Summary:  The Cartwrights are snowed in for a few days
Rating:  G 8,150 words

Snowed In

Adam gave his brother a dark look. “Do you mind?”  he said, sarcastically.

Hoss looked up. “What?” he asked.

Adam pointed to the coffee table where his brother’s hands were resting. “The pounding!” he said. “Do you mind?”

Hoss clasped his hands in his lap. “Sorry,” he said, as he stared at the ceiling.

Adam narrowed his eyes and began to strum his guitar again, humming softly to himself.

“Well his pounding ain’t any more annoying than that noise you’re making, older brother,” said Joe, from his position in front of the fireplace.

“This noise as you call it, is music,” replied Adam in a sniffy tone. “You should appreciate fine music.”

“I would if I ever got to hear any,” retorted Joe meaningfully as he poked at the fire and then sighed. “It sure is boring in here with nuthin to do. How about we play some checkers again, Hoss?”

Hoss shook his head as he continued to stare at the ceiling. “Nah!” he said. “I ain’t playing with you no more, little brother. Ya cheat too much.”

Joe tried to look offended. “I do not cheat!” he said indignantly.

“Ya do,” answered Hoss, putting his hands behind his head. “Don’t he, Adam?”

“Sure does,” said Adam, continuing to strum on his guitar. “All the time.”

“I do not!” said Joe. angrily.

Ben looked up from his position at his desk. “Would you three please keep the noise down?” he asked wearily. “How is a man to concentrate when there’s all that arguing going on?”

Joe shot his father an indignant look. “Pa, these two reckon I cheat at checkers!” he said.

“So you do,” said Ben mildly as he turned back to the account book on his desk again. “Now be quiet about it.”

Joe gave his father an indignant look and then scowled at both his brothers, stood up and began to pace up and down in front of the fireplace. “There ain’t nothing to do in this house,” he complained. “Three days of heavy snowing …. How much longer can this go on for?”

“The law of averages says that it’s got to stop soon,” said Adam. “But I wouldn’t count on it.

Joe snorted. “Who ever heard of a law that says how much it should snow?” he said derisively. “That’s just plain dumb, Adam.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “The law of averages means … oh never mind,” he said. “What’s the point of trying to explain anything to you?”

“I ain’t dumb!” said Joe. “First you call me a cheat and now you call me dumb! You watch out Adam, or I’m gonna pound you!”

Adam stopped strumming and gave his youngest brother a look through narrowed eyes. “I’d like to see you try,” he said in a low voice. Joe took a step towards him, but stopped as their father once more spoke.

“If I hear one more thing out of any of you, there’ll be trouble!”  Ben shouted. “Find something to do or I’ll find something for you!”  He gave Hoss an angry look. “And stop that pounding!”

Hoss gave his father an apologetic look. “Sorry Pa,” he said. “I reckon I might mend some of this here tack then.” He picked up a bridle that had been discarded on the table and began to work on it half-heartedly.

Suddenly there was a movement behind them and Hop Sing entered the room, gave them all an angry look and put some plates on the dining room table. “No get any work done with Cartwrights in house!” he said, glaring at them all as if were their fault.

Ben sighed and rubbed his temples wearily. “I’m sorry about that Hop Sing,” he said, for the fifth time that morning. “But it really isn’t our fault that we can’t get outside. This snow is a problem for all of us.”

“Yeah,” said Joe grumpily. “I’d sure be out there if I could.”  His face brightened. “You want me to try the front door again, Pa?”

“No, I don’t!” retorted his father. “Last time you tried that you got snow all over the floor in the entry.”

Hop Sing reached out and hit Joe on the side of the head. “You no dirty up clean floors again!” he said angrily.

“Well it weren’t my fault if the snow was piled up so high,” said Joe defensively as he rubbed his head. “How was I to know?”  He sighed again. “Wish I could just get to the barn to see the horses.”

“Charlie will feed them,” said Adam mildly. “He can get there easier from the bunkhouse than we can from here.”

“I suppose so.”  Joe sighed again. His face brightened again. “How about I get some more dry wood from the back porch then?”

“And where do ya think you’re gonna put it?” asked Hoss, indicating the pile of wood next to the fireplace. “You’ve already brought in enough wood ta last all week.”

Joe began pacing again. “Well it’s something to do,” he muttered. “There ain’t anything to do!”

“You could try reading a book,” suggested Adam. “It might do you good.”

“Yeah,” chuckled Hoss as he continued to braid the bridle in his hands. “Expand ya mind a bit, younger brother.

Joe gave them both an unhappy look, but nevertheless walked over to the bookshelf and began to appraise the books there. “What’s this one about?” he asked suddenly as he took one off the shelf. “Hamlet.”

“That’s Shakespeare,” said Adam, stopping his humming for a moment.

“Oh him!” said Joe with a disgusted look on his face. “He can’t even spell properly. I don’t know why you like reading his stuff so much, Adam.” Adam merely rolled his eyes, but didn’t bother replying. “How about this one?” asked Joe. “Ivan … Ivan … hoe … what’s that one about?”

