Lizabeth's Story (5 page)

T
odd and Jamie raced ahead of Lizabeth and Kat as they walked to school. From Lighthouse Lane, they turned into William McKinley Road. Strange, they were the only ones on the street. Lizabeth wondered why she didn't see the usual stream of children heading to school.

“We must be awfully late,” Kat said.

What did Kat expect, with chicken coops and kitchen cleanup and Crazy Mary! It had been the
longest
morning.

Kat tugged at her. “Come on, let's run.”

Ladies weren't supposed to dash helter-skelter down the street, Lizabeth thought, though that had never stopped Kat before. But Miss Cotter had all sorts of unpleasant punishments for lateness, like staying after school and washing the blackboard. So Lizabeth kept up with Kat. She held her long skirt out of the way, above her ankles. Actually, running was fun.

They stopped short on the front path to the school.

“Uh-oh,” Kat said.

Miss Cotter was standing at the entrance waiting for them. They had to be in big trouble!

“Sorry we're late, Miss Cotter,” Kat gasped.

“Sorry, Miss Cotter,” Lizabeth said. “We couldn't help it. We were attacked by some terrible chickens and—”

“I reached everyone who has a telephone,” Miss Cotter said, “but since you don't have one at the lighthouse…” She looked harried. “I'm waiting for those I couldn't call. The mayor did promise that all of Cape Light would get telephone service soon….”

Todd and Jamie were standing nearby with big grins on their faces. What was going on?

“School is closed, girls,” Miss Cotter continued. “There's only a week left anyway, so it seems wisest.”

“Why, Miss Cotter?” Kat asked. “What happened?”

“The scarlet fever,” Miss Cotter said. “Mabel, the White twins, now Mark, and of course, your little cousin. Dr. Forbes said it's best not to have big groups gathering together.”

“You mean school is over for the year?” Lizabeth asked.

Miss Cotter nodded. “I'm sorry. I feel dreadful
about the children who didn't have a chance to give their native culture reports. Maybe next term.”

Amanda would be thrilled to forget about her Pygmies, Lizabeth thought.

“Lizabeth, I hope your sister gets well soon. Give my best to your parents. Oh, and if you see any of your classmates coming to school, please head them off.”

“Yes, Miss Cotter.”

“Thank you, Miss Cotter.”

On the walk back to the lighthouse, Jamie was jumping up and down, chanting. “No more school, no more books! No more teacher's dirty looks!”

“Stop it!” Kat pinched his arm.

“But school is over!” Jamie protested.

“There's nothing to be happy about when people are sick,” Kat said sternly.

“Oh.” Jamie's face fell.

“Do you think there'll be an epidemic?” Todd asked.

“I think Miss Cotter is being cautious,” Kat said, “so that we don't have one.”

A chill swept through Lizabeth. Classmates were out all the time with colds and sore throats and no one thought anything of it. If they closed the school because of scarlet fever, it must be serious. Lizabeth didn't speak.
Her only thoughts were of Tracy.

They walked back toward the lighthouse and even Todd and Jamie were quiet.

They passed the bait-and-tackle shed on Lighthouse Lane. Mabel was out in front sweeping up. Kat and Lizabeth stopped to say hello, but they didn't get too close. Kat had a protective arm on Jamie's shoulder, holding him at a distance.

“It's all right,” Mabel said with a big smile. “I'm over it. Dr. Forbes said I'm not contagious anymore.”

Lizabeth looked her over carefully. Mabel seemed like her normal self. She was a little pale, but that could be from being indoors for such a long time.

“Was it awful?” Lizabeth asked.

“You know something? I don't even remember the whole week,” Mabel said. “I was burning up and I stayed in bed and I felt terrible and then…I guess I slept a lot. It's funny not to remember all those days.”

“I'm glad you're all better,” Kat said.

“Oh, me, too! Now I can go out and play and go anywhere! And nobody in my family caught it, either.”

