Summary:  The Cartwrights realize just how much Hop Sing means to them when he becomes ill.
Rating:  G  (9,560 words)

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Old Friend

 

Hop Sing opened his eyes with a weary sigh and glanced at the clock beside his bed in the dim light.  Four o’clock! He forced his eyes to remain open and reluctantly pushed the blankets back form his body before sitting up in the bed and rubbing his eyes. He blinked several times, hoping that the action would bring the usual feeling of eagerness to start the day to him and then frowned as he realised that he still felt as tired as he had seconds ago.

 

As he swung his feet to the floor he straightened his back and blinked again, anxious to get his body to respond to him and allow him to get the day underway.  He couldn’t remember ever feeling like this before … after all, four o’clock was his usual time to wake in the morning and he had certainly had enough sleep last night. He knew that the Cartwright family wondered how he seemed to exist on so little sleep and he took great delight in making them wonder. The truth was that he went to bed very early, which allowed him to get a decent night’s sleep, and wake refreshed each day before dawn. Once supper had been served and the dishes cleared away, the cook was anxious to get to bed.  The family knew that he would not respond to any calls after that and so never bothered to disturb him.  Once Hop Sing entered his room at night it was a signal to everyone that his work was over for the day.  None of them … except in extreme circumstances … would have dared disturb him.

 

He looked around his room and noted the dim light entering through the small window. Even though the sun had not yet risen, the full moon cast an eerie glow around the room that illuminated things just enough for him to see where he need to go. The days were getting longer again, he thought as he undid and re-braided his long hair.  Soon it would be light enough at four o’clock for him not to even have to light a lamp at all.

 

As he stood next to his washbasin and shaved by the light of his small lamp, he thought again how tired he felt and decided that it must be all the spring-cleaning he’d been doing lately.  It was like this every year, for he had so much to do after the winter snows had melted to get the house in order again and ready for the summer months when everyone worked long hours and stayed awake longer at night.

 

Hop Sing sighed as he pulled his tunic over his head and straightened it out before bending to pull on his soft slippers. Getting up again was an effort and he held onto the side of the dresser for a moment before steadying himself and pulling on his cap.  He opened the door that led into the passageway that led to the kitchen … his domain. None of the Cartwrights would have ever dared to question what he did there.  They knew without question that he was the master in this kingdom of his and allowed him complete freedom within it.  Mr Cartwright would never dream of questioning Hop Sing when it came to matters of the kitchen … or indeed the whole house … any more than Hop Sing would have questioned his boss about how he ran The Ponderosa.  They both knew each other’s strengths and never crossed the lines within.

 

He stared into the dying fire and watched with satisfaction as it roared back to life again, feeding itself on the fuel that he provided for it.  As the flames grew before his eyes he found himself becoming mesmerised by them and had to shake his head to interrupt the trance that he felt himself falling into. He put the coffeepot on the hob and turned to pick up the basket behind him. He tiptoed silently from the room and made his way to the henhouse, noting as he did how the sun was now just peeking over the top of the mountain in the distance and its first rays of golden light were spreading over the tops of the tall pine trees that surrounded the front yard. He heard the faint cackling of the hens in their enclosure as he approached and felt a slight annoyance at the sound.  He wondered why, as the hens normally didn’t worry him in the slightest, but to his surprise he found himself kicking them away in frustration as he went about the task of collecting their eggs as he did every morning.

 

He smiled as he thought about how this job had come back to him again. It used to belong to Little Joe, but some years before the young man had rebelled at the detested chore and Hop Sing had taken it back again. At times he berated the youngster with the fact and threatened to make him do it again.  He liked to keep all the Cartwrights on their toes wondering if he were serious with the things he said at times.  It didn’t hurt them.

 

He collected some more kindling as he made his way back into the kitchen again, letting it fall into the box beside the stove with a thud. The sound annoyed him for some reason and he watched in annoyance as a piece rolled across the floor towards the door.

 

‘Here, let me get that for you,’ a voice said behind him.

 

Hop Sing didn’t even turn to acknowledge the speaker, for he knew without doubt whom it was.  Adam was always the first one up in the morning and without fail made his way through the kitchen to say good morning on his way to do his outdoor chores.  More often than not Hop Sing offered him a cup of coffee and the chores were delayed while they had a quiet few moments together.

 

This morning, however, the young man’s intrusion into Hop Sing’s domain annoyed him. ‘What you do in kitchen?’ he demanded as he stoked up the fire in the stove.

 

Adam gave the cook a strange look. ‘Just passing through,’ he said. ‘I won’t stay in your way if you’re busy.’

 

Hop Sing said nothing as Adam put the piece of kindling on top of the others and left the room.  He felt guilty that he hadn’t offered him a warm cup of coffee, but even so didn’t call him back as he left. For some reason he just wanted to be alone this morning and couldn’t be bothered to take the time to be sociable.  As he beat the mixture of flour, eggs and milk into a fluffy concoction, Hop Sing sighed wearily.  Why did he feel so tired today?  For some reason he thought longingly of his bed and the thought annoyed him even more. He poured the first of the batter into the frying pan and watched it begin to bubble at the edges before flipping it over to produce the first of the many flapjacks that he’d need to feed the four hungry men at breakfast.

 

The smell of the flapjacks entered his nostrils and caused a queasy feeling on his stomach.  He leant against the side of the stove and held his head with one hand while attempting to flip another flapjack over with the other, feeling decidedly dizzy as he did so.  Suddenly he felt himself begin to fall and reached out to steady himself.  The last thing that he remembered before blacking out was the sight of the stone floor rising up to meet him.

 

 

++++++++++

 

 

‘Hop Sing? Hop Sing … can you hear me?’

 

Hop Sing dragged himself back to consciousness reluctantly and forced his eyes open to see Doctor Paul Martin’s face staring intently down at him from above.  He closed his eyes again and then opened for a second time.

 

‘Hop Sing?  Can you hear me?’

 

Hop Sing nodded, thinking as he did so just how much effort it took even for that small action.  Paul smiled at him and put his hand on the Chinese man’s forehead and felt it. ‘He’s hot,’ he said to someone standing next to him and Hop Sing turned his head slightly to see Ben standing there looking every bit as anxious as the doctor. Paul patted him on the shoulder. ‘Now you just take it easy Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘You’ve got a nasty bump on that head of yours from where you hit it on the floor.’ Hop Sing opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Paul patted him on the shoulder again. ‘Rest now,’ he said. ‘Just take it easy.’

