Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman Page A

a shadow of the passionate Oxford student. She shook her head. "No matter the value of your Great Work," Meggy said, "I do not believe it right to do murder for it."
    "You need not murder anyone. You must just do as you are told until I have succeeded. Naught matters but my work. Naught."
    "But I—"
    He slammed his hand on the table. "Naught else matters, do you understand me, or have you not the wit?" He took some coins from the money pot. "Take these shillings and go to the bookshop at the sign of the White Hart at St. Paul's. Tell them you have come for
The Book of the Secrets of Alchemy,
composed by Galid, son of Jaziche. The bookseller will know the one. And return with haste. I must consult Galid at once."
    Overnight the weather had turned cool and damp, chilling Meggy's bones and making her legs throb with pain. Her heart was as heavy as the dank air. She found the shop at the sign of the White Hart near the west gate of St. Paul's and bargained so sharply with the bookseller that she had sixpence left, which she would use to buy supper. Although Master Peevish never thought of his belly, hers argued with her fiercely if she did not eat somewhat regularly.
    As she headed for home, the book in her sack, her thoughts became worries. What should she do? Her father believed his Great Work important enough to do murder. But was finding what he sought even possible? Would he risk his soul in pursuit of a foolish dream?
    Meggy turned and headed down Paul's Chain and into the alley to Master Allyn's printing house. Master Allyn was attempting to work the great hand press with Gilly pulling at his leg and baby Robert asleep in one arm. "You find me somewhat discommoded," Master Allyn said. "Mistress Allyn is at the paper seller's haggling over the price, and I am nursery maid as well as printer."
    "Belike you need help, Master Printer," Meggy said.
    "Help wants pay," the printer responded.
    Meggy sat on the stool and took Gilly onto her lap. The child put one hand in her mouth and twirled Meggy's hair with the other. Taking a deep breath, Meggy asked the question she had come to ask. "Master Allyn, what think you of the idea of transformation?"
    "Transformation? Caterpillar to butterfly? Egg to chicken?" He grasped the lever on the press and pushed it forward.
    "Transformation through alchemy," Meggy said. "Making gold. Finding the secrets of immortality and eternal youth."
    "Wherefore," asked the printer, "do you ask these questions?"
    "My father," she said. "Think you that he, with his alchemical learning, his minerals and metals, beakers and books, can find an elixir that will make all things perfect? He says he is close to success. What think you? Do you believe it possible?"
    Master Allyn lifted the top of the press and pulled out a printed sheet. "In truth I know not," he said to Meggy, "but men with more learning than I have believe it." He held up the printed sheet. "I myself know only printing, changing speech to inky marks, capturing words and thoughts on paper for anyone to read. There are those who thought such a thing not possible, but here it is."
    "Finding this elixir ... what might a man rightly do to succeed at such a task? Could he break laws of God and man and be forgiven?"
    The printer ceased what he was doing and looked at Meggy. "Mistress Swann, just what is it you are asking me?"
    Meggy shook her head. "Naught, Master Printer. I was but wondering." She bade farewell to those at the printer's shop and made for Crooked Lane.
    As she reached the end of Budge Row, Meggy heard faint music, lively and gay. She followed the sound to a large, brightly painted house whence came the sounds of horns and drums and a tinkling like water over the stones in Millford brook. Meggy leaned against the house and pulled herself as tall as she might in order to see in a window.
    There was dancing inside. And what dancing! Not skipping round a maypole nor stamping in a Morris dance. As the music swirled around them, ladies