Summary:  Hop Sing tries to help the Cartwrights overcome the death of Marie.
Rating:  G  9,950 words

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Part of the Family

  

 

Hop Sing’s heart ached for the four figures standing in front of him.  It was bad enough for him, but he could only begin to imagine how difficult all this was for the man around whom the three boys clustered.  Ben Cartwright stood with sagging shoulders and bent head, his eyes fixated on the ground before him, his face a mask of despair and grief.

 

Only two days ago this family had been so happy and carefree and now…this tragedy was threatening to rip them apart.  Mr Cartwright had hardly spoken since his wife had been so tragically killed.  He had hardly acknowledged anyone’s presence at all.  His eyes were glazed with a faraway expression and his movements were slow and dull.  The way he stared at the coffin in front of him made Hop Sing think that he was wishing he was in it as well and the thought made him shudder.

 

Around him his three boys stood by his side.  Adam, as always, resolutely steadfast and aware of his father’s grief as well as his own and trying desperately to reach his father but unable to find the way to do so. His face was pale and drawn with grief and worry.  Hoss, caught up in his own grief and looking to his father and brother to help him to be strong, but not wanting to appear to be leaning on them too much.  Little Joe, looking around with wide eyes as he clutched at Adam’s hand, not understanding the enormity of what was happening but picking up on the grief and suffering around him nevertheless.

 

Hop Sing sighed as the coffin was lowered into the ground.  With it went a part of all their lives and he just hoped that his family would be able to find a way to rise above this tragedy. He watched as Adam urged his father to leave and was shaken off yet again as he had been so many times before during the last two days.  The young man looked pleadingly at Hop Sing with tears in his own eyes and Hop Sing stepped forward.

 

‘Mister Cartwright go home now,’ he said firmly. Ben shook his head and continued to gaze at the hole in front of him. Hop Sing pulled on his arm, not willing to give up and allow this man to give into his grief completely. ‘Time for supper soon!’ he said in his usual bossy tone. ‘Hop Sing not want family to be late.’

 

Ben looked at him vaguely, hearing the familiar chant and latching onto it in his grief. ‘Of course Hop Sing,’ he said quietly. ‘Come on boys.’

 

Adam gave Hop Sing a grateful glance and led his brothers over to the buggy while Hop Sing followed.

 

———-

 

 

‘Coffee Mr Cartwright?’ asked Hop Sing kindly as he offered the cup to the man sitting before the fireplace.  When there was no response he tried again. ‘Mr Cartwright drink coffee?’ he asked.

 

Ben looked up at the sound of his name. ‘No thank you Hop Sing,’ he said quietly and went back to looking into the fire. Hop Sing shook his head and placed the cup down on the table in front of the man. He stood and looked at him for a few moments, wishing in his heart that he had the words to express his sorrow over what had happened, but knowing that his broken English could never be enough to say what he really felt.  The best thing he could do for his family now was to watch over them and try to keep them going until they were ready to take up the threads of their lives again.

 

Hop Sing turned to the table where the three boys were seated and frowned. ‘Boys eat!’ he commanded loudly. ‘No good not eat!’

 

Hoss gave him a watery smile and began to eat his supper.  Adam acknowledged the remark with a nod and picked up his fork, but Hop Sing noticed that the food never quite made it to his mouth.  Little Joe sank down in his seat and pouted. ‘Don’t want it!’ he declared, as was his usual fashion when told to do something.

 

Hop Sing frowned at the youngest Cartwright. ‘You eat!’ he said.

 

Little Joe continued to glare at his plate but didn’t attempt to pick up his fork. Adam looked across at him and said quietly. ‘You’d better eat something little buddy.’

 

‘Don’t wanna!’ declared Little Joe again and pushed his fork away. ‘You ain’t, so why should I?’

 

Adam sighed and put a forkful of food into his mouth as he watched his brother. ‘I am,’ he said. ‘Come on.’

 

‘No!’

 

Adam stole a glance at the man on the sofa but there was no reaction from him. ‘Come on little buddy,’ he said. ‘Just have a bit.’

 

‘No!’

 

Adam sighed. ‘Well then it’s time to go to bed,’ he said, noting the dark rings under the child’s eyes.

 

‘Don’t wanna go to bed!’ declared Little Joe with a further pout.

 

‘Don’t be naughty,’ said Hoss between mouthfuls. ‘Ya gotta go ta bed Little Joe. How about I take ya up and we’ll have a story together?’

 

Little Joe got straight off his chair and Adam shot Hoss a grateful smile as his brother took the little boy’s hand and they walked away from the table together. He watched as Little Joe hesitated near his father and looked at him apprehensively. ‘Night Papa,’ he said in a small voice.

 

Ben looked at his little boy and patted him on the head. ‘Good night son,’ he said. ‘Sleep tight.’  Little Joe frowned as his father turned his face back towards the fire again and then shrugged his shoulders and allowed himself to be led up the stairs by Hoss.

 

Adam looked at Hop Sing and then stood up and joined his father on the sofa. ‘Pa?’ he said. When his father didn’t answer he tried again. ‘Pa?’

 

‘Yes son?’ answered his father while still looking into the fire.

 

‘What do you want me to do tomorrow?’

 

‘Whatever you like.’

 

Adam gave a small sigh. ‘I mean about the herd.  We need to move them don’t we?  And… I mean it’s been a week now since…the funeral.  Don’t you think we should get back to work?’

 

Ben continued to stare into the fire. ‘Whatever you think is best Adam,’ he said in the same dull voice. ‘I’ll leave it up to you where to put them.’

 

Adam tried again. ‘I was thinking that Hoss should go back to school…don’t you think?’

 

‘Yes.’

 

‘Are you going to take him tomorrow then?’

 

‘I’m sure he can get there by himself.’

 

‘What about Joe?’

 

‘What about him?’

 

‘Well if I go out to the herd, who’ll look after him?’ Ben said nothing. ‘Pa?’

 

‘Adam, if you don’t mind I’d like to be by myself for a while. Excuse me.’ Ben stood up and walked outside.

 

Hop Sing walked over to Adam and put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Not worry about little boy,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing look after him.’

 

Adam smiled up at him. ‘Thanks Hop Sing,’ he said.

 

‘Hop Sing look after father too.’

 

Adam stood up. ‘I’d better go up and check on those two,’ he said. ‘Night.’

 

‘Good night Mr Adam.’  Hop Sing followed the young man up the stairs with his eyes, then turned and looked silently at the closed front door through which Ben had left. He shook his head silently and walked out to the kitchen.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Take basket and show Papa,’ suggested Hop Sing. ‘Show how many eggs.’  Anything to get the man interested in something other than staring into the fire, thought the cook in despair.  It had been like this for the past three days.  Each morning he and Adam would try and interest Ben in something that was going on around the house or the ranch and each morning they would be met with a stony silence.  Ben would then spend the rest of the day sitting by the fire, only roused by Hop Sing’s insistence that he occasionally eat or drink something.  He didn’t speak to anyone, he didn’t look at anyone and he certainly didn’t acknowledge anyone except when he was forced to.