“Knights,” said Adam.

“Nights?”  asked Joe. “Why’d anyone wanna write about nights?”

“Not nights,” replied Adam. “Knights … knights with a k.”  Joe looked confused. “Like in the middle ages,” continued Adam.

“Oh,” said Joe, taking the book off the shelf. “That sounds OK. There might be lots of fighting in it then.” He settled down on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace and started to read.

There was silence for a few minutes in the room, only interrupted by Adam’s strumming and humming. Hop Sing came back in again and looked at them all before snorting and going upstairs. “Hop Sing ain’t too happy with us being here,” observed Hoss. “I sure hope he don’t take it out on us like he done yesterday with that awful lunch.”

“He can’t help it if the cellar door is snowed under,” said Adam. “There’s plenty of food in the kitchen in the meantime.”

Hoss wrinkled his nose. “Yeah,” he said. “But all the fancy preserves and good stuff is down in the cellar,” he said. “I’m getting sick of plain old sandwiches.”  He rubbed his stomach. “What I would give for a good piece of cake or a cookie!”

“Hop Sing got no time for baking cakes and cookies!” retorted the cook as he came down the stairs and heard Hoss’ remark. “Too busy picking up all day from messy Cartwrights who in house and not go outside!”

“What’s fer lunch Hop Sing?” asked Hoss hopefully, ignoring the cook’s remark.

“Cheese sandwiches,” Hop Sing replied.

Hoss wrinkled up his nose as Hop Sing left the room. “He knows I don’t like cheese,”  he said.

“You’re not the only one in this house, brother,” said Adam. “Some of us do.”

“Hey Adam, what’s incriminate mean?” asked Joe suddenly looking up from his book.

“Implicate,” said Adam.

Joe looked thoughtful. “Well then, what’s implicate mean?” he asked.

Adam sighed. “Why don’t you just get Pa’s dictionary instead of asking me all the time?” he said, in a frustrated tone.

Joe made a face at his brother before getting up from his chair and walking over to his father’s study. “Can I please borrow your dictionary, Pa?” he asked, getting it down from the shelf. “Certain people are too lazy to tell me what certain words mean.”

“Of course,” replied Ben. “I’m glad to see you taking an interest in expanding your vocabulary, Joseph.”

Joe looked over his father’s shoulder. “It’s this book I’m reading,” he said absently. “It’s got hard words in it.”  He pointed to the ledger on Ben’s desk. “You’ve made a mistake there Pa,” he added. “That should be 23 …. Not 32.”

Ben looked a bit surprised as he checked the figures. “So it is,” he said. “Thank you, Joe.”

“You’re welcome,” said Joe smugly, giving Adam a superior look. “I’m not completely dumb, in spite of what some people may think.”  Adam simply ignored the remark and continued to sing softly under his breath. Joe settled down with his book his one hand and the dictionary in the other and there was silence again. “Hey!”  said Joe after a few minutes. “This Ivan …hoe guy is all right. He sure can fight.”  He gave Hoss a look that his brother had seen many times before and had learnt to be wary of. “Hey Hoss …..” he began.

Hoss looked up. “Don’t ya even think it, little brother,” he interrupted, quickly.

Joe looked defensive again. “Think what?” he asked.

“Whatever ya was thinking,” said Hoss. “I know that look and I ain’t gonna start fighting you with swords or some such nonsense. Your ideas always get me inta trouble.”

Joe gave his brother a hurt look. “When have I ….”  he began and then stopped. “Well anyways, it would be fun to try fighting with swords.”  He sat forward eagerly in his chair. “We could try it with them epees. The ones that belonged to my ma. Come on Hoss, what do ya say?”

Hoss opened his mouth, but before he could speak Hop Sing flounced back into the room and banged a platter down on the table. “Lunch!” he announced angrily, before flouncing out again.

All four Cartwrights got up and walked to the table. “Cheese,” groaned Hoss, opening one of the sandwiches. “He done cheese again.”

“I like cheese,” said Joe happily as he seated himself at the table. “Stop complaining, Hoss.”

“I wish you would all stop complaining,” said Ben wearily as he seated himself as well. “I’m sick and tired of all the complaints from the three of you.”

“Well you must admit that it’s tiresome being stuck in the house as we are,” said Adam, mildly. “I mean, it’s all right for those of us who know how to amuse ourselves, but some people …” he shot Joe a quick glance. “… well, some people just don’t know how to occupy their minds very well and that leads to tension.”

“Meaning me, I suppose!” retorted Joe angrily. “I can occupy my mind just as well as you can Adam. I …”

“Boys!” interrupted Ben. “I am sick and tired of all this bickering! Now stop behaving like children and eat your lunch in a civilised manner!”

