The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Devil's Hound Read Online Free PDF Page B

like a very dangerous way for young girls to make a living.”
    â€œThere’s worse out there, Doctor,” Lizzie said. “I would have ended up working in a match factory if my dad had had his way. I’ll take the circus anytime.”
    The fire was making Lizzie feel sleepy. It would be so easy to curl up in the armchair and doze off. She had to get up and do something. The tea was finished, so she picked up the tray and went out to find the kitchen.
    The hall was much colder, with black and white tiles and a towering grandfather clock ticking loudly. Which of the doors led to the kitchen? Lizzie started down the hall, heading for the door that seemed most likely.
    â€œCome away from there, girlie!” snapped a sharp voice. Mrs. Crowe snatched the tea tray out of her hands.
    As Mrs. Crowe touched her, Lizzie felt a dark shadow sweep over her. A deep chill went through her whole body. Just like the time with JoJo! She clutched at the banister to steady herself.
    â€œI’m afraid nobody is allowed in that part of the house,” said Dr. Gladwell, coming out of the parlor. “The equipment in my laboratory is worth a lot of money.”
    â€œLaboratory?” echoed Lizzie.
    â€œI’m studying something called bacteria,” the doctor explained. “Tiny beasties that make us ill. The better we understand them, the more diseases we can cure. I’m hoping to get smallpox beaten, myself.”
    â€œCould you have made my pa better?” Becky choked out. Lizzie saw tears rolling down her face. “He died of smallpox.”
    â€œDid he?” the doctor said. “I’m so sorry. When did he pass away?”
    â€œTwo days ago,” Becky replied. “He’s buried up at Kensal Green.”
    Dr. Gladwell sighed and patted Becky on the shoulder. “Dear girl, I’m afraid there is nothing I could have done. We can vaccinate against smallpox, but if it’s already taken hold, then one can only pray.”
    â€œDo you think he’s in a better place?” Becky whispered.
    â€œI’m sure of it,” the doctor said. “And I promise you, I will not rest until that filthy disease is wiped out.”
    â€œDoctor,” Mrs. Crowe croaked, “your next appointment is here. Waiting. Very patiently, I might add.”
    â€œRight! Now, Miss Erin, you must rest your arm for at least two weeks. No fooling around. Understood?”
    â€œYes, Doctor,” Erin said with a wide smile. “Thank you.”
    As they bustled to the door, with Mrs. Crowe all but pushing them out, the doctor waved. “Just leave my ticket at the box office, and I’ll make sure I come to the show! Cheerio, all!”
    The doctor’s next appointment — two men in canal workers’ clothes — sat outside on a garden bench. Their caps were pulled down against the bright sunlight.
    Sunlight? Lizzie looked up, saw blue sky, and laughed in happy relief. “Finally. It’s about time it stopped raining!”
    â€œWell,” sighed Erin, looking down at her sling, “that’s one less thing to worry about. But two whole weeks! What are we going to tell Fitzy?”

CHAPTER 4
    To Lizzie, who had grown up in a London slum called Rat’s Castle, the countryside was like a foreign country. Right now it looked like something out of a fairy tale, glittering in the bright sunshine. Drops of rain glittered like diamonds on every leaf and bloom. She had a crazy urge to go running through the fields, trampling the long grass down and leaving a wake behind her.
    â€œCome back to my farmhouse,” Becky suggested hopefully. “Our cow, Tilly, gives lovely fresh milk, and it’s on the way.”
    â€œWe should get back to the circus,” Nora said. “Fitzy’s expecting us soon.”
    â€œJust one cup of milk?” Becky pleaded. “It won’t take long.”
    Lizzie suspected that Becky didn’t often have the