Series: Adam in the Outback (13 of 16)<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0 This is the thirteenth story in my “Adam in the Outback” series. Part 3 covers the years 1898 through 1901\u2014a time of weddings and births for the Australian Cartwrights.<\/p>\n
Rated: T \u00a0WC 76,000<\/p>\n
Adam In The Outback Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n My True Love Hath My Heart – Part 1<\/a> Not part of the Adam in the Outback Series, but set in the same realm:<\/p>\n The Adventure of the Gooseberry Pie Eating Bear<\/a> Marriage of True Minds – #3<\/strong><\/p>\n Larkspur and Vickie Batzka once again assisted me by reading draft copies of this story and offering suggestions to improve it as well as catching my errors. I owe them my heartfelt thanks.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 1<\/em><\/strong> \u201cBut I wanna see Grandpa!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Grandpa wants to see you,\u201d Ben called, smiling at his son, who moved just slightly to one side, keeping a hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 A.C. ran into the great room, tall and skinny just as his father had been at the same age, with the same dimpled grin.<\/p>\n He stopped short of Ben and Adam and, suddenly self-conscious, said, \u201cG\u2019day, Grandpa,\u201d in a subdued tone but Ben held out his arms for a hug and the child went to him without hesitation.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve grown so much since the last time I saw you.\u00a0 I think you\u2019re taller than your father was when he was ten,\u201d Ben said, resting a hand on his grandson\u2019s shoulder, and was rewarded by another happy grin.\u00a0 You have your mama\u2019s gregarious and demonstrative nature<\/em>, Ben thought, giving his grandson\u2019s shoulder an affectionate squeeze.\u00a0 He looked up and saw his granddaughter, Gwyneth, framed in the doorway, looking lovelier and more poised than the girl he remembered.\u00a0 She smiled shyly, showing that she had also inherited her father\u2019s dimple\u2014along with his reserve.<\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day, Grandpa,\u201d she said in her soft, melodious voice before hugging him gently.\u00a0 She moved to stand by her father, and Ben saw his oldest grandchild for the first time since her wedding five years earlier.\u00a0 Beth was as ravishingly beautiful as ever with her enormous hazel eyes under delicately arched brows, perfectly proportioned nose, full lips that begged to be kissed and dimpled chin.\u00a0 A young child with golden-brown hair and soft, doe-eyes held her right hand, while a younger child with thick raven hair and enormous chocolate-brown eyes clutched her left.<\/p>\n Beth hunkered down so she was eye level with her babies and said quietly, \u201cThis is your Great-grandpa.\u00a0 Can you go give him a kiss?\u201d\u00a0 Shy Elen hung back but Huw toddled over on his chubby legs.<\/p>\n Adam was concerned about Pa bending over, so he scooped up his grandson saying, \u201cPa-pa will hold you so you can give Great-grandpa a kiss.\u201d\u00a0 Huw placed a resounding smack on Ben\u2019s weathered check, and then overcome with shyness, he buried his face in his grandpa\u2019s neck.\u00a0 Ben held up one gnarled hand and gently stroked the little boy\u2019s silky hair, remembering how soft Adam\u2019s hair had been at that same age.<\/p>\n Watching her younger brother had given Elen courage and now she ran toward Ben.\u00a0 Smiling, Gwyneth said, \u201cI\u2019ll hold you up,\u201d and she lifted her little niece and held her so she could kiss Ben\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 Even further emboldened, Elen said, \u201cG\u2019day, geat-ganpa,\u201d before dimpling.<\/p>\n Ben smiled at her saying, \u201cGood day to you, Elen.\u00a0 I see you have your grandpa\u2019s dimple.\u201d\u00a0 He reached out and cupped her soft cheek in his palm before turning to hug Beth.\u00a0 \u201cMotherhood certainly agrees with you, Beth dear.\u00a0 I think you are even lovelier, although that hardly seems possible.\u201d\u00a0 He saw her flawless milky-white complexion flush with color.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa, you\u2019re going to make me vain,\u201d she scolded with a smile, and hugged him again before moving to stand by her little brother.\u00a0 Ben saw his daughter-in-law then, her violet eyes as beguiling as ever, and held out his arms to her.\u00a0 He hugged her tightly before greeting her parents.<\/p>\n \u201cHow wonderful to see you again, Llywelyn and Si\u00e2n,\u201d he stated with a warm, welcoming smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think of the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs our grandson would say, \u2018What a ripper!\u2019\u201d Dr. Davies replied, returning Ben\u2019s smile and shaking his proffered hand.\u00a0 \u201cAdam tells us we only saw a small portion of the station, uh, I mean ranch, as we drove here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true.\u00a0 My sons and I worked hard to make the Ponderosa the largest and most successful ranch in Nevada,\u201d Ben replied with justifiable pride.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean in the entire West,\u201d Joe contradicted from the doorway.