Lizabeth's Story by Thomas Kinkade

breath. She looked at the Williamses, expecting praise.
    â€œYou slammed the door on her? Why did you—” Aunt Jean went to open the door. She looked out and sighed. “Too late. She’s running down the path.”
    â€œBut it was Crazy Mary!” Lizabeth said.
    â€œShe comes by sometimes, and I wrap up some food for her,” Aunt Jean said. “You shouldn’t have turned her away like that.”
    â€œIf she came here, she was hungry,” Uncle Tom said. “I wish you’d asked us. She’s just a sad old woman.”
    â€œI thought…I thought keeping her out was the right thing to do.” No matter what Lizabeth did, she was getting everything wrong! It was embarrassing.
    â€œShe never comes in,” Kat said. “She takes the food and runs away.”
    Now the Williamses thought she was uncharitable. But Crazy Mary was filthy and revolting! And crazy, which certainly could be dangerous. Maybe it was the Williamses who were wrong this time.

seven
    T odd and Jamie raced ahead of Lizabeth and Kat as they walked to school. From Lighthouse Lane, they turned into William McKinley Road. Strange, they were the only ones on the street. Lizabeth wondered why she didn’t see the usual stream of children heading to school.
    â€œWe must be awfully late,” Kat said.
    What did Kat expect, with chicken coops and kitchen cleanup and Crazy Mary! It had been the longest morning.
    Kat tugged at her. “Come on, let’s run.”
    Ladies weren’t supposed to dash helter-skelter down the street, Lizabeth thought, though that had never stopped Kat before. But Miss Cotter had all sorts of unpleasant punishments for lateness, like staying after school and washing the blackboard. So Lizabeth kept up with Kat. She held her long skirt out of the way, above her ankles. Actually, running was fun.
    They stopped short on the front path to the school.
    â€œUh-oh,” Kat said.
    Miss Cotter was standing at the entrance waiting for them. They had to be in big trouble!
    â€œSorry we’re late, Miss Cotter,” Kat gasped.
    â€œSorry, Miss Cotter,” Lizabeth said. “We couldn’t help it. We were attacked by some terrible chickens and—”
    â€œI reached everyone who has a telephone,” Miss Cotter said, “but since you don’t have one at the lighthouse…” She looked harried. “I’m waiting for those I couldn’t call. The mayor did promise that all of Cape Light would get telephone service soon….”
    Todd and Jamie were standing nearby with big grins on their faces. What was going on?
    â€œSchool is closed, girls,” Miss Cotter continued. “There’s only a week left anyway, so it seems wisest.”
    â€œWhy, Miss Cotter?” Kat asked. “What happened?”
    â€œThe scarlet fever,” Miss Cotter said. “Mabel, the White twins, now Mark, and of course, your little cousin. Dr. Forbes said it’s best not to have big groups gathering together.”
    â€œYou mean school is over for the year?” Lizabeth asked.
    Miss Cotter nodded. “I’m sorry. I feel dreadfulabout the children who didn’t have a chance to give their native culture reports. Maybe next term.”
    Amanda would be thrilled to forget about her Pygmies, Lizabeth thought.
    â€œLizabeth, I hope your sister gets well soon. Give my best to your parents. Oh, and if you see any of your classmates coming to school, please head them off.”
    â€œYes, Miss Cotter.”
    â€œThank you, Miss Cotter.”
    On the walk back to the lighthouse, Jamie was jumping up and down, chanting. “No more school, no more books! No more teacher’s dirty looks!”
    â€œStop it!” Kat pinched his arm.
    â€œBut school is over!” Jamie protested.
    â€œThere’s nothing to be happy about when people are sick,” Kat said sternly.
    â€œOh.” Jamie’s face fell.
    â€œDo you