 

Hop Sing opened his mouth again and managed to whisper. ‘Must … get … breakfast.  Is … time.’

 

‘Now don’t you worry about any of that Hop Sing,’ said Ben as he leant over the man. ‘You just rest like the doctor says.’  He watched with satisfaction as the Chinese man’s eyes fluttered shut again and he drifted off to sleep with a sigh. Ben shook his head. ‘Paul?’ he said.

 

Paul Martin put his stethoscope away in his bag before replying. ‘He’s got quite a bump there Ben,’ he said. ‘We’ll have to watch him for concussion.’  He fingered his chin while he looked down at the sleeping man. ‘Quite a fever as well.  I’m afraid it’s the influenza.’

 

‘How can you be so certain?’ asked Ben.

 

‘There are a number of cases of it in town,’ replied Paul as he snapped his bag shut. ‘Doctor Kwan told me that he’s treated quite a few cases in the Chinese quarter during the past few weeks.’  He looked at Ben for a moment. ‘I was actually wondering why you called for me and not him, to be honest Ben.’

 

Ben looked confused for a moment. ‘To tell the truth Paul, it never occurred to me,’ he said finally. ‘We just always call on you.’

 

Paul raised an eyebrow. ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘But Hop Sing is …’

 

Ben gave the man a startled look. ‘Is what?’ he said tersely. ‘Chinese?  Is that what you meant? I’m surprised that you would have an objection to …’

 

Paul put his hand up. ‘That’s not what I meant and you should know that Ben,’ he said. ‘Surely you’ve known me long enough to know …’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘I’m sorry Paul,’ he said. ‘It’s just … well there are so many people around here who have such prejudiced ideas. Of course I know that you wouldn’t be one of them.’

 

Paul smiled at his friend. ‘All I meant was that Hop Sing may have preferred Doctor Kwan to attend to him. He usually does treat all the Chinese in town you know.’

 

‘I do know,’ said Ben. ‘But as I said, it never occurred to me.  I suppose we’re so used to thinking of Hop Sing as part of our family that it just seemed natural to call on you.’  He looked down at the man in the bed. ‘He’s been here for so long now … and … well … to be honest I can’t ever remember him even being sick before.’

 

Paul shrugged. ‘Neither can I,’ he said. ‘Well, he certainly is now though, I can assure you.  He’s going to need constant watching Ben.  You’re going to have to keep the fluids into him for a start and try and get that temperature down. I’ll call back to see him tomorrow, or before if you send for me.’

 

Ben nodded as he opened the bedroom door for the doctor and followed him into the kitchen and then through the hallway into the main room of the downstairs. ‘Thank you Paul,’ he said. ‘We’ll do our best.’  He glanced over to the fireplace where his three sons were sitting. ‘We all will,’ he added.

 

‘Pa?’ said Adam as Ben closed the front door after they had said their goodbyes to Paul. ‘How is he?’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Not too well,’ he admitted. ‘Paul says that he has influenza.’

 

Hoss looked concerned. ‘I heard tell that a few folks have come down with it in town,’ he said. ‘It’s a nasty thing, ain’t it?’

 

‘It sure is,’ said Ben, casting a worried look over his shoulder in the direction of Hop Sing’s room. ‘He’s going to need care.’

 

‘We’ll look after him,’ said Adam immediately and Ben shot his eldest son an appreciative glance. He knew how close he was to the man and it never would have occurred to Adam that anyone other than themselves would be the ones to look after Hop Sing.

 

‘Thank you son,’ he said. ‘We’re all going to have to pitch in and help while Hop Sing is recovering.  I hope that all of you will do your part.’

 

‘You can count on us Pa,’ Little Joe assured his father. ‘You want me to sit with him for a bit?’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No,’ he replied. ‘I’ll stay with him for now.  Maybe if one of you could organise some breakfast though?’

 

‘I’ll do it,’ said Adam. ‘I’ll make some broth for Hop Sing as well and bring it in.’

 

Ben nodded and headed back to Hop Sing’s room.  As he entered it, he thought about how little he came in here.  It wasn’t that Hop Sing wouldn’t have welcomed him if he had, it was just that the man obviously needed some privacy and over the years the Cartwrights had made sure that he got it.  His room was the one place in the house that Ben had ensured was off limits to the boys as they were growing up and even now none of them would have dreamed of disturbing the man in here.

 

He looked around and noticed how neat and orderly everything was.  How like Hop Sing to keep it so!  The man was meticulous about how he kept the rest of the house and so Ben would have expected no less in here.  The furniture was sparse enough, yet the few possessions scattered around the room spoke volumes about the man and his life.

 

Ben sat down next to the bed and began to wet a cloth to wipe on Hop Sing’ s forehead, continuing to look around the room as he did so. On the dresser next to the bed was a picture of a solemn Chinese girl who stared back at him with her almond-shaped dark eyes.  He fingered the frame as he wondered who it might be. ‘Hop Sing get up now and make breakfast,’ he heard the man in the bed murmur as he lifted his head.

 

Ben pushed it back down again. ‘You just stay right where you are,’ he said in the tone of voice that he often used with his sons. ‘You’re not well enough to be doing anything right about now Hop Sing.’

 

Sing frowned at him and lifted his head again. ‘Must make breakfast,’ he said. ‘Must feed Cartwright family.’

 

‘We’re quite capable of feeding ourselves for a while,’ said Ben in the same stern tone. ‘You just lie back and rest Hop Sing.’

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘No,’ he insisted. ‘Must get breakfast.’  He tried to sit up, but was unable to do so.

 

‘See?’ said Ben as he wiped the man’s forehead with the wet cloth. ‘You’re sick.  You need to rest.  Doctor Martin left me with strict instructions that you weren’t to get out of this bed.’

 

Hop Sing stared in wonderment at Ben. ‘Doctor Martin?’ he said. ‘He come check Hop Sing?’

 

‘Of course he did,’ said Ben gently. ‘We sent for him straight away.’

 

Hop Sing looked confused. ‘But … but Doctor Martin not for Chinese patients.  He should not care for Hop Sing.’

 

‘Nonsense!’ said Ben with a frown. ‘He’s for anyone who is sick … and that includes you!  Now just close your eyes and rest while we look after everything here.’