 

Each day Adam went out and did his best to keep things going around the ranch and came home each night looking more drawn as the days went on. Hoss left for school each morning and then set to work helping his brother as soon as he got home.  Ben seemed oblivious to either of them.  Little Joe was the biggest concern to Hop Sing.  The child hadn’t yet started school and was constantly underfoot at the best of times, but now it seemed that he was a total loss as to what to do.

 

At first he had kept his distance from Hop Sing, used to being with either his father or his brother, but it hadn’t taken much effort to encourage him to accompany the cook as he did his usual round of chores.  Normally a happy and chatty child, Hop Sing noticed that the boy was unusually quiet now and did as he was asked without comment or argument.  He tried to keep him occupied with simple tasks, always keeping one eye on him at the same time.  As the days went on, the child clung closer and closer to the man’s side.

 

‘Show Papa,’ Hop Sing urged again.

 

The little boy looked up at him sadly and shook his head. ‘He won’t wanna see them,’ he said finally.

 

Hop Sing gave him a small push. ‘Go!’ he said and watched as the child approached his father.

 

‘Look!’ said Little Joe, thrusting the basket under Ben’s nose. ‘Me and Hop Sing collected the eggs.

 

Ben stared at his son for a moment without speaking. Finally he said. ‘That’s good Little Joe.’

 

The child grinned at his father upon hearing his reply. Suddenly the words came tumbling out. ‘We got lots!’ he said excitedly. ‘There was one big chicken that tried to peck me. Look!’ He held up his hand for his father’s inspection, but Ben had turned back towards the fire again. ‘Look,’ he insisted, thrusting the small hand under his father’s nose.  He frowned as he got no response from the man and turned away from him and back towards Hop Sing sadly.

 

Hop Sing and Little Joe stared at each other for a moment. ‘Come into kitchen for get lunch,’ the cook finally said. As Little Joe stood on a chair and helped him prepare the food, Hop Sing thought about the man sitting in the other room. Since he had first come to work for the Cartwrights a few years ago, he had greatly admired Ben Cartwright.  He had always seemed to Hop Sing to be a just and honourable man who was a wonderful example to his sons.  When Missy Cartwright had joined the family she had brought sunshine into their world and it was clear that Mr Cartwright adored her. The birth of the little boy beside him had been cause for great rejoicing and every time Hop Sing saw either of his parents look at the child he knew just how much they cherished him.

 

That’s why it was so hard for Little Joe understand his father’s attitude towards him at the moment.  Hop Sing could see that the little boy was aching for his father’s touch and the absentminded acknowledgment he was receiving was not nearly enough to soothe his feelings.  That and the fact that his brothers were just too busy to pay him much mind at the moment made Hop Sing’s heart ache for the child. He saw the confusion and hurt in his eyes as his father brushed him aside and wanted to shake the man for it.

 

But Hop Sing knew that Mr Cartwright wasn’t hurting his son deliberately.  He wasn’t hurting any of them deliberately.  He was just trying to come to grips with his loss the only way he knew how and all Hop Sing could hope was that he did eventually come to terms with it.  In the meantime he would continue to keep the little boy close to him and watch over the two older ones as best he could.

 

 

———

 

 

Ben wandered away from the table absentmindedly as Adam gave him a frustrated look. He turned to Hoss. ‘You’d better get off to school,’ he said shortly.

 

Hoss stuffed the last of the bread rolls into his mouth. ‘OK,’ he said. ‘I’ll see ya this afternoon Adam.  Bye shortshanks!’  He ruffled his little brother’s curls as he passed his chair and Little Joe stared at him in silence.  There was a time when the action would have made him giggle delightedly, but those days seemed to be gone.

 

Adam and Little Joe stared at each other. ‘Eat your breakfast,’ said Adam quietly.

 

The little boy continued to stare at him for a few moments. ‘Can I come wiv you today Adam?’ he asked quietly.

 

Adam shook his head. ‘No little buddy.  I’m sorry, but you can’t.  I’ve got lots of work to do and you’d only be bored.’

 

‘No I wouldn’t!’ the child declared. ‘I can help ya!’

 

‘Sorry Joe.  No,’ said Adam.  He watched his little brother stick out his lower lip and frown. Before he could speak again, Adam added. ‘I said no and I meant it.  Why don’t you do something with Pa today?’  He looked across at his father hopefully, but the man didn’t seem to have heard.

 

Joe frowned even more. ‘Pa don’t want me ta stay wiv him,’ he said. ‘He don’t like me no more.’

 

‘Of course Pa likes you!’ declared Adam, willing the man on the sofa to react. When he didn’t he lowered his voice and whispered to the child next to him. ‘He’s just still sad that’s all.’

 

‘When will he stop being sad?’

 

Adam shook his head and took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know little buddy.  Soon I hope.’

 

Hop Sing had heard the exchange between the brothers and stepped forward at Adam’s words. ‘Supplies needed today Mr Adam,’ he said. ‘I take little boy into town with me?’

 

Little Joe’s eyes lit up at the cook’s words and he turned to his brother eagerly. ‘Can I Adam?’ he asked. ‘Please?’

 

Adam glanced over a the sofa again, but there was no movement from his father. ‘I don’t see why not,’ he said. ‘Thank you Hop Sing.  And you,’ he turned to his little brother. ‘You behave yourself all right?’

 

Little Joe nodded eagerly, his eyes still bright. ‘I will,’ he said. ‘I’ll help wiv the supplies.  Me and Hop is friends ain’t we Hop Sing?’

 

Hop Sing grunted at him and left the room, not willing to show his emotion.  Having the child along with him was going to take the trip longer, but he reasoned that it would be worth it to see that look on his face for a while longer.  It seemed so long since he’d seen it.

 

 

———-

 

 

Hop Sing turned the buckboard down a side street, holding onto the small boy beside him as they rounded the corner. ‘Where’re we going now Hop Sing?’ asked Little Joe excitedly.

 

‘Visit honourable uncle before return home,’ said Hop Sing. ‘Visit every time come into town.’

 

‘Do ya? Where’s he live?’

 

Hop Sing drew the horses to a halt. ‘Here,’ he said, getting down from the buckboard and lifting the child down as well. He held up a finger in front of the boy’s face. ‘Best manners!’

 

Little Joe nodded silently, his eyes wide as he looked at the building in front of him.  It was a small shack surrounded by many others of similar ilk, with a low porch.  ‘What’s that?’ he said as they approached the porch.