Tracy, too, will get better soon, Lizabeth thought. Poor little Tracy, she must be burning up and feeling miserable now. But it'll be over soon.

She was so glad they'd run into Mabel! Now she could think about happier things. Like the Strawberry Festival. My goodness, May nineteenth was only nine days away! She'd better prepare to look her very best.

 

Friday went by and then Saturday. Lizabeth really tried to get used to living at Kat's but it just wasn't relaxing.

Everyone was always rushing from one job to another, from lighthouse repairs to clean-up duties. The vegetable garden, the chickens, coal brought in and out, water brought in and out. The Williamses took care of their old horse themselves, though keeping him in a livery stable would be so much easier! Even little Jamie had chores. Who'd ever imagine there was so much to be done around one little cottage?

Lizabeth did mean to be helpful, but the Williamses seemed to have a set routine.

“No, thanks. I think I'd better do it,” Kat said when Lizabeth halfheartedly volunteered to feed the chickens again.

 

On Sunday they went to church. After the service, Rose told them that her father had seen Tracy. There was no change yet.

Everything quieted down for the Sabbath. On Monday, the chores started all over again.

It was already Monday, May fourteenth, Lizabeth thought. Tracy had been sick for seven days. That had to mean her scarlet fever would be gone soon. Of course, Tracy would get well. Of course, she would! The Strawberry Festival was in five days and Tracy would be there, a little pale maybe, but stuffing herself with strawberry shortcake.

At the cottage that afternoon, Aunt Jean asked, “Do you like chicken, Lizabeth? I thought I'd fry some up for dinner. And maybe corn fritters.”

“That sounds delicious, Aunt Jean,” Lizabeth said. She might have liked that if she could stop thinking of those dirty creatures that had pecked at her! But she was absolutely determined to be a considerate guest. “Delicious.”

A hesitant expression must have crossed her face, though, because then Aunt Jean asked, “Lizabeth, tell me. Is there anything else you'd like?”

“Aunt Jean, if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to have a cucumber and a lemon.”

Aunt Jean smiled. “That's fine. I'm going to the market now anyway.”

When Aunt Jean returned, she handed over the produce in a mesh bag. Lizabeth thought, perfect, I'll have plenty of time. Kat was busy with
another
chore—something about weeding.

Lizabeth found the chopping block in the kitchen and sliced the cucumber. Then she squeezed the lemon into a small bowl. She took everything up to Kat's room.

She poured the lemon juice over her hair. She brushed it through and wrapped her hair in a towel. Lemon juice helped to keep it blond. Her hair used to be as light as Tracy's, but it had darkened over the years. By Strawberry Queen night, her hair would be golden and shimmering. Lemon juice would be more effective in sunlight, but that would mean taking a terrible chance of darkening her complexion or even getting freckles! That was why she carried a parasol everywhere.

Lizabeth sighed contentedly and lay down on the bed. She closed her eyes and covered them with cucumber slices. If she did this every day between now and the Strawberry Festival, there wouldn't be the slightest hint of puffiness. The cool cucumber felt so good. In spite of the lumpy mattress, Lizabeth dozed off.

The door creaked open. “Dinner will be ready soon and if you're going to fix the salad—” Kat's voice.

Lizabeth sat up, startled. “Salad?”

“Lizabeth!
What
are you doing with that cucumber?”

Lizabeth removed the slices and blinked. “It's a beauty secret, Kat. To make your eyes—”

“I don't believe this. Ma was so pleased that you wanted to help out and make a salad. I thought I'd find you in the kitchen.”

“
What
salad?”

“Cucumber-and-lemon salad! Everyone assumed…What did you do with the lemon?”

“It's in my hair. For blondness and shine.”

Kat rolled her eyes.

“What's the matter now?” Lizabeth asked.

“That's
food
, Lizabeth. We don't use food for beauty secrets!” Kat shook her head and began to laugh. “Sometimes I think you're from another universe. What are we going to tell Ma?”

