The Left-Handed God Read Online Free PDF Page B

crashed on the stone floor. The contents clinked in protest, and Herr Seutter was upset. “Careful, Hans. I hope you haven’t broken anything.” He bent to check the basket while Augusta closed the door on an icy blast of air.
    The boy whimpered, “S-sorry, s-sir. I didn’t mean to do it. It s-slipped.” His teeth chattered as he breathed on his stiff hands.
    “I’m sure all is well,” Augusta said quickly. “I’m afraid in your great generosity you have overestimated the child’s strength, sir. He looks frozen. You must both come into the kitchen and warm yourselves. It’s bitterly cold outside.”
    “Nonsense.” Herr Seutter abandoned the basket, took off his hat, and slipped out of his fur-trimmed cloak. “A brisk walk is good for growing boys.” He hung his cloak and hat on the hook beside the door and told the child, “Pick up those things and be quick about it, Hanserl. You can take them into the kitchen and then run home. I’m sure Maria has chores for you to do.” He brushed his curly brown hair into place, straightened the sleeves of his blue coat, and proceeded toward the kitchen.
    Augusta’s dislike of their visitor was not improved by this scene, but she followed without comment. Her mother was back in her chair, wearing her false curls under a fresh cap. Her cheeks looked unnaturally rosy, a color‌—‌Augusta knew‌—‌she had produced by painful pinching.
    She greeted Herr Seutter with a gracious smile and extended her hand.
    He said, “A very healthful New Year to you, dear lady,” and eyed her hand for a moment before shaking it firmly.
    Frau von Langsdorff tittered. “Oh, dear. Always so very forceful, my dear sir.” She shook a finger at him. “An eligible bachelor like you can benefit from a little advice. You must bow and kiss a lady’s hand to gain her heart.”
    Seutter stole a glance at Augusta, who suppressed a smile and busied herself with unpacking the basket. It contained bottles of wine, a whole ham, a side of bacon, a loaf of bread filled with nuts and corinths, another of fine wheat flour, a quarter of a whole wheel of cheese, a chunk of butter, and a roasted goose. Her mouth watered at such riches.
    The boy crept closer to the meager fire and stretched his hands toward the glowing coals.
    “Home with you, young rascal.” Herr Seutter clapped his hands, and the boy fled, slamming the front door behind him. His master came to help Augusta. “I took the liberty,” he said, “of bringing a few things to cheer your Mama and you.”
    “Oh, you dear man.” Frau von Langsdorff tripped over to put her hand on his arm and gave him a melting look. “To know that another heart beats with affection for two poor lonely and helpless females…‌I’m quite overcome by such goodness. Come sit by me, dear sir. I feel a little faint. Augusta, run and bring in your father’s chair from the salon .”
    Seeing the foods spread out on the kitchen table, Augusta was in a humor to forgive Herr Seutter. She was even more favorably inclined toward him when he followed her out to carry back the heavy oak settle.
    “God love you, my dear,” he said in the cold parlor, putting his large hand over hers on the back of the chair, “but this will be my duty. I’m not the sort of man who likes to see a tender female put to such heavy work. A young lady deserves a better life than this. A man must strive to make things easy for her.”
    Augusta snatched back her hand. The chair was certainly not beyond her strength, and she had no wish to discuss her situation with him. Instead she held the door open.
    Frau von Langsdorff directed the chair to be placed just opposite herself and close enough that their knees would almost touch. She smiled at their guest. “Perhaps a glass of that lovely wine you have so generously provided? Since it’s a holiday and I’m a wee bit faint still? Bring the good glasses, Augusta.”
    Augusta returned to the parlor and took two wine glasses from the