There was silence around the table for a few minutes as everyone concentrated on their food, while Hop Sing flounced in and out of the room giving everyone dark looks as he put various items on the table and then took them off again. “I think that Hop Sing has had enough of us,” observed Adam in a low voice when the cook had gone into the kitchen for the third time. “He’s giving us enough hints to that effect.”

“Well I don’t blame him,” replied Ben. “It’s hard enough for all of us, but Hop Sing is trying to get on with his work while we’re underfoot. His work doesn’t stop just because ours has for a few days.”

“Is right!” said Hop Sing, creeping in from the kitchen. “Too much to do in house! Always too much to do!” He plonked the coffeepot down on the table and glared at everyone accusingly. “And extra work when all Cartwrights sit around house all day!” he added.

“Maybe we could help you, Hop Sing,” suggested Adam, giving the man a polite smile. “Are there any chores we could do?”

Hoss’ face brightened up. “Yeah,” he said. “I could help ya in the kitchen if ya like?”

Hop Sing gave him a slap on the side of the head which made Joe begin to giggle. “You stay out of kitchen!” Hop Sing said sternly. “You just want help self to food!”

Hoss gave the man an aggrieved look. “Aw no, Hop Sing,” he said. “I weren’t thinking nothing like that.”

“Sure you were,” giggled Joe. “You’d do anything to get near those cupboards. Sides,” he added smugly. “You heard Hop Sing. He don’t want us messing around with his work.”

“That’s not quite what he said, young man,” said Ben. “Hop Sing may not want you in his kitchen, but I think that Adam’s suggestion is a very good one.” He turned to Hop Sing as Hoss and Joe gave Adam dark looks. “Surely there are some chores that the boys could do for you while they’re stuck in here Hop Sing?” he said. “Something to make your work easier and keep them busy as well?”

“I’m plenty busy,” said Joe quickly.

Adam snorted. “You were only talking awhile ago about how there is nothing to do in here,” he said.

Joe rolled his eyes at his brothers. “Yeah, but that was before there was work involved,” he whispered. “Shut up, will ya?”

“That will do,” said Ben sternly before looking at Hop Sing again. “Well?” he said. “What can the boys do to help you?”

Hop Sing thought for a moment. “They can clean out rooms,” he said.

Joe groaned. “Aw, come on Hop Sing! Anything but that …”

Ben held up a hand to silence his youngest son. “Hop Sing is right,” he said. “There are certain bedrooms in this house that are a mess.” He looked directly at Joe who tried to look innocent at the remark. “It’s a good opportunity for a good spring clean of those bedrooms,” continued Ben. “And it will keep you all apart from each other and there’ll be no more of this bickering.”

“I agree,” said Adam smugly. “Your room is a disgrace Joe … and Hoss’ isn’t much better.” He leant back and crossed his arms over his chest. “That chore should keep you busy all afternoon.”

“It will keep all of you busy,” added his father, looking directly at him.

“My room is spotless,” countered Adam. “It always is … you know that.”

“Plenty messy papers hiding in corners,” said Hop Sing, pointing a finger at him. “Need going through.”

Adam sat forward again. “If you’re referring to my architectural drawings,” he said. “I’ll have you know that each and every one of them is …”

“That will do!” shouted Ben. “I have had just about enough of this! All three of you can get up to your rooms until suppertime. And if some of you,” he looked at Adam. “If some of you don’t have as much to clean out as others …” he looked at Joe. “Then you can occupy yourselves up there doing other things. I have put up with everyone’s bad tempers all morning and I have no intention of putting up with this constant squabbling for the afternoon as well.”

Adam raised an eyebrow. “We’re a bit too old to be sent to our rooms, don’t you think?” he asked sarcastically.

Ben stood up and flung his napkin onto the table. “Well, then … act your age!” he said. He strode over to his desk and sat down, clearly giving his sons the clear signal that as far as he was concerned the conversation had finished.

Joe looked as Hoss and shrugged before getting up and heading towards the stairs. Hoss looked at Adam and shrugged before getting up and following him. Adam sat in stony silence for a few minutes and then looked Hop Sing. “All right,” he said in a grudging tone. “Just to keep the peace.” He stood up and followed his brothers to the stairs. Hop Sing watched him go, shrugged and then began to clear the table.

00000000000

“A man just can’t win around here,” muttered Ben under his breath as he put down his pen and glanced at the clock. First it had been so noisy that he couldn’t think straight and now it was so quiet that it was unnerving. With the boys all in their rooms and Hop Sing busy in the kitchen, the silence was deafening and he found that he just couldn’t concentrate at all.

He stood up with a sigh and began to pace up and down the large room. If the truth be told, he was just as restless as his three sons and now that he was alone in the room he could show it. He walked over and looked out of the window where the snow was piling up on the sill so high, that it was almost impossible to see anything outside at all. Surely this snow couldn’t go on for much longer? What was it that Adam had said earlier about the law of averages?

Ben shook his head and headed for the kitchen, suddenly unwilling to put up with the silence for a moment longer. As he entered the room, Hop Sing looked up from the bench where he was busily rolling out some pastry. “What you want?” he asked abruptly.

