Chapter 5
"What do you want Hilda?" Said Elspeth who was standing next to Rowan. Hilda told her that the three of them had a job to do. The Laird of the local castle had given her a bag for the poor with nothing in it. He had forgotten to check it as was the custom to be sure that there were fresh supplies at all times and seasons.
"So, what is his punishment?" The sisters asked Hilda. "We will go to his castle and disguise ourselves as a cook, a housemaid and a chamber maid!" Hilda said.
"But why such menial positions?" cried Elspeth.
"Because he needs to learn that the poor, the down trodden are not to be mistreated. He needs to learn that when a person is asking for alms, to be cognizant of what those alms are and make sure they are fresh." Hilda said.
The two sisters looked at each other and said okay, they would help.
"Good. Let us return to the Lairds castle and begin our work. They arrived the same night, but the wind was howling as if a warning to the Laird and his lady, but they did not pay much attention, the wind was always howling. The moon was covered so it was very dark outside. There was a knock on the door and the Laird again went to see who it was. This time he picked up a bag or two and felt them. He looked in and saw that the bags were empty and full of rotting food. He looked disgusted. He threw them out and tried to think what he could do. He opened the door and there were three ladies at the door.
"Ladies, I am so sorry, I just checked, and my bags are in need of repair, is there something else I can do for you?" he said.
"Yes!" Hilda answered. "We are a cook, A housemaid and a Chamber maid, we can work for our supper if that is okay with you?" The Laird looked happy so he invited them in to do just what they said they would do. The Lady came downstairs and inquired of her husband who the ladies were, He explained to them that they were working for some money and food. He also told her that he needed to go make arrangement to make some new bags for alms for the poor. The Lady of the house stayed in the drawing room while he left. The housemaid brought her some tea and the chambermaid went upstairs to turn down her bed.
"Would the lady like some more tea?"
"Oh, no thank you. I feel quite sleepy. I think I will go upstairs to my bed. When my husband comes back, please tell him to come up to wake me." The Lady said. Hilda took the tea cup and read the tea leaves and said:
"Oh, milady, I would no' go upstairs, it is dangerous. The wind blowing and all, seems a tree may fall on this house at any moment!" Hilda said. The Lady looked at her and since she believed that tea leaves could predict something. She asked Hilda what she should do?
"Mi lady, why don't you come sit with us in the kitchen. I will be making something warm for this cold windy night." She smiled, but if you had seen that smile…
At this point, Jason took a candle and put it under his chin and made a scary face. All the children screamed in delight except for one or two who were a little young for this story.
During this brief intermission, Jonathan, and Shellie, and J.J. and Nancy were talking by the door.
"Hey Shellie, let's go to the forest tonight after the story!" Jonathan said.
"No thanks Jon, I don't want to tonight." Shellie said uneasily. She was still spooked by the tree even if her father had taken her to see it during the day.
"You are just a chicken, just a 'girl' I bet you don't even want to go near the cemetery either!"
"You leave Shellie alone!", said Nancy who was not ready to go to the woods either but would go if Shellie needed her. J. J. just stood nearby, he really did not want to go to the woods either, but he didn't want anyone to think of him as a sissy, since he did have to do some dishes and help Biddie clean the kitchen. Shellie just looked at Jonathan. If he only knew the real reason why. But she felt that was not something she wanted to tell anyone yet. So, she chose to ignore him. She 'hmphed' at him and went to stand over by the other door. She saw her mother Pilar preparing some more cinnamon tortilla sticks and she went over and took a couple that were just warm out of the oven. Pilar smiled; she did not mind the children taking something tonight. Shellie gave her mom a hug. And then said:
"Mamma, why do I feel so different about papa? What happened that you and papa won't talk to me about it?" Shellie was very curious and sometimes her questions were older than she was. Pilar looked at her sadly and said:
"I really can't say anything until your father is here. Then we can both talk. How about tonight after he is done helping your uncle Jason with his story?"