Summary: 8th story in The Battle of Wills series.  The Cartwrights go into town so Marie can order baby furniture and Adam can get a haircut. Hoss goes shopping with Marie and, while in the store, he overhears her conversation with two elderly ladies about food cravings and whether the baby will be a boy or a girl. Which of course leads to questions.

Rated K+    Word Count=4384

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Cartwrights or Bonanza. No copyright infringement is intended. Original plot and characters are property of the author. This story is for entertainment and no money was made from it.

Reviews from the Old Library are on the last page.

The Battle of Wills Series:

Begins
Education is More than 3R’s
The Shadow of Jean deMarigny
A Gift Horse
New Expectations
Remembering Childhoods
A Room Full of Memories
A New Pattern
Naming the Newest Cartwright
Presents from the Heart
Love’s Labor
Big Brother Lessons
No Regrets
Baby’s Breath
Ennui

A New Pattern

Marie had finally persuaded Ben to take her into town for a shopping trip.  He didn’t think that she should do much traveling in her condition.  That always made Marie laugh.  Her husband obviously hadn’t made comments like that to his second wife, Inger.  She had traveled over rough country while carrying Hoss.  When reminded, Ben always fussed that that had been different.  If Marie asked how, Ben always became flustered and claimed it just was.  Then Marie got her way.

This shopping trip was mostly for baby furniture.  Marie wanted to order a bassinet and a crib.  She had overheard Adam telling his father that he could make those items, which would be better crafted than anything store-bought.  When Ben had told his son that Marie preferred to order those items, Adam became angry and said it was wasteful to buy items that could be made.  She knew Adam could make furniture, but she worried about the sturdiness of a bassinet made by an eleven year old.

Adam and Hoss were coming along on this trip.  Hoss just wanted to go to the mercantile to ogle the jars of candy.  The boy knew if he behaved, his parents would reward him with a penny’s worth of licorice.  Ben was going to take Adam to the barbershop for a haircut. Adam’s curly hair was now falling over his ears, which annoyed Ben.  The elder Cartwright son was no longer a little boy who could sport a mop of curls—at least in his father’s eyes.

As the wagon slowly made its way to Virginia City, Adam read from The Pioneers.  Hoss, as usual, chattered nonstop about the countryside.  How Hoss could see something different every time in this stretch of landscape was beyond Adam.  The scenery included the same rocks, plants, and trees.  Marie was only too happy to indulge Hoss with questions about the scenery.  All Adam could do was tune out the conversation and concentrate on his book.

After what seemed an eternity, at least to Adam, the wagon rolled into Virginia City.  Ben pulled the wagon up to the hitching post outside of the mercantile.  He jumped down from the bench seat and then helped Marie down.  Feeling eyes on him, Ben looked around and saw Mrs. Ford and Widow Avery watching with disapproving looks.  No doubt the old biddies thought Marie should be cooped up on the Ponderosa instead of in town.  Instead of shooting the ladies a glare, Ben just nodded his head and tipped his hat.  The ladies nodded back and headed for the mercantile.  He hoped that they wouldn’t pester Marie about coming into town in her condition.

The boys got out of the wagon and stood on the sidewalk.  Adam had noticed the exchange of looks between his father and the two older ladies.  He thought Marie should be at the house, too.  Pregnancy had been different for Mama—they were traveling with the wagon train then.  And Mama worked as hard as most of the men did, without complaint.  Marie seemed very delicate compared to Mama.

Hoss was starting to fidget with impatience by the time Ben and Marie joined him and Adam on the sidewalk.  “You mind Mama in the store, Hoss.”

“Yes, Sir” the boy answered.

“Come on, Adam.  Let’s go visit the barber.”

“Yes, Sir” was the sullen answer.

Marie took Hoss’ hand and went into the mercantile.  “Good morning, Mr. Anderson” she said with a smile.

“Good morning, Mrs. Cartwright.  How may I help you today?”

“I’d like to look at your sales samples.  We need some new dishes.”

“Did you have a particular pattern in mind?”

“Not really.  I was hoping you could show me some different styles.”

“I keep the samples in the back.  Excuse me while I go get those for you.”

“Thank you” she replied with a smile.

“Can I look around, Mama?”

