Chapter 4

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"Brisby!!" the shrew's familiar voice echoed down the stairs early in the morning, "Brisby!"

"Mom, I thought you had talked to her."
Brisby sighed, "I did, but- you better take your siblings outside, Teresa."
"Brisby! There you are."
"Please, come in Auntie Shrew, I will make an infusion."
"Don't bother, I just came to ask you if you have changed your mind."
"About moving day?" asked Brisby, while gently guiding Teresa towards the entrance.

The girl seemed to take the hint and went to fetch her siblings while the grown-ups argued.

"Yes, where are you going on moving day?"
"To Thorn Valley."
"Ha!"

Brisby paid her no mind and turned to set the kettle.

"And just where is this Thorn Valley?" asked the shrew, coming closer to her.
"Somewhere far south."
"How far?"
"I do not know."
"Oh!" the shrew made the most offended noise at that, "so, let me get this straight, you are going somewhere far away and you don't even know where that is?"

Brisby had crossed the room and placed the kettle on the fireplace, and now she turned to nod at her.

"Absurd!" she waved her arms around, "absolutely absurd, I had never heard anything like this. It is very unbecoming of you, dear. Now why on earth would you do that?"
"I-" she sighed, "I promise, Auntie Shrew, I do have a good reason..."
"Hmph! Why I-"

Brisby interrupted her to ask Teresa on her way out, "where is Timmy?"
"He is working on the maps."
"Oh!"
"Well then, dear, keep going," said Brisby, and Auntie Shrew waited to see the kids walk away before turning back to her.

"Did I hear that right? Your son Timmy, little Timmy, is working on a map?"
"Yes, indeed."
"How-? And why would that child be working on a map of all things? Don't tell me it is to go on that crazy journey of yours."
"He is very excited. All the kids are."
"Well of course! They are just children, the little rascals just love getting into trouble, but I expected better from you! ...Is this a joke? Is it all just some game you are playing with them?"
"No, we are really leaving."
"Nonsense!"
"That we are."
"And why?"
"That... I can't tell you."
"Whatever do you mean by that? It is unthinkable! Why would anyone leave such a fine house as this one, and after getting it moved! Which I still don't understand how they did it, let me tell you, I was here and it was quite the ordeal, and now... now you mean to move? And you won't say why? Don't you realize how dangerous a long journey like that is?"
"I do."
"Think of the children!"
"That's exactly what I'm doing."
"And you don't even have a good reason."
"Yes I do."
"But you won't tell me, will you?"
"...I can't."
"Well!"

Auntie Shrew took a deep breath and Mrs. Brisby braced herself.

"My dear Elizabeth, yes, that's right, Elizabeth! I have known you since you were a little girl, don't you forget that! I really thought you had matured into a very level-headed woman, but now I see I was wrong! You may still be a little ungrateful child, since you are acting like it. And I shall treat you as such, since my help is not wanted nor appreciated," she turned around to leave, adding "farewell!"

"Auntie Shrew, please!" cried Brisby with a broken voice. The shrew stopped and looked back, pretending to be unmoved. Brisby gasped for the right words.

"I am truly sorry, but I must leave! Please, don't make it harder than it is," she took a deep breath to compose herself, then added "when we leave, you'll be in charge of both houses, this one and the one at the edge of the woods. They are very good houses and I know you'll make sure they go to someone who needs them... and do make sure all the food in here does not go to waste. Oh, and... any books and blankets that are in here, if they are needed, do take them. I know you will make sure they are put to good use."

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