Читать книгу Superstition Corner онлайн

36 страница из 47

"If your mountebank spoke truly," said Robert Douce in his softly mocking voice, "you will still have many grand-children. Did he not promise seven grandsons and seven granddaughters?"

"Aye—out of Kate. She'll have to mend her ways if she looks to get married."

"'A done, do, father—'a done with baiting me."

"Thou'st not told us yet what thou thinkest of thy fortune."

"And I'll never tell you. I'm going to bed. I'm tired."

"You run about the country all day," said her mother. "No wonder you're tired. Can't you sit for an hour like a gentlewoman? There's your lute. Will you not play it?"

Catherine shook her head.

"No, I'm tired, and I've no heart for music. Good night, father and mother. Good night, Master Douce. Good night, Kit."

She bobbed half a curtsy at the room and went out.

"Why is she so sad and heavy all of a sudden?" asked Lady Elisabeth.

"She's thinking of Simon. Poor girl! she loves him dearly."

"It is always sad for twins to be parted," said Robert Douce; "they partake of the same element, and need each other's breath to sweeten the air. I know what I am speaking of, for I left my twin brother in Beauface, and to this day I know not if he's alive or dead."