“Nothing,” replied Ben, sitting down on a stool and looking at what Hop Sing was doing. “What are you making?”

Hop Sing frowned. “You sound like one of sons,” he said accusingly.

Ben gave a short laugh. “I suppose I do,” he said. “So … what is it?”

“Beef pie for supper,” replied the cook and then added as if it was an afterthought. “Might make sons in better mood.”

“I’m sure it will,” replied Ben. “Better than using cheese sandwiches, anyway.” He looked at Hop Sing for a reaction and was pleased to see a small twinkle in the other man’s eyes. “Those boys of mine have been giving you a hard time,” Ben added. “Being underfoot and all, haven’t they?”

Hop Sing shrugged. “Is all right,” he said and then his eyes twinkled again. “But you not tell them so.”

Ben shook his head. “Oh I won’t,” he said. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been thinking how nice it is to actually spend some time together. We’re all so busy lately that we don’t see as much of each other as we should. If we’re not all working on different things out there on the ranch, the boys are off at night in town of seeing their young ladies.” He gave a sigh. “Remember when they were younger and we all spent our evenings together?”

Hop Sing nodded. “Yes,” he said shortly.

Ben’s eyes misted over as the memories came flooding back of a young Adam poring over his books, Hoss usually tending to some small creature in a box or whittling and Little Joe toddling around having to be constantly pulled away from the fireplace or something else that he was desperate to get into. “Those were the days,” Ben said half to himself. “They grow up too quickly, Hop Sing.”

Hop Sing said nothing, but simply nodded as he continued to roll out his pastry.

“And Marie … Mrs Cartwright,” continued Ben. “She was always in there sewing or knitting something for one of the boys.” He sighed again. “I miss those times.”

Hop Sing nodded. “So do I,” he said, in a rare moment of admission.

Ben smiled at him. “Remember that time when Hoss brought home the young bird?” he said. “He was trying to teach it how to flap it’s wings when it suddenly took off and I had to spend the rest of the evening getting it down from the rafters before it burnt itself to death, going too close to the fire?” Hop Sing nodded and they both laughed. “And Little Joe wanted to know if we could eat it for supper and Hoss got so mad!” chuckled Ben.

“And time when number one son was learning guitar from Missy Cartwright,” added Hop Sing. They both looked at each other and laughed again. “He very bad at it then,” said Hop Sing. “He better now.”

“It took him a while though,” added Ben. “I silently cursed that guitar many nights, I can tell you.” He sat in silence for a moment, a faraway expression on his face. “And the night when Hoss was teaching Little Joe to walk down the stairs when he was first up on his feet,” he went on. “And he ended up falling.”

“Blood everywhere,” said Hop Sing. “And Missy Cartwright all upset.”

Ben nodded. “Yes,” he said. “The boy was fine … but his mother … well that was a different matter.” He smiled. “Joe sure has fallen down those stairs a time or two since, hasn’t he?”

Hop Sing nodded. “Number three son always falling,” he said. “And not just on stairs.”

“So many memories,” sighed Ben. “Remember Joe falling off the roof? We were all sitting in the living room after he’d been sent to bed …”

“And him climb out of window to go to barn without you see,” finished Hop Sing. “Big trouble that night.”

“Yes indeed,” said Ben. “And I suspect that wasn’t the last time he did that either.” He looked at Hop Sing who merely shrugged. “Don’t worry,” he added. “I’m not asking you to tell on him. I know what that son of mine is capable of Hop Sing and I’m sure there have been many nights over the years when he’s used the roof a time or two to get in or out of his room.”

There was a loud noise from above and Ben stood up. “Speaking of which,” he said. “I might just go up and see how those bedrooms are coming on. It’s far too quiet down here.”

Hop Sing chuckled to himself as Ben left the room, his own memories of his boys filling his mind as he worked. He began to hum a soft Chinese lullaby as he rolled out the pastry.

The first room Ben checked on was Adam’s and, as he suspected, it was very neat and clean. “Told you there wasn’t much to do in here,” said Adam, from his position on the bed. He was surrounded by large sheets of paper which he’d been going through and Ben went over and sat next to him, picking one up to read. “The mill,” he commented. “You designed this when you were first home from college.”

Adam looked over his shoulder. “Yes,” he said. “Funny how I thought I knew so much back then. Now, if I were designing that today I’d make this area here a lot bigger and put this part back there …” He pointed to the plans. “Still … it’s a good mill,” he said conceded.

“It turned out just fine,” replied his father, putting down the paper and picking up another one. “What’s this one?”

Adam blushed slightly. “Just some doodlings,” he said. “Nothing special.”

Ben tried to make sense of it. “It almost looks like …” He hesitated. “A ship?” he said.

“I was just fiddling with some ideas,” said Adam, obviously embarrassed. “Look Pa! Look what I’ve found! I thought these were thrown out years ago.” He looked across at his father, his eyes shining.