 

Hop Sing continued to stare at Ben. ‘Not right Cartwright family do for selves,’ he insisted. ‘Not right Cartwright family tend to Hop Sing.’

 

‘Why not?’ asked Ben with a smile. ‘You cared for us a time or two, haven’t you?  Isn’t it about time we returned the favour?’

 

Hop Sing reached out and clutched Ben’s sleeve. ‘Not right!’ he insisted. ‘Hop Sing Chinese.  Not right be cared for by Cartwright family.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Now you stop that!’ he said. ‘I want no more of that kind of talk around here Hop Sing.  You are part of this family and we’ll look after you any way we like.  Now close your eyes and get some sleep!’

 

Hop Sing’s eyes fluttered shut, in spite of his obvious efforts to keep them open.  Ben watched him with a frown on his face, noting the lines around his eyes and mouth that were deeply etched into the skin. ‘It’s been long time Hop Sing,’ he murmured softly. ‘It’s been a long time my old friend.’  His mind drifted back over the years to day long ago …

 

 

 

 

‘Ben!’  Marie clutched her husband’s sleeve and then pointed across the clearing with her other hand. ‘Ben look!’

 

Ben looked.  Across the clearing where his wife pointed he could see two men standing under a tree with guns pointed in the direction of a third smaller man. Without hesitation, Ben reached over and grabbed his rifle from the back of the buckboard and hopped down, only stopping to shout over his shoulder. ‘Stay in the buckboard boys!’

 

Marie immediately reached over and held onto Adam’s arm to restrain him, conscious that the young boy was about to leap down after his father in spite of the man’s warning.  With the other arm she tightly clutched hold of baby Joe who was cooing on her lap and waving his fists around happily. She muttered a prayer under her breath as she watched Ben approach the men cautiously.

 

As Ben approached the men his worst fears were realised. They were holding the smaller man at gunpoint and one look in their direction confirmed in his mind that they were up to no good. ‘What’s going on here?’ he asked, staring at the small Chinese man who returned the look with a mute expression of appeal.

 

The taller of the other two men gave Ben a snarl, which was meant to pass as a smile and spat on the ground in an offhand way. ‘Nuthin neighbour,’ he said. ‘Just having a little discussion with this Chinaman here.  Ain’t no concern of yours.’

 

Ben continued to point the rifle in their direction. ‘Well then, why don’t you just finish your discussion and get on your way?’ he said.

 

The second man stepped forward. ‘My friend done told ya mister that this ain’t your business,’ he said. ‘Why don’t ya just get outta here ..’ he glanced in the direction of the buckboard. ‘Before someone gets in the way.

 

Ben’s blood ran cold at the inference in the man’s gesture and tone of voice, but he stood his ground nevertheless. ‘These men hurting you?’ he asked the Chinese man.

 

The man hesitated for an instant before replying. ‘Need go Carson City,’ he said and picked up a bag by his feet as he eyed off the men. ‘Need go now.’

 

One of the men grabbed him by the sleeve. ‘Hold on there Chinaman,’ he snarled. ‘No one told ya to go!’

 

Ben pushed his rifle forward until it pointed directly at the man’s chest. ‘Leave him alone,’ he said in a firm voice. ‘In fact if I were you I’d get right back up on those horses and ride out of here.’

 

‘And if I were you mister I’d mind my own business,’ the man snapped back at him.  He took a step forward towards Ben, but his partner grabbed him by the sleeve.

 

‘Ain’t worth it Sid,’ he said in a low. ‘Voice let’s get outta here.’ He shot the Chinese man a dark look. ‘Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet this one agin some time?’  He gave an evil chuckle. ‘One day when he ain’t got a protector with him!’  He spat on the ground before mounting is horse and turning it away.  His companion followed suit and they soon disappeared over the horizon.

 

The Chinese man bowed slightly to Ben. ‘Hop Sing thank you,’ he said stiffly.

 

Ben smiled at him. ‘Think nothing of it,’ he said. ‘I don’t like to see that sort of thing happening.  There’s too many people of their sort roaming round here lately.’  He glanced down at Hop Sing’s bag. ‘You’re headed to Carson City?’ he said. ‘I can give you a lift part of the way if you like.’

 

Hop Sing bowed again, but shook his head. ‘No think you,’ he said stiffly. ‘ You done enough.  Am happy to walk.’

 

Ben frowned. ‘I don’t think that’s a very good idea,’ he said. ‘Those two could be waiting for you over the hill.’

 

Hop Sing hesitated. ‘Very well,’ he said. ‘Thank you.’  He followed Ben back to the buckboard and bowed in front of Marie as Ben introduced her and then Adam and Hoss who were sitting in the back. 

 

Ben took his bag and put it in the back with the boys. ‘I hope you don’t mind sitting with the boys back here,’ he said. ‘There’s not much room up front.’

 

‘Hop Sing not mind,’ said the man as he climbed up. 

 

Hoss stared intently at the man as the buckboard lurched forward again. ‘How come you got long hair?’ he asked eventually.

 

‘Hoss!’ said Marie. ‘It’s not very polite to ask questions like that.’

 

‘Hop Sing not mind,’ said the Chinese man and smiled at the young boy. ‘Have long hair because custom in my country,’ he explained.

 

‘Are you Chinese?’ asked Adam.

 

‘Yes.’

 

‘Why’d you come to America then?’

 

Hop Sing hesitated again before answering. ‘Many reasons,’ he said.

 

Marie and Ben exchanged a glance.  It was obvious that the man was not going to volunteer much about himself to them.

 

‘Like what?’ persisted Adam.

 

‘Adam, that’s enough,’ interrupted his father. ‘Hop Sing shouldn’t have to answer all your questions.’

 

There was silence as they ambled along in the buckboard for a while longer. Suddenly Ben spoke. ‘I’ve been thinking Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘Unless you’ve got a job waiting for you in Carson City, would you consider staying with us for a few days and helping out?’

 

Hop Sing frowned. ‘Helping out with what?’ he asked.

 

Ben glanced at Marie who nodded slightly as she tried to still the squirming baby on her lap.

 

‘Things have been a bit hard for us in the last few months since the baby came,’ explained Ben. ‘I’ve got to catch up on quite a bit before winter sets in and I sure could sue someone around the ranch to do the house chores for me while I get things up to date. How about it?’

 

There was no response from the back of the buckboard and Ben eventually looked over his shoulder to see if Hop Sing had heard him. Hop Sing stared back at him, a surprised look on his face. ‘You would have Chinese man in your house to stay?’ he asked.

