"The dust returns to the ground it came from, the Spirit returns to the Lord who gave it." "Even in sorrow we thank you Lord." "For Jim Shaw has gone home." "Home." "I don't see as I've got the strength to drive us home." "I can." "I just wanted to go with you, just one time." "Mandie, you're gonna ruin your dress." "No." "Ned." "Come home with us." "Please." "I see you tonight, Papoose." "Go home." "Daddy says he does have family." "But then he died without saying who they were or where." "You have me." "I want real family." "What is real family?" "Relatives." "People with my blood." "I got plenty of real family like your Mother and Irene." "They don't amount to nothing compared to you." "They amount to everything." "So what are you gonna do?" "Could you please take that creature out of here?" "Child, I feel right sorry for you." "Etta must have done lost her mind with grief to be hiring you out." "Fact is, after watching you work, I'd take you in myself if I had the room." "Be a lot better than living two counties away with them Bryson folks." "Poor thing." "You won't never get to see your friends or family, with you?" "Momma!" "Why did my husband die?" "We'd be leaving right now." "WELL. I shot a rabbit." "First try." "Bulls-eye." "That a girl." " l told him the mossy rock was slippery." " Watch out for that mossy one!" "But he didn't believe me." "NO!" "DADDY!" "My Daddy is strong." "DADDY!" "You should have seen him all sopping wet fight that wolf." "I had his arms balanced over my shoulders and I talked non-stop." "Convinced him that there was nothing to be afraid of." "lied. I was terrified." "Come here." "Daddy, now can I go on a hunting trip with you?" "When you can shoot an arrow into the deer target's heart, then you can come." "You' get your bulls-eye next year for sure." "I hate it when you leave. I hate being home alone with Momma and Irene." "Once upon a time, there lived an Indian princess." "I get the big one!" "The big one's mine!" "Don't I Momma?" "Yes Darling." "Hello little kitty!" "Oh thank you Daddy!" "Achooo!" "Please keep that cat out of my face and out of my kitchen and off of my bed." "One for Irene." "And another for Irene." "Daddy, wasn't I a good girl this year?" "I'm at least better than Irene." "You're the best girl." "Always." "I had planned to wait till you were older." "But." "Daddy, now can I go on a hunting trip with you?" "When you can shoot an arrow into the deer target's heart, then you can come." "Bulls-eye!" " Wanna read with me?" " No, I want to sew." "Then I'll read to you." "Please?" "If you distract me, my stitches won't be pretty." "Oh my, wouldn't that be tragic." "I'll read with you." "No, tell me the Indian Princess story." "I hate that story." " Once upon a time - - ln the land of falling waters and rising earth " " The Cherokee Indians lived in peace." " But the winds of greed " "Brought soldiers on horseback who drove a Cherokee from their homes." "And marched them for many moons along the trail of tears." " But there were some " " Who refused to leave the land of their ancestors." "Whispers say than an Indian princess and her pregnant sister were given shelter in a roomlike a cathedral with windows so high only eagles could see through." "Stop, stop, stop!" "You can't just skip the whole middle." "Tell me the part about the campfire fight and boulder mountain and the white archer." "I wish the Indian Princess was real." "I wish she was my big sister." "Jim?" " Did you milk the cows this morning?" " Yes sir." "And I hauled water." "You don't have any family anywhere?" "No." "Well then when are you and Momma gonna have me a baby brother?" "We're not." "But brothers aren't good for anything except causing a ruckus." " Hello Ned!" " Papoose!" "Can I come with you?" "It'll be forever before I hit the bulls-eye." "Please let me go." "Too little Papoose." "Take care of Momma and Irene now." "Daddy!" "For Snowball." "The Indian Princess fought furiously with her family around the flickering fire." "Father and brothers wanted to stay in their home and and hide from the soldiers." "But the wise princess, who they called Talitha Pindar, argued." "How long can we elude soldiers with a pregnant woman?" "As Princess Talitha sewed, Father silenced the family." "They would stay on their and and they would hide." "You treat them Injuns better than you treat your own family." "I wish I was an Indian Princess." "You'd take me on your hunting trips, wouldn't you?" " l might." " You would." "You'll hit your bulls-eye sooner than you think." "Tell me the Indian Princess story." "All