Caleb's Story Read Online Free Page A

wrong thing.”
    â€œDid Grandfather? Do the wrong thing?”
    Papa winced at the name “grandfather.” It did not come as easy for him as for Cassie.
    Papa looked at me again.
    â€œYou know, Caleb, you’re almost as tall as I am. When did that happen?”
    Papa turned and walked back into the barn and picked up his shovel.
    â€œThe gate, Caleb,” he said, his voice soft.
    He bent over and began to clean out the stalls, his arms rising and falling in a regular rhythm. Up and down, up and down, up and down.
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    I mended the gate and looked up once to see Grandfather far away in the west meadow. When I looked up again he was gone. Later, when I went to the barn to put away the fence wire, Sarah and Papa were talking. They didn’t see me and I didn’t mean to listen. But I was afraid to move.
    â€œYou should talk to John,” said Sarah. “Perhaps if you just talk about it—”
    â€œThat’s your way, Sarah,” interrupted Papa.
    â€œI thought it was our way, Jacob.”
    Papa dropped his shovel and looked at Sarah.
    â€œThere is nothing to talk about. He walked away from us, Sarah. I was younger than Caleb. He walked away and left us to wait. And wonder.” Papa’s voice got louder. “Every day I looked down that road for him. Every day! ” Papa was shouting now. “That shouldn’t happen to a boy. That shouldn’t happen to anyone.”
    Sarah put her arms around Papa.
    â€œHe’s old and tired, Jacob. Please talk to him.”
    â€œWhat does he want after all this time?” asked Papa. “He could have written me a letter! Why didn’t he write me a letter?” Papa’s voice sounded sad.
    Papa walked over to the barn door to look outside. He didn’t see me in the shadows.
    â€œI could forgive him for dying. But I will never, never forgive him for walking away,” he said.
    â€œTalk to him,” whispered Sarah.
    I stood still as a stone.
    â€œYou can tell him he can stay until he’s well enough to go,” said Papa.
    â€œYou can tell him that yourself, Jacob,” said Sarah. “You are his son.”
    She walked out of the barn, past Papa, past me.
    I stood quietly for a long time. Then, when I heard Papa begin to shovel hay again, I went out into the winter day.
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    Dusk came, and it was colder. Sarah and Cassie and I set the table for supper. Papa came in at last. He looked around.
    Sarah shook her head.
    â€œHe hasn’t come back from his walk.”
    Papa looked out the window. Daylight was nearly gone. Papa washed his hands.
    â€œIs supper ready?” he asked.
    â€œWe can’t eat without Grandfather!” said Cassie.
    Papa dried his hands. He sat down at the table.
    â€œWe ate without him all these years,” he said firmly. “We can eat without him tonight.”
    â€œI’ll go look for him,” I said.
    â€œCaleb! Sit down!” Papa’s voice was sharp.
    I sat down.
    â€œI think we should wait for him, Jacob,” said Sarah. “He’s our guest.”
    Papa stood up angrily.
    â€œA guest! Of all things he is not . . .”
    The door opened and Papa stopped. Grandfather came in and took off his coat, then saw Papa standing.
    â€œSorry to be late,” said Grandfather. “I lost my way. It’s been a long time . . .” His voice trailed off. “You should have eaten without me.”
    â€œThat’s what Papa said,” said Cassie.
    Grandfather looked at Papa.
    â€œYour papa was right,” Grandfather said.
    Grandfather sat at his place. Papa sat, too.
    â€œGrace, Caleb?” said Sarah.
    â€œThank you for our food,” I said. “And thank you for friends who came to share it.”
    â€œThat means you, Grandfather,” said Cassie.
    â€œI know, Cassie,” said Grandfather softly. He turned to Papa. “I see you cut down a stand of trees in the west meadow, near the barn. Don’t