 

‘Of course,’ replied Ben. ‘We’d give you food and lodging for the time you’re with us.  I’d be able to pay a small amount as well.’ Again there was silence. Finally Ben added. ‘Of course if you have something waiting for you in Carson City then …’

 

‘Is nothing waiting for Hop Sing in Carson City,’ replied the man. ‘I help out for few days at your ranch Mr …’

 

‘Cartwright,’ said Ben. ‘Ben Cartwright.’  He reached around and clasped the man’s hand, shaking it warmly. ‘Pleased to meet you Hop Sing.’

 

Hops Sing’s eyes widened in surprise at the handshake and he bowed slightly from his seated position. ‘Hop Sing please to meet Cartwright family,’ he said.

 

 

 

 

‘Pa?’  Ben leant forward with a start as a hand was placed on his shoulder.  He looked up to see Adam standing beside him, a steaming bowl in his hand. ‘Pa? Are you OK?’

 

Ben smiled down at Hop Sing. ‘I’m fine,’ he said as he smoothed the cloth over the man’s hot face.

 

‘I’ve brought some broth for Hop Sing,’ said Adam as he sat down next to his father. ‘Why don’t you have a break while I feed it to him? I’d like to sit with him for a while.

 

Ben nodded. ‘That would be fine son,’ he said. He understood completely Adam’s need to sit with the man.  Since the moment Hop Sing had come with himself and Marie that day, the two of them had always been close.  Adam had seen it as his personal duty to help Hop Sing improve his English and the cook had been fond of the young boy who had been at such odds with his stepmother and father at the time.  He patted Adam on the shoulder as he stood up. ‘Try and get as much of that broth into him as you can,’ he said. ‘He needs the liquids.’

 

Adam waited until his father had left the room before shaking Hop Sing gently on the shoulder. ‘Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘Are you awake?’

 

The oriental man opened his eyes and smiled at the young man sitting next to his bed. ‘Mr Adam,’ he said. ‘What you do here?’

 

‘I’ve made you some broth Hop Sing,’ said Adam. ‘Here taste it as see if it’s all right.’  He spooned some into the man’s mouth, noticing as he did so the face that Hop Sing pulled as he tried to swallow. ‘Hurts?’ he asked.

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Throat very sore.’

 

‘Try and eat even so,’ said Adam. ‘It will do you good.’  He spooned some more into Hop Sing’s mouth. ‘You’ve done this a time or two for me remember?’ he asked.

 

‘Hop Sing nodded. ‘A time or two,’ he agreed.

 

‘You know Hop Sing, we’re all very grateful to you for looking after us so well all these years,’ said Adam as he continued to spoon the liquid into the man’s mouth. ‘We really couldn’t have asked for anyone to look after us better … especially after … well after Marie.’  His eyes misted over for a moment and then he added, ‘How is it?’

 

Hop Sing nodded as he tried to swallow. ‘Is good,’ he said. ‘Not as good as Hop Sing broth though.’

 

Adam chuckled as he continued to spoon some broth into the man’s mouth. ‘Never could be,’ he agreed. ‘You’ve got a way with food that no one else around here has you know.  You always made sure that we were looked after well didn’t you?’

 

Hop Sing nodded as he opened his mouth again. ‘Is my job,’ he said simply.

 

 

 

‘Here,’ said Hop Sing as he handed Adam a steaming cup of coffee. ‘Drink this Mr Adam.  Will do you good.’

 

Adam took the coffee gratefully as he stared into the fireplace. ‘Thanks Hop Sing,’ he said quietly. ‘Have you seen Pa?’

 

Hop Sing sat down next to the young man. ‘Father in bed,’ he said. ‘Not eat supper again.’

 

‘Did Hoss and Joe eat?’ asked Adam wearily.

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Little boy not eat much, but some. I put them to bed after supper.’

 

‘Thank you,’ said Adam again as he sipped his coffee and continued to stare into the fire.

 

‘I get you supper now,’ said Hop Sing as he stood up. ‘Have kept it hot in oven until you come.’ Adam nodded his head but said nothing, too tired to even acknowledge the man’s remark. It seemed to him as if every bone in his body ached from the physical exertion he’d forced himself to since dawn, but more insistent than even that was the aching in his heart.  He didn’t know how much longer he could go on like this for.  He desperately needed to talk to his father about things, but that was a vain hope given the man’s present state of mind.  Ever since Marie had died a few weeks ago his father had withdrawn into a shadow world that no one seemed to be able to penetrate.  It was as if he had buried himself with his beloved wife.

 

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see Hop Sing staring down at him intently. ‘Mr Adam all right?’ he asked softly. Adam nodded, but his face spoke a different story. Hop Sing sat down again. ‘Father will get better,’ he said.

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said simply.

 

Hop Sing gave the weary young man a sympathetic look. ‘It will get better,’ he said.

 

Adam nodded again. ‘I know,’ he replied listlessly. ‘It’s just that everything needs attending to at once.  The ranch … there’s the herd to be moved and the haying has to start soon.  I don’t know where I’m going to get the men from to help.’  Hop Sing nodded sympathetically. ‘And then there’s the boys …’ Adam’s voice trailed away and he continued to stare into the fire. ‘I just don’t know …’

 

There was a small movement on the stair behind them and they both turned to see a small nightshirt clad figure standing there staring at them both. ‘What are you doing out of bed?’ asked Adam.

 

Little Joe took his thumb out of his mouth before replying. ‘I couldn’t sleep,’ he said. ‘I went in to see Pa, but he done gone to sleep already.’  His bottom lip quivered and Adam tried to stir himself to attend to his little brother.

 

‘Come over here,’ he said as he beckoned to the little boy.  Little Joe ran over and sat between the two men, looking up at both of them trustingly. ‘Can I stay up and talk for a bit?’ he asked pleadingly. ‘I don’t like it up there by myself in the dark with no mama.’

 

Adam’s heart lurched and his eyes filled with tears for the woman that he’d grown to love so dearly and the little son she’d left behind. ‘Yes,’ he said as he put his arm around his little brother and Little Joe snuggled into his older brother’s side. ‘You can stay up and talk for a bit, he said.  ‘I could do with that supper if you don’t mind Hop Sing. I’ll eat it here if you don’t mind.’

