Elixir Read Online Free Page A

daughter and I were just discussing her spelling. She is a very hard-working young woman. You must be very proud of her fine work ethic.”
    â€œYes … yes, I am,” my mother sputtered, caught slightly off guard.
    â€œNothing worthwhile can ever be accomplished without understanding the value of work. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    â€œMost certainly, Dr. Banting.”
    â€œAnd I must apologize if I disrupted your daughter’s efforts to become a more proficient speller. I understand she might consider joining me in the medical profession one day.”
    â€œIt is important to set goals,” my mother said. “Setting a goal is halfway to meeting it.”
    â€œWhen did you know you wanted to be a doctor?” I asked.
    â€œI knew from the time I was about your age. I witnessed an accident and was so impressed with the doctor who tended to the injured man that I knew I wished to pursue a career in the healing arts.”
    â€œAnd Dr. Banting told me that he can’t spell very well either!” I blurted out.
    He looked taken aback—maybe I shouldn’t have said that. But then he smiled.
    â€œYour daughter is correct—spelling was always my great tormentor. But with great effort I have slain that beast, and I’m sure your daughter will work equally hard. Now I should return to my work. It was a pleasure to meet you both.” He bowed slightly from the waist and then turned to walk away, but stopped after a few feet and turned back around. “My assistant and I always take tea at two o’clock. Nothing fancy, obviously, a spot of tea and a biscuit or two, but you’re both most welcome to join us at that time if you wish. Good day,” he said, and he turned and started away again.
    â€œThat was a kind offer,” my mother said to me.
    â€œCan we go for tea?”
    â€œPerhaps. It depends on how much progress we’ve made in our goals when tea time arrives.”
    I knew what that meant. “I’ll stick with my spelling.”
    â€œAnd I’ll get back to my work,” my mother said. She padded down the hall and I focused on my word list again.
    â€œRuth!” Mr. Mercer hissed, and I looked up. He gestured for me to come over. I put down the book and eagerly went to his desk—I knew what he was going to ask and offer.
    â€œDo you think you could watch the desk for a minute?”
    I nodded.
    He got up from his chair and limped around the desk. He was old and lame and walking was a real struggle for him. “I’ll be back in a minute … have to go to the … to the … you know.”
    Of course I knew. He had to go to the washroom.
    â€œRuth … be sure to help yourself to a humbug or two,” he said, pointing to a little bag of candies sitting on his desk.
    â€œThank you,” I said.
    â€œNo, thank you . It’s been a lot easier the past week with you being here to help out an old man. How long you gonna be coming here for?”
    â€œMy mother says she doesn’t know. She says I’m too young to leave alone all day now that school is out, butit’s hard to find somebody to care for me.” Part of me wanted to stay home by myself—after all I was twelve. The other part didn’t want to be there all alone—after all I was only twelve.
    â€œYou tell her that as far as I’m concerned, you can spend your whole summer here!”
    â€œI guess we’ll see.”
    Mr. Mercer shuffled off down the hall. He moved so slowly, with such effort. I wondered if he was in pain.
    I circled around the desk and sat down in his seat. It was still warm. I reached a hand into the bag of candies and took out two humbugs. I popped one into my mouth. It tasted sweet and buttery. I took the second one and carefully put it into my pocket. I’d save it for later, or maybe offer it to my mother.

CHAPTER THREE
    â€œ DO YOU WANT ME to go and get fresh water for your bucket?”