of it." "Once upon a time, there lived an Indian Princess." "Mandie!" "You think you could shoot us something for dinner?" " Whew!" "I'm freezing." " Wanna go in?" "Yeah." "Kinda drafty in here, isn't it?" " Take me with you." "Anywhere." " Papoose." "We have to find Snowball and go to Daddy's grave." "AMANDA SHAW!" "Or else you'll never see me again." "'Cause Momma's hiring me out for work for someone far, far away." "AMANDA!" "Zach!" "That lnjun is kidnapping my daughter!" "AMANDA!" "AMANDA SHAW!" "STOP, lNJUN!" "There be major consequences for kidnapping!" "AMANDA!" "MANDlE SHAW!" " AMANDA!" " Go." "Now." "Daddy needs flowers." " Mandie!" " Amanda, where are you?" " Mandie!" "You have Uncle." "Father's brother." "We go!" "HELLO!" "Ssshhhhhh!" "We go!" "Whoah." "Well hey Snowball." "Boys, that there is the meanest, meowinest excuse for a kitty-cat I ever saw." "It'll be my distinct pleasure to put him out of my misery." "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." "Run Snowball!" "Ned." "What's my Uncle's name?" "John." "Uncle John's house, behind mountain." "Without a moment to lose, the Indian Princess and her family raced through an open field." "The galloping of pursuing soldiers echoed louder and louder." "If they could only reach the top of boulder mountain they would find safety for a few moons." "Upward they pushed, grateful for the hide and seek rocks that provided cover." "AH!" "But exhaust on and pain overcame." "Father promised he would return for them, but deep down, they all knew it would be too late." "Whoah!" "Whoah!" "Ned." "Do you know Uncle John?" "Many w nters ago." "Why don't I?" "Best ask Uncle John." "What's he like?" "You see tomorrow." "Go on." "We not come." "Go." "To family." "Big love there." "When will I see you again?" "Soon." "Go." "What in heaven's blue blazes are you?" "Where's Uncle John?" "Stay put right here." "Are you Uncle John?" "Are you an angel?" "I am Samuel, an artist." "And you are my painting, the painting." "Perfect." " Hello." " Hello." "You don't look a thing like my Father." "Well I should think not." "But then neither do you, except for the eyes." "I'm Jason Bond, the estate keeper." "Where's Uncle John?" "Where's your Father?" "You knew him?" "Knew him?" "No." "Oh." "Come right here." "Right here." "Where's Uncle John?" "John Shaw took a boat for Europe not long ago." "And this week we received a message." "There's been a terrible storm." "Oh, I'm so sorry, child." "So sorry." "That's right, let it out." "Them tears need to see the light of day, yes they do." " l'm so sorry." " Do you have a Mother?" "The kind that wouldn't care if she never saw me again." " What's your name, pudding cakes?" " Mandie." "Liza, Miss Mandie needs something hot going right away." "Should be leftover biscuits, ham, and some baked apples to start." " Yes Ma'am." " And she should have a bath." "l'm too tired to haul any water." " Child, pipes haul our water." "Samuel, run a hot bath in the French room." "Anything for the Angel, sir." "Why are you being so nice to me?" "I have nobody, I am nobody." "I'm just some runaway dirtying up your mansion." "Stuffin' nonsense Miss Mandie." "Having nobody don't equate to being nobody." "Liza, I'll finish the cooking." "You take her on up and see if you can salvage any hair out of this here rat nest." " How'd you do that?" " You never seen electricity?" "You want light, you just flip the switch right here." "Energy travels through the wires hidden in the walls all over the house." "Who built this place?" "Your Grandpa." "John Shaw Senior." "You even got your own bathroom." "What's a bathroom?" "I thinks I need the whole bottle for this here rat's nest." "I can wash my own hair." "Now Miss Mandie...." "Ain't nobody in all of North Carolina who can give a head-washing like Liza Louise." "May the good Lord bless your dreams, child." "Aunt Lou, do you have family, chidren?" "I have four, and I suspect they's a getting reacquainted with your Father right about now." "A four?" "I'm so sorry." "I ran away the night of the funeral ." "The running was good, kept me busy." "But tomorrow, when I wake up and my Daddy and Uncle are gone what do I do all day long?" "What you do, is you don't fight the pain." "You feel it." "And I'll feel it with you, and Mr. Jason Bond too." "And you ask the Good Lord to hurt with you." "He suffered as much as everybody in the whole world combined which means He'll comfort you better than any of us." "I'm sorry, but I'm not asking God for anything." "I'm too mad at him." "is that wrong?" "No, Child." "Fact is, you oughta