\u00a0 \u201cI told them the most beautiful sight on the whole ranch is Lake Tahoe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf tomorrow is as beautiful as today, I thought maybe we could have a picnic there,\u201d Adam said hesitantly, for now he wasn\u2019t sure if Pa would be up to a trip to the lake.<\/p>\n Ben saw his concern and said gently, \u201cIf you\u2019ll drive the Davies and me in the buggy, I think a picnic would be a wonderful idea, son.\u00a0 In fact.\u201d he added with a grin, \u201csince none of you have been on horseback for a month, I suggest we all ride there in the surrey.\u201d\u00a0 With a rueful smile, Adam concurred.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna see the cabin,\u201d A.C. announced.<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cWe fixed it up so it\u2019ll be ready for Miranda and William.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I stay there with \u2018em?\u201d A.C. asked, not understanding why all the adults were suddenly choked with laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m afraid not, Jackeroo,\u201d Adam said, trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face.\u00a0 He saw the scheming look on his son\u2019s face and spoke more firmly, \u201cAdam Stoddard Cartwright, Jr., you are to keep away from the cabin while Miranda and William are here.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI bet they wouldn\u2019t care,\u201d the boy replied sullenly.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes they would,\u201d his parents, grandparents, sisters and uncle said simultaneously, which made him blink in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cA.C. bach<\/em>, when a man and women first marry, they want to have time alone together,\u201d Bronwen explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d he asked and was surprised when his mama and mam-gu<\/em>\u2019s faces got red.\u00a0 Even Beth and Gwyneth turned very pink.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you mean they want to kiss and stuff,\u201d he said suddenly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam said quickly to forestall any further discussions of stuff<\/em>.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I want your word that you won\u2019t go to the cabin while Miranda and William are here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u00a0 I mean, yes, sir.\u00a0 I promise that I won\u2019t go when they\u2019re here.\u00a0 But can I go tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone who wants may go tomorrow,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n Just then two of the hands entered the house carrying Beth\u2019s trunk.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019Scuse me, Boss, but which room does this trunk go in?\u201d one asked.\u00a0 Adam tried not to look surprised as he realized that the man was addressing his younger brother, rather than their father, when he said \u201cBoss\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThat depends on whose trunk it is,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cI recognized Adam and Bronwen\u2019s, but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s mine,\u201d Beth said so Joe added, \u201cTake it to Hoss\u2019s room, Jacob.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben said to Beth, \u201cWe\u2019re putting you and the little ones in his old room,\u201d and she smiled and squeezed his hand. \u201cWe brought the crib down from the attic although from what Adam once wrote, I imagine Huw may prefer to sleep in the bed with you and Elen.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled, adding, \u201cAs you remember, it\u2019s a pretty big bed.\u201d\u00a0 Beth nodded, wishing she could recall something of the large, gentle uncle who had inhabited that room and whom her daddy had always spoken of with deep affection.\u00a0 He\u2019d often told her how much Uncle Hoss had loved her and Miranda and called them his Sweet Peas.<\/p>\n \u201cWanna see where we sleep,\u201d Elen demanded so Beth said, \u201cI think I should go up and get them settled.\u00a0 They really need to take a \u2018n-a-p\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like some help?\u201d Mrs. Davies asked and Beth nodded gratefully.<\/p>\n \u201cA.C., you wanna help unload the buckboard?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n \u201cHe can\u2019t lift the trunks,\u201d Bronwen said worriedly as A.C. rolled his eyes in embarrassment.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but he knows which trunk is your parents and which is Gwyneth\u2019s and he can carry the valise,\u201d Joe replied, reaching over and tousling his nephew\u2019s mop of black hair.\u00a0 Adam realized his son needed to pay a visit to the barber.\u00a0 In fact, what was left of his own curly hair was badly in need of a trim.\u00a0 Saturday they would make a trip into Carson City so their hair would be nice and neat for church.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, the valise has Huw\u2019s nappies and I\u2019ll need it,\u201d Beth said from the stairs.<\/p>\n While Joe and A.C. went to help with the luggage, Ben eased into his favorite leather chair by the immense fireplace, his aching joints forgotten as he drank in the sight of his family.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow evening my old friend Paul Martin is coming to dine with us,\u201d Ben stated.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s also a doctor.