darkdestiny2000: Thank-you for reviewing! Here's the next chapter.
Capegio: I think I cried then too! Thank-you, but I think my observations were a little off I'm afraid---the "goodbye" dialogues weren't as close to the movie. But oh well.
Author's Note: This chapter combines movie dialogue and dialogue from the book. Several actions are book-based as well.
Disclaimer: I don't own what C.S.Lewis did, I'm just borrowing it.
Chapter Seven, Mrs. Macready and the Professor
The lonesome sounds were broken by the sounds of an automobile motor. Lucy ran out eagerly to meet it, but it passed her by with a rude honk. We followed her down and stood by her, staring after it. Perhaps someone forgot us.
"The Professor knew we were coming," interjected Susan.
"Perhaps we've been incorrectly labeled," added Edmund. He would think that Mum messed the labels up, wouldn't he?
Just then, we heard the clatter of hooves and wheels and the sound of a voice. A tiny wagon, more like a cart, moved up over the hill and pulled to a halt in front of us.
"Mrs…Macready?" I asked hesitantly.
"I'm afraid so," she replied shortly.
Lucy turned and glanced at me with wide eyes.
"Is this it then?" Mrs. Macready continued. "Haven't you brought anything else?"
"No, Ma'am," I said, "It's just us."
"Small favors," she stated, curtly nodding for us to get in. We clambered aboard and she chirruped to the horse, and so we set off the direction we had come.
For a half hour or so, we rode along feeling sore and tired. After eight miles or so, we passed a post office.
"At least we shall be able to write Mum," Susan whispered to me.
"Can we stop and see if there is a letter from Dad?" asked Edmund loudly.
"No." Mrs. Macready said without explanation. Edmund glared at her back for another two miles. Then we reached the Professor's house.
The mansion was huge. It seemed foreboding and rather dark, but huge nevertheless. I began to feel a bit of excitement and adventure stirring—this wasn't going to be so bad. We could explore and play all kinds of games together. Edmund would be far away from his friends at school. Susan could be as athletic as ever. Lucy could pretend and play princess all she wanted. And I could watch over them all, just like Dad would have wanted.
By now, we were up the steps and into a fantastic hall. I hadn't quite realized that Mrs. Macready was listing the rules, but when my thoughts were pulled back to earth, she gave short shriek to Susan and said in her accent, "And NO touchin' the historical artifacts!" Susan jerked her hand back from a statue. Me and Edmund shared a smile and held in laughter. Lucy looked a little frightened.
Then the professor came out to meet us. He was tall and had white shaggy hair. He seemed the sort to write fairy-stories and philosophies. Maybe a bit eccentric, very odd, but he greeted us with kindness and a no-nonsense attitude. Edmund wanted to laugh at his appearance but kept on blowing his nose instead, though it was perfectly obvious. I hoped the Professor didn't feel hurt.
"You've met Mrs. Macready," said the Professor, winking at us. "And there are the servants, Margaret, Ivy, and Betty—but I daresay they are quite shy and won't talk to you a bit—and I'll see to it your supper is delivered to you tonight. But save tonight, you shall eat your meals with this old man, I'm afraid. But the house is yours while you are here; all I ask you is to be careful with my things. My wing is to be kept quiet, but there are acres of room outside for your louder games. I hope you will enjoy your stay?"
"I think we will," said Susan, looking delighted.
"Good night then," said the Professor, walking away.
Mrs. Macready showed us where Edmund and I would be sleeping, and connected by a parlor in the middle, the girl's room on the other side.
As soon as Macready left us, I shut the door and looked at my family with excitement. "We've fallen on our feet and no mistake!" I said. "This is going to be wonderful. That Professor is lenient and kind as he is funny and stern."
"I think he's an old dear," said Susan.
"Oh, come OFF it!" shouted Edmund. He had dark rings under his eyes, which meant he was tired. Of course, he pretended he wasn't tired, and that always made him more rude than usual.
"Go to bed," said Susan shortly. Even Susan lost her patience with him sometimes.
"Yes MUM," Edmund said sarcastically.
"Ed!" I stopped him.
Lucy added carefully, "Shouldn't we all be in bed?" and with that, she turned and walked into her bedroom. A few minutes later, she called, "The sheets are scratchy!"
Susan and I glanced at each other and went inside the girl's room.
"Wars don't last forever," said Susan comfortingly. "We'll be home soon."
"If home is still there," jeered Edmund. "I think this house is haunted."
Lucy stiffened when a bird call sounded outside the window. "What was that?" she asked.
"An owl," I said, shooting a glare at Edmund. "You've seen this place, Lucy. It's huge. We can do whatever we want. There are acres of woods and fields. We can see all kinds of animals, too."
"We'll go exploring," said Edmund, more to himself than to the comfort of Lucy.
"Tomorrow, then," said Susan. "So let's all get to bed."