tell him you're mad." "And keep telling him as long as you are." "And one day, you might find that you ask him to help you to stop being mad." "I'll think about it." "How in heaven's name did that child get here?" "I have no idea." "I wonder how much she knows." "Well, as private as that family is, probably not much." "And I'll tell you something Lou, we're gonna keep our mouths shut too." "I cannot find Mr. John's will." "Can't find the will?" "What in tarnation are you doing wasting precious time down here for?" "Because it could be anywhere." "Mr. Jason." "Where do you find a man's heart?" "Same place you find his treasure." "Am I right?" "Well just flip it around." "Because we know where his heart was." "Third floor." "And the hidden places." "Why don't you just run right up there, Lou, and start searching?" "No sir." "Precisely." "I know." "Let's get Miss Mandie to help you." "She needs something to do and if she knew her Daddy might be included in the will " "No, no, no." "I won't get her hopes up like that." "Not until I know exactly who's in that will." "Well there's much more possibilties when the hopes is raised." "You do know that hot eggs taste better than cold ones, don't ya?" "Did you sleep we last night?" "Good." "I, uh, was wondering if I could enlist your help." "He's in a fix." "And he really needs you and your Shaw way of thinking, but you best hurry." "Aunt Lou. I wonder if you could bring us some honey for the biscuits." " Coming right up." " Thank you very much." "Your Uncle John had a will." "Now it's possible, just possible that he left most of what he owned to your Daddy." "Which would mean it would all pass to you and you would never have to go back to that Momma of yours." "It's just a possibility, Mandie." "Don't get your hopes up." "Why would he leave anything to a man he wasn't speaking to?" "Because the only legitimate relatives he has are in Virginia." "Distant cousins. I don't think he ever met them." "Ah, perfect timing." "Excuse me." "Excuse me." "Momma said it wouldn't be polite to come over before ten o'clock." "But I couldn't wait a single moment longer to meet my new friend. I apologize." "I assure you Miss Mandie won't mind your neglection of etiquette." "I'm Polly Cornwallis, and I get to spend the next five nights with you!" "Momma said this past week's been nothing but rotten, and I want you to know..... ....that I've got just the cheerful disposition you need to be around." "Now, first thing we must do is cajole Aunt Lou into sewing you some new clothes.... ...because that dress, I apologize, is not fit for the trash heap." "Aunt Lou can do a fitting right after lunch." "I love Providential timing!" "I've never had a new dress in all my life." "You be one deprived child." "But we gonna enjoy fixing that." "Thank you, Liza." "Jason Bond." "A pleasure to finally meet you." "I am Miss Gaynelle Snow, John Shaw's niece." "I was, I am devastated." "But since part of the inheritance will be mine I've come to offer you my assistance in helping you sort through his things." "Ah hah." "I have a cousin?" "No." "Well I don't believe I know this beautiful young lady." "This beautiful young lady is John Shaw's niece, Mandie." "Oh my sweet dear, I have always wanted another girl in the family." "My Mother was John's youngest sister." "Grew up in Richmond, Virginia and was sent away at a very young age and died bringing me into this world." "Do you think I could have a room next to my long lost cousin?" "You know, Miss Snow, it's a peculiar thing, I don't ever remember John Shaw mentioning a sister." "Well, ain't we just the place to be this blessed morning." "Just come on in." "Hello." "My name is Bayne Locke." " l am John Shaw's nephew." " Ah." " Here to claim my part " " Of the inheritance." "Of course, of course." "Well this is just fascinating, they're coming from a over the country to claim his property." " Sir, John Shaw's sister was my Mother." " Ah." " She died." " Oh." "In childbirth." "And in what town were you born?" "Richmond, Virginia." "Richmond, Virginia." "Well this is a coincidence." "So was she." " Oh!" " Maybe you two are twins, separated..." " ...at birth perhaps." " l always wanted a brother." "Oh, well l have the papers to prove it." "How will we be dividing the estate?" "Come here." "We will be dividing the estate according to the will." "Oh." "Good." "Good, good." "May I see it, please?" "No." "No, no." "Not now, not ever." "Bring in my bag." "Bring in your own bag." "Liza, tell Aunt Lou that we're now running a free hotel." "And would you please take our guests