“I have to beat the competition for Strawberry Queen, don't I?” Lizabeth said. “I found a wonderful book at the Pelican.
Beauty Secrets of the Ages
. Everyone knows about biting your lips and pinching your cheeks to make them rosy. I have to do
extra
.”

“I think you've done enough extra!”

“Is there any nightshade growing around Durham Point?” Lizabeth asked.

“Deadly nightshade? No! I sure hope not,” Kat said.

“I read that if you put some in your eyes, it dilates the pupils and makes them look ever so large and shiny.”

“Nightshade is poison!” Kat said.

“I guess you're supposed to use just the tiniest bit. Do you know the other name for nightshade? Belladonna. It means beautiful lady in Italian. That proves that it beautified a lot of ladies.” Lizabeth frowned. “I don't know if you're supposed to use the berries or the leaves. The book didn't say.”

“I think there's some poison ivy in the back that we couldn't get rid of,” Kat said. “Do you have a beauty secret for that?”

“Don't be silly!” Sometimes Kat was so immature!

“Lizabeth, this isn't funny anymore. Nightshade is really poisonous.”

“I wouldn't
eat
it. I'm talking about just a bit in my eyes.”

“I think you'd better stop reading that book.” Kat looked closely at Lizabeth. “You wouldn't really use something dangerous, would you?”

“I don't know. You're kind of scaring me.” Lizabeth
shrugged. “I don't know
exactly
how to apply nightshade. But if I did, just for that
one
evening, for the Strawberry Festival….”

“Being Strawberry Queen can't be that important to you,” Kat said.

“Anybody would want to be Strawberry Queen.”

“All right, it would be fun. I'm not saying anything against it—and I'd love to see you win—but you care so much, you're talking about poisoning yourself!”

“It's not only for Strawberry Queen,” Lizabeth said, “though that's my dream, of course. It's about being as pretty as I possibly can. So someone will fall madly in love with me.”

“There are lots of other reasons for someone to love you.”

“Prettiness is what counts, and if you think it doesn't, that's plain childish.”

Kat looked thoughtful. “It's nice to feel pretty, but I wouldn't for a minute want someone to love me for that. I'd want someone to love me for…well, my talent. And because I'm maybe funny, or adventurous, or brave sometimes. And mostly kindhearted.”

“You
are
all those things, Kat.”

“I mean, I'd expect more from someone who's sup
posed to love me. More than, ‘Oh, good, she has nice shiny eyes.'”

That's easy for Kat to say, Lizabeth thought, because she does have a special talent. And people are always drawn to her.

 

When Uncle Tom came in for dinner that night, he planted a kiss on Kat's nose. “The best freckle, second from the right,” he said. “How's my favorite daughter?”

“I'm your
only
daughter!”

“If I had ten more, you'd still be my favorite!”

The very same routine had been repeated every night since Lizabeth had been at Kat's. Kat ducked her head when she noticed Lizabeth listening, probably feeling a little childish. But she has to be pleased, too, Lizabeth thought. Father would never be that affectionate with me or Tracy.

No one loves me that much. It's a good thing I have big blue eyes, Lizabeth thought, and a wardrobe full of exquisite clothes. She pictured the Strawberry Queen dress hanging in her closet at home. Heavens, the Festival was just around the corner! Tracy might take longer than Mabel to get well. She'd better get that dress and have it ready at Kat's.

At dinner Lizabeth dutifully nibbled at the fried chicken and corn fritters. She was grateful that no one said anything about another course. Except for Jamie, who piped up with, “When do we get the cucumber salad?” But Aunt Jean shushed him right away. And Uncle Tom's lips twitched only a little, holding back his laughter. Kat must have warned her parents. So Lizabeth wasn't
too
embarrassed and could keep her mind on making a plan. She'd just have to sneak into her room at home when everyone was asleep and grab the dress.

Tonight she'd climb up the rose trellis that led to the window of her room. Chris had used the side trellis more than once to sneak out. If it could hold him, it was certainly strong enough for her. But what if the Williamses caught her leaving the cottage? Or if her parents heard her? She'd be sent away to Pittsfield for sure! But she couldn't do without that dress. She'd have to take the chance.

