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TEST 8
On November 11, America celebrated the end of the War. But at Thornehill quite a
different sort of celebration took place on that date every year. It was the birthday of Laura
Elizabeth Thorne and her twin brother, Jackson Thorne III, known as Sonny.
For this birthday, the twins’ sixth, Grace, their grandmother, had hired a small
traveling circus. The weather turned bad that morning, so the tent was brought in and set up
in the mansion ballroom.
Sonny and Laura had gone behind the circus tent to look at the wooden monkey she’d
won. She turned it over to Sonny to take apart and see how it worked. Sonny’s hobby was
the despair of the household. Any object with articulated parts was in danger of taking to
pieces. He had once taken apart a music box of Grace’s with such thoroughness that it was
hours before anyone figured out what all those tiny pans had once been part of.
Laura didn’t share his curiosity, but was ready to accompany him. And when he got
in trouble, she insisted on sharing his punishment as well. Neither Grace nor Evelyn had
foreseen that
such a bond
would grow between the children. Like some real twins, they
were very unlike each other. Sonny had the same straight dark hair and clear blue eyes his
father had had as a boy. Laura was a full two inc hes taller, with fair hair that curled slightly
and would probably turn black to match her brown eyes resembling her grandmother —
Gram. Sonny was still busy with bits of the monkey when Jackson came around the back of
the tent. “There you two are. Your mama and gram were worried about you.”
“I gave Sonny my monkey to take apart," said Laura and as Jackson did not pay
attention, she added, “Look, Daddy.” “That’s a baby toy. I have something really exciting
to show you. The circus man has some ponies outside .” Sonny took a step toward Laura and
went pale. “I don’t like ponies.” “These aren’t big horses, just ponies. You’ll like them,”
Jackson said. “Get your coat and come outside. Act like a man, son.” “He’s not a man,
Daddy. He’s a little boy.” “When I need your opinion, missy, I’ll ask for it. Now, Sonny,
you come along and ride a pony.” “I don't want to!”
“I didn’t ask you if you wanted. I'm telling you you’re going to do as I say.” “I’ll
come too,” Laura offered. Sonny was beginning to cry and she knew when he cried Daddy got
really mad. “Ponies are just little things,” she told Sonny confidently as they went up the stairs to
get their coats. “Like dogs,” she added. They both found out how wrong she was when they got
outside. Sonny started crying and Jackson grabbed him by the arm and marched him up to the
animals. “Which one do you want to ride?” “I don’t want to!” Jackson slapped him on the shoulder.
“Which one?” “The white one,” Sonny sobbed.“Me too. I want to ride the white one. Can we ride
together?” Laura asked. Her knees were trembling and she jumped as the pony snorted. The pony’s
owner took Sonny up and placed him on the back of the white animal. Then the little girl in front.
He pulled on the reins and started walking across the wide lawn. Jackson rode behind them. They
came around the side of the house and were in sight of the ballroom windows. “Wave at Mama and
Gram, Sonny,” Jackson said. Laura glanced at the windows and raised her free arm. “Wave,
Sonny!” she whispered. “I can’t, I’ll fall off,” he replied, both arms wrapped so tightly around her
she could hardly breathe. “Yes, you can. Just one arm.” Sonny tried, but it was a disaster. As he
waved, the pony turned its head, jumped, and rushed forward. Laura was terrified, unable to do or
think anything. She realized that they were gradually slipping to the left. She tried to bend forward,
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