Melody (Logan 1)

all in my bedroom on the walls, but there is one she

never got to finish. It's in my closet. Have you ever

done needlework?"

"No," I said, sulking.

"Oh you should try needlework, dear. I bet you

would be good at it, too."

"I don't think so," I said. "Is there anything else

I can help you with, Aunt Sara?"

"What? Oh. No dear, thank you," she said.

"That's right. You have t

o do homework now, don't

you?"

"Yes," I said.

"Then go on, dear. I'll see you before I go to

sleep," she said.

I hurried upstairs. When I ascended the

stairway, I noticed a ladder had been lowered from the

roof above the second floor landing. It led up to a

door in the ceiling. I approached slowly and gazed up

at the lighted attic. Curious, I started up the rungs and

stopped at the top to peer into the room. Two oil

lamps illuminated a table and a chair, chests, boxes,

all sorts of antiques and old paintings. But the most interesting thing to me were the model boats constructed of balsa wood. One was partially completed on the table. The others were lined up on shelves, all painted, too, and some with tiny sailors

manning the sails.

There was a very worn--looking couch on the

right and a telescope pointing at the sole window. "What are you doing?" I turned to see Cary

staring up at me from the bottom of the ladder. "I was just wondering what was up here. Do

you do the boats?"

"First, they're not boats, they're ships. And

second, the attic is a private place, if you don't mind." "I'm sorry." I started down the rungs, but