“Oui, mon fils.  But please be careful.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Avery took the opportunity to abandon their examination of fabrics to approach Marie.  The two older ladies decided to offer their opinions on the sex of the child she carried.

“Good morning, Mrs. Cartwright” said Ginny Avery.  “You’re looking well for a lady in your condition.”

Marie began to grit her teeth but turned and said as sweetly as possible “Good morning, Mrs. Avery.  Good morning, Mrs. Ford.  I am doing well.  Thank you for your concern.”

Mrs. Ford said “I do believe Mr. Cartwright is looking quite healthy.  And you certainly look like a rose in full bloom.  You must be expecting a girl.  Have you chosen a name?”

Before Marie could tell Mrs. Ford to mind her own business, Mrs. Avery gave her opinion.  “Why, Clara, it’s obvious that Mrs. Cartwright is going to give Mr. Cartwright another son.  You should be sure to eat lots of that beef Mr. Cartwright runs so the baby will be a fine, strapping boy.”

“Are you craving pies and cakes, Mrs. Cartwright?” asked Mrs. Ford.  “That’s a sure sign the baby will be a girl, Ginny.”

“But, Clara” said Mrs. Avery, “if Mrs. Cartwright is salting all of her food, then the baby is definitely a boy.  Are you craving sweet or salt, Mrs. Cartwright?”

Marie tried to snap off an answer, but Mrs. Ford was saying “Mr. Cartwright must want a daughter.  He’s got two boys already.  He certainly doesn’t need a third.”

“But, Ginny, every man wants strapping sons to carry on his name.  Teddy is proud of his five sons.”

“Just because you only had boys doesn’t mean that your husband never wanted a girl.  God didn’t see fit to let any of my children live.  But I can tell you that my Simon would have been just as proud of a daughter as a son.”

“A man needs sons to help him work the land and tend the stock, Ginny.  Besides, who will take care of things after a man passes?”

“That’s just nonsense, Clara.  A woman can plow just as easily as a man.  Women have brains, too, and can do figures as easily as a man.”

Before the two women could debate any further, Mr. Anderson reappeared with five small, wooden chests containing samples.  “Here we are, Mrs. Cartwright, the latest setting samples I have.”

“If you ladies will excuse me?” Marie said as politely as she could.  She would have preferred to admonish Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Avery for their prying, but she knew Ben would not approve of her treating the old biddies disrespectfully.

Hoss had overheard the ladies as they asked Mama questions.  He hadn’t decided if he wanted a brother or sister yet.  How long did he have to make up his mind?  Did Adam tell his birth mother that he wanted a brother?  Is that how this worked?  Mrs. Ford had said Mama had to eat cakes and pies to have a girl while Mrs. Avery said Mama had to eat meat for a boy.  Mama had been eating lots of bacon at breakfast, but she had also been eating lots of cookies, too.  Maybe she hadn’t made up her mind yet about a boy or a girl.

Marie was looking at the samples and trying to eliminate patterns from further consideration.  They were using a blue willow pattern now, but the dishes were full of chips and cracks.  Ben had bought those while married to Inger and the dishes had survived the journey west.  Marie didn’t mind using another woman’s dishes, but the dishes hadn’t fared so well in a house full of men.  Ben, the boys, and Hop Sing weren’t very careful when stacking the dishes, which resulted in wear and tear.

The floral pattern was pretty, but she didn’t think the boys would appreciate eating off of such pretty plates, especially when company was at the table.  “I’m finished with the blue willow and this floral pattern, Mr. Anderson.”

“Well, that leaves these three to choose from” he said as he closed the chests for the patterns no longer under consideration.

Now she was faced with a set that was plain except for bands of blue, red, and black around the edges, a set with country scenes done in green, and a set with animals in pink.  Marie didn’t care for the set with the bands of color on the edge.  “I don’t like this set either” she told Mr. Anderson while indicating the banded pattern.  He closed that chest, too, leaving the final two patterns.

Marie lifted a plate from the green set and a plate from the pink set from their respective chests.  She felt there was just something odd about eating from dishes with scenes of smiling couples.  Who wanted to be enjoying a bowl of soup and then be confronted with a smiling face?  The set with the animals was adorable, she thought, and reflected the Ponderosa.  “Hoss, would you come help me choose a pattern?”

Hoss left the shelf with the hats to go up to the counter.  Mama was going to let him help choose the plates.  He was excited!  Now he was glad that Adam had to get his hair cut.

