Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster — page 9
valuable information he had decided to give them all the money in his pockets When the Sweep did secure work he would get paid a coin or sometimes sometimes even two coins On his way out the door he would always warn the homeowner to burn the chimney hot all night long just in case any sparrows sparrows tried to make a nest up there This was a special joke between the girl and the Sweep and it was all the girl could do not to spoil things by laughing Later that night once the sun had set and the town was asleep they would return to the same house and the girl would clamber up the rain gutter to the edge of the roof and let down a rope for the Sweep to follow after her Then walking very carefully so as not to make any noise they would lay blankets against the smoking chimney stack which was warm to the touch and make their beds Most children despise bedtime and will do anything to avoid it This is because they are forced to sleep under scratchy covers inside stifling houses If they could sleep like the girl and her Sweep on warm rooftops beneath a canopy of stars they would understand just how magical bedtime bedtime could be As they stared into the infinite dark sometimes the Sweep would tell the girl stories about their day Other times they would just lie in silence But every night ended the same way with her falling asleep against his chest as he stroked her hair and sang her their special lullaby PART ONE INNOCENCE