The Cottage in the Woods Read Online Free Page A

If I exposed her for telling Teddy stories about Uncle Ruprecht, I was sure she would use her lie about the flask to get me dismissed. I stood mute, waiting to see how things would fall out. Mr. Vaughn’s eyes turned intently on me. “If I might have a word with you in the hallway, Miss Brown?”
    I nodded and picked up my candle. On my way out of the room, I glanced at Nurse, who was still smiling demurely. She caught my gaze and purposefully patted the pocket where she had hidden the flask. Then she winked and snickered, covering her laugh with a cough.

4
The Magic Mirror

    Mr. Vaughn followed me into the corridor and shut the door behind us. “I want to make it perfectly clear, Miss Brown, that Theodore is not to be fed any fanciful or superstitious notions, most particularly not those that can only be designed to make him nervous and fearful. I must have your full agreement on this or I’m afraid your position here will be very short-lived.”
    I felt the sting of tears at the corners of my eyes. How could everything have gone so wrong so quickly?
    “What do you have to say for yourself?” he asked.
    “Well, sir,” I began, searching for the right words, “we did hear something in the hallway, but I see now that it was very foolish of me to run. I’m afraid my nerves were a little overwrought, and I didn’t stop to think of the effect it might have on Teddy. It won’t happen again, sir.”
    “And what of Uncle Ruprecht?”
    I paused, wondering how to clear myself without incriminating Nurse. “I did not even know who he was until Teddy toldme. I told no stories of him or of anyone. Please believe me, sir. I would never try to frighten Teddy in any way.”
    Here Mr. Vaughn subjected me to his penetrating stare, as if he were dissecting the whole of my character, testing its steadfastness, and gauging where it came up short. I trembled at this examination, but I hoped he would see my sincerity.
    “I believe you would not, Miss Brown,” he said at length, “but perhaps your own fearfulness is still a threat to Theodore’s peace of mind. Need I point out that you are in a position of authority, and must be ever mindful of your example to the young? Theodore cannot learn rationality or courage from one who has not these qualities in herself.
Vincit qui se vincit
. ‘She conquers who conquers herself,’ Miss Brown. I suggest you take it as your motto. My eye will be upon you.”
    “Yes, sir.” I exhaled, realizing that I had been holding my breath.
    “Now, then, do you require accompaniment to your door? It’s the next one on the right.”
    “No, sir. I will be fine, sir,” I said, nearly choking on the words. I raised my candle high and stepped off into the darkness, hoping my stride looked confident and purposeful even though I inwardly quailed. I ran my free paw along the wall, as if following a lifeline, all the way to my door, then sighed with relief. My chamber, while dark, seemed a few degrees safer than the inky hallway. I shut the door tightly, then began a careful exploration of every nook and cranny, checking behind the heavy drapes, inside the tall wardrobe, even under the furniture. All I could see was that someone had brought up my trunk and valise. Satisfied at last that nothing lurked in the shadows, I unpacked my few belongings in the dim candlelight, prepared myself forbed, and climbed between the sheets on the overstuffed mattress. I left the candle burning on the bedside stand, unable to bring myself to extinguish it.
    As I lay there, the troubles of the day crowded in on me like birds of prey. I had ruined Mr. Vaughn’s book, gotten lost, been late to dinner, abandoned self-control and run through the hallway with Teddy, made an enemy of Nurse, and come close to losing my job before it started. How could I ever face Papa if I was dismissed? What a disappointment it would be to him, and an embarrassment, if his old friend were forced to let me go. One phrase kept repeating itself