I
t seemed to Lizabeth that the evening was stretching on and on. She sat with Kat during her lighthouse shift and worried about all the things that could go wrong. Uncle Tom would be in the lighthouse tower for the overnight shift. The most difficult moment would be leaving the cottage and getting onto the road unseen.

“You're so fidgety tonight,” Kat said. “What's the matter?”

“Nothing,” Lizabeth answered. She glanced at her cousin. Should she ask Kat for help? It would be so much easier with Kat for company. It might even be fun. After all, Kat was the adventurous one. She even stowed away on a fishing boat last year to go to Boston!

“Kat, I'm going to…” Lizabeth started. Then she bit her lip. Better not. Kat didn't understand how very important the right dress was. She'd just say to wear something else. She'd talk her out of it.

“You're going to what?” Kat asked.

“Nothing,” Lizabeth mumbled.

Finally the shift was over. Finally they got ready for bed. Kat burrowed into her bedroll. Lizabeth listened to the sound of her cousin's breathing.

“Kat?” Lizabeth whispered.

No answer. Kat was definitely asleep.

Lizabeth got out of bed, pulled off her nightgown, and dressed in the dark. She groped for her shoes on the floor and almost bumped into Sunshine! She had forgotten all about the dog lying at Kat's side. He raised his head. Please, don't bark! “Good dog,” she whispered.

She stopped, held her breath, and waited. Kat continued to breathe evenly. Sunshine gazed at her but remained quietly at Kat's side.

Lizabeth tiptoed out of the room and into the hall. Todd and Jamie had gone to bed earlier. There was no sound from their room.

The downstairs of the cottage was dark. Aunt Jean had to be asleep, too. She always went to sleep right after kitchen cleanup because she had to get up for the dawn lighthouse shift. Lizabeth counted on them all being too exhausted to wake up, what with all their endless chores. She slipped out the front door.

There was enough moonlight to see by. Lizabeth stayed close to the bushes along the front path, hoping to blend into the shadows. If she was lucky, Uncle Tom's attention would be on the ocean now.

Lizabeth reached Lighthouse Lane. No commotion from the lighthouse. No one calling out her name.

She walked fast along Lighthouse Lane. At first, she was exhilarated that she'd made it. But then—it was so dark. Rustling sounds in the underbrush seemed to be following her. It had to be a rabbit. Or a squirrel. But what if there were stray dogs? Mean, hungry ones…She ran. She ran past the docks, past the boatyard, past the tackle-and-bait shed. Not one light was on. Not one person was out on the lane.

She ran until she was out of breath. She went back to walking fast. The road she'd known all her life was eerie in the moonlight. She tried to focus on the peaceful sound of the ocean lapping against the shore. But anything could be hiding in the shadows.

Please, God, I just want to go home.

She was relieved when she reached the paved section of Lighthouse Lane. Here were the nicest houses, houses more like hers.

Soon she stood on the path to her home. How
beautiful it looked. How she'd missed it! The gas lamps in front were off. The house was dark.

Lizabeth hesitated in front of the trellis. Her window looked so high up. She wasn't used to climbing. That simply wasn't a skill a lady would ever need! But this was an emergency.

She put her foot on the first rung and then the next. It was hard. The rose branches were getting in her way. Another rung and another.

The trellis creaked. Lizabeth stopped short. It might be breaking! And what if Mother and Father heard?

Shakily she climbed on. Thorns tore at her, her skirt tangled around her feet. She tottered unbalanced. Don't look down, she told herself.

Her window was just above. Oh, what if it was locked! She'd never thought of that. If I've gone through all of this to get my dress, Lizabeth thought, then I deserve to be Strawberry Queen. I've earned it.

The window slid open easily. That had to be a good sign. She was afraid to let her foot leave the trellis. She didn't move for a long, uncertain moment before she dared reach for the sill. Then she was up and over. She landed with a bounce on her bed. She had almost forgotten how deliciously soft it was.