up to their rooms?" "Yes Sir." "Oh and I am famished." "Might I bother you to scare up a small bite from the kitchen for me?" " lf it's not too much trouble." " Yes Ma'am." "And I would like a full breakfast, please." "Take Polly." "Go to the third floor." "Be quiet." "Perhaps I should choose fabric for your new dress instead." "No!" "That needs redecorating." "The white archer sailed often to the orient." "He loved the colors he found there." "Jade especially." "Hidden timber guarded two entrances to two secret passageways to the cathedral room." "But the hand-made, far-East treasure trunks guarded a manner of secrets." "Polly!" "Help me move this." "Jumpin' jiminey!" "I don't think Mr. Jason meant for us to search this part of the third floor." "Scared?" "Let's see where it goes." "They stepped into the unknown with a sense of unease and closed the door upon all that was familiar." "Mandie Shaw!" "I absolutely, positively will not descend into that black abyss.... ...unless escorted by a boy!" "Honest?" "Mandie!" "The Indian Princess Talitha wore a forehead braid to make wise her thoughts." "And an antler necklace to protect the secrets of her heart." "Mandie." "Look where we are." "Polly." "Ned gave this to me." " Who's Ned?" " My Indian friend." "I don't think we should be in here anymore." "I would simply be beside myself if I could move into this room." "Such vibrant colors." "So modern." "Land sakes, Miss Snow, I thought you wanted to be next to Mandie." "I did." "Oh!" "What a beautiful view." "And all hidden up here on the third floor where no one can enjoy it." "Oh you simply must come see." " Oh. I do see." " No you come right here." "You know them sheets there?" "They ain't be washed in quite some time." "Well Liza can do that this morning." "Ain't been a lick of fresh air to fly through here in years." "Well by tonight a breeze will have freshened everything up.... ...so it really isn't too much of a problem now, is it?" "Well, now, I reckon not." "If you don't mind sharing your bedroom with rats." "Rats!" "I hate rats!" "I can do lizards, snakes even spiders, anything but rats!" "A I did was follow her." "Ah." "Miss Amanda, you are without a doubt a Shaw relative." "Truth be told, you're probably better equipped to find this will than I am." "You could run across some other things as well." "Your Uncle John had a lot of secrets." "So did my Father, and I wish he hadn't." "Please let us search this room, we'll find it, I promise." "All right." "All right." "Work fast." "Stay very quiet." "And whatever you do, under no circumstances allow Ms. Snow or Mr. Locke to follow you." "If either one of them find the will first, they'll take your Daddy's name off of it, do you understand?" "Too old- ladyish." "I agree." "Miss Polly, would you help Miss Mandie pick out fabric for a fancy dress?" "Two new dresses at one time?" "Momma would say that's wasteful." "Oh!" "Ladies!" "Why didn't you tell me we were having a sewing part?" "I just love making new dresses for myself." "Oh yes." "And how many dresses do you own, Ms. Snow?" "Oh, um, only five, maybe six." "Ah!" "Cats!" "I hate cats!" "I just love making new dresses for myself." "Lovely, lovely." "What beautiful fabric!" "Miss Mandie, we'll finish up later." "Get you on outta here." "This mansion is twice the size of ours." "She's stealing!" "Remember when you were that age, Mr. Locke?" "You didn't realize how quickly you'd become the young gentleman you are today, did you?" "Samuel!" "We're in need of your assistance." "Yes, Ma'am!" "At your service." "We need a boy to go exploring with us." "Can you keep a secret?" "No Ma'am." "No one trusts me with anything." "Oh." "Well, can you keep one for me?" "Maybe." "Can't make any promises though." "My loud mouth tends to run faster than my brain can keep up." "Well do you know any boys who can keep secrets?" "No Ma'am." "Stay away from all of them." "I say anything done in moderation is perfectly acceptable." "But reading a seven-hundred and eighty-seven page book standing up seems rather excessive." "Don't you think?" "Are you sidetracked?" "I'll find that will before you ever do." "I'll find that will before you ever do." "You're positive it hasn't already been found?" "What was my Uncle like, other than rich and untidy?" "Old. I used to imagine how dapper he might look if he smiled." "Do you know what happened between him and my Father?" "I'd say only Mr. Jason knows that." " Excuse me." "Excuse me." " l done had it." "You ain't accomplishing a lick with a your pacing." "Would you please just get to work?" "What