Bird Read Online Free PDF Page B

squirrels and any other creatures that created a racket and disturbed her quiet. Her hearing was sharper than a knife and she was often irritated by the smallest of sounds.
    “Miranda, what is that infernal ticking?”
    I had to strain to hear what it was she referred to. “It’s only the clock in the hall, Wysteria.”
    “Has it always been so offensive?”
    “I’ve never noticed it before,” I confessed.
    “Close the door, Miranda,” she commanded. “And let us return to some semblance of peace.” I did as she requested.
    “How is one to concentrate with all these disturbances?” I knew she referred not only to the clock in the hall, but also to the boy, for it was his disturbance that still lay heavy on her mind.
    I, on the other hand, hoped for his return. I knew deep in my heart he would come. And to my delight, it was in fact the boy and not squirrels causing the disturbance in the elm.
    Just above my window, the boy perched precariously on one of the upper limbs. I could not imagine how he had reached such a height, as there was a scarcity of branches the higher one climbed. I watched him as he attempted to reach the roof below the walk with his outstretched hand. Knowing the gap too wide to breach and unable to warn him through the closed window, I threw on a sweater, combed my fingers through my hair and ran quietly up the stairs to the glass house. I burst into the room, out onto the walk and peered over the railing.
    “Oh, miss, it’s you!” the boy said, startled by my sudden appearance. He looked up at me, a broad grin spreading across his face. “I’m returning the kite as I said I would.” I could now see the kite strapped securely to his back.
    “That’s honorable of you. And brave. But I’m afraid you’ll never reach.”
    “Can you catch the tails, then, if I toss it to you?”
    “It is too far a distance,” I said. “Wait.” I retrieved the anchor line and threw it down to him. “Tie the tail to the line, and keep your voice to a whisper.” I nodded in the direction of the house to indicate Wysteria’s presence within it.
    “Quiet as a lamb, miss.”
    He undid the ties that held the kite to his back and then secured the tails to the line. I pulled it up and wrapped my fingers around the colorful ribbons, which the boy had artfully reattached. I held the railing with my free hand, realizing that in my haste I had forgotten to put on my boots and stood only in my stockinged feet. I placed the kite safely on the floor inside the glass house and closed the door.
    “Safe home,” the boy said with satisfaction.
    I smiled.
    “I’m Farley.”
    “Miranda,” I said in turn.
    “I’d shake your hand, if I could reach it.”
    “You’d lose your balance.”
    “I never do.” He looked up, studying me curiously. I’m sure I must have appeared odd to him, with my wild hair and strange mix of clothes, for Wysteria had yet to sew me a proper spring coat, and I wore several layers of sweaters over the top of my nightdress. I smoothed out my hair and tried pulling it into a knot at the back of my head, but it was hopeless. The wind was too strong.
    “I forgot my ribbon.”
    “It looks better that way,” he said.
    “It’s too wild,” I insisted.
    “You live in this big house with only the old woman?” he inquired.
    I nodded.
    “Does she ever let you out?”
    “Yes, of course,” I said, though I realized this was not true. Wysteria rarely let me out any longer, not even to accompany her to town, but it seemed important that this boy not think me a captive.
    “Can you come to the beach with me, then, to fly the kite? It’s a much better run you’ll get along the sand.”
    “I’d like that,” I said, “but I’m not allowed out on my own.”
    “Why ever not?”
    “It’s rather difficult to explain.”
    Just at that moment, the bell rang. Never had Wysteria rung the bell at that hour of the morning.
    “Is that the old woman? Does she know I’m