It was easy enough to find the strawberry dress hanging separately from the others in the closet. She put it gently over her arm. She'd never manage to climb down with it! Another thing she hadn't planned.

Lizabeth tiptoed to the door of her room and opened it. She could hear Father snoring at the other end of the house. All right. She'd take a chance on creeping down the stairs and out the back door.

A night-light shone through the open doorway of Tracy's room. How could she possibly leave without seeing her?

She expected to find Tracy looking angelic in her sleep. But Tracy was thrashing in her bed, tangled in her sheets and whimpering. Tracy was suffering!

Lizabeth felt something squeeze her heart. “Tracy?” she whispered. “Are you awake?”

“Water,” Tracy murmured.

Lizabeth sat down on the bed. In the dim light her little sister's eyes looked sunken deep into their sockets.

“Lizabeth?”

“I'm here,” Lizabeth whispered. She poured water into a glass from the carafe on the nightstand.

Tracy was too weak to sit up. Lizabeth put her arm around her and propped her up while she took a few
sips. She was shocked by the heat coming off the small body.

“Oh, Trace!”

Tracy pushed the glass away and sank back into the pillow. “I'm hot,” she whimpered.

There was a folded washcloth on the nightstand. It looked like it had been used for cold compresses. Lizabeth dipped an end in water and gently wiped Tracy's flushed face. It was drawn and very small.

“Is that better?” Lizabeth asked.

“I'm sorry, Lizabeth,” Tracy whispered.

“You'll get well soon. I know you will.” Lizabeth stroked her hair. It was damp and sticky with sweat. “I'm so sorry you're sick.”

“It's punish…punishment,” Tracy said. “God is mad at me.”

Lizabeth's spine tingled in fear. Had Tracy become delirious?

“I'm sorry,” Tracy whispered.

“No, Tracy, God isn't mad at you. I promise.”

“Your pink velvet ribbon. I took it. 'Cause it was so pretty. And…and I lied.”

“Oh, cupcake, I don't care about the ribbon. I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I didn't mean it.”

“I'm sick 'cause I was bad.” Tracy moaned. “Lizabeth, I'm hot.”

“No, no, you're a good girl.” Tears filled Lizabeth's eyes. “You're sick because…” She didn't know what to give for a reason. It wasn't fair! “Because…because the sickness was in Cape Light and you caught it. Lots of people did. You know Mabel, don't you? She had the sickness and she's all well now.”

“Mabel, the big girl? Was she bad, too?”

“No, Tracy. No one was bad. You were
never
bad.” Lizabeth held back a sob and dampened the towel again. “Please don't think that.” She wiped Tracy's face and neck. “I love you. We all love you. Mother and Father, Chris, Ada, Kat—”

“I'm scared to go to sleep,” Tracy whispered.

“Don't be scared. God loves you. Do you want to pray with me?”

Tracy nodded.

“Dear God, please help Tracy get well soon. Tracy and I ask that she has good dreams tonight, sweet dreams about pussycats and baby dolls and spring flowers. Please let her sleep tight in your loving arms and wake up bright-eyed in the morning. Amen.”

Lizabeth was surprised by the sense of peace that
came over her. She was the least religious of all her friends. Tracy's face, too, looked peaceful now.

“You forgot God bless Mother, Father, Chris, our friends and neighbors…” Tracy's eyes were barely open. “…and all the ships at sea.”

“You're right.” Lizabeth's voice broke. “God bless us all.”

Tracy snuggled against the pillow clutching her teddy bear.

Lizabeth straightened the sheet. “Do you think you can sleep now?”

“Uh-huh,” Tracy murmured faintly. Soon her eyelids were closed, lashes curving against her cheeks. She was breathing softly through partly open lips. It hurt Lizabeth to see how the fever had cracked and parched the lips that had been like rosebuds.