if we can't find the will?" "All I know is the Good Lord's gonna take care of Miss Mandie." "Even if it's not the way we want him to." "Now get!" "Now get?" "Now get." "I was saving it for your eighteenth birthday." "But somehow you always manage to get things out of me earlier than planned." "I can wait, Daddy." "Put it on." "Beautiful." "Joe!" "Joe could come help us!" "is he cute?" "Miss Mandie." "Would you like to try on your new dress?" "Snowball!" "Snow?" "'Scuse me, Ma'am?" "You do smell right pretty, but now this here soap is gonna make you smell even prettier." "That's 'cause of its special ingredient." "Mmmmm." "What ingredient?" "We , now surely you don't expect me to give up all my secrets." "Hmmm?" "Well I'll be darned." "You happen to hear of a little blonde girl showing up in these parts, with a white kitty-cat?" "This is too pretty to wear. I'll mess it up." "Child, that's your play dress." "Now the fancy dress, that'll be a sight to see." "This kitty-cat belong here?" "Yes." "Good." "Now, would you direct me to the most comfortable chair in the house?" "Never mind, I'll find it on my own." "No sirreeee!" "Don't you even think about laying a finger on that chair." "Do you have a name?" "I expect you know who I am." " Liza, can you mail this?" " Sure can." "May I help you?" "I expect you know who I am, so there's no need for introduction." "Quite the contrary, sir. I have no idea who you are." "Ah, well who I am is who I'm gonna be, and who I'm gonna be is Amanda Shaw's Father." "So you've come to claim your share of the inheritance?" "Ah, see. I knew you knew who I was." "What's your name?" "Zachary Hughes." "And you're going to be Mandie Shaw's Father?" "That's what I said." "But currently you are no blood relation of Miss Shaw." "Now what does that have to do with this conversation?" "Well I wouldn't want to presume incorrectly that you're going to marry Mandie's Mother?" "Well, you can presume whatever you want but that's what I plan to do." "And seeing as how Mandie is far too young to be making wise decisions for herself... I'll just be taking Mandie and her inheritance home now." "And how could you not send word of her safety?" "Her Momma is fit to be tied with worry." " Where is the girl?" " What s that terrible smell?" "Hmmmm?" "May I ask how you are employed?" "I, sir, am a purveyor of fine scented soaps, accessories, and other necessities..." " ...for the ladies." " Ah." "Soaps." "Yes, of course." "Ah, Mr. Hughes." "Follow me, please." "Mr. Hughes, you have no blood relationship with Miss Shaw." "Therefore you have no further business in this house. I bid you good day." "Well, if it's blood ye be wanting, I'll just come back with her Ma." "If you ever want to set foot in this house again, I advise you to find some soap that makes you smell like a man, and then use it!" "That man marrying my Momma?" "That's what he says." " Where does your Momma live?" " Charley Gap." "Good." "Good. lt'll take Mr. Hughes a full day to get back to his bathtub." "Now ladies, we have got to find this will." "She wore an antler necklace to protect the secrets of her heart." "Ahhhh." "But the hand-made, far-East treasure trunks guarded a manner of secrets." "Polly." "is this him?" "He is dapper, exactly how imagined him." "They look alike." "A pity the girls missed such a fine dinner." "Yes, yes it is." "I'm sure that Aunt Lou's cooking is far superior to anything you're used to, Miss Snow." "As are the accommodations." "Thank you so much for your hospitality." "Now, as to finalzing the details of the inheritance, I know that often takes time." "We're in no hurry." "At least I'm not." "Perhaps Mr. Locke has other pressing business." "Do you have other pressing business, Mr. Locke?" "No, no." "This takes precedence." "I'm trying a new perspective." "Maybe the will's not even in here." "Maybe it's down those attic stairs." "You're welcome to go look." "What happened?" "Thank you." "Nigh inseparable, these two." "Best friends, you know, even though John was fifteen years older than your Daddy." "And stubborn fools, both of them." "Fell in love with the same woman fought over her something terrible." "And parted ways." "All for nothing." "They both lost her." "I suppose that f... lf all of us had realized the rift was forever, that we would have handled ourselves a little differently." "Miss Mandie, do you know what them brothers loved doing together more than anything?" "What?" "Making music." "Yes ma'am, and this here house done been deprived of joyful noise for too long." "It was a mark of honor to be invited to