Keeping Secrets Read Online Free Page A

voice so faint Peg could scarcely hear her, Miss Hennessey said, “It’s all too fresh, too painful to talk about.”
    “I’m sorry,” Ma said. She glanced at the clock, jumped to her feet, and busied herself with scraping carrots at the drainboard. As an afterthought she looked over her shoulder toward Peg. “Best get to your sums, my little love.”
    “I will, Ma,” Peg answered, unable to completely hide her aggravation at being reminded.
    Miss Hennessey smiled at Peg. “I’m sure you’re very good at your studies.”
    “Fairly good, I guess,” Peg answered modestly.
    “I could tell. I know you must do well in all your subjects. Do you like history?”
    “Not really,” Peg admitted. “I hate having to memorize names and dates.”
    Miss Hennessey nodded sympathetically. “I suppose that names and dates will always have to be memorized, but history should be interesting. History is about people and the fine things they’ve done and the mistakes they’ve made. History is a collection of exciting stories. Don’t you agree?”
    “I guess so,” Peg answered. It hadn’t occurred to her to think of history in those terms.
    “For example, I know some interesting stories about the childhood and background of President Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps after supper tonight you might like to hear them.”
    “Yes. Thank you.” Peg smiled at Miss Hennessey and reached for her schoolbooks. She was surprised at what a nice person Miss Hennessey had turned out to be. Maybe she had been wrong in having a few misgivings about her.

4
 
    O VER THE NEXT few days Violet Hennessey became not just a nice person in Peg’s mind, but a friend.
    Ma never failed to remind Peg of perfectly obvious things Peg had planned to do anyway: “It’s breezy out, Peg, so take a shawl.”
    “Don’t forget to tidy your room before you leave for school.”
    “Remember to study your spelling, love. Last week you lost out in the final round of the spelling bee because you misspelled the word Miss Thomas gave you.”
    But Miss Hennessey treated Peg as if she were another adult: “Your muffins are delicious. I would love to have the receipt.”
    “I’ve heard that President Lincoln is considering a proclamation that would create a national holiday ofThanksgiving on the last Thursday in November. How do you feel about this, Peg? Do you think a holiday like this would be successfully observed—especially during this time of war?”
    “Oh, Peg! I have a delicious story to share with you. Last spring that circus man, John P. Barnam’s star attraction, General Tom Thumb, who is only thirty-five inches tall was married to Miss Lavinia Warren, who is a scant thirty-two inches tall! Well … a friend of mine who attended wrote at the time that the bride’s dress was quite expensive but overly flounced and …”
    Peg, who bridled at her mother’s continual advice, luxuriated in feeling almost grown-up when she was with Miss Hennessey.
    On the third day of Miss Hennessey’s stay Ma, who felt that fresh air was important to good health, suggested that Peg take Miss Hennessey walking.
    To Peg’s surprise, Miss Hennessey seemed eager to walk, and as they left the house she said, “I understand there is a delightful overlook above the Missouri River. Could we walk there?”
    “Oh, yes,” Peg said. “There’s a little woods, and a winding path and wildflowers in the spring. It’s one of my favorite places.”
    Eagerly she led the way, but she was puzzled when Miss Hennessey’s attention turned to the woods and not to the wide view of the river.
    The next day, when Peg returned from school, Ma was alone in the kitchen.
    Peg snatched a cold biscuit left over from breakfast, stuffed a large bite into her mouth, and asked, “Where’s Miss Hennessey?”
    “Out walking,” Ma told her, “and don’t talk with your mouth full.”
    “I’ll catch up with her,” Peg said and was through the door before Ma could answer.
    She looked to the