“I have to leave before anyone sees me,” Lizabeth whispered. She kissed the sleeping child's brow. “I promise I'll be back.”

 

Lizabeth walked back to Kat's cottage along Lighthouse Lane carrying the dress over her arm. This time she wasn't aware of the night noises and deep shadows. She was blinded by tears. It was her fault that Tracy was
tormented by that stupid ribbon. She had been a terrible big sister.

Dear God, Lizabeth whispered, please help me do better. When she gets well, I'll play with Tracy more. I'll pay more attention. She carries
Sleeping Beauty
and
The Ugly Duckling
around, looking for someone to read to her. A sob caught in Lizabeth's throat. Please, God, let me have that chance.

On the path to Kat's cottage, Lizabeth stopped to pull herself together. She wiped her face with her sleeve and took a deep breath.

Then through the front door, up the stairs, and into Kat's room. She dropped the strawberry dress over a chair.

Sunshine raised his head and gave a questioning yip.

“Shhh, good dog,” Lizabeth whispered.

Kat stirred in her bedroll. “What time is it?”

“It's still night,” Lizabeth said. “Go back to sleep.”

“Wait—why are you dressed?” Kat asked. “What's going on?”

“I saw Tracy.”

Kat sat up. “Tracy?”

“She doesn't look good, Kat. She…” There was a lump in Lizabeth's throat.

“How did you see Tracy? Were you with her?”

“I went home.” Lizabeth's voice was scratchy with fatigue. She pulled on her nightgown. “I had to get the strawberry dress and I went into Tracy's room. She—”

Kat bolted out of the bedroll and faced Lizabeth, her eyes blazing. “How could you? How could you break quarantine for a
dress
? You exposed yourself to
scarlet fever
!”

“Well, that's my business, isn't it?”

“It's my business, too! You don't care about anyone but yourself.”

Lizabeth was stunned. “I don't
care
?” she repeated. She was devastated by Tracy's suffering. She had expected comfort from Kat.

“I know you're self-centered and vain, but this is too much. Even for you. How dare you put Todd and Jamie and my whole family in danger!”

“Oh. I never thought of that.”

“What do you think quarantine is for?” Kat glared at her, hands on her hips. “Is there anything in your head besides beauty contests and—and nightshade?”

Lizabeth's eyes widened with hurt.

“If you've brought the fever here to my little brothers…” Kat sputtered in anger. “For nothing more
than—than
this
!” She fingered a fold of the dress and flung it aside.

“You're so mean. Rough and mean!” Lizabeth lashed out in her pain. “And…and heartless! You stomp on other people's feelings. Everything has to be your way. I'm tired of you rolling your eyes at me and directing me. Ever since I've been here—”

“If you don't like it—” Kat started.

“I'll leave,” Lizabeth finished. “You're right, I don't like it here. I don't like
you
!”

They stared at each other. The few feet between them felt like miles.

Lizabeth lowered her eyes first. It was true she hadn't even considered that she might infect Kat and her family.

She wouldn't cry in front of Kat. She wouldn't! She pulled her suitcase out from under the bed.

“It's the middle of the night,” Kat said. “You have no place to go.”

“I don't care.”

“I suppose we can hope you didn't catch the fever.” Kat's voice softened a little. “How is Tracy?”

“I started to tell you and you didn't even bother to listen,” Lizabeth said bitterly.

“If you weren't with her for very long, you probably didn't…Look, I won't say anything to Ma and get her all upset if I don't have to. Just keep a distance from my brothers. And you'd better wash your dishes separately and wash them
well
. Boil the water and—”

“I can figure that out for myself,” Lizabeth said.

“And if you start to feel even a little bit sick, you've got to tell right away.”

Lizabeth opened her suitcase halfheartedly. “It's easiest if I leave.”

“Go to bed, Lizabeth.” Kat blew out an exasperated breath. “For goodness' sake, just go to bed.”

Lizabeth lay down and stared into the darkness. She knew that Kat wasn't sleeping either. The silence between them felt heavy. There was nothing left to say.