Chapter # 4~*~*~"I Don't Know I Reckon."
"Peter good fellow!"Kenneth exclaimed."I's don't even know how ter get there!"
"Aw,Don't ye worry 'bout that,Kenneth.Let's jus' go an' get Tina,An' I'll show ye the way."
"Alright,Peter,Let's go then,but you must tell me 'bout where we're goin' 'afore we reach Tina."
"Surely!'Tis a nice cozy lil' cottage jus' outside o' town.It's got a Good Kind Missus in it an' a good Sir too.Oh an' they got a bunch o' cute lil' Chil'ren"He laughed."There be 'bout twelve of em' I spect!Tina'll have a grand time Rompin' round' with them!"
"What made you go there peter?"Kenneth wondered.
"Oh,I's known the Missus quite awhile.Most everybody does I 'spect.She's good an' kind,Goes ta' church a lot,and loves young'uns,So I's knew she'd want you an' Tina,An' she said she did of course!Said she wanted Ye both!"
"Peter,It sounds jus' grand,But I already told ye,Tis not fer me,Jus fer Tina.I'm not goin' ter stay there,Jus' Tina." "Why,Kenneth!"He stopped walking abruptly,And stared at Kenneth."Ye must go there too!Ye can't live out here no longer!Ye must have someplace warm too,Else you's get sick like Tina,Er' even worse!" Kenneth held out his hand."I'll be alright livin' out here.I's don't get sick real easy.'Sides I ain't worried 'bout myself it's only Tina,She can't take the cold and sickness,like I can." Peter shook his head."Ye truley' are brave,Kenneth.But I still think Yer' crazy!You should go with Tina!"
"Sorry,Peter,But I ain't gonna go."
Tina wasn't quite herself when they arrived back at the shack.
"Tina."Kenneth whispered,Shaking her,until she drowsily opened her eyes."Come on,Peter found a nice place fer you ter stay."
"I'm awful cold."She shivered as peter lay his hand on her forehead."What's that fer?"Kenneth asked."I'm checkin' her temperature."He answered."An' she's burnin' up so we'd better hurry." "How would you's know that?You ain't no doctor."Scowled
"To be sure,I ain't no doctor,But my Pop was one an' I learn how ta' read Temperatures from him.So' I know how ta' tell."
Kenneth nodded and wrapped his jacket around Tina,Then scooped her up into his arms."You lead the way,Peter,And hurry,Like ye said."
Peter skillfully led the way down the icy streets,and through the dark erie alleys until at last they arrived at the small brick cottage just on the outskirts of the city.Peter nimbly ran up the steps and rapped on the door.
A small girl wearing a white bonnet,and clean white pinafore opened the door.by the look on her face,one could tell that she was startled at what she saw.She obviously was afraid of peter,whom she had heard her Mam speak of once or twice,but had never seen.What was a small girl like her going to say to a ragged street boy?Well she need not have worried for peter before her.
"Excuse me,miss,But I'd like to see yer' Mam."
Relief showed on her face as she bobbed a curtsie,and exclaimed:"Oh yes,Of course."And left the doorway.Soon afterwards her mother appeared."Hello,Peter,come in!And you too lad."She motioned at Kenneth."This must be your little sister."She relieved Kenneth of his load and gently pushed him through the door.Kenneth noticed The house was cozy and warm,as he followed,the woman(Called Mrs.Holenwald) down the hall.
"Jacob."She said to a chubby little boy building castles on the floor with some wooden blocks."Please run and ask Papa to light a fire for me in the parlor.When you return,Pick up these blocks and play with them elsewhere.you know the rules,The hall is'nt the place to be building Castles."
"yes,Mam."He nodded and left his perch on the floor.
Once inside the parlor,Mrs.Holenwald unwrapped Tina of Kenneth's jacket."My!"She exclaimed."This poor child is running a fever!Jacob run and get Emily."
Jacob left the room and soon arrived back with his oldest sister."Yes,Mam?"she inquired.
"Please heat some water for a bath."
"Yes,Mam."And in a whirl of skirts,She left the room.
"Sit down,Peter."She motioned."You too,Lad,I guess I didn't aske your name.Pardon me!What is your name,May I ask?"
"Kenneth."He answered,And seated himself next to Peter."An' my sister's name is Tina."
"Well,I'm mighty glad you came.I'm glad to help you and Tina."Kenneth was about to say something,When Emily suddenly entered the room."The water is ready,Mam."She announced."Would you like me to Bathe the little girl?" "Yes,Please."She nodded.
Emily went to retrieve Tina accordingly,But as soon as she had her arms round the child,Tina began to Wail.
"I think you might have to carry her to the washroom,Kenneth" Mrs.Holenwald laughed.Kenneth grinned,picked Tina up and followed Emily down the hall.
"In here,Lad."She motioned towards the doorway.After having dropped Tina off in the washroom,He started back down the hall.As he walked he could hear Emily asking Tina some questions.
"So,Tina,How old are you?"
Kenneth stopped walking to hear Tina's answer,For he knew how little she knew about her age.
"I don't know I Reckon"She replied."But my Big brother Kenneth could tell you,Is he still around?"
"I'm not sure."Emily answered."But I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try calling for him just in case he is about."
"Kenneth!"Tina called suddenly.(Tina always took advice as soon as she recieved it,it seemed.)"How old am I?Are you around?"
Kenneth grinned"Yer' Five,Tina.An' of course I'm still around!"He suffed his hands deep into his pockets,and continued walking.