Ben looked. “House plans,” he said. “These are your original drawings for this house, aren’t they?”

“Yes,” said Adam, putting them on the bed between them and bending over them. “This is so funny … look how I’ve done this!”

“Well you were only ten when you first started them,” said Ben, giving him a smile. “Not bad for a ten year old, I’d say.”

“And to think that I honestly believed I was designing the house,” said Adam with a chuckle. “You let me think that all the time you were building it.”

“But you did design it,” said Ben, giving his son an innocent look. “I took a lot of notice of your ideas.”

“And changed a lot too,” said Adam, grinning at his father. “And added to them. In fact … the finished house bears very little resemblance to these plans at all.”

Ben shrugged. “You were only ten,” he said. “And you were so excited at having some input into the place. I didn’t have the heart to not include you.”

Adam lay back on his bed and put his hands behind his head. “Remember how we had to keep roping off the stairs when we were working on upstairs here each night?” he said. “And Little Joe would stand down there and cry to be let up here?”

“That boy certainly was a climber,” said Ben. “He would have been up here in the way and hurting himself if we hadn’t roped them off.”

“And when we got to finally spend the first night in our own rooms up here?” continued Adam in delight. “And Hoss couldn’t sleep in the dark by himself? So he ended up in with me anyway …”

“… and then you both ended up in with Marie and I because you thought you heard noises,” continued Ben.

“…and then Joe thought he was missing out on something and yelled until someone went in and got him …”

“… and then we all spent the night together in the one room,” finished Ben. “Lord knows that night I was wondering why I’d bothered to build so many bedrooms. Marie said …” his voice trailed away.

“Marie said to just give it time,” Adam prompted him.

“Yes,” said Ben. “And she was right, of course. By the next night everyone was sleeping in their own rooms. I certainly married a sensible woman.” He got up and walked over to where a picture of Adam’s mother was on the dresser. “Your mother was too. In fact, all your mothers were very level-headed women.”

Adam was silent. It wasn’t very often that his father referred to his mother and he silently willed the man to go on. “Your mother used to say that I was the dreamer out of the two of us,” said Ben, smiling down at the picture. “And she was right. I was always the one with my head up in the clouds dreaming of what our life would be like and she was the one making the practical plans of how to achieve those dreams.” He turned to face his son. “You’re very like her you know … practical.”

“I’ve always thought that you were a very practical person, Pa,” said Adam, his soul thrilling at the talk of his mother.

Ben nodded. “I learnt to be,” he admitted. “But that was later on when necessity ruled my life. In the early days when I knew your mother she was the practical one.” He sat down on the bed again. “I wish you could have known her,” he said in a low voice. “That has been one of the biggest regrets of my life you know son … that you never knew your mother.”

Adam nodded and both men were silent for a moment. “Me too,” he said finally. He reached over and picked up the small music box that he always kept beside his bed. He opened it and the small strains of music filled the air. It was the one thing he owned that had belonged to his mother and he cherished it. “Remember when you were angry with me for playing with this once?” he asked.

Ben nodded. “Yes,” he said. “That was when we first met Inger … Hoss’ ma. She gave it to you to play with and …” His eyes misted over. “I was mighty screwed up back then,” he admitted. “I couldn’t stand the thought of having lost her … your mother … and every time I heard that music it brought her loss back to me. Inger helped to me face the fact that I had to get on with life for my sake … and yours.” He reached over and stroked the box. “I’m glad that you have it,” he said. “Your mother loved it.”

Adam nodded. “I was so proud when you gave it to me for my birthday the next year,” he said.

“That was Inger’s idea actually,” admitted Ben. “She thought it would be good for you to have it.” He shook his head. “She was a fine woman,” he added.

“She sure was,” agreed Adam. He sat quietly for a moment, deep in thought and then said. “Pa? Do you mind that …. well …”

Ben looked at his son in surprise, thinking how unusual it was for Adam to be lost for words. “What is it son?” he prompted.

“Well … Ma … that is, Inger … did you ever mind that I thought of her as my mother?  I never wanted you to think that I was replacing my real mother with her … but …” He shrugged. “It’s hard to relate to someone that you never knew,” he finished lamely.

Ben put his arm around his son’s shoulder. “Oh Adam, son,” he said. “Please never think that. I’m so pleased that you had someone in your life that you could feel that way about … even if she wasn’t in our lives for very long. She certainly left an impression, didn’t she?”

“Mmm,” said Adam, looking away and staring out of the window.

Ben clapped his son on the back and stood up. “Well, I’ll leave you to all this,” he said. “And son?” Adam looked up. “Never apologise for having feelings about someone. Your mother would have wanted you to be close to Inger.” He patted the young man on the shoulder and walked out of the room, down the hall and stopped outside Hoss’ room.

