Trials of Faith

Chapter X

Lucy looks at Susan when the boys leave. "I want to see what they got us!" She says.

"We'll see tomorrow, Lucy." Susan replies.

"Come on! We'll just act surprised tomorrow." Lucy pleads.

"I don't know, Lu." Susan says, unsure.

"Pleeaaasssseeee?" Lucy squeals. "I have to know. I just have to!"

Susan sighs. "Quickly, now. We'd better not get caught in Peter's room."

The girls walk up two flights of stairs, into the attic. Peter's room is clean, as always, with exception of a pamphlet on the floor. Lucy makes to pick up and set it on Peter's bedside table.

"Look, Lu!" Susan exclaims as she unties the ribbon on the small box containing her gift. "Peter and Ed recreated the horn I got from Father Christmas! I'll bet they've recreated your cordial too! Have you found yours?"

"Susan." Lucy's voice is much too serious. "Susan, you need to see this."

"What is it, Lu?" Susan asks, her smile fading.

Lucy holds out the  pamphlet for the Duke of York's Royal Military School wordlessly.

Susan smiles weakly. "I'm sure this doesn't mean anything, Lu. There's got to be another explanation."

"I don't think so..." Lucy says as she picks up some papers off Peter's rickety bedside table.

The Duke of York's Royal Military School Application Form

"What are you two doing in my room?" Peter asks from the doorway.

Susan and Lucy look startled.

"Susan? Lucy?" Edmund demands.

"Peter," Lucy begins to confess. "I'm sorry. We saw-"

"My gift. We saw the gift you made for me." Susan says, giving Lucy a look as if to say, 'Not yet, Lu. Not yet.' "We're terribly sorry."

"It's all right." Peter smiles. "I hope you like it. It's from Ed and me."

Susan smiles weakly. "I love it." She hugs both of her brothers. "I'll try and act surprised tomorrow."

"Did you finish Mother's gift?" Peter asks, changing the subject.

"Yes, we did." Susan replies. "Would you like to see them before bed?" She asks.

"No, that's all right. I'll see them in the morning." Peter responds. "Ed, could you stay a moment?"

"We'll just be off to our rooms for bed then. Come, Lucy." Susan exits Peter's room, and Lucy follows.

"Yes?" Edmund asks. "Have you thought of a new gift for Lucy?"

Peter pulls something from underneath his pillow. "This came today in the postage." He says in a scared tone.

"What is it?" Edmund asks.

"It's from Lord and Lady Schultz."

"Don't open it. Not until after tomorrow." Edmund demands.

"I already have." Peter mutters.

"What does it say?" Edmund asks.

"It's a court date. December 27 of this year." Peter mumbles.

Edmund sighs. "That doesn't give us much time to prepare your defense."

'Way to ruin Christmas.' Peter thinks.

"We'll talk to the girls tomorrow after we exchange gifts. We don't have much time, but I'm confident we'll think of something." Edmund assures him.