boy did as he was bidden and exposed the rough bandage around his back; and when Annie took out the two safety pins holding it in place and so further exposed the suppurating weal, both Mr. and Mrs. Killjoy stood dumbfounded for a moment. Then the woman demanded, "Who did that to him? He should be in gaol. He should that. If I knew ..."
    "Only the boy knows, Mrs. Killjoy, and he doesn't want to say; nor does he want this to go any further because, as he'll tell you, he's afraid of being sent back. And so I know you won't mention this
    matter."
    Mrs. Killjoy now turned to Fanny, saying, "Did you ever see anything like it."
    Fanny made no reply, but she went to the boy and laid a hand on his head and murmured something to him that caused his face to brighten and for him to say, "Italiano?"
    "No." She shook her head.
    "From Malta ... And you? You are Italian?"
    The brightness faded from the small face; and his answer was again muttered: "I don't know. My mother was, I think. I can remember only odd words she said. It was long time ago. But my father, he spoke
    different, like everyone else. I did, too."
    She bent down to him and said slowly, "I am going to touch your back; but you won't feel any pain. "
    It was at this point Annie made a movement of protest, only to be
    stopped by Mrs. Killjoy saying quietly, "She knows what she's doing.
    Just leave her. She is like her own mother, she has power in her
    hands. " And she turned to Ward and nodded; and he looked from her to the slip of a girl who had promised to be his wife. He had hurried her here to bring the wonderful news, but now it seemed secondary to the needs of the boy, as he watched her place her hands across the
    suppurating sore. He watched her press hard on it, and the boy make no movement that might indicate he felt pain of any kind.
    He now watched this beautiful girl, who had driven him half crazy over these past few days, close her eyes, bow her head, and talk as if to herself for a minute; then quickly taking her hand from the boy's back, she took out a handkerchief from her dress pocket and wiped it whilst smiling widely at the boy and assuring him: "It will soon be better.
    Did ... did you feel anything?"
    He was smiling up into her face now.
    "My back was warm, very warm, but nice. I mean comfort ...
    comforting."
    She now asked him, "Did you used to speak Italian?"
    He shook his head.
    "I don't know. As I said, my mother used some words. I can remember "
    bambino"."
    She touched his cheek, then asked, "What is your name?"
    "Carl, ma'am."
    "Well, be happy, Carl. Be happy."
    "Yes, ma'am." He turned now to look at Ward who, assuming now a stiff, almost angry front, exclaimed, "You know what you have done, boy?" and the lad, somewhat apprehensively now, answered, "No, no, sir."
    "You have stolen my thunder, that's all." And Ward's hand went out and ruffled the boy's thick hair, while addressing the others, saying, "And I mean that. I came tearing back to tell you my splendid news .. our splendid news--' He held out a hand towards Fanny, and when she took it he drew her to his side and, placing an arm about her narrow shoulders, as he spread his gaze round from one to the other he said, " This beautiful lady here has promised to be my wife. "
    They all stared at him, and with the exception of the boy, it would appear from their expressions that they were dumbfounded. Then the exclamations came pouring out: and while Fanny was becoming breathless in being hugged to Mrs. Killjoy's overflowing flesh. Ward's hand was being shaken, first by Mr. Killjoy, then by Billy,
    7i
    and lastly, Annie stood there before him. She did not shake his hand, but smiling at him, she said jokingly, "What a surprise! What a surprise!" and in answer he gave her a playful push in the shoulder.
    And then she pleased him by saying quietly, "She's different from what I expected. You could travel far and fare worse. In fact, later on, when I come to think over it, I