\u00a0 He removed more bullets and sewed up more wounds on my three boys than I care to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFortunately, I never had to deal with any bullet wounds in my practice,\u201d Dr. Davies said, \u201cbut I\u2019ve sewn my fair share of stitches.\u00a0 Adam has spoken very highly of Dr. Martin and Bronwen said he did an excellent job setting her collarbone when she had her riding accident.\u00a0 I look forward to meeting him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled and then said wistfully, \u201cI envy you and Si\u00e2n since you\u2019ll be able to see our granddaughter graduate.\u00a0 Third in her class,\u201d he added proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you got to see her graduate from the Girls Latin School as salutatorian and I couldn\u2019t leave my practice to attend that,\u201d Dr. Davies replied calmly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we\u2019ll all get to see her marry.\u00a0 Since you\u2019re the only one of us to have met her betrothed, why don\u2019t you tell us about him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWilliam is a fine young man,\u201d Ben assured them.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s very intelligent and he is also very self-assured; he doesn\u2019t have any need to impress others by flaunting his education.\u00a0 He\u2019s also open-minded.\u00a0 Lots of Easterners come out here and look down their noses at our way of life.\u00a0 Not William.\u00a0 I remember the second day he was here he went to town and bought himself a pair of waist overalls and a plain cotton shirt so he would fit in.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned before adding with a chuckle, \u201cI do think he was surprised and a bit chagrinned to realize Miranda is a better rider than he is.\u00a0 However, he survived that blow to his manly pride.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait until he sees Gwyneth on horseback,\u201d Adam said and she blushed slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t been riding in such a long time,\u201d she said regretfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll come back to you,\u201d her grandpa said with a smile.<\/p>\n Joe and one of the hands entered then with the Davies\u2019 trunk and overhearing the last part of the conversation, Joe said, \u201cDuchess is in the corral if you\u2019d like to take her for a short ride.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing his older brother\u2019s expression Joe added quickly, \u201cAs soon as we get the trunks upstairs, I could ride with her.\u201d<\/p>\n A.C. was right behind Joe, carrying Beth\u2019s valise, and said quickly, \u201c\u201cI wanna ride.\u00a0 I have my own horse now, Uncle Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo I heard,\u201d Joe replied, grinning at his nephew as he headed toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cGot some horses in the corral for you to choose from.\u201d\u00a0 The boy gave a whoop of delight, ran past his uncle and up the stairs, causing Bronwen to sigh.\u00a0 Joe looked at his brother and sister-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cThat Appaloosa you rode last time is in the corral,\u201d he said to Adam.\u00a0 Then he turned to Bronwen and said regretfully, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Bronwen, but Rosebud died.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got some nice gentle mares in the corral for you to choose from.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPoor Rosebud, but I suppose she was over twenty,\u201d Bronwen said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll come take a look at the horses you\u2019ve selected, but I think I\u2019ll wait until tomorrow morning to go for a ride.\u00a0 How about you, Cariad<\/em>?\u201d she asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you tomorrow,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cRight now, let\u2019s go pick your mount.\u201d\u00a0 Just then A.C. bounded noisily down the stairs so he added, \u201cand A.C.\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you care for a game of chess?\u201d Ben asked Dr. Davies, who eagerly nodded his acceptance, so they moved to the game table, which stood near Ben\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n When Adam and Bronwen returned, they shared a smile at the sight of their fathers engrossed in their game.\u00a0 \u201cHow about a little nap?\u201d he inquired with that certain gleam in his eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI think a nap would be delightful,\u201d she replied with a saucy grin.<\/p>\n The next morning after breakfast everyone except Ben and the Davies went for a short ride.\u00a0 Beth took Huw with her on her dappled gray Quarter Horse and Elen rode with her grandpa on his Appaloosa.\u00a0 Gwyneth rode Duchess, her Morgan mare, and A.C. was mounted on a buckskin gelding that was part Morgan and part Quarter Horse.\u00a0 Bronwen had chosen a brown mustang mare as sweet-tempered as her Olwen.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they should have left the babies with us,\u201d Mrs. Davies said anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cBeth told Ben and me that they go riding with their tada<\/em> and mam<\/em> all the time,\u201d her husband reassured her.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be going at a walk,\u201d Ben added.