Theodosia & the Eyes of Horus by R. L. Lafevers
Authors: R. L. Lafevers
Tags: Fiction, General, Historical, Children's Books, People & Places, Action & Adventure, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure - General, Magic, Fantasy & Magic, YA), Fantasy & magical realism (Children's, Children's Fiction, Ages 9-12 Fiction, Science Fiction; Fantasy; & Magic, Social Issues, Europe, Children: Grades 4-6, Girls & Women, Adventure and Adventurers, Siblings, middle east, Mysteries & Detective Stories, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Legends; Myths; Fables, Museums, Ancient Civilizations, Adventure stories (Children's, Norse, Historical - Europe, Exploration & Discovery
Ads: Link
Grandmother would welcome her advice.
She didn't. Grandmother thumped her cane. "That's because people have no notion of how to organize a proper funeral anymore."
Madame Wilkie blinked at this onslaught, murmured, "Of course, ma'am," and retreated into her work.
Hoping to distract Grandmother, I asked, "May I see the pattern for the dress you've chosen?"
She sniffed. "Don't be vain. The dress isn't to make you look good but to show proper respect for the dead."
Which no doubt meant it would be about as becoming as a turnip sack. I sighed and said, "Yes, ma'am," then jumped as Madame Wilkie poked the measuring tape into my armpit.
"Hold still now," she admonished. Small beads of perspiration had gathered on her upper lip, and she smelled faintly of currants.
"But you're tickling," I protested. I glanced up at the clock and wondered how much longer I had to endure this torture. It was nearly two o'clock! Awi Bubu was due any moment. I
125
could only guess how Grandmother would react to seeing someone of his nature calling on Mother. "Are we almost done?" I asked Madame Wilkie.
"This is the last one." She slipped the tape around my chest, pulled it tight, and noted the measurement, all before I had a chance to so much as blush in embarrassment.
Then she stepped away. "I have everything that I need, madam."
"About time." Grandmother sniffed.
Madame Wilkie looked as if she'd just been forced to swallow worms, but she held her tongue.
"Very well," I said brightly, trying to herd them to the door. "You probably have to get back to your funeral planning. Which reminds me, Grandmother--is there a date yet for the service?" They were nearly at the door now. Three more steps and they'd be gone and the coast would be clear for Awi Bubu's visit.
"I've already told you, it's Tuesday. Do be sure and tell your parents. I insist that they be there. If it hadn't been for Sopcoate's intervention, your father might even now be sitting in jail."
Well, not entirely. I'd had a little something to do with getting him out. "Of course, Grandmother. I'll let them know."
She opened the front door and let herself out, Madame Wilkie right behind. I sighed in relief as they both headed
126
straight for the carriage, Grandmother's nose held so high in the air she never saw Awi Bubu approaching.
***
Not wanting to arouse the suspicion of the curators working in the foyer--especially Stilton, who had already asked far too many questions about the Egyptian magician--I waited until Awi Bubu knocked on the door before opening it.
"Hello?" I inquired politely, as if he and I had never met before.
His glitter-black eyes studied me. "I am Awi Bubu, and I believe I have an appointment with Madame Throckmorton."
At his announcement, Stilton, who had been in the process of setting the basket filled with grain-shaped stone in place, twitched violently. A clatter echoed all through the room as the miniature stones scattered on the cold marble floor.
Fagenbush looked up from the pieces of Thutmose Ill's war chariot he was attempting to reassemble. "Well done," he said, causing Stilton to blush beet red all the way to the roots of his hair. Luckily, just then Mother appeared on the top step.
"Mr. Bubu," she said, sailing forward with a smile of greeting. "I'm so glad you were able to join us today."
I produced a very quiet snort, one that only Awi Bubu
127
could hear, but it let him know that I was onto him. However, the Egyptian simply ignored me and bowed at Mum. "I am honored to receive such a kind invitation as yours, madam."