 

‘Wind-chimes,’ replied Hop Sing.

 

‘What’re they for?’

 

‘To make spirits watch over house,’ replied Hop Sing as he entered the building, pulling the boy alongside him. ‘Honourable uncle,’ he said, bowing from the waist and letting his pigtail drop in front of him.

 

The old man seated by the fire stood up and bowed to Hop Sing. ‘Honourable nephew,’ he said. ‘Greetings and welcome to my humble house.’  He looked at the child who stared back at him with wide green eyes. ‘And who is this visitor to my home?’ he asked politely.

 

‘I’m Joe Cartwright,’ said Little Joe pleasantly. ‘Pleased ta meet ya sir.’  He held out his hand politely as he had seen his father and brothers do when they met someone.

 

The old man looked at him intently for a moment and then made a deep bow to the child. ‘Welcome to my home most honourable child,’ he said.

 

Little Joe hesitated for a moment and then grinned.  He bent forward and gave the man a deep bow from his waist and said, ‘Thank you.’

 

Hop Sing and his uncle both hid smiles behind their hands. ‘Honourable child has excellent manners,’ said the old man. ‘My name is Hop Ling, uncle to Hop Sing.’

 

Little Joe frowned. ‘Them names are nearly the same,’ he said. ‘How come?’

 

‘Our given name is said last,’ explained Hop Ling, ‘preceded by our family name.’

 

‘Oh I see,’ said Little Joe, not seeing at all.

 

Hop Ling motioned for his two visitors to be seated and left the room. ‘Where’s he going?’ asked Little Joe in a whisper loud enough to be heard throughout the entire house. Hop Sing merely frowned at him and motioned for him to be quiet.  Little Joe sat back in his chair and looked around the room.  It was very small and cluttered with imaginable treasures that the five year-old itched to get his hands on. He was just about to ask Hop Sing if he could explore, when Hop Ling returned again bearing a tray with three cups.

 

Little Joe watched carefully as the man poured three cupfuls of tea out from the pot and handed them around.  He took one, carefully, conscious that it was very hot. He watched as both men sipped from their cups and made to do the same. ‘Ow!’ he shouted and gave Hop Sing an anxious look. ‘It’s hot!’

 

‘Little boy blow on drink,’ said Hop Sing. ‘Like this.’  He blew gently onto his tea and then took another sip.  Little Joe copied his actions and discovered that the tea wasn’t quite so hot this time.  He continued to blow into the cup, watching the ripples his breath made on the surface as he listened to the two men talking together in Chinese.  He didn’t much care for the taste of the tea, but didn’t want to appear impolite.

 

After a while, he put down his cup and leant towards Hop Sing. ‘Can I look at them things while you’re talking wiv your uncle?’ he asked in a loud whisper.

 

Hop Ling smiled at him. ‘I think this may amuse honourable child,’ he said and held out a small block of wood to the boy.

 

‘What is it?’ asked Little Joe as he turned the wood over and over in his hands.

 

Hop Ling took it gently from him and pulled it into two pieces, then replaced them together again before handing it back to the child. ‘You try,’ he said.

 

Little Joe pulled the pieces apart and then tried to fit them together again.  It wasn’t as easy as it looked and he took several attempts to master it. ‘I did it!’ he said delightedly.  Hop Ling smiled at him again.

 

For several minutes the block of wood held the child’s attention as the two men continued their discussion and by the time Hop Sing stood up to leave he noticed that the boys was fully engrossed in the puzzle. ‘Time to leave,’ he said.

 

Little Joe looked up at him. ‘Do we haveta?’ he said.

 

Hop Sing nodded and then turned to his uncle. ‘Honourable uncle,’ he said and Little Joe watched as the ritual of the bowing began again.  Not to be outdone, he quickly stood up and bowed to both men, one after the other. ‘Bye,’ he said as he held out the block of wood to Hop Ling.

 

Hop Ling stared at the small child in front of him. ‘You may take it honourable child,’ he said.  His nephew had told him of the Cartwright family’s troubles and he wanted to bring some happiness to the boy.  He was instantly rewarded for his words by the look of delight in Little Joe’s eyes.

 

‘Really?’ he said happily. ‘Gee thanks Mr Hop Ling.’  He hugged the block of wood to him and smiled happily as he took Hop Sing’s hand.

 

Later on during the trip home, he turned to the cook. ‘Was that Chinese you was talking wiv ya uncle Hop Sing?’ he asked.

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Language of honourable ancestors.’

 

‘Could ya teach me some of them words?’ asked Little Joe.

 

Hop Sing stared at him. ‘Why little boy want speak Chinese?’ he asked, surprised.

 

‘Cause I want ta learn it,’ replied Little Joe. ‘Then I can thank ya uncle properly and talk to you in it too.  Don’t ya sometimes wanna talk in it?’

 

Hop Sing was startled by the child’s perceptiveness.  There were times when he craved to hear his native tongue spoken and his trips to town were sometimes few and far between. ‘Yes,’ he said shortly.

 

‘Then how do ya say ‘thank you’ in Chinese?’ asked Little Joe happily.

 

Hop Sing spent the rest of the journey saying simple Chinese phrases for the little boy to repeat.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Here Pa,’ said Adam as he handed his father a glass of brandy. ‘This might make you feel better.’

 

‘No thank you son,’ replied his father. ‘Not tonight.’

 

Adam rolled his eyes at Hoss, who shrugged his shoulders. Little Joe stared at the glass in his brother’s hand. ‘Them’s spirits ain’t they Adam?’ he asked.

 

‘What?’

 

Little Joe pointed to the glass. ‘That drink for Pa.  Them’s spirits ain’t they?’

 

Adam frowned. ‘Yes,’ he said shortly and downed the drink himself.  Lord knows he felt he needed it after the week he had had.  If his father didn’t rouse himself from his lethargy soon, he felt that he would yell at the man.  Not only was he trying to keep the ranch running without any guidance, but he was trying to keep his two brothers happy as well.

 

‘Hop Sing’s uncle has that drink on the roof of his house,’ said Little Joe, forcing his brother out of his thoughts.

 

‘What did you say?’ he asked, startled.

 

He has it on his roof,’ repeated his little brother patiently. ‘Hop Sing said so.’

 

Adam looked at him, momentarily confused. Little Joe tried to make his brother understand. ‘He has them wind things to tell ya there’s a bottle of spirits on the roof of the house.’

 

Hop Sing spoke from behind them. ‘Little boy talks of wind-chimes that attract spirits to honourable uncle’s house,’ he explained with a deadpan expression.

 

Adam hid a smile. ‘I see,’ he said, trying not to laugh at the little boy. ‘So did you have a good time today little buddy?’

