Full Speed Ahead: My Journey with Kit

Kit looks shocked, and a little annoyed at Uncle Hendrick for being so rude. In my head, I panic. He knows the real Lucille, so he must see me as a fraud.

Kit meets Uncle Hendrick’s icy stare and says people change when you haven’t seen them in years. When did he last see Cousin Lucille?

Uncle Hendrick grunts, unwilling to admit Kit’s right. He tells me he hasn’t seen me since I was a bothersome tot, and I’ve clearly improved, though I’ve brought along a ridiculous dog. He asks how Mother is doing. I hesitate, then say fine, working hard as usual.

Uncle Hendrick grunts again, grumbling that modern women should stay home instead of chasing college and jobs. He says Mother’s as headstrong as Kit’s mother is about her foolish boardinghouse scheme, and it will fail just like everything else the Kittredges try.

Kit’s face turns stubborn, and I can tell she’s furious. Remembering our lessons about standing up to bullies, I whisper to Kit that she should speak her mind.

Kit tells Uncle Hendrick the boardinghouse will not fail. It’s full, and having boarders is fun. A smile creeps onto my face, then I jump in to take some heat off her, saying I do wish Mother wasn’t so busy, which is true.

Uncle Hendrick turns to me and says I seem sensible, not entirely dimwitted or useless. He decides I should move in with him to fetch and carry, and he’ll still pay Kit’s parents for my board.

Kit says nothing, though she looks cross. I don’t want to stay with Uncle Hendrick. He’s disagreeable, even if his house is fancy and full of interesting-looking books. But if I stay, the Kittredges get the money without the cost of feeding me, and that might be the best way to help them.

Buddy growls, and I spot Uncle Hendrick’s fat, unpleasant Scottie glowering at him from behind his legs. The Scottie erupts into shrill yipping. Kit scoops Buddy up before the dogs can lunge at each other and scolds the Scottie, Inky.

Ignoring the dogs, Uncle Hendrick opens his wallet, declares it settled, and hands Kit a twenty-dollar bill for her mother. My head says staying with Uncle Hendrick is the right choice, but my heart says to stay with Kit.