The Bird has got wings - стр. 21

– 'Uncle, do you think Kitty will now lie in bed all her life? – Suddenly, still taking aim, the boy asked.

The question took Anthony by surprise and even caused him heartache. But he shrugged his shoulders, smiled and answered in a determined tone:

– Your sister is recovering quickly. The injury she suffered is, of course, serious and painful, but it is, nevertheless, treatable. The corset she is wearing is helping her spine to fuse, and Dr Norton is confident that in a few months Kitty will be walking again. However, she will have to wear the corset for another two or three years.

– I feel sorry for her. She's so young and she's already hurt so badly," Albert said sadly. – And Mum cries all the time. And Victoria with her. I wish I could run away from this house!

– You don't have to run away, my boy: your family needs you. You and your father are men, which means you're supposed to be less sensitive, but it also gives you more responsibility. You're supposed to support your ladies and wipe their tears: that's our male responsibility," Anthony chuckled good-naturedly. – But now try to knock your hat off. Go on, Albert, you can do it.

With a satisfied chuckle, the boy pulled the trigger, but the hat remained adorning the ugly head of the scarecrow.

– Eh! But I was almost there! The scarecrow now has a left eye! – proud of his skill, the boy laughed merrily. – Can I shoot again? One more time!

Anthony and Albert were quite close to the castle, so the thunder of the shot could be heard even if they were in its rooms.

– I think you've had enough shooting for today, – Anthony upset his nephew. – Tomorrow we will repeat our lesson, but the scarecrow will have to be dragged to the lake, away from the house.

– All right, Uncle, as you say," Albert sighed doomedly and handed the gun to Anthony, then smiled broadly and shrieked: – Bubbet! Bubbet is coming! Did you see me shooting? Did you? – He ran towards his elderly French governess, who immediately grabbed him in her arms and praised him for his accurate shooting.

– Come along, my young gentleman. It's time to practise your French! – said the governess affectionately, in French, taking the boy's palm in her own. Then she smiled at Anthony and handed him a sealed letter. – There is a fresh post for you, Mr. Cranford.

– Thank you," he said, and took the letter.

After waiting patiently for Babbett and Albert to get a decent distance from him, Anthony looked at the sender's address and smiled: it was from Charlotte Salton. Unbelieving his happiness, he put the paper to his lips and then inhaled the delicate, barely audible scent of roses. Impatient to know what his beloved had written to him, Anthony opened the letter, and, walking slowly towards the house, began to read it. Not even the cold, rather strong wind blowing on this grey mid-October day deterred him.

One side of the first sheet Charlotte scribbled that her parents were still in Denmark and when they would return was unknown. She also briefly relayed the new gossip floating around among the London nobility, and that was the end of the news from the capital: the remaining pages of the letter were filled with the girl's concern for Vivian, whom she said she hadn't seen for a long time, and who was constantly finding excuses not to see her.