Free Spiderweb for Two - A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright Page B

new nest on Willy’s windowsill.”
    â€œThat was when I was much, much younger,” said Randy.
    â€œYear before last, it was,” said Oliver. “And, my, was Cuffy burned! Just as burned as she was about the eggbeater, and about the time she found the kitchen clock down by the pool—”
    â€œThat was when Rush was having the Turtle Derby; yes, and speaking of clocks, Mr. Titus,” Randy cut in, with what she considered great presence of mind, “that grandfather clock in the hall must be a real antique, isn’t it? I’d like to look at it again—”
    â€œIt’s old enough, I guess. Been in the family for generations. I let it run down years ago, though. The way it ticked, so slow and serious, why you could hear it all through the house at night. Made me nervous. Kept my conscience wakeful. So I just let ’er run down and slept much better after. Take this one, though,” Mr. Titus nodded his head in the direction of the old alarm clock under Tibbet’s cage (the Melendys glanced at it perfunctorily). “This one sounds real businesslike and hearty. Had it twenty years. Keeps good time, but the bell don’t work anymore. Gave up. Never could rouse me.… Well, what’s the matter, Randy? You feeling all right?”
    â€œâ€˜Above, a voice was silenced long ago,’” quoted Randy, rising slowly to her feet in a sort of trance, like Lady Macbeth.
    â€œâ€˜Beneath, the hours tell their names and go,’” yelped Oliver, leaping up from the footstool and beating her to the clock.
    Under the metal caplike bell on top of the clock was wedged the precious slip of blue, tightly folded and well-concealed.
    â€œHow in time did that get there?” demanded Mr. Titus. “Here, now, what is that?”
    â€œMr. Titus darling,” said Randy, “please forgive us if we can’t tell you for a while; it’s meant for us, part of a secret kind of game that we aren’t allowed to talk about. Someone must have hidden it there when you weren’t watching. Has any of our family been to see you besides us? Before they went away? Rush, for instance?”
    â€œWhy, Rush was here, sure, just before he left, and so was Mark and Mona, too. Cuffy she’s been by two or three times, and some of your friends, besides; Daphne and David Addison, and Pearl and Peter Cotton. Willy visits pretty regular; but I haven’t seen your daddy since the summer.”
    â€œWe haven’t either,” said Randy, saddened temporarily; but the thought of the clue revived her spirits. “Well, please excuse us, now, but I’m afraid we must be going.”
    â€œWhat! Before I take the cookies out! You can’t go now before you’ve even et one! ”
    They saw that he was really a little hurt; and the delicate warm scent of spice that now pervaded the kitchen was certainly delicious. They sat down willingly, but when the cookies were cool enough to eat it was found that excitement had impaired their appetites. Oliver could only manage seven, and Randy came close to choking on her fifth.
    â€œAll right then, run along,” said Mr. Titus resignedly. “Only soon as you can, you tell me all about it, now. I may be gettin’ on in years, but far as I can see the human curiosity don’t age a day. I want to know!”
    â€œWe promise,” they said.
    As soon as they were out of earshot Oliver handed the clue to Randy. “Read it,” he said.
    â€œAll right. Listen:
    â€˜Sing a song of sixpence,
    Â Â Â Â  A pocketful of gold,
    A treasure trove in springtime,
    Â Â Â Â  Worthless in the cold.
    Start from your doorstep
    Â Â Â Â  Faces turned west,
    Up the wooded hillside,
    Â Â Â Â  Over its crest.
    Down among the giant stems,
    Â Â Â Â  Down across the glen,
    To where the cattle feed and browse,
    Â Â Â Â  And uphill again.
    Find a prelate in a