As expected, Hoss was sitting on his bed looking at everything he’d pulled out of his dresser drawers and cupboard with a puzzled expression on his face. “Something wrong son?” asked Ben, leaning against the doorframe and trying not to laugh at the young man’s face.

Hoss scratched his head. “Kinda, Pa,” he said. “I done took everything out, but now I’m kinda not sure about where to start putting in back in again.”

Ben laughed. “Just take it one thing at a time son,” he said as he walked into the room and sat down on the bed. “What’s in those boxes?”

Hoss grinned at him and opened the first box. “I found these at the back of my cupboard,” he said. “Take a look … see …. remember when I collected these bird’s eggs?” He held up a smaller box and opened it to reveal dozens of small different coloured eggshells. “I spose I shoulda got rid of em … but to be honest I kinda fergot they was there.”

Ben shook his head. “I never knew a boy for collecting things as you did son,” he said. “Birds’ eggs … rocks … animals … you were always bringing something home.”

Hoss dipped into the box again. “Lookee here Pa,” he said, as excited as young boy. “My marbles! I was pretty good at playing marbles, now that I think about it,” he added. “Bout the only thing I could win at when I was at school.”  He opened the small bag and tipped the marbles onto the floor, scattering them in all directions. “I could even beat Joe at this,” he said happily. “I was right good at it.” He lined up two of the marbles and began to shoot one at the other with his thumb, causing it to spin across the floor. “See? I’m still as good as I was then,” he said proudly. “Ya wanna have a game Pa?”

Ben laughed to see the child that still lived inside the large man that was this second son of his. “Not right now son,” he said.

Hoss nodded and laughed as well. He gathered up the marbles and replaced them carefully in the bag. “Well mebbe Joe and me will have a game later,” he said. “Ya know Pa? It’s kinda nice finding things like this … kinda makes the memories of when I was a kid come back in a way. Ya know what I mean?”

“I do son,” replied Ben. “Memories are very important things to hold onto. Without our memories life would be dull.”

“I reckon you’re right Pa,” said Hoss. “Cept …” His eyes clouded over.

“Except?” prompted Ben.

Hoss shrugged. “Cept … well … some memories are kinda sad.” He looked up at his father to see if he understood.

Ben nodded … knowing what he was referring to. “I know son,” he said. “But they’re still good to have. We can’t have the good memories without a few sad ones mixed in there too. Life isn’t like that.” He put a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Besides,” he said. “Marie wouldn’t want us to be sad when we remember her.”

Hoss nodded. “I know,” he said. “Only … thinking of her makes me wonder sometimes.” He glanced at his father again. “It makes me wonder how you got through it all Pa. I mean … I only have bad memories of when she died … but you … you’ve got bad memories about when all three of our ma’s died and that must be so terrible sometimes. How do you stand it?”

Ben’s eyes misted over. “I’m not sure son,” he said. “I only know that the love I had for the three of them stood by when me I needed it and I got through those times because of it. I still feel very upset over their deaths at times, but other things keep me going.”

“Yeah?” said Hoss.

“Yes,” replied Ben. “You three boys for one thing.”

Hoss made a face. “And we don’t make it easy fer you at times, do we? Reckon I’m sorry bout how we’ve been getting on each other’s nerves these last few days,” he said.

“That’s all right son,” his father replied. “Everyone is just tired of being shut up indoors.” He glanced at the window where the snow was pelting against the glass. “It has actually been reminding me of when you were all younger and we spent the evenings together. Hop Sing and I were talking about it just a little while ago in fact.”

Hoss grinned. “I remember that,” he said. “You used to read to us or tell us stories bout when you were a sailor and all the places you’d go.”

Ben nodded as the memories came flooding back. “So I did,” he said. “I’d forgotten that.”

“I haven’t,” replied Hoss. “You sure told good stories Pa. Sometimes made me wanna go and visit all them places too.” He thought for a moment. “Then sometimes not,” he conceded. “I reckon I’m happier here on The Ponderosa than anywheres else.”

“You think a lot of this ranch, don’t you?” asked his father, studying his expression carefully.

“Course I do,” said Hoss immediately. “Ain’t nowhere else on earth like it, I reckon.” His face took on a faraway expression. “I remember when I was a kid and you’d take me out hunting or fishing for a few days. Them were times I’ll also think of as the best, Pa. There’s nothing like waking up in the early morning and smelling the fresh scent of the pines and see a clear blue sky above ya.” He grinned at his father. “Reckon I’m a mountain man through and through.”

Ben slapped him on the back. “I reckon you are, son. After all, that’s what your name means … a Hoss is a large friendly mountain man.”

“That’s me then,” said Hoss in a satisfied voice. “Ya know what Pa? I can’t ever understand people who wanna go off and see the world. It just ain’t me. The Ponderosa is where I’ll stay.”

“I’m pleased to hear it son,” said Ben. “Makes me think that all the work I’ve put into this place over the years has been worth it, when I hear you talking like that.” There was a loud noise from down the hall and they both started. “What was that?” asked Ben.

