The Missing Book (6 page)

“But if she moves away, what will happen to the house? Will it just stand there empty?” Mr. Lester asked. “I've been wondering about that.”

“Maybe she'll sell it,” Mr. Shaw suggested. “But in the shape it's in right now, it wouldn't bring much money.”

Mandie listened to the conversation and felt she was going to lose her dear friend Faith. She had been hoping Mrs. Chapman wouldn't get the job, but if the school had asked her to come for an interview, they must be really interested in hiring her. And Faith was the only friend Mandie had who lived near her. There was Joe, of course, but he was a boy. Mandie had been so happy when Faith and her grandmother had come to live in the old Conley place.

“Amanda, finish pinning up that new hem,” Mrs. Shaw told her, bringing her back to the present.

“Yes, ma'am,” Mandie replied, folding up the material on the edge of the skirt of her summer dress. Then she remembered Mrs. Clifton's saying she had seen someone at the old house. “Have you heard of anyone being seen around Mrs. Chapman's house, Mr. Lester?”

“No, I haven't,” Mr. Lester replied. Looking at Mr. Shaw, he added, “Mrs. Clifton declares she has seen someone there at night, but no one else has seen this person, so I'm wondering about that.”

“Maybe she has,” Mr. Shaw said. “Or maybe the lady's eyesight is not too good after dark.”

Mr. Lester smiled. “That might explain it.”

Mandie wasn't so sure. Mrs. Clifton's eyesight was good enough to do the dainty needlework for Mrs. Chapman. She was sure Mrs. Clifton had seen someone. And she was going to find out for herself if there really was someone prowling around Mrs. Chapman's house at night.

6

Plans Canceled

“MAMA, MR. LESTER didn't say anything about going to Bryson City,” Mandie said as she pinned up the remaining narrow hem on her dress. Mr. Lester and Tommy had left without anyone even mentioning their planned journey.

“I know, Amanda,” Mrs. Shaw replied, still working on the ruffle for Irene's dress. “If I remember rightly, Mr. Lester does not plan such things. It's Mrs. Lester I have to speak to.”

Mandie frowned as she thought about that. Her parents shared everything. Evidently Mr. and Mrs. Lester did not. Mrs. Lester must be the boss.

“That's right,” Irene said. “It's Mrs. Lester who is planning the Bryson City journey.”

“And the weather may prevent them from going,” Mrs. Shaw said. “But I will speak to Mrs. Lester at church tomorrow. Now, let's get these dresses finished.”

Mandie kept watching all day, but it didn't snow. Though the clouds hovered low and thick, no moisture fell.

And no one else came visiting at the Shaws' house that day. The alterations on the two dresses were finished by suppertime. Mandie and Irene were both pleased with the results.

Everyone went to bed early that night. Mandie was not sleepy, and she tossed and turned so much that Windy jumped off of her bed and climbed onto the foot of Irene's bed. Mandie held her breath, waiting for her sister to yell at the cat, but there was no sound, and Mandie decided Irene was asleep. Maybe Windy would come back to her before Irene woke up the next morning.

“Oh, me, oh, my,” Mandie muttered to herself. She pulled the quilt up closer around her shoulders as she thought about Mrs. Chapman going for the job interview. Mrs. Chapman had been a schoolteacher for many years before she and Faith had moved to Charley Gap, so Mandie believed she would get the position. And Faith would move away. Mandie wouldn't have a friend living anywhere near her except for Joe. All her schoolmates lived in the other direction from the schoolhouse, too far away to visit. She felt a little chill of sadness pass over her.

Maybe she and Faith and Joe could solve the mystery of the unknown visitor seen by Mrs. Clifton at Mrs. Chapman's old house before Faith left for her new home. That would give Mandie something to think about besides Faith's departure.

“There's always an answer to a mystery,” she whispered to herself. All she had to do was figure out how she was going to solve this one. If the person was only seen at night, it wouldn't do any good to spy on the place in the daytime. On the other hand, she didn't know how she could get permission to go over there at night. In fact, she knew it was impossible.