the Shaw mansion to hear the brothers play.... ...the organ or the fiddle or the banjo." "And Mr. Jason here, well, he taught 'em everything they knew." "Brightly beams our Father's mercy from his lighthouse evermore." "But to us, He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore." "Let the towerlights keep burning send a gleam across the wave." "Some poor struggling, sinking sailor you may rescue, you may save." "Dark the night, the sin has settled loud the angry billows roar." "Eager eyes are watching, longing for the lights along the shore." "Let the towerlights keep burning." "Send a gleam across the wave." "Eager eyes are watching, longing for the lights along the shore." "The free hotel is full." "And the food is all ate up." "JOE!" "Hi Doctor Woodard." "Good to see you Mandie." "Joe said that he   that you missed him something terrible." "is it alright if he stays here for the next few nights while I visit patients down the mountain?" "Liza?" "We can put him in the nursery." " Let's go show him the creek!" " Maybe we'll find some crawdads." " l never saw a creek " " Whisper!" "I never saw a creek you had to go upstairs in your house to get to." "I'm Polly Cornwalls." "Joe." "Are you brave?" "'Course." "You first." "Me?" "Whispers say that the Indian Princess and her pregnant sister were given shelter in a room like a cathedral with windows so high only eagles could see through." "Many Cherokee people lived together in this hidden room, tucked away inside the walls of a great mansion." "The white archer, young though he was, built the room with his own two hands to provide refuge for his Cherokee friends." "They lived as normally as they could." "The men cleaned their rifles, sharpened blades, and tanned the hides they shot by moonlight." "The women sewed and beaded, wove baskets and cooked in the greatest fireplace Talitha had ever seen." "But her favorite thing about the cathedral room was the set of antlers carved from the head of the white archer's smelly, dead deer." "Daddy told me the story a thousand times." "He never said it was real." "Talitha clothed her nephew papoose in fabric her Mother had made dyed from the juice of a chokeberry." "Fifty Cherokee escaped the trail of tears, and hid in here for four years never seeing the light of day." "If the army had found out, they would have killed your Grandpa and everybody in here!" "Nobody ever found out." "My Grandpa was in the army." "He hated Indian overs." "Talitha's family was never seen again." "So she and the white archer started their own family." "And promised never to separate, even for a day." "I think I'm an Indian." "I told you we were going to the creek." "Now where do you think the will is?" "I don't know." "What ya looking for?" "A crawdad." " Come touch it." " He won't pinch you. I promise." "Next time you're late, you' be skipping dinner." "Sorry Liza." "We - uh " " Searched and searched all day long, and finally found a crawdad." "But Polly won't touch it." " Will you?" " No." "I'm quite sure you simply poured water on yourselves, in the bathroom." "Oh did we?" "They're delcious to eat." "Especially raw." "A true delicatessen." "Oh, my!" "You've got yourself a real keeper!" "Well I have never in my life seen one this big!" "Well she's older than you are!" "Honey, you can't get a good look at it unless you're holding it." "OW!" "I do have some more rooms, but they's much too much trouble to make up." "It's precious." "Aw." "Joe, I'm glad you came." "Joe is adorable." " l'll be back after a while." " Where ya going?" " l'll be back after a while." " Where ya going?" "I hear Uncle John dead." "Am sorry, Papoose." "How come Daddy never told me Talitha Pindar was his Mother?" "Protect Papoose." "From what?" "Broke heart." "Many people no like Indians." "She's really my Grandmother?" "Why think I call you Papoose, and give necklace?" "You never told me?" "Promise Jim, no tell." "All this time, nobody ever told me!" "To protect Papoose heart." "Ya'll failed. lt broke." "Would have been a lot easier to find out when I first asked Daddy for the truth." "Can you stay close by until we find the will?" "I keep Papoose safe." "Always." "Promise Jim long ago." "Promise Papoose now." "I'm taking my daughter home." " Who are you, Madam?" " Don't you sass me." "Where's my girl?" "Madam, I've never seen you before in my life." "How would I know who your little girl is?" "You know full well who I am. I'm Etta Shaw." "Well, well this is surprising." "You're both smelling very appropriate today." "Don't play games with me." "You're gonna take me to