Some Try, Brisbys Do

Auntie Shrew

It was getting late. It was dark and Elizabeth hadn't come home yet. Kristy already made sure the kids ate supper. Now all they were doing was sitting around under Elizabeth got back. Kristy was beginning to fear the worst. Elizabeth always came home before dark. The last time family waited late for someone to return... was when Jonathan...

"Maybe I should go look for Mom", Martin said getting up.

"You're not going anywhere, young man", Kristy said. "It's already late."

He sat back down frowning.

"Brisby!" they heard. "Brisby!"

"Oh, Auntie Shrew!" Theresa cheerfully said.

"Oh, Auntie!" Cynthia repeated.

"Oh no", Martin complained.

"I wonder what she's doing here at this hour", Kristy said going to the opening of their home.

"Brisby!" Auntie Shrew continued to call out.

"She'll wake Timothy!" Theresa said.

"Mrs. Brisby isn't home, Miss Shrew", Kristy said.

Martin glared as he got up and went into the bedroom.

"Why is she always coming her poking her nose around when she's not wanted?" he asked.

"Martin, be nice", Kristy said. "Respect your elders."

Theresa ran to the opening where Auntie Shrew was coming in. she helped unravel the scarf she wore, being a good and polite girl.

"Thank you, child", Auntie Shrew said. "I must speak with your mother. Your auntie is exhausted. Why me? That I alone should be responsible for the welfare of the entire field? It's monstrous. Brisby!"

"Mother isn't here", Theresa said.

"Auntie Shrew, Timmy's sick", Cynthia said tugging on the shrew's scarf.

"Cynthia, dearest don't paw me", Auntie Shrew said as she took a seat. "She's not here? She left you children in the care of your young babysitting aunt?"

"I'm old enough", Martin said glaring. "I don't need a babysitter. I'm not afraid of anything."

"Miss Shrew, Mrs. Brisby has gone out for important business today", Kristy said. "Would you like a drink?"

Auntie Shrew shook her head as she rambled on.

"Rats in the field up to, heaven knows what kind of mischief. Where could she be this late?"

"She went to see Mr. Ages" Theresa answered.

"To Ages?" Auntie Shrew asked. "That old fool? Whatever for?"

"Auntie Shrew, Timmy's sick", Cynthia repeated.

The shrew simply patted her head ignoring her words.

"Patience, my pet. Why to Ages?"

"Timmy's sick!" Cynthia repeated.

"She went to see if Mr. Ages can give her some medicine", Kristy answered.

"Medicine? What on earth for?"

"Timothy is very ill", Theresa answered.

"Timmy ill?" Auntie Shrew asked. "How dreadful!"

"That reminds me", Kristy said. "I should go and check on him."

She got up and walked to the bedroom. Just as she reached the opening, Martin charged out, swinging a twig in his hand like a sword.

"I'm not afraid of the dark!" he rambled. "I'm not afraid of the farmer! I'm not afraid of Dragon. I'm not even afraid of... of the Great Owl!"

"Martin!" Kristy gasped. "What did I tell you about behaving?"

Martin ignored his aunt and walked by Auntie Shrew.

"Will you hush up?" she asked.

"Oh, you hush up!" Martin said.

"Martin!" Kristy gasped.

"Precocious monster!" Auntie Shrew said shocked at his behavior.

"Bossy bullfrog!" he countered.

"Spoiled brat!"

"Loudmouth!"

"Martin, enough!" Kristy said.

However, it was too late. Auntie Shrew had enough of his attitude. She stood and held her arms out as Theresa wrapped her scarf around her.

"That will be quite enough, thank you", she said. "Cast not pearls before swine, I always say, and that includes insolent piglets! Good day!"

Auntie Shrew ascended the stairs. Unfortunately for her, her scarf got caught on a twig on the stairs, making her fall backwards down the stairs. The children giggled as Kristy rushed to help her.

"Are you alright, Miss Shrew?" she asked.

The shrew just glared as Martin laughed the loudest out of all of them. Elizabeth came inside holding an envelope.

"Martin!" she said gasping as she saw Auntie Shrew getting up. "Auntie Shrew, what's going on?"

"Indeed!" Auntie Shrew said leaving.

"Please, come back inside", Elizabeth said.

"Not for a king's ransom. I just have one thing to say. That child is a brat!"

"Yes, I will speak with him."

"I came here to inform you that the frost is off the ground, and moving day is at hand. Prepare to move your very, very odd family. Good day."

Elizabeth turned and looked at the children disapprovingly.

"Well children, now you've done it", she said.

"It was Martin", Theresa truthfully said.

"The shrew means well", Elizabeth said. "She just wants to help."

Kristy went to the cupboard and got a bowl for the broth. Elizabeth pulled the pot from the fire and poured it into the bowl.

"Timmy's alright for now", she said. "He's been resting all day. Did Mr. Ages help?"

"Very much", Elizabeth answered. "Thank you so much for watching the children."

She opened the envelope and poured the medicinal powder into the broth and carried the bowl into the bedroom.