Marie showed Hoss the two samples.  He carefully looked over each one.  The smiling people looked like they were having fun and the green sure was pretty.  But he did like the cows on the pink one.  The cow looked funny, like it was looking over its shoulder.  “Which one do you like, mon fils?”

“This one” he answered, pointing to his preference.

“So do I” she answered with a smile.  “I’d like to order this set, Mr. Anderson.”

“How many place settings will you be needing?”

“Eight should be enough.”

“Will you need serving dishes, too?”

“Yes, we will.”

“I’ll get the order information together.”  With that, Mr. Anderson closed the chest containing the rejected set and took it to the back along with the other three sets.

“Those are pretty plates, Mama.  Ya think Papa’ll like ‘em?”

With a smile, Marie said “I believe he will, mon fils.”

Marie then turned her attention to the bolts of fabric.  She would be needing more clothes as her waistline expanded.  Hoss provided his opinion on patterns and colors as she looked through the bolts.

“No, mon fils, I don’t believe this fabric will flatter me.  The flowers are so large that I’ll look like a house.”

Hoss giggled at the thought.  Maybe dark colors would be better, Marie thought, since they might minimize her girth later on.

“I like this one, Mama” said Hoss tugging at a bolt of bright yellow fabric.  Marie felt practically blinded even though she was inside the store.

“Perhaps for some trim, mon fils, not an entire dress.”

“Could ya make me a shirt outta this?” he asked hopefully.

Marie fixed Hoss with a skeptical look and asked “Are you sure, mon fils?”

“Yes, Mama.”

Marie shook her head as she pulled the bolt out of the stack.  For herself, she finally settled on navy blue, a small floral print, a dark green (which would compliment her eyes), and brown.

Hoss helped her carry the bolts up to the counter for Mr. Anderson to cut off the appropriate amount of fabric from each bolt.  Mr. Anderson looked at Marie and blushed.  He knew that her measurements were going to be changing, but he wasn’t sure how to tactfully ask the amount of fabric she would need.  Marie realized that Mr. Anderson was uncomfortable and said “Just double my usual pattern requirements.”  With a relieved smile, Mr. Anderson answered “Yes, Ma’am.”

The door opened and Dr. Martin entered.  He removed his hat when he saw Marie and said “Good morning, Mrs. Cartwright.  Hoss.  How are you both today?”

“We’re well, thank you” she answered with a smile.

“How have you been feeling, Mrs. Cartwright?  Any sickness?”

“Non, doctor.  Absolutely none.”

“Mrs. Avery says Mama should eat lotsa meat for a boy and Mrs. Ford says Mama should eat lotsa pies for a girl.  Is that true?”

Paul shot Marie a look of surprise and then tried to answer the five year old’s question.  “Ladies sometimes crave different foods than normal in this condition.  Some folks believe that eating certain foods will make the baby a boy or a girl.  I personally don’t think there’s any truth to that.”

“Papa always says too much candy’ll rot my teeth.  That ain’t true, huh?”

The doctor was actually relieved that Hoss had switched to another topic.  “Your father is right, young man.  Too many sweets can harm your teeth.”

“Is Mama gonna really get as big as a house?”

Marie turned scarlet at Hoss’ question.  Even Paul blushed.  Before he could even begin to come up with an answer, the door opened and both Ben and Adam walked in.

Adam was wearing a frown on his face.  He felt the barber had practically scalped him.  Whenever he said that enough had been taken off, Pa said “A bit more.”  What did it matter what his hair looked like?  It was under his hat when he was outside.

“Hi, Paul” said Ben extending his hand to the doctor.

“Hello, Ben.  I was telling Hoss that too much candy is bad for his teeth.”

“Listen to the doctor, Son.  He’s right.”

Marie looked at Adam and was disappointed to see his curls were gone.  Those curls framed his face so well.  At least Ben was the one who suggested the haircut, she thought with relief.  Adam would probably hold a grudge if she had been the one to make the suggestion.

“I’ve been good, Papa.  Can I have some candy?”

“He’s behaved very well, mon chere.  He even helped me pick out new dishes.”

Ben raised an eyebrow.  He thought she was ordering baby furniture.

She gestured for him to come up to the counter to see the sample dishes.  Ben and Adam looked over the plates.  “This is what you want?” Ben asked.