\u00a0 \u201cAnd they won\u2019t be gone long.\u00a0 They haven\u2019t been on horseback for over a month and they\u2019ll be stiff and sore.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, Si\u00e2n.\u00a0 Let\u2019s sit on the porch and you can tell me more about your voyage,\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd about our great-grandchildren,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \u201cI never thought I\u2019d get to see my great-grandchildren,\u201d he said with a tender smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Dr. Davies said.\u00a0 \u201cIt was the same for us.\u00a0 Three of our son Bryn\u2019s children have married and have children of their own, but the trip between Sydney and Broken Hill is just too much for us now, and they can\u2019t leave their stations for that long.\u00a0 The journey to Cloncurry is as difficult as the one to Broken Hill and of course Dafydd can\u2019t leave his flock.\u00a0 We are so grateful he was willing for Beth and the children to travel here for Miranda\u2019s wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was sweet of him to give the three of us this opportunity to spend time with Beth\u2019s little ones,\u201d Mrs. Davies added, giving Ben\u2019s hand a gentle squeeze.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam wrote that Huw is pretty easy-going, but Elen has inherited the Cartwright stubbornness,\u201d Ben said with a fond smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether she gets it from the Cartwrights or the Davies I\u2019m not sure, but she very definitely has a stubborn streak,\u201d Mrs. Davies agreed.\u00a0 \u201cIf she didn\u2019t like the food being served on the ship, she let everyone know it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe only had one or two tantrums,\u201d her husband corrected mildly.\u00a0 \u201cShe soon learned that a tantrum resulted in\u2014what is Adam\u2019s expression?\u2014oh, yes, a \u2018necessary\u2019 talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeth told us Dafydd is the disciplinarian,\u201d Mrs. Davies stated, \u201cand I think Elen just wanted to see what she could get away with since her tada<\/em> wasn\u2019t there.\u00a0 She soon discovered her tad-cu<\/em> was just as strict.\u00a0 Now, Huw has his tada<\/em>\u2019s temperament; the only problem Beth has with him is that he doesn\u2019t like to be put to bed at night.\u00a0 She said he\u2019s always been that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think he just doesn\u2019t want to miss out on anything,\u201d her husband said.\u00a0 \u201cHe is a very bright, curious little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like Adam when he was a little lad,\u201d Ben said reminiscently.\u00a0 \u201cAfter he passed through the stage where the only word he seemed to use was \u2018no\u2019, his new favorite word was \u2018why\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was the same with our three, but especially Rhys,\u201d Mrs. Davies said.<\/p>\n They were still conversing when the others returned, stiff and sore.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d forgotten how long it takes to get used to riding when I haven\u2019t done any for a while,\u201d Beth stated as she handed Huw to Dr. Davies before dismounting, and with none of her usual grace.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be better in a few days,\u201d her father remarked as he gave Elen to her and then dismounted rather stiffly before turning to assist his wife.<\/p>\n \u201cNice horsy,\u201d Elen said and Beth held her so she could pat the Appaloosa\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa, do I have time to take a hot bath before we leave on the picnic?\u201d Gwyneth asked, resisting the strong urge to rub her posterior.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take too long, Dear,\u201d Ben replied with a slight grin as she ambled by him.<\/p>\n A.C., energized by the outing, asked, \u201cYou wanna play catch, Elen?\u201d and was answered by a squeal of delight from his niece.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, too!\u201d Huw shrieked and the two older children frowned.\u00a0 The fourteen-month-old was just too young to play catch very well and they didn\u2019t like rolling the ball so he could play too.<\/p>\n \u201cI packed Elen\u2019s cloth ball,\u201d Beth said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s still in our trunk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get it,\u201d her brother offered and ran inside the house.\u00a0 Bronwen started to remind him that he shouldn\u2019t run inside but realized the futility and closed her mouth.\u00a0 Beth, knowing that A.C. and Elen would rather play alone, moved to join her parents and grandparents on the porch and gently eased herself on a chair.\u00a0 \u2018Huw, maybe Pa-pa would play with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Huw walked over to Adam and asked, \u201cHorsy, Pa-pa?\u201d with a beguiling smile.<\/p>\n Adam ruffled his thick black hair saying, \u201cYou just went for a ride, mate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHorsy,\u201d Huw repeated and, rolling his eyes, Adam picked him up and began bouncing him on his knee.<\/p>\n \u201cMe, too, Pa-pa!\u00a0 Me, too!\u201d Elen shrieked as she moved to climb up on his lap as well.<\/p>\n Luckily for Adam\u2019s legs, A.C. burst onto the porch then with the cloth ball, distracting Elen.