"Come, let us go have our little chat. Theodosia? Would you mind preparing some tea? I lost track of the time and didn't get to it."
Seething in frustration--how was I to eavesdrop when I had to go for the tea?--I hurried to the staff room and put the kettle on to boil.
I opened a cupboard and rummaged around until I found a teapot and two cups that were barely chipped at all, and I slammed them on the tea tray. I
She didn't. Grandmother thumped her cane. "That's because people have no notion of how to organize a proper funeral anymore."
Madame Wilkie blinked at this onslaught, murmured, "Of course, ma'am," and retreated into her work.
Hoping to distract Grandmother, I asked, "May I see the pattern for the dress you've chosen?"
She sniffed. "Don't be vain. The dress isn't to make you look good but to show proper respect for the dead."
Which no doubt meant it would be about as becoming as a turnip sack. I sighed and said, "Yes, ma'am," then jumped as Madame Wilkie poked the measuring tape into my armpit.
"Hold still now," she admonished. Small beads of perspiration had gathered on her upper lip, and she smelled faintly of currants.
"But you're tickling," I protested. I glanced up at the clock and wondered how much longer I had to endure this torture. It was nearly two o'clock! Awi Bubu was due any moment. I
125
could only guess how Grandmother would react to seeing someone of his nature calling on Mother. "Are we almost done?" I asked Madame Wilkie.
"This is the last one." She slipped the tape around my chest, pulled it tight, and noted the measurement, all before I had a chance to so much as blush in embarrassment.
Then she stepped away. "I have everything that I need, madam."
"About time." Grandmother sniffed.
Madame Wilkie looked as if she'd just been forced to swallow worms, but she held her tongue.
"Very well," I said brightly, trying to herd them to the door. "You probably have to get back to your funeral planning. Which reminds me, Grandmother--is there a date yet for the service?" They were nearly at the door now. Three more steps and they'd be gone and the coast would be clear for Awi Bubu's visit.
"I've already told you, it's Tuesday. Do be sure and tell your parents. I insist that they be there. If it hadn't been for Sopcoate's intervention, your father might even now be sitting in jail."
Well, not entirely. I'd had a little something to do with getting him out. "Of course, Grandmother. I'll let them know."
She opened the front door and let herself out, Madame Wilkie right behind. I sighed in relief as they both headed
126
straight for the carriage, Grandmother's nose held so high in the air she never saw Awi Bubu approaching.
***
Not wanting to arouse the suspicion of the curators working in the foyer--especially Stilton, who had already asked far too many questions about the Egyptian magician--I waited until Awi Bubu knocked on the door before opening it.
"Hello?" I inquired politely, as if he and I had never met before.
His glitter-black eyes studied me. "I am Awi Bubu, and I believe I have an appointment with Madame Throckmorton."
At his announcement, Stilton, who had been in the process of setting the basket filled with grain-shaped stone in place, twitched violently. A clatter echoed all through the room as the miniature stones scattered on the cold marble floor.
Fagenbush looked up from the pieces of Thutmose Ill's war chariot he was attempting to reassemble. "Well done," he said, causing Stilton to blush beet red all the way to the roots of his hair. Luckily, just then Mother appeared on the top step.
"Mr. Bubu," she said, sailing forward with a smile of greeting. "I'm so glad you were able to join us today."
I produced a very quiet snort, one that only Awi Bubu
127
could hear, but it let him know that I was onto him. However, the Egyptian simply ignored me and bowed at Mum. "I am honored to receive such a kind invitation as yours, madam."
"Come, let us go have our little chat. Theodosia? Would you mind preparing some tea? I lost track of the time and didn't get to it."
Seething in frustration--how was I to eavesdrop when I had to go for the tea?--I hurried to the staff room and put the kettle on to boil.
I opened a cupboard and rummaged around until I found a teapot and two cups that were barely chipped at all, and I slammed them on the tea tray. I
Similar Books
