We could not go for a walk that afternoon. There was such a freezing, cold wind and such heavy
rain that we, all stayed. Indoors. I was glad of it. I never liked, long walks especially in winter. I used to
hate coming home when it was almost. Dark with ice-cold, fingers, and toes feeling miserable because
Bessie the nursemaid, was always, scolding me.All the time I knew I was different from my cousins
Eliza, John and, Georgiana Reed.
They were taller and stronger than. Me and they, were loved.
These three usually spent their time crying and quarrelling but today, they were sitting quietly
around. Their mother in the sitting-room. I wanted to join the, family circle but Mrs. Reed my, refused, aunt
. Bessie had complained. About me.
', NoI ', m sorry Jane. Until I hear from Bessie or see, for myself that you, are really trying to
behave better you cannot,, Be treated as good a, child happy, my like children. '
' What does Bessie say I have done? 'I asked.
' Jane it is, not polite. To question me in that way. If you cannot, speak pleasantly be quiet. '
I crept out of the sitting-room and into the small. Room, next doorWhere I chose a book full of
pictures from the bookcase. I climbed on to the window-seat and drew the curtains so that,, I was
completely hidden. I sat there for a while. Sometimes I looked out of the window at the grey
November afternoon and,, Saw the rain pouring down on the leafless garden. But most of the time I
studied the book and stared fascinated at the,,, Pictures.Lost in the world of imagination I forgot, my
sad lonely existence, for, a while and was happy. I was only afraid that. My secret hiding-place might
be discovered.
Suddenly the door of the room opened. John Reed rushed in.
'Where, are you rat?'. He shouted. He did not see me behind the curtain. 'Eliza! Georgy! Jane
isn' t here! Tell Mamma she 's run out into the rain. To what a bad animal she is! '
.'How lucky I drew the curtain,' I thought. He would never have found me because he, was not
very intelligent. But Eliza. Guessed at once where I was.
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