Pretend you didn't hear that
"What do you want?" the cook demands. She sounds angry, but
strangely, she also sounds scared. You mentally jot her down as a
prime suspect in the crimes that are going on at Ellen Brown School
for Girls.
"I'm here to speak with you, madame," you say.
"Mrs. Kent's good enough for me, girl--I'm not that snobby
Matilda. If it were in my power, I'd sell or burn or just plain
eliminate this blasted school." She muttered that last part, but
you heard it. You hide your shock, but mentally file that in your mind
as evidence against Mrs. Kent.
"I'd like to ask you something," you begin again, carefully.
"Why do you think Mr. Anderson started the fire that happened at
dinner?"
"Oh, why not? Just to make trouble--good-for-nothin' Yank--and
Southern, too...those Southerners...can't trust them anymmore than you
can throw a piano down a mountain..."
"Maybe," you cut her off, "but why do you say that? Has
he ever done or said anything that looked suspicious?"
"I've got work to do, girl--go on now, leave me alone!"
You leave, but are excited. Wait until Bridget, Rosa, and the
Andersons hear about this!
"Keep your mind on talking to the cook, Maria," you scold
yourself as you enter the dining hall and then go through the separate
swinging door into the kitchen. Mrs. Kent is there, along with a
couple of girls who are dressed in the school uniform, but working.
They must be under punishment, you think--fair or unfair punishment?