Maybe she could spend the night with Faith. She could also share Faith's reading book while there. Then she would be prepared if Mr. Tallant again involved her in the reading lesson in class, which she knew was pretty likely.

If she stayed overnight with Faith, she might be able to persuade Faith to come out with her to the old house during the night to look for the person roaming around there.

Just as she was dropping off to sleep, Mandie remembered Joe's refusal to tell her his secret—and she was sure he did have one.

Somehow she would find out what it was.

The next day was cloudy and cold again. Mandie was glad to see that it had not snowed, because they would be going to church and her mother would talk to Mrs. Lester about Bryson City.

As she turned away from the window to get dressed, she saw that Windy was still on Irene's bed, but luckily her sister was asleep. Mandie quietly swooped up the cat and set her down on her own bed. Windy protested loudly, jumped down, ran to the ladder, and went downstairs. About that time Irene opened her eyes and sat up.

“Did it snow?” Irene asked, looking toward the window.

“No, but it's still awfully cloudy, and it must be terribly cold out there,” Mandie replied, hastily beginning to dress.

“So we will be going to church and Mama will be asking Mrs. Lester about the journey to Bryson City,” Irene replied, tossing back the quilt and getting out of bed.

At that moment they heard a horse in the yard below. Mandie hurried to the window to look down. Whoever it was had gone on around to the back, out of view.

“Who would be coming to visit this early in the morning?” Mandie said, mostly to herself, as she quickly buttoned up her dress.

“There must be an emergency of some kind,” Irene said, picking up her dress.

“Daddy is up, I know, because I can smell the coffee perking,” Mandie said, tossing back her long braid and smoothing it down. “I'm going to see,” she added, and went across the room to go down the ladder.

“I am too,” Irene said, straightening her skirt as she followed close behind Mandie.

When Mandie stepped into the kitchen with Irene, she saw their father standing in the doorway talking to Dr. Woodard, who was out on the back porch.

“Just let me grab my coat and hat and I'll be right with you,” Mr. Shaw was saying as he reached to take his things from the pegs by the door. As he turned he saw the girls. “Be right back,” he told them, and quickly went out the door and closed it behind him.

Mandie hurried to the back window to look out. Dr. Woodard's buggy was in the driveway, and as she watched, the doctor and her father stepped up into the vehicle.

“I wonder where they are going,” Irene said behind her.

“Looks to me like they're just going to sit there and talk,” Mandie replied. “The reins are still looped over the tree limb.”

The girls watched for at least ten minutes, but the two men didn't go anywhere. Then Mr. Shaw stepped down from the buggy, and Dr. Woodard drove off.

“Why didn't Dr. Woodard come in the house?” Mandie asked when her father returned.

Mr. Shaw hung up his coat and hat. “We had some business to discuss privately.” He went over to the cookstove and added more wood to the fire.

“But, Daddy, he still could have come inside,” Mandie said. “We wouldn't have interfered.”

Mr. Shaw straightened up and smiled at Mandie. “I know. But it was private business just between the two of us. Now, let's get started on breakfast.”

Mandie frowned but didn't say any more. She got the silverware out of the drawer.

“Must have been private doctor business. Who cares?” Irene mumbled under her breath as she went to the cupboard to get the dishes for breakfast.

Then Mrs. Shaw came into the kitchen. “That sure was a short visit,” she said. “The doctor must have been in a hurry.” She went to the stove to check the contents of the coffeepot. It was full.

“Yes, he was. I'll explain later,” Mr. Shaw said, nodding toward Mandie and Irene.

Dr. Woodard's visit was not mentioned again. The Shaws had breakfast and got ready to go to church.

Though the day was cloudy and cold, almost everyone in the community came for the church service that morning. As the Shaws sat down, Mandie looked around for the Lesters. They weren't there. Maybe they were just a little late. As the sermon progressed, she decided they were not coming.

“Tommy and his family are not here,” Irene whispered to Mandie.

Mrs. Shaw, sitting on the other side of Irene, touched Irene's shoulder and shook her head. The two girls straightened up and turned their attention to the preacher delivering the message.

