Ch4-What Are You Good For

CHAPTER FOUR What Are You Good For? "Hi there!" Annie said cheerfully. Augusta's mother did not reply. She was staring at Jack's bare feet. Her expression made him sink down in his chair. "Do not blame Eliza or me, Mother," said Gertrude. "These are Augusta's friends, not ours."

"I took pity on them, Mother," said Augusta. "They were wet and miserable." Her mother finally smiled. "Yes, daughter, I imagine they were. It's very nice to have pity for the poor, but dirty children should not be sitting in our parlor." "They were hungry, Mother," said Augusta. "Yes, and I see you have given them food," said her mother. "So it is time to take them out of the house now." Jack and Annie stood up. Jack was happy to leave. He felt like Augusta and her mother were talking about stray dogs or cats. But Augusta sat very still and just stared at her mother.

"Go on—get them out of here, Augusta," said Gertrude. "They are not clean! They might even have bugs in their hair." The mere mention of bugs made Jack's scalp itch. He and Annie both scratched their heads. "See!" said Gertrude. "Augusta…," her mother said in a stern voice. "Oh, all right! All right!" said Augusta, standing up. "I was trying to be kind! Come with me, please," she said to Jack and Annie. "I'll lead you down the lane a bit, at least past the sheepdogs." As Augusta started out of the room, her mother stopped her and pinched her shoulders. "Carry yourself straight, daughter," she said.

Jack couldn't imagine how the girl could carry herself any straighter. Augusta led Jack and Annie back down the dark hallway, through the fish-smelling kitchen, past the ancient butler sleeping by the fire and the three kitchen maids and the cook. Without a word, she grabbed her red cape and pulled it around her. "Where are you going, Miss Augusta?" asked Molly. "I have been ordered to send these poor children back out into the storm," Augusta said. Jack and Annie forced their feet into their stiff, wet socks and boots. Augusta held the door for them, then followed them outside, slamming the door shut behind her.

Even though it was still rainy and windy, Jack felt much happier outside the Big House than inside it. He and Annie followed Augusta past the gates and out to the lane. Augusta walked stiffly, leading them like a mother duck. "What are we going to do about her?" Annie whispered to Jack. "I don't know," whispered Jack. "She doesn't seem very creative or imaginative to me." "Well, we have to inspire her! Come on!" said Annie. She and Jack hurried to catch up with Augusta.

"Miss Augusta!" said Annie, walking alongside her. "Do you like to sing? Dance? Paint? Play a musical instrument? Anything creative like that?" "No," said Augusta. She sounded angry. Jack figured she must be mad at her mother for kicking them out of the Big House.