He stared at me with his sad brown eyes. The sadness he could not hide, everything else hid behind it. After what had happened, I wasn't sure he would still be on my side.
“Can she read and write in her own language?”
He surprised me. It was a surprise whenever he did.
“Yes. Yes, she can,” I said happily.
Father studied me for the length of a breath. “Good. It will be easier to teach her then.”
He gave his form of approval, as he had learned to do safely, given but not outright. It was enough, more than enough.
I leaned down and squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Father,” I said, squeezing harder at the sight of his pleasure.
I dashed away and out of the house, filled with joy, to await my friend beneath the beeches.
“My Pearl?” Father stopped me cold. I turned. “Don't get caught.”
GI