\u00a0 Huw was having so much fun that he didn\u2019t notice his sister and uncle.\u00a0 When her father showed signs of tiring, Beth offered to take Huw to see the chickens and the pigs.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I come with you?\u201d Ben asked and Beth smilingly nodded her agreement.\u00a0 Ben slowly rose from his chair and held out his hand to Huw.\u00a0 When the child trustingly put his tiny hand in his large, calloused one, Ben blinked back tears of joy.\u00a0 He\u2019s Adam\u2019s grandson, but his mannerisms and disposition remind me so much of Hoss<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ben and Beth were still showing Huw the animals and Adam had joined the game of catch when Buckshot came out carrying a large hamper.<\/p>\n \u201cYer food\u2019s ready,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Buckshot,\u201d Bronwen said as the three ball players came running over and Gwyneth went in search of the missing family members.\u00a0 It took a few minutes to decide who would sit with whom on the drive to the lake.\u00a0 A.C. wanted to sit in the front with his dad, hoping that he could convince him to let him drive part of the way.\u00a0 Wanting to forestall that outcome, Bronwen decided she would sit directly behind Adam and Gwyneth chose to sit by her.\u00a0 Ben wanted to spend some time with Elen and she insisted on sitting with her mother, so the three of them shared a seat and Huw rode in the back seat with his great-grandparents.\u00a0 Joe followed behind with the buggy, carrying the picnic basket.<\/p>\n On the drive to the lake, Dr. and Mrs. Davies were enchanted by the scenery and the children were entranced with the wildlife.\u00a0 After the picnic, Beth and Gwyneth took the children wading along the shore of the lake, Joe and A.C. decided to have a stone-skipping contest while Ben and the Davies chose to rest.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen elected to go for a walk, promising to be back in an hour to drive everyone to the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have a specific destination?\u201d Bronwen asked quietly as she and Adam walked along at steady pace.<\/p>\n He smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose after twenty-four years of marriage I shouldn\u2019t be surprised that you can read me like a book.\u201d\u00a0 His expression quickly sobered as he added, \u201cI want to visit Hoss and Marie, and the graves aren\u2019t far from here.\u201d<\/p>\n She squeezed his hand saying, \u201cI\u2019d like to visit Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou built this yourself, Ben?\u201d Dr. Davies asked as the group approached the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cHad a little help from Adam,\u201d Ben said, smiling at his eldest.<\/p>\n \u201cConsidering I wasn\u2019t quite seven yet, I think you can imagine how much help I was,\u201d Adam replied sardonically.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re underestimating your contribution, son,\u201d Ben said quietly as they pulled up in front of the cabin.\u00a0 \u201cHe carried the biggest stones he could manage to help in building the foundation and the fireplace and he was a big help filling in the cracks between the logs.\u201d<\/p>\n A.C. jumped out of the surrey, then ran over and poked at the filling between the cabin\u2019s logs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s it made of, Grandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, twigs and wood chips, mixed in with sand and dirt and water,\u201d Ben replied as he climbed out of the surrey.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember how much fun it was packing it in,\u201d Adam remarked with a little grin.\u00a0 \u201cEven your Uncle Hoss wanted to help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour uncle was younger than Huw so he mostly just smeared the cement all over himself, but your dad was a big help.\u00a0 The only time he wasn\u2019t a help was when it came time to raise the walls.\u00a0 I used a hoist but your dad kept insisting he could help and we finally had to have a \u2018necessary\u2019 talk.\u00a0\u00a0 Then he moped around until I was almost ready to give him another.\u201d<\/p>\n A.C.\u2019s eyes widened at the picture of his dad as a sullen little boy being spanked by Grandpa while his oldest sister chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cJust like Gwyneth when she was a little girl and couldn\u2019t have her way.\u201d\u00a0 She sobered quickly as both her father and sister glared at her while her mother hid her grin behind her hand.\u00a0 Dr. and Mrs. Davies, Ben and Joe merely exchanged amused glances.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did you build the cabin?\u201d Mrs. Davies asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe spring of 1843,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cStone the crows!\u201d A.C. exclaimed. \u201cThat\u2019s fifty-five years ago!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery good, son,\u201d Adam said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI see you\u2019re getting better at doing arithmetic in your head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am amazed at the condition it\u2019s in after all this time,\u201d Bronwen stated.\u00a0 \u201cSurely you must have made some repairs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few,\u201d Joe answered.