Tales From the Glades of Ballymore Read Online Free Page A

you will take over the whole business when I retire.  How does that sound to you?”
     
    “I accept, again!” said Birk.
     
    Burton spoke, “As you know, we build the stone and wood parts of the cottages.  It would be nice if we could provide features like built-in cabinets and bookcases.  Do you think, as our relationship develops, we could all work together?”
     
    “I like that idea.  I don’t see why not,” responded Morris.
     
    “Then, it is agreed,” said Burton.
     
    “Yes, it is agreed,” answered Morris.
     
    As the wind blew stronger and rattled the windows, the new partners shook paws and hugged.
     
    “Why don’t we have a nice dinner to celebrate our new partnership,” suggested Morris.
     
    Together, the Beaver family and Morris made a large dinner, which included spaghetti, hot rolls with butter, salad, custard, and tea.
     
    After dinner the animals rested for a while as the storm continued to intensify.  Morris thought about the new partnership, which had happened so quickly.  It was all thanks to Bartholomew.  It had certainly been a good day.  The doctor visit went better than he had expected, and now he had an apprentice to help him.  He was very pleased.
     
    It was 8 bongs now, dark, cloudy, and windy.  There were whitecaps on the pond.  The wind direction had shifted slightly, and spray from the pond was occasionally hitting the windows.  They continued to rattle.  Unlike most cottages, this one had no storm shutters.  Morris meant to add them, but he was always too busy.  Burton couldn’t help but notice the missing shutters and offered to build and install them after the storm ended.
     
    “That is very gracious of you.  Thank you,” Morris responded.
     
    Belva was watching the storm from a front window.
     
    Suddenly she yelled, “Come quick.  I think I see something!”
     
    They rushed to the windows.
     
    Her father asked, “What do you see, dear?”
     
    “There, to the left of the dock, there is a big shape in the water.  I think it’s moving.  Can you see it?”
     
    Everyone squinted, trying to see through the storm.  Indeed, to the left of the dock was a large dark oval shape, apparently partially submerged.  It was not smooth but had a number of parallel ridges on it.  It wasn’t floating on the water because leaves and other debris were moving by it.
     
    “It’s probably a log,” her father said.
     
    Then, the “log” turned and looked at them with, what seemed to be, two large red eyes.  Belva screamed.
     
    Birk yelled, ”What is it Papa?  Let’s go out and see!”
     
    “You will do no such thing!” said their mother.
     
    “Your mother is right.  We’re not going out in this storm,” agreed their father.
     
    They continued to watch from the windows as best they could.  Soon the shape with eyes, sank below the water and disappeared.  The children were scared and fascinated at the same time.
     
    “Whatever it was, it’s gone now,” said their mother.  “Come, let’s sit down by the fire.  It’s nice and warm there.”
     
    As they moved to the hearth, Beatrice went to the kitchen and made some hot chocolate for everyone.
     
    Morris spoke, “It was probably some debris stirred up by the storm.  After storms I have found the strangest things.”
     
    That was not what he really thought.  For several years there have been rumors that there was some strange creature in the pond.  Once or twice a year there was a sighting similar to tonight’s.  However, this was the second sighting this month.  Some began calling it the “Pond Creature” a couple of years ago.  This was the first time that Morris had seen anything.  He looked at Burton and could tell he was thinking the same.
     
    “Morris, I have a question about the storm shutters and how they will fit the kitchen window,” said Burton.
     
    “Yes, of course.”
     
    They got up and walked to the kitchen.  
     
    While they looked at the window,