 

‘Sure did!’ said Little Joe, climbing onto his brother’s lap and ignoring his father. ‘We had to blow on our drinks like this,’ he demonstrated how he had blown on his tea. ‘And Mr Hop Ling gave me a piece of wood to pull apart.’

 

‘Chinese toy,’ explained Hop Sing.

 

‘Really?’ said Hoss. ‘Where is it?’

 

‘Upstairs,’ said Little Joe, hopping off Adam’s lap and taking Hoss’ hand. ‘Ya wanna see?’

 

‘Sure,’ said Hoss.

 

‘When you’ve had a look, get into your nightshirts,’ said Adam, wondering how many more nights he’d have to see to it that his brothers got to bed on time. ‘I’ll come up and read you a story.’

 

‘OK,’ said Hoss. ‘Night Pa.’

 

Ben looked at Hoss wearily. ‘Night son,’ he said flatly.

 

‘Night Pa,’ said Little Joe happily.  He hesitated before turning to face his father and giving him a low bow from his waist, then doing the same to Adam. ‘Goodnight onabull father.  Goodnight onabull brother.’  He gave a cheeky grin and followed Hoss up the stairs.

 

Adam laughed aloud as he watched his brothers depart. ‘Thank you for taking him today Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘It sure did him good, don’t you think Pa?’

 

Ben nodded silently.

 

 

———-

 

 

Adam listened amazed as Little Joe turned and thanked Hop Sing in Chinese for his breakfast. ‘Where did you learn that?’ he asked the little boy.

 

‘Hop Sing teached me,’ replied Little Joe. ‘He’s real smart cause he can talk in Chinese.’

 

Adam stared at his little brother thoughtfully. He had spent years trying to help the man perfect his English, yet it had never occurred to him to learn Chinese while he was doing it.

 

‘Hop Sing gets lonely for Chinese talk,’ explained Little Joe. ‘He likes me to talk it wiv him. I’m learning some words every day.’

 

‘So I see,’ said Adam.

 

‘Is all right?’ asked Hop Sing.

 

‘Of course it’s all right,’ replied Adam. ‘Don’t you think so Pa?’

 

Ben nodded vaguely, but said nothing.

 

What we doing today then Hop Sing?’ asked Little Joe, smiling at the cook.

 

‘Work in garden,’ replied Hop Sing.

 

‘Oh boy!’ said Little Joe and hopped down from his chair. ‘I’ll get my hat.  See ya Adam, see ya Hoss!’  He ran to the stairs and ran up them two at a time.  Adam frowned as he realised that his little brother hadn’t even included his father at all in his goodbyes.  It was as if the man was gradually withdrawing from their family group and that worried him. He wondered how they could all go on like this.  He couldn’t count the number of times he’d tried to talk to the man, only to be brushed aside.  Surely someone could get through to him?

 

Suddenly he sat up straight as an idea formed in his head. ‘I think I’ll ride into town with you this morning Hoss,’ he said. ‘I’ve got something to do in there.’

 

‘Sure,’ said Hoss getting up. ‘See ya Pa.’

 

‘Bye son,’ said Ben quietly as he stared into his coffee cup.

 

‘Bye Pa,’ said Adam. He waited for a moment and when no reply was forthcoming, turned to Hop Sing. ‘Say goodbye to Little Joe for us please Hop Sing. Have a good day.’

 

Hop Sing nodded to him and began to clear the table.  The man still seated at it didn’t acknowledge his movements in any way.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Adam!’ Sheriff Roy Coffee looked up from his paperwork and smiled at his friend’s son. ‘Come on in and sit down. Coffee?’

 

Adam nodded as he sat down. ‘Thanks Roy,’ he said.

 

‘So how is everyone?’ asked Roy as he handed him a cup. ‘Your father any better?’

 

Adam shook his head. ‘No.  If anything he’s more depressed,’ he said. ‘That’s why I’ve come to see you actually.’

 

Roy looked at the young man closely. ‘You’re having a bad time of it aren’t you?’ he asked.

 

Adam nodded. ‘It’s not easy,’ he admitted. ‘There’s Hoss and Little Joe to look after…’

 

‘I saw Hop Sing in town with him yesterday,’ interrupted Roy.

 

‘Yes.  He’s been great with him.  He’s a real part of the family you know.  I don’t know what I do without him.’

 

‘And you?  How are you coping?’

 

Adam rubbed a hand over his eyes wearily. ‘I’m just worn out to tell you the truth.  Trying to keep the ranch going and keep Hoss and Joe happy is hard enough, but then there’s Pa.’

 

‘What can I do to help?’

 

Adam smiled at the man. ‘I was hoping you’d ask that,’ he said. ‘I was wondering if you might be able to talk to Pa for me.  I’ve tried to get through to him, but I just can’t.  I know he’s grieving so much Roy, but so are we and he just doesn’t seem to realise how much Hoss and Little Joe need him.’

 

‘And you,’ said Roy, placing a hand on Adam’s shoulder.

 

Adam nodded, his voice breaking slightly as he said, ‘Yes.  I need him too and I just don’t know how to get to him.’  He looked a the Sheriff pleadingly. ‘Do you think you could try?’

 

‘Of course I will,’ said Roy kindly. ‘I’d do anything to help.  The only problem is I’ve got to go to Carson City this afternoon for a couple of days, but I’ll come out as soon as I get back.  Is that all right?’

 

Adam stood up. ‘Yes, that’d be fine,’ he said. ‘Thank you Roy.’

 

‘You look after yourself Adam,’ said the man kindly. ‘Remember that there’s plenty of folks around here who’d only be too happy to help if you say the word.  Keep that in mind son.’

 

Adam smiled at him. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘I will.’

 

Roy sighed as the young man left his office. Ben Cartwright had been his best friend since the family had arrived in Nevada and he had meant what he said.  He was prepared to say whatever it took to get him to face life again.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Thank you Mr Harris,’ said Hop Sing, giving the shopkeeper a slight bow as he took Little Joe’s hand. ‘Everything loaded now.’

 

‘No problem Hop Sing,’ replied Sam Harris. ‘Say hello to your Papa for me won’t you Little Joe? Here.’  He held out a liquorice stick to the boy with a kind smile.

 

‘Thank you!’ said Little Joe with a big grin.  He put the end of the candy into his mouth and began to suck on it, clutching onto Hop Sing with his other hand. As they left the shop he smiled up at the cook.  Hop Sing looked down at the small boy and smiled back, momentarily surprised at his own display of affection.

 

‘Hold on there Chinaman,’ said a rough voice in front of them. ‘Where ya going?’

 

Little Joe looked up to see a rough-faced man with two companions behind him.  He was smiling nastily at Hop Sing as he leant against the post. ‘Where ya going?’ he asked again.

