Ella Enchanted - By Gail Carson Levine Page 0,14

they?"

"Danger, a quest, three figures. They are close to you, but they are not your friends." She let my hand go. "Beware of them!"

On our way out of the menagerie, Char said, "Tonight I shall triple the guard around the ogres. And soon I shall catch a centaur and give it to you."

* * *

DAME OLGA was punctual. She and her daughters watched while my trunk and a barrel of Tonic were loaded on top of the coach.

Father was there to see me off, and Mandy stood at a distance.

"How few things you have," Hattie told me.

Dame Olga agreed. "Ella is not outfitted in accordance with her station, Sir Peter. My girls have eight trunks between them."

"Hattie has five and a half trunks, Mother. And I have only--" Olive stopped speaking to count on her fingers. "Less. I have less, and it's not fair."

Father cut in smoothly. "It's most kind of you to take Ella with you, Dame Olga.

I only hope she won't be a bother."

"Oh, she won't bother me, Sir P. I'm not going."

Father winced at the abbreviation.

Dame Olga continued, "With a coachman and two footmen, they will be safe from everything except ogres. And from ogres I could offer little protection.

Besides, they'll have more fun without their old mother."

After a pause, Father said, "Not old. Never old, madam." He turned to me. "I wish you a comfortable journey, child." He kissed my cheek. "I'll miss you."

Liar.

A footman opened the coach door. Hattie and Olive were handed in. I ran to Mandy. I couldn't,leave without a last hug.

"Make them all disappear. Please," I whispered.

"Oh, Ella, sweetie. You'll be fine." She clasped me hard.

"Eleanor, your friends are waiting," Father called.

I climbed into the coach, stowing a small carpetbag in a corner, and we started to move. For comfort I touched my chest where Mother's necklace was concealed. If she were alive, I wouldn't be rolling away from home in the company of these creatures.

"I would never embrace a cook." Hattie shuddered.

"No," I agreed. "What cook would let you?"

Hattie returned to an earlier subject. "With so few belongings, the other girls will hardly know whether you are a servant or one of us."

"Why does your gown pucker in front?" Olive asked.

"Is that a necklace? Why wear it under your clothes?" Hattie asked.

"Is it ugly?" Olive said. "Is that why you hide it?"

"It's not ugly."

"Show it to us. Ollie and I so want to see it."

An order. I brought it out. It didn't matter here. There were no thieves to steal it.

"Ooooh," Olive said. "It's even nicer than Mama's best chain."

"No one would think you were a servant with that. It's very fine. Although it's much too long for you." Hattie fingered the silver ropes. "Olive, see how milky the pearls are."

Olive's fingers joined Hattie's.

"Let go!" I shifted out of their reach.

"We wouldn't hurt it. May I try it on? Mother lets me try on her necklaces and I never hurt them."

"No, you can't"

"Oh, let me. There's a dear."

An order. "Do I have to?" I asked. It slipped out I could have swallowed my tongue.

Hattie's eyes glittered. "Yes, you have to. Give it over."

"Just for a minute," I said, unclasping it I didn't delay. They mustn't see me struggle against the curse.

"Fasten it around my neck..."

I did so.

"...Olive."

The order had been for her sister.

"Thank you, my dear." Hattie settled back in her seat. "I was born to wear jewels like this."

"Let me try it, Ella," Olive said.

"When you're older," Hattie answered.

But I had to obey. I tried desperately to ignore Olive's order, but all my complaints started: churning stomach, pounding temples, shortness of breath.

"Let her have her turn," I said through clenched teeth.

"See," Olive said. "Ells says I can."

"I know what's best for you, Olive. You and Ella are both too young--"

I lunged at her and unfastened the necklace before she had time to stop me.

"Don't give it to her, Ella," Hattie said. "Return it to me."

I did.

"Give it to me, Ella," Olive said, her voice rising. "Don't be so mean, Hattie."

I snatched the necklace back from Hattie and passed it to Olive.

Hattie stared at me. I could see her start to work out what had happened.

"Mother wore that necklace to her wedding," I said, hoping to deflect her thoughts. "And her mother..."

"Are you always so obedient, Ella? Return the necklace to me."

"I won't let her," Olive said.

"Yes you will, or I'll see that you get no dinner tonight."

I took the necklace away from Olive. Hattie fastened it around her neck and