 

Hop Sing nodded and patted Little Joe’s curly hair before leaving the room. Joe sucked hard on his thumb as he stared into the fire and sniffed. ‘I want mama to come back Adam,’ he said finally. ‘Why can’t she?’

 

Adam sighed. ‘We’ve been through this before haven’t we?’ he said wearily. ‘I’ve told you buddy … she can’t come back.’

 

Little Joe started to sniffle louder. ‘But I want her to!’ he said. ‘Why can’t she?’

 

‘Because she died.  I explained all that to you before buddy.  She …’

 

The child’s sobs became louder still. ‘No!’ he shouted. ‘I don’t want her to be dead!  I want her to come back now!’

 

Adam tried to lift the little boy onto his lap, but Joe kicked out at him in his distress. ‘No!’ he shouted. ‘I don’t want you! I want my mama!’

 

Adam fought in vain to control his little brother, but the child was becoming distraught and wasn’t ready to listen to anything he had to say. ‘Will you calm down?’ he said in frustration. ‘Listen to me Joe.’

 

‘No! I want my mama!’

 

‘Hop Sing show you where you find your mama,’ said a voice behind them and they both turned in surprise at the man’s voice.  Little Joe stilled instantly and stared at the man, his sobs coming in short hiccups as he began to suck on his thumb again. ‘Little boy come here,’ said Hop Sing as he sat down again. Joe walked over to him, his eyes wide. ‘Why you want mama?’ asked the man, staring at the child intently.

 

‘So’s we can talk to each other,’ said the child in a small voice.

 

‘You talk,’ said Ho Sing. ‘You talk and your mama hear.’

 

Joe looked sceptical. ‘But she can’t talk to me iffen she’s dead,’ he said.

 

‘Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes she can,’ he said. He touched the small boy’s chest. ‘She talk to you in here.  You listen and she talk.’

 

Little Joe put his head on one side, his tears forgotten. ‘Yeah?’ he said.

 

‘Yes,’ said Hop Sing, smiling at Adam over the boy’s curly head. ‘You not see her, but you talk to each other even so.’

 

Adam returned the smile. ‘Sounds about right to me,’ he agreed. ‘What do you think Joe?’

 

Little Joe smiled suddenly at Hop Sin through his tears. ‘I reckon so,’ he said.

 

‘I’ll take you up to bed now buddy,’ said Adam as he stood up and took the child’s hand.

 

‘I want Hop Sing to do it,’ declared Little Joe stubbornly.

 

‘Is all right,’ said Hop Sing. ‘You eat supper now Mr Adam.  I take boy to bed.’ He led the now calm little boy up the stairs slowly.

 

Adam sat down with a sigh and looked at the tray of food that Hop Sing had placed on the coffee table.  He slowly picked up his fork and began to eat.

 

 

Adam looked down at the man who was sleeping in the bed.  ‘What would I ever have done without you then Hop Sing?’ he whispered. ‘I know that I could never have managed.’  He stroked the man’s forehead tenderly and smiled down at him. ‘I owe you so much Hop Sing,’ he whispered. ‘So much.’

 

He looked up as the door opened and Hoss entered. ‘How is he?’ his brother asked. ‘Any better?’

 

Adam shook his head. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘It’s hard to tell really.  I just wish I had his knowledge of herbs and such.  I feel like I want to do something more for him, but I don’t know what.’

 

Hoss nodded in agreement. ‘I know what ya mean,’ he said. ‘He’s always doing lots fer us and it just naturally makes ya wanna do something back.’ He looked at the empty bowl in Adam’s hands. ‘He’s been eating at least.’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said and then a short chuckle. ‘He told me that my broth wasn’t as good as his.’

 

Hoss looked at his brother indignantly. ‘No one’s cooking is as good as Hop Sing’s’ he said. ‘You should know that by now older brother.’

 

‘Oh I do!’ said Adam with a grin. ‘Haven’t you told me time and time again?’  He stretched on his chair and pushed his long legs out in front of him wearily.

 

‘Ya want me to sit with him fer a while?’ asked Hoss. ‘You can go and get something ta eat while I do.’

 

Adam nodded. ‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘Where’s Pa and Joe?’

 

Pa sent Joe out to do your chores as well as his own,’ said Hoss. And Pa is doing the accounts.  He said to tell ya that he could do with your help while I’m in here.’

 

‘Just my luck,’ said Adam as he stood up. ‘My favourite thing … accounts!’

 

Hoss grinned as his older brother left the room and then turned to look at Hop Sing’s pale face. ‘Favourite thing,’ he said half out loud. ‘You always knew what my favourite thing was didn’t ya Hop Sing?’  His mind drifted back over the years and he remembered the smell of the kitchen as he entered it one cold and wet afternoon.

 

 

 

Hop Sing looked up as the boy entered the room and pushed a plate across the table with one hand while he continued to stir the contents of the bowl with the other. ‘After school snack ready,’ he said. ‘You eat before doing chores.’

 

Hoss sat down at the table with a sigh and looked longingly at the fruit and cookies on the plate in front of him. ‘No thanks Hop Sing,’ he said mournfully. ‘I don’t feel like none today.’

 

Hop Sing stopped stirring and looked at the youngster anxiously. ‘Why not?’ he asked.

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘No reason,’ he said as he shuffled his feet. ‘I just don’t.’

 

Hop Sing studied the young boy in front of him. ‘What happened in school today?’ he said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

 

Hoss hesitated. ‘Nuthin,’ he said finally. ‘I gotta go my chores now.’

 

‘Sit down!’ said Hop Sing firmly. Hoss sat down. ‘Why you want not eat?’ asked the cook. ‘You never want not eat.’

 

Hoss shrugged again. ‘I reckon I’m getting fat,’ he said lamely, refusing to look at the man. ‘Leastways that’s what the other kids at school been saying.’

 

Hop Sing sat down next to him. ‘When?’ he asked.

 

‘Today,’ replied Hoss. ‘And … lots of other times too I reckon. They say I’m a fatty.’

 

‘You not fat,’ Hop Sing assured him. ‘Bones are big is all.’

 

Hoss didn’t look convinced. ‘Yeah sure,’ he said. ‘I reckon I’m jest fat Hop Sing. Like them other kids say.’  He looked at the plate of food again longingly. ‘I reckon I shouldn’t eat as much.’

