‘I may stay just for tonight?’ ‘You’ve settled yourself into that space by the fire, so it looks as if you already are,’ she said tartly. ‘Besides, I could hardly turn you out of here naked as Eve, could I?’ I hugged a blanket around me. It was old, scratchy and like to be rich with fleas, but it would keep me from catching chill while my clothes dried on the line above the fire. Mistress Midge and I had bathed the children and made them ready for bed, then she’d taken them upstairs in the house to say goodnight to their mother. While they were gone I’d washed my legs and arms as best I could in the tepid water, which was now a pale and sluggish brown, then sponged down the bodice and skirt I’d been wearing. When Mistress Midge came back we’d lugged the heavy wine cooler out to the river’s edge, where we’d upturned it, then she’d poured me a small glass of beer, cut some chunks from a loaf of bread and we’d sat in front of the fire while she’d told me of some of her life and – when I was given time to speak – I’d told her mine.
What do You think about At The House Of The Magician?
