The Daughters Daring (The Daughters Daring & The Enchanted Forest Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sharpest swords in the scabbard, as Father would say. They're actually not very bright at all. We are going to sneak in and take the sweetberries right out from under his ugly old nose!"
         “Sneak in?” Emily was beginning to think her sister might have fallen on her head, back in the cave. “We'll more likely be captured and eaten with that plan! That is the stupidest idea I have ever heard of!!"
         Emily's words stung Elizabeth. Sometimes sisters could be your best friend, and other times say some of the meanest things. Elizabeth prided herself on her wits and felt her anger growing. She was especially hurt that her sister would say such a thing in front of the gnomes.
         “Is not!” Elizabeth shot back. “You’re just jealous that you didn't think of it first! You're jealous that I am smarter than you!"
         “I am not jealous!” Emily yelled. “You are jealous that I am older and have more privileges. And I’m better at sports!”
         “You're better at sports because you act like a boy. It's no wonder Father calls me his little princess! You have the poise of a farm boy!”
         “Take that back!” Emily cried. Her sister's words had found their mark. Her eyes were starting to sting with tears.
         “I will not!” Elizabeth answered, defiantly. “Why don't you just go back home; I can clearly do this without you getting in the way!”
         “Fine!” Emily screamed. “I hope the goblins get you and take you away! My life was much better before you showed up!”
         Both sisters now felt the sting of harsh words. Elizabeth threw up her shoulders with a “hmmph,” and turned down the trail past the goblin cave. Emily turned the other way, practically knocking over several gnomes as she picked up her pack and stormed off into the forest.
         “This is not good,” Randolph fretted. “Not good at all.”
     

Chapter 5
     
         Emily was walking farther into the forest, down another path she had found, angrily kicking stones and not paying much attention to where she was going. She was thinking of the mean things Elizabeth had said to her. Little sisters could be so disagreeable! Emily was just as capable and smart as she needed to be, and smart enough to know when one of Elizabeth's schemes was too dangerous for them.
         The thought of danger had just started her thinking about the forest, again, when she heard a soft crunching sound behind her. She turned around but saw nothing, and the noise stopped.
         She had only taken a few steps when the noise returned. “Who's there?” She demanded, whirling around but still finding no one there. She gripped her staff more tightly.
         “Hullo,” said a small voice. Again, it sounded like it came from behind her. Emily spun around, determined to confront whoever was following her. The path was bare.
         “Where are you?” Emily asked, still annoyed with her sister and growing impatient with this voice.
         “In here,” the voice said. Now it sounded somewhat muffled, but very close to her ear.
         Realizing where it came from, Emily removed her backpack and opened it. Inside she found a tiny gnome helping himself to some of her snacks. This gnome had red shoes and a noticeable pot belly, probably from eating other people’s snacks.
         “Hey! How'd you get in there?” Emily demanded.
         “Oh, terribly sorry,” the gnome answered, "but after the ruckus with the goblins, I was fatigued and hungry. This looked like a comfortable place to enjoy a quick nap, and I was so delighted to find that you had food in here, as well!”
         “And I see you helped yourself to it,” Emily said, a little perturbed. “Who are you, anyway? And, if I may ask, why are you so much smaller than the other gnomes?”
         “Apologies again, Miss Daring. My name is Periwinkle!” he said, bowing as well as he could from his cozy spot among her