 

Hop Sing gave a small bow and tightened his grip on Little Joe’s hand. ‘To buggy,’ he said with another small bow.  He took a step forward but was stopped by the man blocking his way.

 

‘This is the little Cartwright brat ain’t it?’ asked the man with a sneer at Little Joe. ‘What ya doing with him Chinaman?  Does Ben Cartwright know you’ve got his kid?’

 

‘Hop Sing work for Mr Cartwright,’ said the cook.  ‘Please let past now.’

 

‘Just a minute,’ said the man nastily and pushed Hop Sing backwards so that he nearly stumbled.

 

Little Joe looked up at the man. ‘You leave Hop Sing alone!’ he said angrily. ‘He done nuthin to you!’

 

The three men laughed. ‘So the brat has a voice!’ said one.  He bent down and looked at Little Joe closely. ‘Whatcha doing with a Chinaman boy?’

 

Little Joe glared at the man and took his liquorice stick out of his mouth to speak. ‘Hop Sing’s my friend!’ he declared. ‘He’s part of our family.’

 

Hop Sing jerked at the child’s remark.  It was true that in his own mind he considered himself a part of the Cartwright family, but he had never for one moment presumed that any of them felt the same.  T o hear the child’s words sent a strange feeling through him.

 

‘Really?’ said the man nastily. ‘Well little man I wonder what your Pa would say if he heard that you thought you were related to a Chinaman eh?’ The other two men laughed at his joke. Little Joe glared at him and stuck out his tongue, which only served to make all three men laugh even more. Hop Sing pulled Little Joe by the arm and tried to get past the men. ‘I said to hold on there!’ said the first man and pushed him again.

 

Hop Sing lost his balance momentarily and let go of Little Joe’s hand to steady himself and at that moment the little boy ran forward and hit the man on the hip.  ‘You leave Hop Sing alone!’ he shouted. The man laughed again and put a hand on the child’s head to keep him at a distance.

 

‘Well look at this!’ he said. ‘The Cartwright brat is looking for a fight.’  He pushed the child backwards and Little Joe fell heavily on the porch.  Hop Sing bent to pick him up and noticed a large graze on his cheek.

 

‘What’s going on here?’  Sheriff Roy Coffee’s voice came from behind them and caused all three men to turn around sharply. ‘Morning Sheriff Coffee,’ said the first man as he tipped his hat. ‘Boy here took a fall.’

 

Roy Coffee glanced around and took in the situation immediately. ‘I want you three out of town,’ he said firmly. ‘Get!’

 

The first man opened his mouth to protest and then closed it again. ‘Come on,’ he said to his companions. ‘No point arguing here.’

 

Roy turned to Hop Sing who was helping Little Joe up from the ground. ‘Is the boy all right?’ he asked the cook.

 

Hop Sing examined Little Joe’s face carefully. ‘Will be,’ he said. ‘Take home and fix up.’

 

‘Here.  Let me help you.’  Roy picked up the little boy who was whimpering and placed him carefully in the buckboard. ‘There you go Little Joe,’ said the man with a kindly pat on his head. ‘You’ll be all right.  Hop Sing will look after you now.’ He turned to the cook. ‘See you get straight home Hop Sing.  I wouldn’t put it past those three to hang around even though I’ve warned them off.’

 

‘Yes Mr Sheriff,’ said Hop Sing as he got up on the buckboard. He was surprised to feel Little Joe sidling up to him immediately and cuddling into his side.  He put an arm around the boy and drew him close.

 

‘And tell Adam I’ll be out later today to see his father,’ said the Sheriff. ‘He’ll know what for.’

 

Hop Sing nodded again. ‘I will,’ he said.

 

‘Ain’t we going ta your onabull uncle’s house today?’ sniffed Little Joe as they took off down the street.

 

‘Not today little boy,’ replied Hop Sing. ‘Go straight home now.’  He tightened his grip on the small boy as he drove with one hand.

 

 

———-

 

 

 

 

‘Is he all right?’ asked Adam anxiously.

 

‘Yes,’ replied Hop Sing. ‘Put salve on hurt face and make stay in bed.  Little boy not want stay though.’

 

‘I’ll bet he didn’t,’ said Adam. ‘Hop Sing I’m sorry that happened to you.  I’m sure that Roy Coffee will see to it that whoever they are stay right away from town in the future.’

 

Hop Sing shrugged. ‘Hop Sing used to it,’ he said. ‘Sorry little boy see that all.’

 

Adam looked at the man thoughtfully. Somehow it hadn’t occurred to him before just how difficult it must be for the man with the amount of prejudice that abounded in the district. ‘Well thank you for looking after Little Joe so well,’ he said. ‘I’ll just go up and see him before lunch.’

 

As he entered his brother’s room, he smiled to see the little boy sitting in his bed surrounded by all his soldiers.  He seemed to be staging quite a war with them. ‘Hi little buddy,’ said Adam. ‘Are you feeling any better?’

 

Little Joe looked up at his brother. ‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing said I haveta stay in bed.  I don’t haveta do I Adam?  I can get up now can’t I?’

 

Adam shook his head. ‘No you can’t,’ he said as he turned the boy’s face upwards and inspected his face. ‘That’s a nasty graze you’ve got there little buddy.  It’s going to be quite a bruise soon.’

 

‘I’m all right!’ declared Little Joe. ‘It don’t hurt much.’

 

‘That’s good,’ replied his brother. ‘Did Pa have a look at it?’

 

Little Joe bent his head again and fiddled with his soldiers. ‘No,’ he said shortly. ‘Pa don’t care.’

 

Adam sighed. ‘He does care Little Joe,’ he said. ‘I told you…he’s just still sad that’s all.’

 

‘Cause of Mama,’ said the little boy.

 

‘Yes.  He misses her.’

 

‘I miss her too,’ the child said sadly.

 

‘I know.  We all do.’  Adam searched for something to say. ‘But we’re lucky we’ve got Hop Sing to look after us until Pa feels better aren’t we?’

 

Little Joe smiled. ‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing’s part of our family now ain’t he Adam?’

 

‘Sure is.’

 

‘Adam?’

 

‘Yes?’

 

‘Why’d those men make fun of Hop Sing?  They acted like they didn’t like him, but they don’t even know him.  How come they was mean to him?’

 

Adam hesitated, unsure of how to explain prejudice to a five year-old. ‘Well…they just don’t understand Hop Sing like we do I guess,’ he said finally.

 

‘I love Hop Sing,’ said Little Joe. ‘That’s why I hit that mean man.’

 

Adam tried not to smile. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘But if that ever happens again you have to promise me you won’t hit anyone,’ he said. ‘You have to learn to keep your temper.’

 

‘Keep it where?’

 

Adam tried again. ‘You shouldn’t get angry and hit people,’ he said.

