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.The children waited to hear their fates.If they were given detention on Saturday how could they possibly rescue Henry? Matron smiled triumphantly "You'll all.," she began.But a voice behind the little group said, "It's my fault, Matron.I gave them permission.In fact I told them to come to the art room.Blame it on the art teacher, eh?"Lucretia Yewbeam's smile of triumph faded as Mr.Boldova walked to the front of the group."Sorry about this, Matron," said the art teacher."I lost track of time." He turned back to the children."You'd all better run off now.And thank you for your excellent criticisms."The six children scattered like dust as Mr.Boldova asked the matron's advice about a very bad bruise he'd received while playing rugby"Good old Boldova ," Gabriel whispered as the three boys crept into their dormitory"Where've you lot been?" Billy demanded."Wouldn't you like to know," said Charlie.TANCRED AND THE TREEAt the top of the Thunder House, Tancred Torsson surveyed the wreck of his bedroom.He kicked a pile of shoes out of his way and sat on the bed, or what was left of it.The mattress lay on the other side of the room, and his covers were in a tangled heap under the fallen wardrobe.Tancred was wearing his pajama bottoms and his green cape.Most of his clothes were torn or stained with food.He was tired of being angry but he couldn't do anything about it.Little waves of fury kept spilling out of him, sending the air into a turmoil.Mrs.Torsson put her head around the door."Are you coming down to supper, dear?" she asked nervously."Do you trust me?" Tancred stared grimly at the floor."Well, it's been a bit quieter today" said Mrs.Torsson."Sorry about the headaches, Mom," said Tancred."You can't help it, dear.I know."Tancred's mother scurried downstairs.There were days when she longed to live somewhere else, with a nice ordinary husband and a small, quiet son.But she loved her tempestuous family and, in spite of the headaches, she knew she could never be as happy with anyone else.Tancred followed his mother downstairs and took his place at the kitchen table.Mr.Torsson was already digging in to a large portion of shepherd's pie.Mrs.Torsson put a plastic plate in front of her son.She'd given up on china for the time being."There," she said, spooning some pie onto Tancred's plate."It's about time you calmed down," Mr.Torsson told his son."This stormy bout has gone on far too long."Tancred's paper cup blew over.Luckily it was empty."I can't help it, Dad," he said."I've tried, but I can't.""If you ask me, that hypnotizer's got something to do with it," boomed Mr.Torsson."Manfred Bloor.He's put you into a real state, hasn't he?""I don't want to talk about it," said Tancred as the hood of his cape suddenly blew over his head."Control yourself ," thundered Mr.Torsson.The light above the table swung violently from side to side."See, you're not much better," Tancred remarked."I can direct the violence," said Mr.Torsson."What we have is a very useful talent, but talents have to be focused.""Yes, Dad." Tancred gritted his teeth, but the window behind him blew open with a loud clang."Sorry," he mumbled.And then, through the window, a curious sound could be heard.It was hardly more than a whisper, but it had a strange effect on Tancred.He found that he was listening to music that was like no other music in the world.He stood up, straightened his cape, and carefully pushed back his chair."What is it, Tancred?" asked Mrs.Torsson , surprised by his unusually calm behavior."I have to go," Tancred said gently"Where?" asked his father"Out there!" Tancred pointed through the window at the dark trees in the woods.He strode past his startled parents and left the house before they had time to ask any more questions.The ragged moon threw a thin light through the trees, but Tancred didn't hesitate.He knew which way to go.Deep in the woods he found what he was looking for — the source of the haunting music.It was a tree.The tree was red.The leaves that covered its slender branches seemed to burn with an inner fire, and the glade where Tancred stood was lit by a golden glow.Deep lines scored the bark, where water dripped slowly down the trunk.Looking closer, Tancred saw that the water too was red; as red as blood.As he listened to the tree's hushed song, he felt a great stillness overwhelm him.His storms were there, deep inside, but Tancred knew he could control them.His strange talent had lost its grip on him [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]