Excerpt
Three weeks later Emily woke one morning with a pounding headache and fever.
Elizabeth, she said, I need you to walk to the Infirmary to tell Dr. Blackwell I cant come in today, that Im sick. Can you do that?
I can do it. I couldve done it before now. Ma said I was good at noticing.
But its quite a long way for you.
I know all about it. Weve been walking it every day.
You must be careful.
Why?
Because there are thieves on the street and youll be alone. Youll need to watch all around you. Also, I need you to go by the grocery and buy a can of salmon, and I dont want someone to take it away from you. Oh, Im afraid this is too much for you. Maybe . . . .
No. Id run.
Elizabeth, pay attention. Dont walk close to alleyways--no closer than you can help, and keep a sharp eye out. Wait to buy the salmon on the way home--you know, at that little store on the riverfront.
I will. I know how to do it.
Heres a coin for the salmon. Push it down in your pocket and stuff this little scarf over it.
Elizabeth did as she was told, smiling, looking very proud. I like being big, she said. Just as she reached the door, she turned back, picked up Miss Pink Shoe and set her in the chair by Emilys cot. Sticking a finger close to the dolls face, she gave instructions. Now you be good. Stay with Emily while Im gone, and dont open the door to anybody.
Elizabeth! Go on. And remember if you see Mrs. Peake, keep away from her.
***
Elizabeth descended the steps and walked onto the street of decaying buildings. On a corner nearest the riverfront a building of gray boards had collapsed. From the tip of what had been the roof, a giant rat sniffed the morning air. An elderly, white-bearded street peddler threw a rock and the rat scampered underneath to the basement.
You nearly got him this time. A wiry-haired hag laughed. She pushed by with her own cart of hot breads. The scent of yeast gave a slight reprieve from the stench of the street.
A man with bundles balanced on a long pole called out, Potatoes, beans, tomatoes! Some women in dirty clothes wearing aprons bought from him after haggling over the price.
Along the way many faded structures housed businesses at the ground level. Upstairs tattered curtains suggested families lived there. Elizabeth looked up at one and saw a frowzy red-haired woman in a low-cut blouse, part dingy curtains. The woman called down to the busy street where men and women walked to and fro. Want a good time? Come up and see Syble. Elizabeth stopped. She thought about a good time. She was tempted but Emily had said to hurry. Reluctantly she continued her pace.
The sun was warm on Elizabeths back as she bounced along the street toward the Infirmary. To her delight a small black and white dog joined her and ran alongside.
Around the bend of the street a crowd had gathered around a giant man. Elizabeth stopped to gaze. The man had great, fat hands, a long rope of white hair and bulging , milky eyes. A puffy foot was shoeless.
Somebody help me, he pleaded. Help me!
Help you, you scoundrel? Who did you ever help? You fat-assed thief! Good Irish landed on this shore-- nearly penniless and you tricked them! You stole from my own brother. Yeah, I know you! Youll get no help from me now or from the devil in hell! A woman blurted out the words. The crowd of shabbily dressed men and women echoed her taunts. They booed and spat on him. Elizabeth moved inside the group and listened. She put her fingers to her lips in anxious interest. In her distraction she failed to see a street boy who grabbed her from behind while another snatched the scarf from her pocket and took her coin.
Yelling in delight the scruffy boys quickly disappeared down an alleyway and into the underground of a rotting tenement. Elizabeth chased them calling out, Stop! Stop! but quickly realized she couldnt catch them. She blinked back tears. She had failed and Emily would be mad. Slowly she walked down the street near the giant old man. He was still weeping but now he was alone. Elizabeth ventured close to him. Whyre you crying, sir?
The old man rubbed across his eyes and his dripping nose with his shirt sleeves, wiping with first one arm, then the other. Help me! he cried. Im sick. He blasted out the words. Spittle spewed from his mouth and he began sobbing again.
Ohhhh, Elizabeth said, frowning, feeling sorry for him.
Sobbing the old man continued, My foot . . . I cant get my shoe off. I cant. He touched his trembling hands together. Too stiff. My hands wont bend.
Ill do it, Elizabeth said. She stooped, untied the leather laces and pulled at the heavy shoe, but let go quickly when the old man screamed in pain.
I stop now, Elizabeth said, holding her hands behind her back.
No . . . please! Months its been on. Months! I couldnt . . . I tried and tried.
Elizabeth pulled hard and the shoe came off as the old man bit his lip and tears streamed down his face. A sickening odor arose and pieces of blackened flesh fell to the ground.
Elizabeth held her nose and stared.
Gasping in pain, the old man asked between breaths, Are you a doorway sleeper, boy? Oh, son, please come live with me. I cant do for myself.
Elizabeth bristled. Dont you see Im a girl?
He touched his milky eyes. These dont see. Im most near blind, he said and groped about in the air for her. A girl. Thats even better.
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