-Domestic Attack

Most days there was little else to do that Mrs. Singer approved of. Margaret-Gay often found herself in trouble and confined to her rooms leaving May and Pleasant alone. When the weather was bad Alice couldn't come to visit and so no new news came to Singer Springs that would interest the children.

After a late snow, Pleasant got it in her mind to go skating on Collect Lake. When she came downstairs she found Margaret in the parlor sitting at the piano. "Margaret," she said as she came into the parlor. "Look what I have." She held up her ice-skates and grinned. "What do you say to one more trip around the lake?"

"Pleasant, it's cold out and I want to stay warm," Margaret said. "Besides it's too late in the season."

"It snowed last night," Pleasant said.

"I can't go," Margaret said. "My mother wants me. Ask Alice."

"Fine," Pleasant said. "I'll go by myself."

"Pleasant," Margaret-Gay called after her as she walked away. "It's March!"

Skates in tow, Pleasant headed toward Amber Forest which passed through the meadow behind her uncle's property separating them from the mansions on the yonder side. These were the older homes such as Middlemist, Rose Parade and Greene's Estate, which had a beautiful maze and garden, and Hedge Park where the Berry family held glamorous parties. These houses taught Pleasant the meaning of old money.

The wet golden grass of the meadow collapsed beneath her feet as she made her way across it among the jays and the larks. When she reached the forest she got on the trail, remembering all the warnings of snakes that you would meet if you strayed. Amber Forest was frequented by many and it wasn't uncommon to meet a friend seeking the comfort of the boughs as well. When she reached the narrow path that led down to the lake she added a skip to her step, smiling as the trees pulled back and the white lake came into view.

Going down to the bank she knocked on the ice and gave a proud nod. It was solid, just as she had expected. She quickly strapped on her ice-skates to her boots and tugging her mittens down more snug she set out on the ice. The cold wind whistled as it burned her nose and flapped in her ears. As birds flew over the lake she spread her arms moving them like wings and keeping pace with them.

One little cardinal landed in nearby tree reaching over the lake. Pleasant came to a stop to listen to its merry song as it bounced on the branch of the fur. "Salutations," she said pinching her dress skirts and taking bow.

A loud pop sounded below her feet and a crack shot out from beneath her to the shore. She took a step back only for her blade to go through the ice. At the sound of another crack she scatted forward to escape the breaks. Just as she neared the shore the ice opened up and swallowed her down. Reaching out her arms she grabbed onto the bank before her head went under. "Help!" she managed to get out before the cold water zapped her breath. The snow on the bank began to crumble into the water as she struggled against her doom. "Help me! May! Auntie, Uncle Ben!" She could feel her limbs weakening and her body slipping.

"Hey!" Pleasant looked through the trees at the sound of the voice. "What are you doing down there?"

Turning her head slightly she could make out a horse and a rider dressed in all black on the path leading back into the forest. "Oh please kind sir," she begged. "Help me. I'm stuck. Help me please else I'll be killed!" she watched the young man judge her distance then tether his horse to a tree.

"How'd you get yourself out there?" he asked as he made his way through the trees. With each step his boots sank deeper but he seemed to know how to handle himself.

As he got closer, Pleasant was amazed at how tall he was. Even more so she realized that she didn't recognize him from town or church. He also seemed very well groomed for one out on a ride. His thick blond hair was neatly combed and suffered no trial of a hat or helmet. "Please help me."

"Stay calm," the young man said. "I will I will." He came down the bank until her stood just above her then grabbing hold of her coat he pulled her free of the icy graveyard.

Pleasant shivered as she looked back at the hole in the ice then up at the cardinal as it sang one final note then flew away. The Red Man.

"What is your name?"

"Pardon?" Pleasant asked.

The young man dusted snow from his hands. "What is your name?"

"I'm Pleasant, Pleasant Day?"

"Well I'm Dicky," the young man said. "Don't you know it's too late in the season to be on the ice?"

Pleasant hung her head as she sat in the snow, realizing that her foolishness had nearly cost her life.

"You're shaking like a leaf," Dicky said.

Pleasant bundled up tighter as she turned toward him. "I should get back to my Uncle's."

"Not like that," Dicky said getting to his feet. "You'll freeze. Greene's Estate is closer. I'll take you there and have our cook get something warm inside you."

With his aide Pleasant got to her feet. "You live at Greene's Estate?"

"All my eighteen years," Dicky said leading her back to the horse. "You'll love our maid Helga. She can hardly speak English and I swear she's cursing all the time."

"Mama says it's not good to curse," Pleasant said.

Dicky hesitated then a smile came to his face. "Right you are, Little Day Girl," he said. Now come on and let's get out of this weather."

/

Pleasant didn't believe the young man until he walked right through the gate of Green's Estate. They went around to the back of the house where the family kept their own stables for their horses.

"Mrs. Crowninshield is your mother, isn't she?" Pleasant asked and he nodded. "Then the Monhollen brothers are your cousins."

"You know them?" Dicky asked as he helped her down from the horse.

Pleasant nodded. "They are very nice," she said. "Havelock showed me his new foal."

Dicky took her in through the kitchen then up a flight of backstairs and into his rooms. "Don't mind the trunks," he said. "I only just got back to New Hampshire. You can sit by the fire there." He pointed. Going over to a chair he pulled off a throw and gave it to her. "I'll have someone bring you some dry clothes then you can eat and we'll get you home."

"Thank you," Pleasant said.

"I'll fetch a maid," Dicky said and left the room.

When he was gone she wrapped the blanket around herself and moved closer to the flames to keep warm and to think how she would explain everything to her aunt and uncle. She even wondered how worried they would be with her mishap.

When the maid brought her food she quickly ate and waited for the dry clothes. Growing bored, she went over to a bookshelf to look for something to read. When none of the titles interested her, she turned to a book that had been left on the nightstand. "The Story of the Heavens," she read and immediately returned to the fire to read the book. When she opened the cover she could see that the pages had been torn out and replaced with handwritten pages.

"Cedric."  The first word. "Cedric?" She assumed that was the name of the young man. "My promise to the lake." She read the heading. "Dear Lake Collect, hide this secret and you may have my soul at your will when I see you again..." frowning at the words repeated numerous times on the pages she closed the book to read the cover again. Just then the door opened startling her and making her drop the book.

"What are you doing?"

Noting the anger in Cedric's voice Pleasant stammered. "I...I...was just looking for something to read."

"You were snooping," Cedric said going over to her and snatching the book from the floor. "How much did you read?"

Pleasant shook her head and backed away only for him to grab her arm. She managed to get out half a scream before his large hand went over your mouth.

"You will be silent," Cedric said. "Do you understand me?"

Pleasant nodded the best she could with his hand clasped over her mouth, forcing her head back.

"I don't think you understand me," Cedric said looking down at her. "I will make sure that you do." Swinging his arm he flung her to the ground sending her rolling across the floor.

Pleasant jumped to her feet and ran to the nearest door, twisting and yanking on the knob for it to open. When she realized it wouldn't yield she turned to Cedric who was standing calmly at the fire watching her futile struggle. Trembling, she sank helplessly to the floor and covered her ears. "I am Pleasant Mary Day...I am Pleasant Mary Day..." Pleasant curled herself up into a tight ball.