“But…but…they’re pink!” said Adam in disbelief.

“But, Adam, they got cows on ‘em.  Ain’t that somethin’?”

“They’re pink!!”

“Well, they’re certainly different, darling.  Are you sure this is the pattern you want?”

“Oui, mon chere.  I thought they reflected the Ponderosa.  Do you like them?”

Ben was trying to craft an answer when Paul came up for a look.  “That’s a nice pattern, Mrs. Cartwright.  It’s very popular in Pittsburgh.”

“But who wants to eat off of a steer’s butt?!?” asked Adam, still reeling in disbelief.

“Watch your language, young man” said Ben sternly.

“Yes, Sir” was the sullen reply.  At a glare from his father, Adam added “I’m sorry, Ma’am.”

“What about the crib and the bassinet?” Ben asked as Mr. Anderson returned from the back with packages of wrapped fabric.

Marie looked at Adam and caught his eye.  “I thought that perhaps a hand-crafted crib might be sturdier than a store-bought one.  Perhaps you and Adam could make one?”

Adam looked surprised and then said “Yes, Ma’am.  Pa and I could make a fine looking crib for the baby.”

Marie smiled and said “I know the baby will love it since it’s been made by you.”

Adam smiled for the first time that day.  He would make the best crib ever.  After all, this was for his newest brother or sister.

Ben mouthed “Thank you” to Marie and then went to the licorice jar.  He pulled out a penny’s worth for both Hoss and Adam.  “Would you care for some candy, Paul?  My treat.”

“No thank you” said Paul with a smile.

“How about joining us at the International House for lunch then?”

“Please do, Doctor” said Marie with a smile.

“All right.  Thank you very much.”

Ben paid for the candy and then gathered up Marie’s fabric purchases.  The family and the doctor then left the store for the hotel restaurant.  Adam was lost in thought about the crib while Hoss was thinking about what Mama should eat for lunch.

Sitting down at a table, Ben asked Paul “Are you keeping busy here?”

“More so than I would have thought.  I never realized how dangerous ranching can be.  Small cuts become infected quickly and broken limbs seem to be a regular occurrence for bronco busters.”  Ben nodded his head in agreement.

While waiting for the waiter, Hoss asked “Do you want a brother or sister, Adam?”

“I’ve already got a little brother.  A little sister might be a nice change.”

The adults smiled at this.  “Which do you want, Mama?”

“I want a healthy baby, mon fils.  We’ll just have to wait until the baby comes to see if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“Which do you want, Papa?”

“I’ve got two sons.  A daughter would be a nice addition.”

As the waiter approached the table, Hoss said “Ya better just eat some dessert, Mama.  That way you’ll be sure to have a girl.”

Marie blushed, Paul looked out the window, and Ben’s jaw dropped.  “Where did you hear that, Son?”  Ben finally asked.

“Mrs. Ford said that Mama’ll have a girl if she eats sweets.  You and Adam want a girl, so Mama should just eat some pie or cake.”

“You shouldn’t listen to Mrs. Ford, Hoss” admonished Ben.

“Wouldn’t it be wrong to not listen to her?”

How could Ben make Hoss realize that sometimes people are full of nonsense?  “Some people hold to certain ideas that have no basis in fact.  It sounds like Mrs. Ford might be one of those people.  Do you understand?”

It was obvious from the look on Hoss’ face that he didn’t.  “Mrs. Ford is a gossiping biddy, Hoss.  She’s always giving folks advice they can’t use.”

“That’s enough, Adam” said Ben.  He was embarrassed that Paul had witnessed this conversation.

“You’re right, Adam” said Paul.  “I’ve noticed that she always wants to give me advice on how to treat different medical conditions.  She means well, I’m sure.”

The waiter reached the table to take their orders.  Marie ordered a pork chop and mashed potatoes.  Hoss thought that Mama must want a boy, she was ordering meat.  Everyone else ordered steaks, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

When the waiter came to clear the empty dishes, Marie asked what kind of pies had been baked.  “Apple and cherry, Ma’am” was the answer.  “I’ll have a slice of apple pie.”  “Yes, Ma’am” answered the waiter.  As he turned to walk back to the kitchen, Marie said “Non, I’ll have a slice of cherry pie.”  “Yes, Ma’am” he again answered.  As the waiter headed for the kitchen, Marie said loudly “I’d rather the apple pie.”