 

‘But they pushed Hop Sing!’ declared Little Joe. ‘He needed me to look after him just like he looks after me!’

 

Adam ruffled his little brother’s hair, wishing his father were there to have this conversation with the child. Suddenly he felt very tired. ‘Yeah OK,’ he said. ‘Now lay down and get some sleep.  Put your soldiers up here and you can play with them when you wake up.’  He scooped up the toys and placed them on top of the dresser and then pulled the covers up around the little boy’s chin. ‘I’ll see you later OK?’

 

‘OK.  Bye Adam,’ said little Joe as he snuggled down under the covers.

 

Adam walked wearily from the room and went in search of his father.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Mr Cartwright?’

 

Ben looked up at the sound of his name. ‘Yes?’

 

‘Sheriff Coffee here to see you,’ said Hop Sing as he waved the Sheriff into the room.

 

‘Hello Ben,’ said Roy,’ searching his friend’s face carefully and not liking what he saw.  ‘I came to see how you’re getting on.’

 

Ben gave his friend a half-smile and sighed. ‘Sit down Roy,’ he said. There was silence as the Sheriff waited for Ben to say something and then realised that he wasn’t about to.

 

‘I just wanted to make sure you’re all right,’ he said again. Ben nodded and continued to sit in silence. ‘How are the boys?’

 

‘Fine.’

 

Roy felt frustrated with his friend and wondered just how Adam and Hop Sing managed to keep their patience with him. ‘Really?’ he said. ‘How would you know?’

 

Ben jerked and turned his gaze to his friend. ‘What?’ he said.

 

‘I said how would you know?’ repeated Roy sternly. ‘Seems to me you’re not taking any notice of them, so how would you know?’

 

Ben frowned. ‘I’d appreciate it if you minded your own business!’ he snapped, confirming to Roy just how out of character he was behaving.

 

‘It is my business!’ replied Roy. ‘Those boys are as dear to me as if they were my own and I don’t like how you’re treating them.’ Ben continued to frown, but said nothing. Roy leant forward. ‘I care about you and your family,’ he said ‘And because of that I’m here to tell you to snap out of it and get back to being a father to those boys!’

 

‘You don’t understand,’ said Ben quietly.

 

‘Yes I do understand!’ said Roy. ‘I lost my wife too remember?  I understand how you’re feeling Ben, but I know that those boys need you and you’re not being fair to them.’

 

‘They’re coping,’ said Ben flatly.

 

Roy snorted. ‘Coping!’ he said. ‘I saw Adam the other day in town and the boy looks half dead!  He’s trying to keep this place going without any help from you and then you expect him to look after his brothers as well.  Well he ain’t going to be able to carry on much longer like this!’

 

Ben looked at his friend shocked. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt the boy…’ he said quietly.

 

‘Well you have! And I’m sure Hoss and Little Joe are hurting as well.  They need their Pa and like it or not you’re it!’

 

Ben put his head in his hands and was silent. ‘I just miss her so much,’ he said.

 

‘And so do they,’ said Roy in a calmer voice. ‘Grieve if you must Ben, but for God’s sake allow them to grieve with you.’

 

Ben looked up at his friend. ‘I’ll try,’ he said.

 

Roy patted his friend on the back. ‘I hope you don’t take what I’ve said the wrong way,’ he said.

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No.  You’re right Roy and I just thank you for being a good enough friend to point it out to me.’

 

That’s what friends are for,’ said the Sheriff standing up. ‘Well I have to get back to town now.  There’s a group of roughnecks hanging around and I need to keep an eye on things.’  He stopped as he reached the front door. ‘That reminds me,’ he said. ‘How’s Little Joe?’

 

‘Little Joe?’

 

‘He was hurt in town today when he was with Hop Sing,’ replied the Sheriff. ‘Nothing serious,’ he added as he saw the look in the other man’s eye. ‘Just a graze from where he was knocked down in the street.  Well you look after yourself now you hear?’  Roy left the room, leaving Ben standing by the fire.

 

 

———-

 

 

Ben entered his son’s bedroom and looked at the small boy asleep in the bed.  He sucked in his breath as he noticed the large graze on his child’s cheek and the bruise that was already forming underneath it.  What on earth had happened to the boy and why hadn’t he noticed it before?  He cursed himself silently for being such a neglectful father.

 

Ben sat down on the edge of his son’s bed and softly stroked the curly hair. The child was so much like his mother that just looking at him made Ben’s heart constrict and he felt the tears beginning to fall as he stared at the child.  Softly he drew the little boy into his arms and sat him on his lap, rocking backwards and forwards as he crooned to him.

 

Little Joe stirred and opened his eyes to see his father looking down at him. ‘Hi Papa,’ he said sleepily. He reached up and placed a small hand on his father’s face as he noticed the tears. ‘Are ya still sad for Mama?’ he asked.

 

Ben nodded at him as he continued to rock the child, all the emotions of the past few weeks coming out in a rush as he cried. Little Joe snuggled into him and put his thumb in his mouth, sucking on it noisily as his eyes closed again and he surrended himself to sleep once more.

 

———-

 

 

Hop Sing looked up from the bench where he was working at the sound of the footsteps behind him. ‘Mr Cartwright!’ he said, pleased to see the man coming into the kitchen.  It was the first time in weeks that he had seen him out of the living area or his bedroom. ‘You want coffee?’

 

‘No,’ replied Ben shortly. He gave Hop Sing an angry look. ‘What I want is an answer to a question Hop Sing.’ Hop Sing frowned, not liking the sound of the man’s voice. ‘Could you tell me why you allowed my son to be hurt in town today?’

 

Hop Sing look puzzled for a moment. ‘Little boy knocked to ground,’ he said. ‘Men did it.’

 

‘And why was he is town in the first place?’

 

‘Help Hop Sing get supplies,’ replied Hop Sing. ‘Mr Adam say OK to take little boy.’

 

Ben nodded. ‘Well I don’t appreciate you allowing him to get hurt,’ he said. ‘We have enough trouble around here without you being careless with my son.’

 

Hop Sing’s mouth dropped open and he stood in silence as the man’s words registered in his brain.  He shook his head. ‘Hop Sing not careless,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing look after little boy for Mr Cartwright.’

 

Ben turned on his heel and made to leave the room. ‘Well I’d appreciate it if you’d be more careful next time,’ he said. ‘I don’t want that child hurt because of you.’

 

Hop Sing banged a pan on the bench and rattled off some words in Chinese. Ben turned to face him. ‘What was that?’ he asked angrily.

 

‘I said father not know what going on here!’ declared the cook. ‘Need wake up to self!’  He glared at Ben angrily.  ‘Boys need father and father not look after them.   Hop Sing need do it for him.’

