The Secret Read Online Free PDF

asked. “I was having fun.”
    â€œWe just do.” Jonathan didn’t want to admit the truth—he was afraid.
    Afraid of what? Of a little girl?
    He did not know. But he knew that something was not right.
    â€œJonathan, you and Abby must stay in today,” his mother said. “I need you both to watch Rachel for me.”
    Abigail groaned. “I wish we could go back to the village,” she whispered to Jonathan. “I was looking forward to playing with Hester.”
    But Jonathan was secretly relieved. He said nothing about it to Abigail, but he was determined not to go to Wickham anymore.
    Hester pulled Abby into an open coffin, he remembered with a shudder. I must keep Abby away from her.
    Jonathan and Abigail were playing with Rachel in front of the hearth, rolling a ball along the floor to her, when Ezra appeared.
    â€œHello, Papa,” said Abigail brightly.
    Ezra flashed her a smile. “Would you like to go for a walk with me? I need a bit of air.”
    â€œMama asked me to watch Rachel today,” Abigail told him.
    â€œJonathan can watch Rachel,” said Ezra. “Come along with me. I like your company.”
    Abigail jumped up and went outside with her father. Feeling a little hurt, Jonathan watched them through the window.
    He gasped when he saw her.
    Hester.
    Jonathan saw her run up to Abigail and Ezra. Curious, Jonathan picked up Rachel and hurried outside to see what would happen.
    He could see the surprise on his father’s face as Abigail introduced Hester to him.
    â€œWhere do you live, Hester?” Ezra asked.
    â€œNearby,” Hester replied shyly.
    â€œAnd who are your parents?” Ezra demanded.
    â€œMama and Papa,” answered the blond little girl.
    Ezra pointed in the direction of the farmhouses a few miles down the road. “So you live there?”
    â€œShe is a good girl, Papa,” Abigail interrupted, her eyes shining. She was clearly happy to have a playmate.
    Hester turned her sparkling gray eyes on Ezra and asked, “Can Abigail come to my house?”
    Abigail tugged at his sleeve. “Please, Papa,” she begged. “Please?”
    Jonathan stepped forward. “Do not let her go, Papa,” he said.
    Ezra turned sharply to his son. “Why not?”
    Jonathan glanced uneasily at Hester and Abigail. “I cannot say, Papa. I just know you must not let her go.”
    â€œPlease let me go with Hester,” Abigail said. “It is so good to have a friend.” Tears were forming in her eyes.
    Ezra gazed lovingly at his daughter. Jonathan knew his father could deny Abigail nothing. He knew what would happen next.
    â€œAll right, Abigail. You may go.”
    â€œPapa,” urged Jonathan, “let me go with her.”
    â€œNo,” Ezra said firmly. “You will stay here. Someone must watch the baby.”
    â€œBut, Papa—”
    â€œYou heard me, Jonathan,” Ezra said, his temper rising. “You are too old to play with little girls. You will stay here.”
    He turned to Abigail and added, “Run along, but be home for supper.”
    â€œI will!” Abigail called back happily. She ran off with Hester, the blue ribbons on her cap flying behind her.
    Jonathan stared after his sister, watching her until they disappeared over the hill.
    â€œJonathan, your mother is calling you,” said Ezra. “Do you not hear?”
    â€œYes, Papa,” said Jonathan. He carried Rachel inside to his mother.
    The sun had gone down, and Abigail had not returned home.
    â€œSupper is ready, Jonathan,” his mother said. “I will take Rachel now.”
    She picked up the baby and put her into the wooden high chair. Jonathan took his place at the table, gazing at the darkening sky beyond the window.
    Supper, and still Abby is not home, he thought anxiously.
    His mother took a pot of chicken stew off the fire and called Ezra to the kitchen. Jonathan could see that his father