 

Hop Sing thought for a moment. ‘You eat fruit and leaved cookies,’ he said. ‘Fruit good for you.’ Hoss nodded and began to munch thoughtfully on an apple as he watched Hop Sing begin to work again. ‘Why you care what other kids think?’ asked Hop Sing as he poured the batter into a tin ready for the oven.

 

Hoss shrugged. ‘I dunno,’ he said. ‘I jest do I reckon.’  He thought for a moment. ‘I wanna be popular at school,’ he said finally.

 

‘Why?’

 

The boy thought again. ‘I dunno,’ he said.

 

‘You got friends?’

 

‘Yeah.’

 

‘They care what you look like?’

 

‘Nope.  Not Charlie and Fred. They don’t care.  It’s jest that Tom Connor and his friends.  They keep going on bout it all the time.’

 

‘They the ones you want to like you?’

 

‘Yep.’

 

‘Why?’

 

‘I dunno.’  Hoss thought for a few minutes longer. ‘Guess I really don’t know now that I come ta think about it,’ he said. ‘They’s not worth worrying bout I reckon.’

 

‘Not likely to be your friends if they talk about how you look all time,’ said Hop Sing wisely. ‘Sound like they want you be angry.’

 

Hoss nodded. ‘You got that right,’ he said. ‘They’s always trying to make me fight em.  I reckon it’s to get me in trouble.’

 

‘Have more fruit,’ said Hop Sing. ‘Is good for you.’  Hoss took another piece of fruit. ‘You be friends with boys who want to be friends with you,’ suggested Hop Sing. ‘Is no use being friends with boys who don’t.’

 

‘I know,’ admitted Hoss as he munched. ‘But I kinda want to be like em Hop Sing.’

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘You be like you,’ he said wisely as he pointed to Hoss’ chest. ‘Live with self for long time.  Learn to like it.’

 

 

 

Hoss smiled as he watched Hop Sing sleeping. ‘Reckon you was always right Hop Sing,’ he said softly. ‘You’re a real clever one ya know.’

 

Hop Sing opened his eyes. ‘I know,’ he said softly and Hoss nearly jumped out of his skin. Ho Sing folded his arms and stared at him. ‘You clever man Mr Hoss,’ he said. ‘Clever like Hop Sing.’

 

Hoss chuckled. ‘I reckon that I had a good teacher,’ he admitted. ‘You always made sense ta me Hop Sing.  Plus … ain’t no one can cook like you.’

 

Hop Sing nodded his head slightly. ‘Is true,’ he said.  He looked around. ‘Thirsty,’ he said.

 

Hoss poured him a glass of water and held his head in position so that the Chinese man could drink it. ‘You’ve got quite a fever there,’ he said, feeling the man’s forehead. ‘You want more water?’ Hop Sing shook his head. ‘Something to eat?’

 

‘No.’ Hop Sing looked at Hoss critically. ‘You no good cook Mr Hoss.’

 

Hoss nodded in agreement. ‘True,’ he said. ‘I always was much better at eating than cooking weren’t I?’

 

‘You good boy,’ said Hop Sing and then swallowed a couple of times.

 

‘Does ya throat hurt?’  The man nodded.

 

‘You should try and get some sleep,’ suggested Hoss.

 

Hop Sing closed his eyes wearily. ‘Will try,’ he said softly.

 

Hoss sat back and looked around there room curiously.  He hardly ever came in here … in fact he could never remember ever coming in here.  When he was a boy Pa would have had his hide if he’d even tried it and now that he was grown up … well he just wouldn’t have done it. It was funny to think of it, but Hop Sing was really the only one in the whole family who actually went everywhere in the house. It was as if Hop Sing owned the house and gave them all permission to live here.  He certainly told them what to do often enough.  Not only did the rest of them not come in this room at all, but they hardly ever went into other areas that were Hop Sing’s domain as well.  The wash house, the cellar, the …

 

‘What’s that funny look for?’  Hoss looked around to see Joe standing behind him, looking at him curiously.

 

‘I ain’t got no funny look!’ replied Hoss indignantly.

 

‘You sure do,’ said Joe as he stood beside his brother and looked at him curiously. ‘You look all dreamy and funny.’  He gave Hoss an appraising stare. ‘You in love again?’

 

‘Don’t be stupid!’ snorted Hoss.

 

Joe gave him a slight push. ‘Shove over and give me that chair,’ he said. ‘Pa said that it’s my turn to watch Hop Sing for a bit.’

 

Hoss stood up. ‘With pleasure little brother,’ he said. ‘I got things to do.’  He gave Hop Sing another glance.

 

‘There it is again,’ insisted Joe. ‘What you looking like that for?’

 

‘Nuthin,’ muttered Hoss. ‘Why don’t you jest mind ya own business?’  He swatted Joe on the head and left the room.

 

Joe shrugged, put his feet up on the chair and hugged his knees. Hop Sing opened one eye and frowned at him. ‘Take your feet off chair!’ he said sternly.

 

‘Gee Hop Sing, you sound like Pa,’ complained Joe as he took his feet down. ‘Can’t a fellar even get comfortable?’

 

‘Get comfortable with feet on floor,’ said Hop Sing firmly as he opened his other eye. ‘Boy never do as told.  Boy need Hop Sing tell him always what for.’

 

Joe made a face. ‘Well, all I can say is that you must be feeling better if you’re up to telling me what to do again,’ he said. ‘Seems to me that everyone around here is always telling me what to do.’

 

‘That because boy need telling,’ said Hop Sing smugly as he folded his arms over his chest and stared at the youngster. ‘Always needed telling when small and still need telling now. Boy find plenty foolishment all time otherwise.’

 

Joe sighed. ‘I reckon so,’ he said. ‘I always have been good at getting into trouble, haven’t I?  You saved me a time or two from a tanning though.’

 

Hop Sing’s eyes narrowed. ‘Only when needed to,’ he said. ‘Plenty times Hop Sing smack boy’s bottom with wooden spoon.’

 

Joe giggled. ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘That too. I seem to remember being chased by you a time or two when I was little.  I reckon I musta been a pain back then.’

 

‘Sometimes,’ said Hop Sing and then hesitated before he added. ‘Sometimes not.’

 

‘Yeah?’  Joe’s face lit up in a grin at this unexpected and infrequent praise from the man. For as long as he could remember, Hop Sing had ruled the kitchen and indeed the whole house with a strict approach.  Joe had experienced many times his wrath at his frequent scrapes and it was also true that he had been on the receiving end of his wooden spoon a time or two as well.  Ben had needed to leave the youngster in Hop Sing’s charge many times and had given the man full authority to discipline his son as the situation demanded.  And it had demanded it more than once or twice!  Joe chuckled as he remembered back to one such time.

