Page 19 of The Armor of Light


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He had no idea what could be inside such a huge structure. Heremembered Margaret Pikestaff telling him that everything there was gold, even the chairs, but he suspected she was getting it mixed up with heaven.

The church was big because everyone in the village had to get inside for services, but the manor was for only four people, the squire and his three sons, plus a few servants. What did they do with all that space? Kit’s home was one room for three people. The manor was mysterious, which made it sinister.

The rector led him up the steps and through the big door, saying: ‘You never come in this way unless you’re with the squire or one of us three sons. There’s a back door for you and the other servants.’

So I’m one of the servants, Kit thought. I’m the one that polishes the boots. I wish I knew how to polish boots. I wonder what all the other servants do. I wonder if they run away and get brought back and flogged.

The front door closed behind them and the rector let go of Kit’s hand.

They were in a hall that was bigger than the inside of Kit’s house. There was dark wood on the walls, four doors, and a wide staircase leading up. The head of a stag over the fireplace stared balefully at Kit, but it seemed unable to move, and he was almost certain it was not alive. The hall was quite dark, and there was a faint, unpleasant smell Kit did not recognize.

One of the four doors opened, and Will Riddick stepped into the hall.

Kit tried to hide behind the rector, but Will saw him and scowled. ‘That’s not Clitheroe’s little whelp, is it, George?’

‘Yes,’ said the rector.

‘What the devil did you bring him here for?’

‘Calm down, Will. We need a boot boy.’

‘Why him?’

‘Because he’s available, and his mother needs the money.’

‘I don’t want that damned puppy in the house.’

Kit’s mother never used words such asdamnedandwhat the devil, and she frowned on the rare occasions when Pa said them. Kit had never uttered them.

The rector said: ‘Don’t be stupid, there’s nothing wrong with the boy.’

Will’s face got more red. ‘I know you think it was my fault that Clitheroe died.’

‘I never said that.’

‘You brought the child here as a permanent reproach to me.’

Kit did not know the wordreproachbut he guessed that Will did not want to be reminded of what he had done. And the accidentwasWill’s fault, even a child could see that.

Kit had always wanted a brother to play with, but he had never imagined brothers quarrelling like this.

The rector said: ‘Anyway, it was Father’s idea to hire this boy.’

‘Right. I’ll talk to Father. He’ll send the boy back to his mother.’

The rector shrugged. ‘You can try. I hardly care.’

Kit wanted with all his heart to be sent back to his mother.

Will crossed the hall and went through another door, and Kit wondered how he would ever find his way around such a complicated house. But he had something more important on his mind.

‘Am I going to be sent home?’ he asked eagerly.

‘No,’ said the rector. ‘The squire rarely changes his mind, and he won’t do so just because Will’s feelings are hurt.’

Kit slumped back into despair.

‘You need to know the names of the rooms,’ the rector said. He opened a door. ‘Drawing room. Take a quick look.’