Free Hoggee by Anna Myers Page A

his head slowly.“Can’t hear or say a word. That’s awful sad. How old is she?”
    â€œSixteen, same as you.”
    â€œI’d like to see her.”
    Howard sat up straight. “She’s not a sight in a sideshow,” he said, and anger filled him. “That’s just what Cyrus doesn’t want, people staring at her like she’s some freak or something.”
    â€œWhoa, now. I never said I thought she was a freak. Don’t be so vexed.” Jack laughed. “Sounds like you’re a little sweet on this dummy.”
    Howard clenched his fists. “That’s crazy,” he said. “I just feel sorry for her, that’s all, and I’m beholden to old Cyrus. I shouldn’t have told you about Sarah. I just want you to stay away from her, you hear? And don’t call her a dummy.”
    Jack stared at Howard. “Don’t get yourself all riled up,” he said. “I’ve no plan to plague the girl.”
    Howard searched his mind desperately for a change of subject. “Want to play marbles?” Howard asked.
    â€œIt’s too dark for marbles, dunce.” Jack cocked his head and continued to stare. “What is it with you? You’ve never volunteered to play marbles. I’ve always had to hound you to get a game.”
    Howard felt his face flush. It was true. He did not like to play any game with Jack, who always won. He did play, though. Partly he supposed it was the hope of winning. Partly he played because he had no power to resist when Jack insisted.
    He swallowed hard. “Are you tired, then? You’ve been on a long journey. Bet you’re ready to go to sleep.” He started to stand, but Jack pulled him back.
    â€œNot sleepy yet, just got aching feet. Tell me more about old Cyrus’s house.”
    Howard sighed. “Not much to tell. It’s just a little house. I had a bed in the pantry while I was sick. Cyrus’s widow daughter lives with him and her three girls. It’s the middle one I teach.”
    â€œHow old is that one?”
    â€œFourteen, like me.”
    â€œAre they pretty?”
    â€œWho?” said Howard.
    â€œCyrus’s granddaughters, of course? Who were we talking about? The mules?”
    Now Howard was really angry. “How would I know if they’re pretty? I don’t think about such things! Now mules I can tell you about, but not girls. I don’t know about girls, and I don’t talk about them. Ma wouldn’t like you talking about them, either.”
    Jack laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with saying whether a girl’s pretty or not!”
    Howard did stand this time. “All right!” he said. “I suppose they’re pretty enough, but that’s no matter to us or anyone else. Cyrus means for them to be left alone, and you had best abide by that.” He stomped away. Then he turned back to call to his brother. “I’m going to bed,” he said. “I’m too tired for such nonsense.”
    In the quiet of Molly’s stall he thought about what had just happened. Jack was interested in girls now. He was interested in Cyrus’s granddaughters. The thought made him uncomfortable in a way that the hardness of his bed never did.
    He did not want Jack to go around Sarah and Laura.In the darkness he bit at his lip. Jack would not be cruel. Howard had never known his brother to hurt anyone except boys like Mac, who started the trouble. “So what are you worried about?” he whispered to himself in the dark.
    He turned in his blanket. Admit it, he thought, you don’t want to share Sarah and the others. If Jack gets to know the girls, he will find a way to turn that knowing into a competition. With Jack that’s how everything ends, a competition that Jack always wins.
    Howard opened his eyes in the morning as Cyrus came in. For a second he forgot that his brother also slept in the barn. Then it came to him. This