Hoss shrugged. “No idea,” he replied. “But it’s coming from Joe’s room, so it could be anything.” He gave his father a strained look. “Why’d my room have to next to his?” he asked. “I’m always having to hit on the wall to shut him up at night with all his goings on in there. Lordy, but that boy can make a noise!”

“He can make a mess too,” said Ben, standing up. “And if he knows what’s good for him he’ll be cleaning it up this minute!” he shouted. Immediately there was a scrabbling noise from the next room and Ben winked at Hoss. “I might just go and check on what your younger brother is up to in there,” he said. “Get all this stuff packed away now son.”

He left Hoss still looking at everything on the floor of his bedroom with a puzzled expression, and walked next door to Little Joe’s room. His third son was lying on the floor pushing a pile of things under his bed. “What are you doing?” Ben demanded. “You were told to clean up this room, not simply hide things.” He walked into the room and pushed some things off the bed so that he had room to sit down. “Honestly Joseph,” he added. “This room is a mess!”

Joe sat up and gave his father a wistful smile. “It ain’t that bad,” he said. “I know where everything is this way.”

“I have no idea how,” said Ben, looking around at the piles of clothing and other articles strewn all over the floor, the bed and the dresser.

“Anyway,” said Joe defensively. “I don’t really see the point of tidying something up when it’s only gonna get messy again.”

Ben shook his head. “It doesn’t have to get messy again if you put things away in their proper places each time you’ve finished with it,” he said. “Your problem is that you just aren’t organised, son.” Joe shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “My days as a sailor taught me the importance of being neat,” continued Ben.

Joe made a face. “Pa, is this gonna be a lecture?” he asked. “Cause if it is, then I’ll save you time and just put the things away without it, if you like.”

“You’re not too old to tan you know, young man,” said his father, giving him a mock-stern look. “No more back-chat if you don’t mind.” He watched as Joe made a half-hearted attempt to put a few pieces of clothing in his dresser drawer.

“I spose old Mr Perfect in there has finished his room,” said Joe, indicating Adam’s room across the hall with his thumb.

“If you’re referring to your brother Adam, then he really didn’t have much to tidy in the first place,” replied Ben, trying to keep a straight face. “He knows the value of neatness.” He raised an eyebrow as Joe muttered something under his breath. “What was that?” he asked.

“Nuthin,” said Joe. “Only …. I can’t help it if I’m a disappointment to you Pa.” He studied a shirt in his hands, as if it was very interesting to him all of a sudden.

Ben jerked. “A disappointment to me?” he said in astonishment. “Where on earth did you get an idea like that?”

Joe shrugged. “Oh … well, it’s just that you’re always talking about how Adam can do things real good and how Hoss is such a nice person and all … I just thought …” His voice trailed away.

Ben reached down and put both his hands on his son’s shoulders. “Joseph, look at me,” he said. “You have not for one moment of your life been a disappointment to me. In fact, you’ve brought me so much joy in my life, that I couldn’t possible let you know how much. If I talk about your brothers a lot … well, I’m proud of them … just like I’m proud of you too.”

Joe looked up into his father’s eyes. “Really?” he said.

“Really,” replied Ben firmly. “You’re all different, that’s all. I value Adam for his common sense and his ability to think and reflect about things … I value Hoss for the thoughtful and caring person that he is … and I value you for the enthusiasm and joy you bring to life. I love you all and I’m proud of you for being the men that you’ve become.”

Joe grinned at his father. “I never knew that,” he said.

“Well, I should say it more often then,” replied Ben. “That’s something I’ll have to remember for the future. Whatever you do in life Joe … I’ll be proud of you. No matter what you do or don’t achieve … as long as you give it your best, that’s all that matters.”

Joe thought for a moment. “Well then …” he said looking around him. “I reckon that this is the best I can do right now. I might not be a neat as Hoss or Adam, but this is the best my room can be. OK?” Ben shook his head, his eyes twinkling. Joe shrugged again. “Well, it was worth a try,” he remarked and began to clean up again.

Ben reached down and pulled the things out from under the bed that Joe had recently pushed there. “Don’t forget these,” he said, grinning at the look on his son’s face. “There’s probably a whole lot more under there too.”

Joe lay down on the floor again and pushed himself under the bed. “You’re right!” he shouted. “Hey there’s some great stuff under here!” Ben watched as one thing after another was thrown out from under the bed, finally followed by Joe’s head. “Look at all this Pa!” he said in delight. “Ain’t it great?”

Ben looked and made a face as he picked up a mouldy half-eaten sandwich. “Joseph!” he said.

Joe took it from his father and placed it into the trash bin next to his bed. “Not that,” he said. “This … look!” He picked up a small knitted horse and stroked it. “I haven’t seen this for years,” he said. “My horse … and look …” He opened a wooden box. “My soldiers. Gee, I had a lot of fun with these.”

