The Emerald Key - By Christopher Dinsdale Page 0,40
that wants to go back.”
“I’ve got a love for fourth class ocean crossings,” said Jamie, dryly. “I just can’t get enough of them.”
Theodore gave him a look of disbelief then laughed.
“Welcome to the crew, Jamie Galway. Grab that shovel and let’s get back to work.”
Chapter 11
Beth led Jamie and Colin through the maze of warehouses that lined the port and out into the busy streets that crisscrossed the heart of Montreal. Jamie couldn’t stop himself from gawking at the passing people. The wealth of the colony was on display, as a sea of well-groomed men strode the streets in dapper suits, with islands of women in elegant high-necked dresses chatting among themselves on the street corners. He could hear both French and English being used by the crowds. Feeling self-conscious, Jamie realized that he had not washed his one and only outfit since nearly drowning in the St. Lawrence. He made a mental note to do something about his haggard look at the next opportunity. The three made quite the sorry sight among the well-off in this prosperous city.
Beth didn’t seem bothered by her ragamuffin appearance as she ploughed her way through the crowds along St. James Street towards the taller buildings of Montreal. An earlier summer downpour had turned the wide dirt road they were following into a sea of mud. Horses and wagons fought hard through the rutted glop while pedestrians tried their best to stay on the wooden walkways that lined the storefronts. Jamie couldn’t help but notice several adults scowling at them as they passed. Were they afraid of possible disease? Did they hate the fact they were so obviously Irish? Jamie wished he could somehow put their worries to rest. Meanwhile, Beth rambled on about the city before them.
“Down that alley is a butcher,” explained Beth, “and if you’re really lucky, he might leave out some nearly spoiled sausages in a bowl behind his shop. If you time it right, you can sneak a couple of links out of the bowl before he lets his dogs out for dinner. But cook them well over a fire, because if you don’t, you’ll get a gut ache that will floor you for a whole week! And right beside the butcher is the fire station. The firemen are really nice and sometimes spray water on me and the other kids if the weather gets too hot in the summer. And do you see that building? They sell the prettiest clothes in town. Just look at the window! I used to think that any woman who had enough money to shop in that store must be a princess. And the store we’re passing right now, this is a general store. The nicest owners in the world own this store. Whenever I had an errand to run to this store, the owner or his wife would give me a small peppermint stick! That’s the best-tasting candy in the whole world! It was — Hey! Where are you going, Jamie?”
Jamie made a sharp turn and pushed open the door to the general store. The children looked at each other, Beth shrugged, and they followed him in. A small bell jingled as the door opened. The store was filled with shelves of products ranging from canned food to everyday household items. A large woman appeared behind the counter. She had her hair pulled back in a bun and around her waist was a white, frilly apron.
“May I help you? Oh, it’s you Beth! I haven’t seen you in so long!”
“Hello, Mrs. McCormick,” replied Beth.
“I wondered what had happened to my favourite delivery girl.”
“The rest of my family finally arrived from Ireland,” she lied. “These are my brothers, Jamie and Colin.”
Mrs. McCormick smiled warmly at Beth’s new family. “My Jamie, you are certainly a handsome fellow. And look at little Colin! Red cheeks and all! So how can I help you three?”
Jamie pointed to a glass container on the shelf behind her. “I would like to purchase three of your best peppermint sticks, please.”
Mrs. McCormick winked at Beth. “Coming right up!”
She reached up to the shelf lined with glass jars. Each jar was filled with different flavours of mouth-watering candy. “Beth, I think your brother likes peppermint as well. You two must be related.”
She held the jar out, and they each helped themselves to a slender peppermint stick. Colin was delighted. He placed one of the coins that Monsignor Baillargeon had given him on the table. “Thank you very much.”