“Come along, Lilly!” called Lungwort. “Don’t dawdle so.”
Lilly found her father in the boot’s toe, resting on a bed of matted milkweed. Though Lungwort had been rather stout, the old mouse had become much thinner of late. His fur was almost completely gray, his tail bony. Still, his whiskers, despite having also turned quite gray, were still elegantly curled. As for the ivory thimble that he had always worn as a cap of authority, it sat beside him.
As Lilly emerged from the gloom, Lungwort propped himself up on an elbow and looked around at her. She paused. It saddened Lilly to see how lackluster her father’s face had become. Quite pinched, it made his front teeth, which had always protruded slightly, even more prominent. His eyes, moreover, had a new and disturbing tendency to shift in and out of focus. And he often coughed—a deep, hacking wheeze that seemed to shake him deeply.
“Did you find Poppy?” Lungwort asked immediately.
“Yes, Papa.”
“You didn’t meet any porcupines along the way, did you?”
“Well . . . no, Papa.”
“If porcupines had their way, they would take over the world.”
“I’m sure, Papa.”
“And that bulldozer is still there. Humans brought it, but I suspect there’s a porcupine behind it somehow. I presume you noticed I’ve had the red flag raised. Is Poppy coming?”
“Yes, Papa.”
The old mouse went though a fit of coughing. “I hope she knows,” he resumed, “that it’s time for her to be a dutiful daughter and meet her responsibilities. To me. To the family. This business of going off elsewhere with someone or other always was absurd. Married, the rumor is, without my permission. Then there’s that other rumor that she’s befriended a porcupine. I don’t believe that, of course, but even rumors can be disturbing. Doesn’t she understand I’ve important plans for her?”
“What plans?” asked Lilly.
“That’s for your sister’s ears, not yours,” said Lungwort after another brief coughing spasm. “But did you tell her all that?”
“Yes, Papa,” said Lilly.
“Good. I’ll explain everything to her privately, tell her just what she must do, provide good advice, point out the direction to go, and inform her about those upon whom she can rely. You’re sure you told her all this?”
“Yes, Papa, most of it.”
“Good. Good. Of course, I’ll be able to say it better than you. Now Lilly, I’ve no more need for you. Feel free to gossip with your mother if you like, but do let me know the moment Poppy arrives. I can’t wait to tell her what’s in store for her.”
“Can’t you tell me?” asked Lilly.
“No. It’s for Poppy’s ears and hers alone.” Lungwort wheezed again and fell back onto his bed.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Let me be in peace. Good-bye.”
“Papa, I brought you some pine seeds.” Lilly held out her full leaf.
“Fine. Fine. Just leave them and go.”
Lilly, wiping away a tear, withdrew.
CHAPTER 17
Poppy’s Return
WHEN POPPY DISCOVERED that Junior and Mephitis were not where she had left them, she was annoyed. First she thought they had simply wandered off. Only after considerable time had passed without their showing up did it occur to her that they might have gone ahead. The thought of those rude youngsters bursting upon the family without her being there to soften the way caused her considerable unease.
Then the notion came that they might have decided to return to the snag. Yes, it was what she had wanted, but Junior and Mephitis were much too young to be traveling alone through the forest.
Regardless, they should have told her what they were doing. “How inconsiderate!” she cried. “Why must Junior make so many problems?”
The next moment her frustration turned to anger. “Bother on him!” she said. “I can’t wait about! If he’s gone off, that’s his problem! I hope he did go back to the snag.”
With that, Poppy jumped into the creek and gave herself another scrubbing to get rid of any skunk stink remains. She reached the other side by wading and swimming, and then scrambled up the high bank, where she could see for some distance.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed as she gazed upon the view that lay before her. There, in one great prospect were the Old Orchard, Gray House, Tar Road, and beyond, Bannock Hill. The setting of her entire early life—all there! With this sight came an unexpected rush of memories and emotions that had her giggling one moment—they had played hide-and-seek endlessly right there: Cousin Basil had been caught in some brambles there—while the next moment she was ready to burst into tears, for at the top of Bannock Hill was where her beloved first Ragweed had died.
Her strong emotions took her completely by surprise. Oh, why, she heard herself thinking, did I stay away for so long? The answer came just as quickly: Because I’m not what I was— and they won’t understand!
Poppy had to sit down. “Think good thoughts,” she urged herself. “It will be fun to visit. It will! Well,” she added ruefully, “mostly.”
Only after some moments had passed did Poppy notice that sitting off to one side of Gray House was a yellow bulldozer—huge and powerful. It was not moving but just sitting there. Lilly had told her that everyone was sure it was poised to crush the house. How horrifying! No wonder a red flag was flying from the roof. Where would the family go? Thank goodness I have a safe place to live, Poppy reminded herself.
Poppy knew she had lingered long enough. She had to get on. Taking a deep breath, she told herself to be brave—even as she wondered what in the world she needed to be brave about. It was her own old home, her own family she was visiting! Really! She stood up—Why are my legs feeling so weak?—and started for Gray House, her heart pounding hard.
“Oh, you silly mouse!” Poppy cried out loud. “Stop this foolishness! It shouldn’t take courage to visit your own family!”
Yet her next thought was