Ben smiled down at the sight of his son … who was always telling everyone who would listen how very grown-up he was … with his childhood toys. “Maybe you’d like to give them to a needy family with children?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Joe gave his father a shocked look. “No,” he said firmly. “I mean … I’m sure we can find other things to give to families who might need things … but not my soldiers … and definitely not my horse. I remember taking this to bed every night,” he said.

“I remember you howling the house down when it couldn’t be found once,” said his father. “None of us got any sleep that night.” He hid a smile as Joe placed the horse gently on his bed and arranged its legs properly. “Your mother knitted that for you,” Ben added. “I remember that Adam said at the time that it looked more like a cow than a horse and she got offended.”

“Well I didn’t care what it looked like,” Joe said. “You know what Pa? After my Ma died I used to lie in bed at night and pretend that she was sitting next to me while I was cuddling that horse. I helped me get to sleep. And sometimes ….” He hesitated. “Sometimes I used to creep into your room and take that shawl that she always used to put around her shoulders. It smelt of her for a long time and I used to keep it in my bed and smell it when I couldn’t go to sleep. I used to pretend that she was still alive.” He blushed slightly. “I suppose that was a bit dumb,” he said.

Ben shook his head. “Not dumb at all,” he said. “In fact I used to leave it out for you to take.”

Joe gave his father a surprised look. “You did?” he asked. “You knew that I was doing it?”

Ben nodded. “Yes,” he said. “To be honest son, I did it too … with one of her nightgowns.” There was silence for a few minutes as each of them was lost in his own thoughts of the woman they had both loved.

Suddenly the silence was broken by a loud exclamation in the room next door, following by the sound of heavy pounding footsteps. Hoss appeared at the door, a broad grin nearly splitting his face two. “Hey guess what?” he boomed. “The snow’s stopped!”

“Wonderful!” shouted Adam from his room and Joe immediately got to his feet in great excitement and ran to the window.

“It has!” he shouted, just as excited as Hoss. He turned to face them all, his eyes shining. “Bet I’ll make it out there before you Hoss!” He ran to the doorway of his bedroom and tried to jostle his large brother out of the way, but Hoss stood firm.

“What’s ya hurry little brother?” he said, still grinning. “Sick of being inside, all of a sudden?”

“Sick of you, more to the point,” shot back Joe, matching his brother’s grin with a large one of his own. “Out of the way, Hoss!”

“Joseph!” called out Ben, surveying the still-messy room. “What about all of this?”

Joe gave his father one of his best puppy-dog expressions. “I’ll do it later Pa,” he said, trying to sound sincere. “Promise!”

Ben hesitated for a moment and then waved his hand. “All right,” he said. “Off you go.”

Joe grinned at his father before ducking under Hoss’ arm and taking off down the hallway. Hoss shook his head. “Ya coming Adam?” he said.

“In a minute,” replied his older brother, smiling at him. “Sure will be good to get some fresh air.”

Ben stood up. “Make sure your younger brother puts on his coat!” he called to Hoss who was disappearing after Joe down the stairs. “You know what he’s like!” He bent down and began to pick up some of Joe’s discarded things that were strewn all over the floor.

“Coming?” asked Adam, leaning on the doorframe as he watched his father.

Ben nodded and continued to work. “I’ll be down presently son,” he said. “You go on ahead.” Adam smiled at his father and disappeared. Ben placed several of Joe’s pieces of clothing in the top dresser drawer, grinning at the sound of the front door banging loudly followed by a loud angry exclamation by Hop Sing.

He walked over to the window and looked down into the front yard. Adam was already shovelling snow with great vigour off the front porch, while Hoss was manfully wading through the deep snowdrifts towards the barn, probably to check on the animals, Ben considered. As for Joe, he was simply standing in the middle of the yard, his head back and a huge smile on his face as he took deep breaths of the fresh air.

Suddenly, Joe bent down, picked up a handful of snow and threw it at his eldest brother. Ben smiled at the sound of his youngest son’s distinct high-pitched laugh and the way in which he immediately gathered himself up another handful of the white powder to use a second time.

Adam hesitated for a moment, then dropped his shovel and picked up a handful of snow himself, hurling it at Joe with such force that it nearly knocked him off his feet. Joe was about to throw a second snowball at his brother when Hoss appeared from inside the barn and Joe’s missile immediately changed direction. The snowball hit Hoss directly on the top of his head, knocking off his hat in the process. Once again, Joe’s high-pitched giggle rang out across the yard.

Hoss hesitated only long enough to give Adam a quick glance and then, as one, they moved on their younger brother, pinning him to the ground as they rubbed snow in his face.

Ben leant against the frosty windowpane, smiling in delight as he gazed down at his three raucous sons having fun in the snow. They reminded him of young puppies and he considered for a moment that now matter how old they became there was still a lot of the boy inside the man of all of them. He laughed aloud at the sight of Joe struggling to get to his feet while his brothers continued to pile snow on top of him and then without any more ado turned to go downstairs to join his sons outside.

The End