Within the Candle's Glow Read Online Free PDF

pair of round spectacles balanced on the bridge of his large nose. They were too small for his broad face. “Need to talk? You look ‘bout to bust with a problem needlin’ you.”
    “I’m tired of Jim’s cocky attitude. He’s bragging he saw Ella Dessa.”
    “So?” Papa laid the Bible on the table and scratched his scalp. His movements ruffled his thick hair.
    “Forget it. It’s nothing. Where’s Mother?”
    “In the girls’ room, making ‘em tidy up. They thought they’d be sneaky not puttin’ coverlets and quilts in place this morning. Your mother don’t abide by slothfulness.” He pointed one stubby finger at the page in front of him. “Says, right here, to train up a child in the way he should go.”
    “
He
should go?” Samuel saw a chance to get a rise out of his papa. “But, they’re
girls
—unless you’re speaking of Phillip.”
    “Samuel McKnapp, it means all children,
boy or girl
.” He tapped the page and turned the Bible around. “See? Read for yerself.”
    Samuel laughed. “I know what it means.”
    “
Hmmph!
”
    “Papa? Can I take Dancer’s largest pup down to Ella Dessa? She’d love him—I know she would. She could start training him to be a watch dog.”
    His papa snorted. “He’s barely five weeks.”
    “So? He’s feisty.”
    “Tomorrow’s the Sabbath. Don’t take that puppy.” A deep frown creased his brow.
    “Hey! I’m not
selling
it to her.”
    “Don’t raise your voice.”
    Samuel sighed. “I’m not selling it to her—just giving it to her.”
    “You musn’t drag a puppy to the widow and add it to the mouths she’s got to feed, not countin’ herself and Ella Dessa.”
    “Ella Dessa’s earning a bit. She needs a dog to trail her to work, wait around, and follow her home.” He beheld Jim coming through the door and spoke louder. “She should have a dog for safety, so men don’t believe she needs a ride home from Beckler’s General Store. Why, just today, I heard one of them no good fellows
forced
her into his wagon, so he could take her home.”
    “What?” Jim frowned and removed his hat. “You’re crazy.”
    “
What?
” Their papa’s booming voice echoed in the room. “Who’s messin’ with Ella Dessa? Who thinks they can act that way?” He slammed the Bible shut and started to stand.
    “No, Papa—no.” Jim hurried to the table and gripped the older man’s shoulders with both hands. “Stay seated. Samuel’s pulling your leg—your
good one
. I took Ella home today. It so happened she got off work about the time I finished seeing Sophie home. It’s been a busy afternoon.” He sat at the table and backhanded Samuel’s arm.
    “Ouch!”
    “You sure can’t take a little ribbing.”
    “That hurt.”
    Jim ignored him. “Papa, you ought to see the platform Walter built on the back of the store. You can stand on it and step into your wagon. No more steps. It’s rough-looking, but it works.”
    “Must be nice. I’d like to see it, ‘stead of sittin’ home.”
    Jim shrugged. “Sure—next time I go to the cove.”
    “I reckon I need to go along so Ella Dessa don’t get kidnapped ag’in.” Their papa winked and grinned at Samuel. “You two boys don’t go to fightin’ over her.”
    “We’re not
fighting
.” Samuel gave a pronounced exhale of disgust and rubbed at a bug bite on his hand. “Jim’s ribbing me.”
    “
Hmmph!
Both of you got that certain gleam in your eyes. Worries me some, you bein’ brothers.”
    “I don’t have a
gleam
in my eye.” Jim muttered.
    “Yeah, you do.”
    Papa’s words shocked Samuel.
Is he saying Jim likes Ella Dessa
? He stood and ignored Jim.
    Their papa pulled the ragged Bible toward him, opened the cover, and turned a couple of fragile pages. “Let’s see. What’s the Good Booksay ‘bout brothers?”
    Samuel headed to the door. “I’ll be at the barn.” Before the door shut behind him, he heard Ella Dessa’s name and paused.
    “She’s Samuel’s age. Papa, I’ve