The sermon ran overtime. The tall clock in the corner softly chimed twelve, and the preacher continued until it struck half past. When the congregation rose to sing the closing hymn, Mandie took advantage of the noise to whisper to her sister again.

“Did Tommy tell you they weren't coming to church today?” she asked.

Irene shook her head. “No, he said they would be here.”

Mandie sang along with the crowd as she tried to figure out what had happened to the Lesters. She still didn't know whether or not she and Irene would be allowed to go to Bryson City with them.

As soon as the preacher said the benediction, the congregation began filing out of the church, chatting happily. Mandie also heard complaints here and there about the preacher going overtime, especially on such a cold, cloudy day.

On the way home, Mandie listened for any conversation between her parents that might explain the Lesters' absence, but their name was never mentioned.

Later, during dinner, Mrs. Shaw finally spoke about the Lesters. As she passed the food around the table, she looked at the girls. “You girls won't be going to Bryson City with the Lesters next weekend because they won't be making the journey over there anytime soon.”

“Why, Mama?” Mandie asked.

“How do you know, Mama? They weren't even in church today for you to talk to them about it,” Irene said.

Mrs. Shaw looked over at Mr. Shaw. He didn't say a word. She turned back to the girls. “Mrs. Lester has fallen ill.”

“When did she get sick?” Mandie asked.

“Last night,” Mrs. Shaw said. “Now finish up your food and let's get the table cleared off.”

Mandie remembered Dr.Woodard's early-morning visit and decided he had been over at the Lesters' and had come by to tell her father and mother that Mrs. Lester was ill. But why had he and her parents acted so mysterious about everything?

Later in the day Dr. Woodard came by again, and this time Joe was with him. They came into the house, and Mrs. Shaw set out cake and coffee in the kitchen for the young people. Dr. Woodard and Mr. Shaw went on into the parlor.

“Now, don't eat too much of this cake or none of you will want any supper,” Mrs. Shaw said as she placed the cake in the middle of the table and uncovered it.

Mandie and Irene got plates and cups from the cupboard.

“Thank you, Mrs. Shaw,” Joe said with a big grin as she sliced a piece for him.

“Amanda, you and Irene get yours. I'm going in the parlor to sit with Dr. Woodard and your father,” Mrs. Shaw said as she left the room.

“I suppose they don't want any,” Mandie said as they filled their cups from the percolator on the stove.

Joe cleared his throat. “They want to talk in there so we can't hear what they say.”

“That's what I was thinking too, Joe,” Mandie said, frowning. “You probably know your father came by this morning and my father went outside to sit in Dr. Woodard's buggy to talk. He told us it was a private conversation.”

“Hmmm,” Joe said. “They probably didn't want to discuss everything in front of you.”

“What do you mean?” Irene asked.

“Yes, exactly what do you mean?” Mandie added.

“Well,” Joe replied hesitantly, “I'm not sure I should tell y'all.”

That made Mandie really curious. “Joe Woodard, what is going on?” she asked.

“You see, since my father is the doctor around here, I learn all kinds of things about everybody, and I'm not supposed to ever repeat any of it,” he said, looking at Mandie and then at Irene.

“Now you have to explain, or—or I'll just take away your chocolate cake,” Mandie said, reaching for his plate. But Joe was too quick and moved it out of her reach. “Joe, please tell us whatever it is that you know.”

“Both of you promise not to let anyone know I told you?” Joe asked, looking from Mandie to Irene.

“I promise,” Mandie said eagerly.

“I do too,” Irene added.

At that moment Mrs. Shaw came back into the kitchen. “I just need to get coffee to take into the parlor,” she explained as she carried the cups to the stove.

“I'll help you, Mama,” Mandie offered, quickly rising and getting a serving tray from the cupboard.

Mrs. Shaw reached for the tray and placed the cups of coffee on it.

“Don't y'all want any chocolate cake?” Mandie asked as her mother started out of the room.

“No, not right now,” Mrs. Shaw said, going through the doorway toward the parlor. Looking back, she added, “We might later, so don't eat it all up.”