Frustrated, the waiter turned to glare at her, his arms full of dishes.  Ben said “Bring her a slice of each.”  “Yes, Sir” replied the waiter.

Hoss was now confused—meat for a boy and sweets for a girl.  Mama couldn’t make up her mind about the pie.  What did that mean?  Was it possible to have a boy and a girl?

Before the boy could ask any questions, the waiter appeared with two slices of pie.  He set these down in front of Marie and quickly headed back for the kitchen.  She took a bite from each, gave a satisfied sigh, and said “I can’t hold another bite, mon chere.”

Ben looked at her in disbelief.  He reached over, picked up the plates, and set them in front of the boys.  “You two share your mother’s dessert.”

“Yes, Sir” replied Hoss eagerly.  He always had room for dessert.

“I’m glad to see that you’re doing so well, Mrs. Cartwright” said Paul.  “If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Thank you, Doctor, but I think it will be a while yet before we need your services.”

“Let’s hope so” he answered with a smile.  Paul then stood and said “Thank you for lunch, Ben.  It’s always a delight to share a meal with your family.”

Ben stood and extended his hand to the doctor.  “Our pleasure, Paul.  Come by the Ponderosa any time for coffee or a meal.”

“Thank you, Ben, Ma’am, boys.”  With that, Paul left the restaurant.

Seeing that the boys had finished the slices of pie, Ben said “We should be getting home.  Are you ready?”

“Oui, mon chere.”  “Yes, Sir.”

Once in the wagon and headed for home, Adam went back to reading and Hoss was unusually silent.  He was thinking about what Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Avery had said.  Maybe he could check with Hop Sing to see what Mama should eat.  But he didn’t know if he wanted a brother or sister.

Finally pulling into the yard at the Ponderosa, Ben was relieved to be home.  Marie looked in the back of the wagon and saw that both Hoss and Adam were asleep.  When Ben stopped the wagon and set the brake, Marie nudged him and whispered “Look in the back, mon chere.”

Ben turned to look and a smile spread across his face.  His boys appeared so angelic in sleep.  He had to admit that Adam looked far less boyish without his curls.  Perhaps he should have listened to Marie.  At least the curls would grow back soon.

Jumping down from the wagon, Ben reached up to help Marie down.  He began to usher her into the house when she asked “What about the boys?”  “I’ll get Hop Sing to help me with them.”

Ben was glad that Marie had decided on a hand-made crib.  He knew Adam would make it sturdy and fine-looking.  And the boy would make it with great pride.  After all, it would be for the newest Cartwright.

Coming out of the house with Hop Sing, Ben was surprised to see Adam sitting up, wiping the sleep from his eyes.  “Ya want me to wake up Hoss?” he asked.  “No” Ben said as he climbed into the back of the wagon.  He gently picked up his younger son and handed him down to Hop Sing.  The cook cradled Hoss gently in his arms and took the boy into the house.  Settling Hoss on the settee, Hop Sing gently ruffled the boy’s hair and whispered to him in Chinese.

Adam helped his father put up the wagon, unhitch the team, and take care of the animals.  “Why did Marie change her mind about the crib?” he asked his father.

“It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, Son.  Maybe she decided that a store-bought crib wouldn’t get here in time.  Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter.  I know you’ll do a fine job, Adam.  Just let me know if you need anything.”

“Aren’t you gonna help me?”

“Only if you need me to.  I know you can make the crib on your own.  Besides, this can be your special gift for the baby.”

Adam smiled from ear-to-ear at that.  Pa had confidence in his carpentry skills.  And this would be something from just him to the baby.  Now he was glad Marie had changed her mind.  If her taste in cribs was anything like her taste in plate patterns, who knows what she would have selected.

As Adam and Ben finished up, the boy asked “Do you really want a girl?”  Ben answered “A daughter would be a nice addition, but like your mother, I just want a healthy baby.”

“Me too, Pa” said Adam.  With that, they headed for the house, content that they shared the same concerns about the coming baby.

The End

June 2007

Next Story in The Battle of Wills Series:

Naming the Newest Cartwright
Presents from the Heart
Love’s Labor
Big Brother Lessons
No Regrets
Baby’s Breath
Ennui