 

 

 

‘Gee Hop Sing, I didn’t mean it!’ Little Joe protested.

 

Hop Sing held up the wooden spoon in a threatening way. ‘Little boy never mean it!’ he yelled. ‘Still much foolishment all same!’  He swatted the boy hard on the backside a couple of times with the spoon.

 

Joe rubbed his small behind and glared at the man angrily. ‘I said I was sorry,’ he muttered. ‘Ain’t no need ta swat me!’

 

‘Is need!’ said Hop Sing, waving the spoon in front of the boy’s face. ‘Little boy learn not to do again!’  He glared at Little Joe and pulled him by the arm until he was next to a chair. ‘Sit there!’ he said. ‘Not move unless say so!’

 

Joe sat down as he was told, still rubbing his backside as he glared at Hop Sing.  After a few minutes he began to fidget. ‘Can I get up now?’ he asked.

 

‘No!’ said Hop Sing as he chopped the vegetables furiously.

 

‘I’ll be good.’

 

‘No!’

 

Little Joe sat back on the chair and folded his arms, his face in a pout as he did so. ‘Ain’t fair!’ he muttered. ‘Everyone round here’s always telling me what ta do.  Ain’t a fellar ever allowed ta do what he wants?’

 

‘Not when get into trouble all time,’ said Hop Sing firmly. ‘Little boy learn to do as told first.’

 

‘Ain’t my fault!’ declared Little Joe. ‘Don’t mean ta get into trouble.’

 

‘Learn to think before do,’ counselled Hop Sing.

 

‘Huh?’

 

Hop Sing shook his head slightly and then tapped the side of the boy’s head. ‘Use brains,’ he said. ‘Think about what do before do it.’

 

‘Oh.’  Little Joe thought for a bit. ‘But thinking uses up too much time,’ he said finally.

 

‘You like being in trouble?’

 

The boy rubbed his backside again. ‘No.’

 

‘Then think!’

 

Little Joe sighed, he drew his knees up towards himself and rested his chin on them. ‘Why ain’t nothing ever easy?’ he mused. ‘How come I gotta always do hard things like think?’

 

Hop Sing tried not to laugh out loud. ‘Life is hard,’ he said with a straight face.

 

‘I reckon so,’ said Little Joe and then jumped as his father yelled at him from the doorway. ‘Joseph, take your feet off that chair!’

 

 

 

‘Take your feet off that chair young man!’ Joe started at the sound of the voice behind him and removed his feet quickly as he gave his father a guilty smile.

 

Ben frowned at his youngest son and then looked over his shoulder at the man lying in the bed. ‘How is he?’ he asked.

 

‘Been sleeping for quite a bit,’ replied Joe. ‘Seem funny me sitting here watching him sick in bed stead of the other way around … don’t it Pa?’

 

Ben smiled. ‘Yes,’ he admitted. ‘That it does son. He’s certainly spent many an hour by your bedside in the past.  He’s done it for all of us in fact.’

 

‘I can’t ever remember Hop Sing being sick before,’ Joe continued as his father pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. ‘Not even once.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘Neither can I,’ he admitted. The man in the bed stirred slightly and Ben took a cold cloth from the bowl on the dresser and began to wipe his face with it while Joe watched.

 

‘Is he gonna be all right Pa?’ the youngster asked anxiously.

 

‘I sure hope so son,’ said his father as he continued to wipe.

 

Joe let out a breath with a sigh. ‘That’s good,’ he said. ‘I don’t want anything to happen to Hop Sing.  He’s …’ the youngster hesitated while his father looked up.

 

‘He’s what?’

 

‘He’s kinda like … well … he’s family, don’t you think Pa?’

 

‘Of course he’s family.  He has been since the day he came back with your mother and I to the Ponderosa.’  Ben gave his son a sideways smile. ‘You were only tiny then.’

 

Joe nodded. ‘I don’t ever remember not having Hop Sing around,’ he admitted. ‘I can’t imagine what it’d be like if he wasn’t here.’  Father and son stared down at the man in the bed, their minds full of memories of him.

 

‘Why don’t you go and do your chores son,’ suggested Ben after a while. ‘I’ll take a turn sitting here now.’

 

Joe put his feet up on the chair again and then withdrew them quickly as he saw the look on his father’s face. ‘Oh that’s okay Pa,’ he said. ‘I don’t mind.’

 

‘Chores Joseph,’ repeated his father firmly.

 

Joe gave a small sigh and got up to leave the room. ‘Make sure he’s okay, won’t you Pa?’ he said before he left the room.

 

Ben shook his head slightly and the turned back to the bed to see Hop Sing staring up at him. ‘So you’re awake after all,’ he said with a tinge of sarcasm. ‘And here I was thinking that you were asleep.

 

Hop Sing’s eyes narrowed. ‘I been awake for a long time,’ he said. ‘Just sick of boy’s talk is all. Talk, talk, talk all time.  Make Hop Sing’s head hurt.’

 

Ben chuckled. ‘Well he can talk a lot,’ he admitted. ‘Always could.  I suppose you heard what he said.’

 

Hop Sing nodded and avoided looking into Ben’s eyes. ‘Yes,’ he admitted. ‘He talk foolishment as always.’

 

Ben shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘For once Joseph was spot on in what he said Hop Sing. You are part of this family.  We all feel it.  I was hoping that maybe . well maybe you felt that way too.’

 

The man in the bed stared at the wall for a long time.  So long in fact that Ben thought he was never going to answer.  Suddenly he nodded slightly and said, ‘Yes,’ in a voice so small that the other man had to strain to hear it. ‘Cartwrights are Hop Sing’s family now.’  His eyes drifted to the picture of the solemn Chinese girl on the dresser for a moment and his eyes locked onto it while Ben watched him.

 

‘She must have been someone special,’ Ben said finally.

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Very special.’  He sighed softly.

 

‘Is she dead?’ Ben asked and Hop Sing nodded slowly. ‘Then all those times we talked …’ Ben’s mind drifted back to a time long past …

 

 

 

‘Mr Ben?’ Ben turned from the window to see Hop Sing standing behind him in the doorway. ‘Is time,’ the Chinese man said.

