The Baker’s Daughter Read Online Free

me.”
    Grace sighed. She had a long and drafty sort of sigh that Sue found most annoying.
    Sue was surprised at the opposition she had encountered from Will and Grace, for she was aware that her presence in the house was a trial to them both. Sue was impatient and impulsive and it was impossible for her to stand aside and watch Grace doing things differently without making any remark. In fact, Grace had not been in the house twenty-four hours before they had fallen out over the arrangement of the cleaning materials. The things had always been kept in the boot cupboard, on a particular shelf, and Grace moved them into the kitchen without consulting her stepdaughter. “But they’ve always been there,” Sue had cried. “Mother always kept that shelf for them.”
    Grace had never forgiven those injudicious words. She had made sweeping alterations after that just to show Sue who was the rightful mistress, and she had taken an even stronger line because she felt uncomfortable and insecure. Grace did not feel that the house really belonged to her. She felt like an interloper, and this annoyed her. She fixed the blame for her discomfort on her stepdaughter: How could she settle down contentedly in her new home when Sue was there, disapproving of all she did and comparing her methods with Mary’s? Grace wanted Sue to marry—that was the sure way to get rid of her; it was no use playing about with temporary jobs. Sue would soon get tired of cooking for the Darnays. She would miss her chance of a comfortable marriage, and they would have her back in the house for good.
    â€œCould ye not give Ben a chance?” she inquired, stifling her annoyance and trying to speak in a friendly manner. “He’s a real good sort, Sue.”
    â€œI wouldn’t marry Ben Grierson if he was the only man in the world,” declared Sue flatly, “and you may as well know the truth.”
    Sandy had taken no part in the argument at the tea table. He was a peace lover, and he kept aloof from unpleasantness whenever it was possible to do so. He and Sue were very fond of each other and were allied together against Grace, but Sue was aware that Sandy was a very poor ally when there was trouble brewing.
    The evening passed without any opportunity for a private talk with Sandy and, this being so, his sister was not surprised when she heard a gentle tap on her bedroom door. She had not yet started to undress, so she opened the door and motioned Sandy to come in.
    â€œI had to speak to you,” he said in a whisper.
    â€œWhat do you think of it?” she asked in the same conspiratorial tone.
    â€œIt’s a good thing for you to get away from here.”
    â€œAnd for you too,” returned Sue dryly. “You’ll have peace now—and that’s what you like.”
    Sandy did not attempt to contradict this. He sat down on Sue’s bed and looked at her thoughtfully. “My, I wish it was me,” he said. “I’d give anything to get away.”
    â€œYou haven’t got much longer,” Sue pointed out. “You’re sixteen now, and you’re going to the university—”
    â€œBut I’m not!” he cried. “It’s all off now. Father spoke to me today. I’m to leave school at Easter and help in the bakery.”
    â€œOh, Sandy!” exclaimed Sue in dismay. “Oh, Sandy—but he promised you.”
    â€œThat was before he married Grace,” Sandy reminded her. “I’ve known for some time that Grace was working against me. She thinks it’s all nonsense me going to the university, and she’s made him think the same. A waste of money, that’s what he said.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œNothing,” replied Sandy wretchedly. “What could I say? If he won’t spend the money, I can’t do it, can I? Oh, Sue, I can’t bear it. Think of me living on here with Father—and Grace—all the