The Apothecary's Daughter Read Online Free PDF

Our friend Mary has two of each, if you can believe it.”
    The Elliotts smiled and exchanged pleased glances.
    “So, young Charles,” Mr. Elliott began, “your father has been
telling us that you are fifteen years old.”
    “‘At’s right. But all the lads say I look younger act it too.” Charlie
laughed as though he’d made a fine joke.
    “Well, you have a good many years ahead of you to grow up. Have
you given any thought to what you will take up?”
    Charlie tilted his head. “Take up?”
    “Yes, for your profession. The law, for example, or the church?”
    “Oh, no. I can barely fink what I am to do tomorrow, or remember
what I did yesterday. But Lilly remembers everyfing.” He turned to
her. “Don’t you, Lilly?”
    She began to demur. “Well…”
    “‘Tis true,” Charlie insisted. “Francis he’s Father’s apprentice
tested her, like. Picked a number from one of Father’s books and she
remembered everyfing on the page!”
    “Not everything, Charlie, I am sure,” Lilly said, embarrassed.
“Aunt and Uncle Elliott have not come all this way to hear fibble-fable
about me. Now, do tell them about your work in the physic garden.”
     
    He shrugged. “I just do what Father says I ought.”
    “But our garden has never looked as fine as it did this year.” She
looked at the Elliotts. “If it were not so late in the season, I would
show you.” She squeezed her brother’s shoulder. “You have a way with
plants, Charlie. Do not be modest.”
    Before he could respond, Mrs. Elliott asked, “Are you in school,
Charles?”
    “I was. But I guess I learnt all Mr. Marsh knows, for he said ‘ere
was nofing more he could do wi’ me.”
    “Yes, well, Charlie,” Father said kindly, “some lads are gifted at
book learning and others at working with their hands. That is where
you excel, my boy. I show you how to do something in the garden or
in the laboratory, and you work harder at it than any lad I know.”
    Charlie smiled at his father’s praise, and Lilly felt tears prick her
eyes. Her father did not praise him often enough. Nor did she.
    Aunt and Uncle Elliott did not smile, however. They looked at
each other, then at her father with question and disappointment in
their expressions.
    Charles Haswell took a deep breath. “Charlie, why don’t you run
over and thank Mrs. Mimpurse for her delightful sweets?”
    Charlie eagerly stood. “I had better eat one first if I am to tell her
how good ‘em are! “
    “Of course. Take the whole tray.”
    “Careful! ” Lilly rose quickly and helped Charlie pick up one of the
trays, then opened the door for him. When he was gone, she closed the
door behind him, shutting in the awkward tension in the small room.
    From the stairwell came the sound of a crash metal tray on plank
floor. Followed by a muffled call of, “I’m all right!”
    When the din faded, Jonathan Elliott cleared his throat. “I am
afraid we have been rather hasty. We did not realize…”
    “Of course you did not,” Father interrupted. “How could you?”
    When both Elliotts sheepishly lowered their heads, Father hastened to add, “I meant only that, when I wrote, I simply mentioned that
Rosamond had left me with … that is, left behind …” He sighed in
frustration. “That she had two children -a daughter and a son. I never thought to mention Charlie’s … limitations. Never dreamed you’d
need know.” He leaned his elbows on his knees. “You see, Rosamond
suffered an extremely difficult lying-in with Charlie. He was far too
long in reaching the air he desperately needed. I believe it was this,
and no innate defect, that caused his delayed mental development.”
     
    “But he isn’t, well, an imbecile or anything,” Lilly hurried to
explain. “Just a bit slow, I suppose you would say. In time, he might
very well catch up.”
    “Lilly, we do not know that,” Father admonished. “It would
be unfair to offer that hope to others,