Free Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi Page B

the clergy!"
    His voice faded. I went to open my door. The house was full of strange shadows, creakings, and murmurs. It had an unnatural light about it. Footfalls were heavy, voices muted. Aunt Cumsee's sister, Cary May, was already belowstairs. Aunt Cumsee's room was below mine. If I put my ear to the floorboard, I could hear the two sisters. Cary May's voice was sharp and strong, Aunt Cumsee's low and familiar.
    "If the Lord wants me, I's ready," I heard Aunt Cumsee say.
    "Lord gonna have to git by me first," her sister responded. "You there, Prince! More heated bricks! More blankets!"
    From outside came the sound of carts rumbling by on the street, taking away the dead. Then I heard a rap on the front door. Dr. Sprague! I stepped out into the hall and peered over the banister.
    "Good to see you, Doctor," I heard Mr. Wheatley say. "Good of you to come. You look weary, man. Have you eaten?"
    "I've had naught but a piece of bread and a cup of wine all day."
    "You shall sit by the fire, rest, and eat."
    "My requirements are modest. Anything will do."
    Nathaniel summoned Sulie to get a dish of meat and bread. "And some claret!" he ordered.
    "Tell me," Mr. Wheatley urged, "is the danger yet past?"
    "All who wish to be inoculated will be obliged," the elderly man said. "The scourge has spread across the River Charles. Mayhap it is God's blessing that Harvard Hall burned. The students were sent home."
    Mr. Wheatley, Nathaniel, and the doctor went into the dining room. I heard Sulie's quick footsteps crossing the hall, her sharp voice ordering Prince to come with the claret.
    There was a back way downstairs and out of the house. It was used by Sulie and Aunt Cumsee when the Wheatleys did not wish to be disturbed by the comings and goings of the servants.
    I put on my heavy cloak, for the night had turned raw. I crept down the back stairs and ran.

    I dozed, covered with an old horse blanket, under a barn window. I dreamed of Robin on the wharf in his fancy blue suit, of Prince telling me I would never be any good unless I was free. Of a sudden I felt myself falling, and I knew it was because Sulie had tripped me. I heard her evil laugh.
    I dreamed of my mother pouring out water before the morning sun. She was telling me something. What? I could not hear her words. Someone else was speaking at the same time.
    "Phillis. Come with me."
    I opened my eyes. Oh, how cruel! I was not at home by the spring with my mother. I was still here in the barn. Nathaniel stood over me, wrapped in a heavy cloak. Light spilled out of a lantern in his hand, blinding me.
    I stared stupidly up at him while my head thudded with ache and I felt a sour taste in my mouth.
    "We've been looking all over for you!" He was angry. "Haven't we enough trouble on this damnable night without you running off and causing more? What in God's name are you doing out here? I will have an answer from you, Phillis."
    "Hiding," I said.
    His scowl deepened. "From what? The pox? You needn't be afraid. No one will fault you for that. Everyone's afraid. Dr. Sprague is waiting to inoculate you. The poor man is exhausted and wants to go home. Now come along, I say."
    I shook my head and sank back in the straw.
    "What the devil?" Nathaniel set his lantern down on a barrel. "What mean you by that? Enough nonsense. Come along."
    But I would not move.
    His eyes narrowed. I knew the look. He was not to be trifled with. Now that he had taken on more and more of his father's business concerns, he was accustomed to having his words heeded. "Come with me now, Phillis. If you don't come now to be inoculated, you can't come back into our house. I shall tell Father to sell you."
    Sell me?
I stared up at him.
    "I mean what I say, Phillis. If you think I don't, you're sadly mistaken. I'll take you to the auction myself.
For God's sake, Phillis, come!
" He shouted his words. They boomed off the rafters.
    Some barn swallows took flight. I heard the flapping of their wings as they fluttered about in