 

Ben flushed and took a step towards the cook, Roy Coffee’s words still ringing in his ears and his youngest son’s hurt face in his mind. It was all too much for him. ‘Don’t you dare tell me how to raise my sons,’ he said angrily. ‘You just do your job and leave me to do mine!’

 

Hop Sing banged the pot again. ‘Mr Cartwright not do job!’ he declared. ‘Hop Sing have do it for him!’ Ben stood nonplussed as the cook rattled off more Chinese phrases. ‘Hop Sing not appreciated!’ the cook continued and flung the pot on the bench one more time. ‘Hop Sing go back China!’  He stormed out of the room, leaving Ben gazing after him angrily.

———-

 

 

‘Pa?’  Adam got down from his horse, pleased to see his father standing on the front porch watching him. ‘Are you alright?’

 

Ben nodded slowly. ‘Yes. I’m alright son,’ he said. ‘Hard day?’  He noted the paleness of the boy’s face and his tired eyes.  Why hadn’t he seen it before?

 

Adam nodded. ‘Sure was,’ he said. There was silence as the two men looked at each other, both sizing up the expression on the other’s face.

 

‘You’d better go wash up,’ said Ben finally. ‘I’ll look after your horse for you.’  He took the reins from his surprised son and led the animal into the barn slowly.  Adam grinned as he turned towards the house.

 

‘Hop Sing?’ he called as he entered the dining area. He was surprised to see that the table hadn’t been laid for supper as it always was at this time of the day. ‘Hop Sing?  There was no answer from the cook, so he went down the short hallway into the kitchen.  The room was in disarray with pots and pans strewn everywhere and half-prepared food on the bench.  Adam looked around and began to panic.  Hop Sing took great pride in his kitchen and would never have left it looking like this unless there was something wrong.

 

He turned and strode over to the cook’s room and knocked on the door sharply. ‘Hop Sing?’ he called. ‘Are you in there?’

 

‘Come in Mr Adam,’ called the cook.

 

Adam opened the door and drew in a sharp breath of surprise at the sight of the cook packing his belongings into a bag.

 

‘What are you doing?’ he asked.

 

Hop Sing continued to pack. ‘Hop Sing leave Ponderosa,’ he said simply. ‘Go back to China.’

 

Adam took a step forward. ‘But Hop Sing, you can’t!’ he said anxiously. ‘We need you here!  You can’t just go!’

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘Not need now,’ he said. ‘Father getting better. Hop Sing leave.’

 

Adam frowned. ‘Did my father say something to you?’ he asked. ‘Did something happen between you?’ The cook shook his head and continued to pack. Adam grabbed him by the arm. ‘Hop Sing I want to know,’ he said. ‘What happened?’

 

Hop Sing looked at the young man in front of him. ‘Is all right Mr Adam,’ he said. ‘Father look after boys again now. You be fine.’  He bent over and began his packing again.

 

Adam stared at him for a moment and then turned and ran from the room back outside again.  When he reached the barn he halted at the sight of his father rubbing down his horse. ‘Pa!’ he yelled.

 

Ben looked at his son. ‘Yes Adam?’ he said quietly.

 

‘Hop Sing’s inside packing.  He says he’s going back to China!’

 

Ben nodded. ‘I know.’

 

Adam looked at him incredulously. ‘You know?’ he shouted. ‘Well we’ve got to stop him!’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘He’s made up his mind son.  There’s nothing we can do about it.’

 

‘What do you mean there’s nothing we can do about it?  You’ve got to go in there and tell him not to!  We need him to look after us.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Hop Sing has been here for a long time Adam and I’m sure you and your brothers will miss him.  But the fact is it’s his choice if he leaves and I’m not about to stop him.’

 

‘Why not?’

 

‘He allowed Joseph to be hurt,’ explained Ben. ‘Now I’m not asking him to leave, but if he’s going to be careless with the child then I’m not going to stop him either.’

 

Adam’s jaw dropped open. ‘What?!’ he yelled. ‘How can you say that?’

 

Ben stopped working and looked at his son. ‘Because it’s true. I’ve just been up in your little brother’s room,’ he said. ‘Joseph was pushed in town today when Hop Sing was in charge of him.  You can’t tell me that he looked after the child very well.’

 

Adam shook his head. ‘I don’t believe you!’ he yelled at his father. ‘What gives you the right to make that judgement?’

 

Ben’s eyes widened. ‘I am the boy’s father,’ he said angrily. ‘I have every right.’

 

‘Well you could have fooled me!’ replied Adam, the strain of the past few weeks catching up with him in a rush. ‘You haven’t been acting much like his father lately!’

 

Ben tried to maintain his composure. ‘I know that,’ he said in a quieter tone. ‘And I’m sorry. But it doesn’t give Hop Sing the right to be careless with the boy.’

 

Adam took a step forward, his fists clenched.  It took every ounce of control he had not to strike his father. ‘You have no idea what’s been going on around here,’ he said angrily. ‘For the past few weeks that man has held this family together Pa.  If it wasn’t for Hop Sing, well…’ Adam’s voice broke and he struggled to get the words out. ‘Well I don’t know what we would have done,’ he finally said. ‘He’s been looking after Little Joe for us every day as well as trying to help me and Hoss. He’s….Little Joe said he’s part of our family and he’s right.  You have no right to say things like that about him Pa.  No right!’  Adam turned away from his father, embarrassed to let the man see the tears that were beginning to fall down his cheeks.

 

Ben stood stunned at hearing his son’s words. After a few moments he said, ‘I’m sorry Adam.  It’s just that I got a shock when I saw your brother’s face.’

 

Adam turned back to his father. ‘I told Hop Sing he could take Little Joe into town,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t his fault that he got hurt.’

 

Ben looked shamefaced. ‘What happened?’ he asked quietly.

 

‘There were some roughnecks having a go at Hop Sing,’ replied his son. ‘You know Little Joe… he got involved before anyone could stop him and one of them pushed him.  Hop Sing couldn’t have avoided it Pa.  He’d defend that little boy with his life if he had to, you know that!’

 

Ben nodded. ‘Yes son you’re right.  I do know that.’  He stepped forward and put an arm around Adam’s shoulder. ‘I don’t know what came over me to speak to him like that.’ Adam looked silently at his father and swallowed. Ben smiled at him. ‘How about I go and talk to him about it?’  Adam nodded. Ben made to leave the barn and then hesitated. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘You know how many times he’s threatened to go back to China before and he never does.’

 

‘Yeah but he’s in there packing his things,’ said Adam. ‘He’s never done that before.’

 

Ben frowned. ‘I’ll talk to him, he said again.

 

 

———-

 

 

‘Hop Sing?  May I come in?’

 

‘Is your house,’ replied the cook shortly as he did up his bag. ‘Mr Cartwright go anywhere he want.’