my Amanda this minute." "Or I'll go get the sheriff this minute." "We I'm afraid this minute, Miss Amanda's whereabouts are not known." " lf you've gone and lost my little girl " " Of course I haven't lost your little girl that would be irresponsible." "Wouldn't that be irresponsible?" "Of course it would." "Yes." "She could be down by the creek, she could be riding a horse, she could be in any number of trees." "Uh-huh." "Why isn't she helping around the house?" "Well I think that she needs a little variety in her life, wouldn't you say?" "We'll stay for supper." " Ah." " Surely she'll be back by then?" "Surely, Madam." "Sshhhhhhh!" "Mrs. Etta Shaw has arrived." "No!" " lt's okay." " Don't panic, don't panic." " No, no!" "We'll go downstairs, we'll have some early supper." "We'll come back up here and we' search all night if necessary." " Agreed?" " Agreed." "There she is!" "Do you know how worried I was?" "You know what you put me through?" "I had search parties out for three days." "How could you not send word?" "I missed you so much." "Would you have missed me when you hired me out for work too?" "Mandie!" "I don't - l don't hire my family out. i love my family." "Thank you for taking such good care of her." "And look at this pretty new dress!" "I always wished I could afford to make her one." "I wish I had family like that." "Your lnjun friend put a right ugly hole in my saddle." "Hush Mr. Hughes." "That's been forgiven." "Who improperly set my place?" "I have nothing with which to eat my dinner." "Miss Snow, I'm sure you can find a way to get them green beans down your gullet with a salad fork." "We'll be leaving right after dinner so as not to cause you any more trouble." "I know Amanda's homesick." "Well, ah, you're certainly welcome to spend the night." "I mean, we have plenty of rooms." "Well, we've a ready left Irene way too long." "But thank you for your hospitality." "Oh pity." "This house will feel so empty and quiet without you kids." "Mr. Hughes, your wheel clean fell off of your wagon." "But don't worry. I can have it fixed by midnight." "Liza, would you prepare two more rooms?" "Yes, sir." "Land sakes child, quit your whining and sit still." "I can't rub your head with you wiggling every which way, I'll for sure miss a spot." "Have the bedrooms on this floor been checked?" "On this floor, no." "What about downstairs where the Indians lived?" "Well, to my knowledge, Mr. John never went down there." "What if he did without your knowledge?" "You're right, we should be thorough." " Hurry up!" " l am" "Ssshhhhh!" "I know I done gotta be quiet." "Look at this." "I'd fight with my brother over her." "Do you think this is her?" "Must have died young." "Oh how terribly tragic." "My Father's probably not even in the will." "Hush." "Lay down here and think like Mr. John." "We all need new perspectives." "It's the same picture." "I bet the other half is hiding underneath." "How's the little angel sleeping?" "Pretty sound, eh?" "Meow." "No, you ain't going." "Wake up angel." "Morning's coming early, we're going home." "Alright, you asked for it." "A man having a picture of him and his brother in a locket is strange." "It's sweet." "Ya'll, we're sidetracked." "I don't think so." "I know his brother's underneath." "You just can't wear a lopsided locket." "Finally something that makes sense." "You sure don't look a thing like Etta." "Again, sidetracked." "The will." "The treasure trunks guarded secrets, the antler necklace protected secrets but I already have the antler necklace and it's not protecting anything." "Maybe we should check the cathedral room." "No!" "Open it." "My middle name is Elizabeth." "Ashevie, North Carolina is only six hours away from here by train." "Yeah." "Polly, she's obviously dead." "Open this door right now children!" "They'll do no such thing." "I demand to know what is going on in there." "Open this door right now or I shall break it down!" "You' have to get through me first." "Ahhhhh!" " Uncle Ned!" " Papoose I bring Uncle John." "Etta, I think the sky is falling." "Or maybe they just grow really big rats around here." "Woman, she ain't in the closet." "I'm going to sleep." "is the interrupting of my beauty rest gonna be a nightly occurrence?" "Etta." "Are we having a slumber party?" "My baby's been kidnapped." "Mr. John." "Jason." "Mr. John." "Mr. John." "I reckon my absence has caused a bit of trouble." "Just a bit, Sir, just a bit." "What in heaven's name are you doing in my home?" " Mr. Shaw. I - l - l - they said that you - - l'm not." " Mr. Shaw. I - l - l - they said that you - - l'm not." "Fortunately, I know how to swim." "Now I've asked you, Mr. Snow, what are you doing in my home?" "Mr. Snow?" "Yes." "Did you not properly introduce yourself?" "Oh, please sir. I can, I can understand." "Oh." "Help, somebody." "Sir." "Please, Mr. Shaw." "Oh, please sir. I can, I can understand." "Oh." "Help, somebody." "Sir." "Please, Mr. Shaw." "Mandie?" "Mandie?" "Mandie." "Mandie!" "Mandie?" "Mandie." "Hello Mrs. Snow." "Hello Mrs. Snow." "I am your nephew." "Ghost!" "Ghost!" "I just wanted to be here." " What was that?" " A lady screaming." "Like she done seen a ghost!" "All right Mr. Hughes, on your feet, Sir." "I don't wanna leave, I just " "We're moving out of here." "Just stay there, we'll be back." "Amanda." "Amanda?" "Ghost!" "Where's a ghost?" "Who saw a ghost?" "Aaaahhhhhh!" " l'm real, Aunt Lou, not a ghost." "Aaaahhhhhh!" " l'm real, Aunt Lou, not a ghost." "I promise." "That's what they all say!" "My baby!" "My baby!" "Oh, I thought you were killed!" "Get off of me!" "She's not even my real Momma." "Why didn't you tell me?" "Honey, it's so obvious." "Neither me nor Irene look a thing like ya." "And the only reason your Father made me promise not to tell was so you thought you had a real family." "You mean you put me through all this trouble knowing full well she wasn't your flesh and blood?" "Jason would you please escort Mr. and Mrs. Snow out?" "With great pleasure, Sir." "This way." "Well I am not leaving without my things." "And as for my brother's widow and her friend." "I volunteer." "Thank you Liza, Samuel." "Thank you Liza, Samuel." "My brother was married to that woman?" "Jason would you help Mrs. Snow carry her bag?" "I do hate to see a woman aboring under such weight." "Yes, of course, Mr. John." "Yes, of course, Mr. John." " l'll take that." " No thank you. I'm quite capable." " l insist." " No that will not be necessary." "Thank you." "You know, Mrs. Snow, you really should start learning to pack for travelling." "These are nice." "There's only one rule really." "Don't haul out what you did not haul in." "All right." "Thank you Madam." "After you." "Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Snow." "Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Snow." "I can't decide whether you look more like my Mother or Elizabeth." "They told me you were dead." "Who?" "Elizabeth's parents." "Why?" "For the same reason that they split your Father and Elizabeth up and annulled their marriage five days after their honeymoon." "...five days after their honeymoon." "They found out we were half Cherokee." "And they were not about to let Indian blood dilute their pure German ancestry." "I with Jim Shaw." "Messenger come." "Bring baby." "You." "Messenger say Elizabeth dead in childbirth." "Messenger say Elizabeth dead in childbirth." "Give you to Jim Shaw." "You knew this whole time that Etta wasn't my real mother?" "Am sorry, Papoose." "How do you go fourteen years and never make up with the only brother you had?" "I thought he would come back after his marriage was annulled." "So I waited." "He was the one who left - he took Elizabeth and Ned." "I didn't know where he went." "So I waited." "Too long." "Father would have listened to you if you would have told him to come back." "Father would have listened to you if you would have told him to come back." "What happened to Elizabeth?" "I don't know. I didn't want to know." "Jim was proud of his Indian blood." "I told him to hideit, that it'd get him in trouble." "He didn't listen to me." "I don't know if I'm proud of my Indian blood or not." "I'm glad you're not dead." "How long did it take you to clean up this place?" "Don't ask." "Mr. Shaw, where is your will?" "Can you keep a secret?" "Yes." "Sure." "Yes." "Sure." "No." "Jumpin' Jiminey." "Of all the places." "Why would anyone hide a will where no-one can find it?" "To know that, you would have to break the seal." "I don't wanna be mad anymore!" "Miss Mandie!" "If that ain't the prettiest dress this side of the Mississippi, I don't know what is." "Oh, 'Chile, hush up now." "Oh, 'Chile, hush up now." "We sailed to." "Bad weather hit us." "Five of us swam to." "Cape Hatteras, where you lived in a lighthouse for a whole weak." "Are there crawdads in the ocean?" "Excuse me." "Miss Mandie's new dress is ready." "She'll be a sight to see." "Never knew it could take so long to put on a dress." "Liza, if that's a stranger, don't open the door." "Liza, if that's a stranger, don't open the door." "We'll endure the ringing until they go away." "Who is it?" "Summon Miss Mandie and Mr. John."