 

‘Are the boys ready?’

 

‘Yes. All outside in buggy waiting.’ Ben nodded and turned to stare out of the window again. After a few moments Hop Sing walked towards him. ‘Is time,’ he repeated firmly. ‘Must go now.’ Ben nodded again, but didn’t move. Hop Sing tried again. ‘Everyone waiting,’ he insisted. ‘Must go or be late.’

 

‘It doesn’t matter,’ said Ben in a low voice. ‘Nothing matters any more.’

 

Hop Sing frowned. ‘Is not true,’ he declared. ‘Sons matter. You go today to bury Missy Marie, not bury sons.’

 

Ben looked startled. ‘I never thought of it that way,’ he said. ‘But you just don’t understand Hop Sing,’ he said. ‘I loved her …I’m burying the woman I love … you just can’t understand that.’

 

A momentary look of despair came over Hop Sing’s face, but he said nothing. Finally Ben turned from the window. ‘I’m coming,’ he said in a flat voice. ‘Let’s get this over with.’

 

Hop Sing followed him silently from the room.

 

 

 

‘ … all those times we talked,’ Ben continued. ‘You were thinking of yourself as well, weren’t you old friend?’

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said simply. He looked up at Ben. ‘I thank you Mr Ben,’ he said. ‘That day you find Hop Sing on road to Carson City I not really care if men kill me then.  Hop Sing very sad that day.’  His eyes drifted to the picture again. ‘Mr Ben and Missy Marie give Hop Sing reason to live again. Give Hop Sing boys to live for so soon after love die.’

 

Ben’s heart constricted. ‘I never knew,’ he said. ‘Why didn’t you ever tell me that you’d lost someone close?’

 

Hop Sing shook his head. ‘I not lose,’ he said as he tapped his heart. ‘She in here still. She not really gone.  Just like Missy Marie.’

 

Ben nodded in understanding. ‘Still …’ he said. ‘We could have helped you if we’d known.’

 

Hop Sing smiled at him. ‘You help,’ he said simply. ‘Boys help too.’

 

Ben smiled at the man and put his hand over his as they stayed together in silence. Suddenly Hop Sing’s eyes twinkled. ‘You not tell boys how Hop Sing feel about them,’ he said. ‘Let them keep guessing.’

 

Ben chuckled. ‘Of course not old friend … I’d never interfere,’ he assured Hop Sing. Their eyes met in a moment of mutual understanding.

 

Suddenly the door opened and Joe came bursting through it. ‘Pa, Doc Martin is here!’ he yelled.

 

‘Thank you very much Joseph,’ said Ben sternly. ‘Now do you think that you could go out and leave Hop Sing in peace for a while instead of assaulting us with all that noise?’

 

Joe made a face. ‘Sorry,’ he said and left with a grin as Paul Martin entered the room.

 

‘Well, how’s my patient?’ said the doctor as he placed his bag on the bed and opened it.

 

Hop Sing frowned. ‘Doctor Martin should not be coming to see Hop Sing …’ he began, but was instantly interrupted by Ben. ‘Now we’ve had all that before,’ he said. ‘No more of it.’

 

Paul gave a short chuckle as he bent down to listen to Hop Sing’s chest with his stethoscope in his ears. Hop Sing stared up at him. ‘Chest is fine,’ he said.

 

‘Shh,’ said Paul.

 

‘No need listen to chest.  Is clear,’ insisted Hop Sing.

 

‘Shh,’ repeated the doctor as he continued to listen.  He felt the glands at Hop Sing’s neck.

 

‘Swollen still,’ Hop Sing informed him.

 

‘So I see,’ said Paul. ‘Better though.’ He turned to Ben. ‘A poultice of bran would help.’

 

‘Better if poultice made from bran mixed in hot water,’ interrupted Hop Sing and Ben tried to hide a smile.

 

‘Who’s the doctor here?’ asked Paul, pretending to be indignant at the man’s interruption.

 

‘You are doctor,’ said Hop Sing and Paul nodded with satisfaction. ‘But I know best,’ finished the Chinese man smugly. ‘Make bran hot,’ he instructed Ben who was still trying to keep a straight face as he listened to both men.

 

Paul Martin shrugged. ‘Make it hot then,’ he said. ‘He’s usually right about these things.’

 

‘Not usually right,’ said Hop Sing in the same smug voice. ‘Always right.’

 

Paul gave Ben a wink. ‘Well it’s good to see that you’re feeling a bit better now,’ he said to Hop Sing.

 

The Chinese man nodded. ‘Ready to get up and work now,’ he said.

 

‘Not yet you don’t,’ said the doctor firmly. ‘The Cartwrights will just have to cope without you for a while longer I’m afraid.  You’re to stay in that bed for a couple more days at least.’

 

Hop Sing frowned and for a moment Ben could have sworn that the look on his face was exactly the same as that which Joe got on his when told that he couldn’t do something. ‘You need to listen to the doctor Hop Sing,’ he said firmly. ‘After all … he knows best.’

 

Hop Sing muttered something about himself knowing best, but both men decided to ignore it. Paul packed his bag. ‘Well I’ll be on my way,’ he said. ‘I don’t think that you need me here at all. ‘Don’t forget that bran poultice Ben …’ he stole a glance at Hop Sing. ‘The hot bran poultice,’ he said with a grin and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

 

‘Well it sounds like you’re on the mend,’ said Ben.

 

Hop Sing nodded. ‘Is true,’ he said. ‘Hop Sing could have told you that.  No need doctor come to Ponderosa to say so.’

 

‘Even so … it’s good to hear him confirm it,’ said Ben, quite amused. ‘What do you think you’re doing?’  he asked as Hop Sing threw back the covers.

 

‘Much work to do now that Hop Sing better,’ said the man.

 

‘No,’ said Ben firmly as he pulled the covers back up around him. ‘You heard the doctor.  You’re to stay in bed for a couple more days.’

 

‘But must cook for Cartwright family,’ said Hop Sing stubbornly.

 

‘It will do those boys of mine good to look after themselves for a while,’ said Ben firmly. ‘You, my friend, are to rest.’ He patted Hop Sing on the shoulder. ‘Make them appreciate you a bit more.’ His eyes twinkled. ‘Remember … keep them guessing.’

 

Hop Sing returned the look. ‘Is true,’ he said as he snuggled down under the covers again.

 

 

 

The End