 

Ben entered the room and stood silently looking at the cook for a moment. ‘I came to apologize Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘I should never have said those things to you.’ Hop Sing said nothing as he picked up his bag. ‘I’m so sorry Hop Sing,’ Ben continued. ‘You know how things have been these past few weeks and I really am not thinking clearly.  Please don’t go.’

 

Hop Sing picked up his bag. ‘Is time to go,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing need move on now.’

 

Ben held onto the man’s arm. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘The boys need you…I need you. Please.’

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘Mr Cartwright better now. Hire new cook in Virginia City now Missy Cartwright gone.  Plenty cook there.’ he said.

 

‘But we don’t want another cook.  We want you! The boys will be upset if you go. They’ll miss you.’

 

Hop Sing shrugged. ‘Boys cope,’ he said sadly. ‘Hop Sing not trusted by Mr Cartwright.  Hop Sing go.’

 

‘But I do trust you Hop Sing.  I told you I didn’t mean what I said.’

 

Hop Sing walked through the doorway and out into the living area.  At that moment the front door burst open and Hoss appeared, followed closely by Adam. Hoss looked at the cook anxiously and noticed the bag in his hand. ‘Adam said ya’re going away!’ he said. ‘Ya can’t Hop Sing!  Please don’t.’

 

Hop Sing stood in silence for a moment. ‘Must go Mr Hoss. Is time.’

 

‘Where will you go?’

 

‘Mebbe not China. Mebbe San Francisco.  Stay with honourable uncle in town until decide.’

 

There was a movement at the top of the staircase and everyone turned to see Little Joe standing there in his nightshirt. ‘Why ya going to ya onabull uncle’s house Hop Sing?’ he asked fearfully. ‘Can I come?’

 

‘Joseph go back to bed,’ said Ben. Little Joe took no notice of his father, but came down the stairs at a run, almost tripping over his nightshirt. ‘Can I come?’ he repeated as he tugged on Hop Sing’s shirt.  He looked up at the cook with tears in his eyes.

 

Hop Sing bent down and looked into the child’s face. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Little boy stay with family.’

 

‘But you’re my family too!’ Little Joe said fearfully. ‘Ain’t ya?’

 

Hop Sing looked up at Ben who stared at him. ‘You heard Little Joe Hop Sing. You’re part of our family. We all feel it.’  Adam and Hoss beside him nodded.

 

‘Families don’t go away,’ continued Little Joe. ‘Cept when they die like Mama.  Then they can’t help it, can they Papa?’

 

Ben patted his little boy’s head. ‘No Little Joe, then they can’t help it,’ he repeated, not taking his eyes off the cook.  ‘Well Hop Sing?’

 

Hop Sing hesitated as he looked at the faces of his family.  He slowly shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘Families don’t go away little boy.’

 

Adam breathed a sigh of relief and Hoss stepped forward to take Hop Sing’s bag. ‘I’ll put this away fer ya Hop Sing,’ he said happily. ‘I guess you won’t be needing it.’

 

Ben picked up Little Joe. ‘I said back to bed and I meant it Joseph,’ he said. ‘Come on.’

 

Little Joe struggled in his father’s arms. ‘I want Hop Sing to take me,’ he said, holding his arms out to the man. Ben handed him over to Hop Sing who took the child tentatively. ‘Will ya play soldiers wiv me Hop Sing?’ asked the little boy, smiling at him.

 

‘Hop Sing no time for play!’ said the cook with a stern expression on his face. ‘Supper to get ready.  Little Boy go bed now.’ He carried Little Joe up the staircase as Adam and Ben watched.

 

Ben put his arms around Adam’s shoulder. ‘I suppose you had something to do with Roy Coffee coming out here this afternoon son?’

 

Adam shrugged. ‘Well I thought he might be able to …’

 

‘Talk some sense into me?’ Adam shrugged again, not willing to meet his father’s gaze. ‘I’m glad you did,’ continued his father. ‘I haven’t been very fair to you have I?’

 

‘It’s OK Pa.’

 

‘No Adam, it’s not OK. And I promise I’ll try harder to be a proper father to all of you from now on.’  Ben smiled at his boy. ‘Thank you.’

 

 

———-

 

 

‘It goes like this,’ said Little Joe as he gave his father a demonstration of how to put the wooden puzzle together again. ‘See?’

 

Ben smiled at the child on his lap and patted his head. ‘That’s very good,’ he said.

 

‘Hop Sing’s onabull uncle gave it to me,’ said Little Joe. ‘The one with the bottle on his roof.’

 

Ben looked puzzled, but didn’t pursue the child’s line of reasoning. Hop Sing entered the room and put a platter of meat on the table.

 

‘Beef again,’ said Hoss wrinkling up his nose. ‘When are we gonna have fish Hop Sing?  We ain’t had it in a long time.’

 

Hop Sing frowned at him. ‘Hop Sing cook fish when boys bring fish home!’ he said.

 

‘That’s a very good idea Hop Sing,’ said Ben. ‘How about we go fishing tomorrow?’ He glanced at Adam. ‘I think it’s time you had a day’s rest.’

 

Hoss jumped up from his seat excitedly. ‘What about school?’ he asked.

 

‘I think you can do without school for just one day,’ said his father.

 

‘Hot diggety!’ exclaimed Hoss, reclaiming his seat again.

 

‘Me too Papa?’ asked Little Joe, his eyes shining.

 

‘Yes.  You too,’ replied his father, giving him a hug. ‘The whole family is going.’

 

‘Hop Sing prepare sandwiches for picnic,’ said the cook. ‘Make plenty for whole family.’

 

‘Well then include yourself in that,’ said Ben looking carefully at the man. ‘You’re part of the family remember.’

 

Hop Sing frowned. ‘I not think…’

 

‘You heard Pa,’ said Adam. ‘You’re part of the family Hop Sing. You have to come.’

 

‘Don’t worry Hop Sing,’ said Little Joe as he fiddled with his block of wood. ‘I’ll show ya how ta catch fish.  I’m good at it.’

 

Hop Sing gave a slight bow. ‘Thank you,’ he said and left the room uttering a Chinese phrase under his breath.

 

‘I won’t,’ said little Joe absently.

 

‘You won’t what?’ asked his father.

 

Little Joe looked up at him. ‘Drop the block of wood,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing told me not to.’

 

Ben frowned at his son. ‘How do you know what he said?’ he asked.

 

Little Joe shrugged. ‘I dunno,’ he answered. ‘Me and Hop Sing understand each other.’ He looked up at his father and grinned. ‘I love Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘I’m glad he’s a part of our family.’

 

‘So am I son,’ replied his father, giving him another hug. ‘So am I.’

 

 

 

The End