\u00a0 \u201cWe replaced the glass in the windows, put in a new floor since some of the boards had rotted, and did some repairs to the roof.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben added, \u201cThe furniture that Adam and I made was still in good shape, we just cleaned it and applied beeswax, but the bed ropes and mattress weren\u2019t salvageable so we bought new ones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I\u2014I mean, may I\u2014go inside?\u201d A.C. pleaded.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n Joe inserted quickly, \u201cbut don\u2019t climb the ladder to the loft.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t figure William and Miranda would need it, so we didn\u2019t do any repairs up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t that where you slept, Dad?\u201d A.C. asked, disappointment written all over his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but there\u2019s nothing to see.\u00a0 All we had in the loft was a bed and a chest of drawers,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd a rocking chair,\u201d Ben added.\u00a0 \u201cI remember all the time Marie and I spent in that chair watching over the three of you when you came down with mumps, chicken pox and sore throats.<\/p>\n “Stone the crows!\u00a0 It’s small!” A.C. exclaimed as they entered the cabin; the others\u2019 faces showed their agreement.<\/p>\n “It seemed like a palace to me,” Adam replied.\u00a0 “I was too young when we left Boston to remember your Great-grandfather Stoddard’s house, and we didn’t live in your Grandma Inger’s house for more than a few months, so this was my first real home.”\u00a0 He pointed by the fireplace.\u00a0 “Your Uncle Hoss and I used to sleep right over there when we first lived here, and Grandpa slept over there.”\u00a0 Then he pointed to the plain wooden table and chairs on the other side of the fireplace and said, “This is where we ate and I worked on my lessons.”<\/p>\n “Your dad helped me make the furniture,” Ben said with a smile.\u00a0 “He was too little to use a saw or hammer, but I gave him a piece of pumice and let him rub the wood until it was smooth.\u00a0 Come here and feel what a good job he did.”<\/p>\n A.C. and the younger children rubbed their hands on the furniture and then A.C. led his nephew and niece into one of the tiny bedrooms.\u00a0 Mrs. Davies turned to Ben then and asked, “So you lived here all alone with Adam and his younger brother?”<\/p>\n “For a few years,\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt was just one room at first but then when Hop Sing came to help me look after the boys and do the cooking, I decided we all needed some privacy so I built a lean-to at each end of the cabin to make bedrooms for myself and Hop Sing.\u00a0 Then I built the loft for the boys.\u00a0 About two years later, I traveled to New Orleans, where I met Joe’s mother and married her.\u00a0 Life here was quite different from the life she\u2019d known in New Orleans but she was able to adjust and learned to love it here.”\u00a0 He grinned as he added, \u201cIt was a good thing I\u2019d already built the bedrooms,\u201d and they all shared a laugh.\u00a0 Just then the children came running back in.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure we can\u2019t go up in the loft, Grandpa?\u201d A.C. asked with his most engaging grin.<\/p>\n \u201cA.C., you were already told you could not go up there.\u00a0 Don\u2019t bring it up again,\u201d Adam said firmly and with a hint of irritation.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the cabin will be perfect for a honeymoon,\u201d Mrs. Davies said, wanting to lighten the mood because she noted the way her daughter was frowning at her son-in-law.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially since Miranda doesn\u2019t have to cook,\u201d Beth added and Adam said, \u201cAmen to that!\u201d while Gwyneth giggled. The evening before they were to leave for Boston, they were all gathered in the dining room except for Elen and Huw, who\u2019d had their supper earlier and were now in bed.\u00a0 Conversation centered on Miranda\u2019s wedding.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll need to find another dress for the wedding because my clothes are all getting too tight,\u201d Beth said calmly.\u00a0 \u201cI hope we can find something suitable at Bloomingdale\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe wedding\u2019s not for four weeks.\u00a0 We\u2019ll put you on a diet,\u201d Bronwen said firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid a diet won\u2019t help, Mama,\u201d Beth replied with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re with child?\u201d Mrs. Davies asked excitedly.<\/p>\n Beth nodded adding, \u201cThe baby should be born in December, an early Christmas present.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeauty!\u201d A.C. exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI hope it\u2019s a boy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just hope the baby is healthy,\u201d Beth replied and then added wistfully, \u201cI\u2019ve written Dafydd.\u00a0 I wish I could have told him in person but if I wait, he\u2019ll take one look at me and know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take good care of you for him,\u201d Adam said, reaching over and patting her hand comfortingly.<\/p>\n \u201cDo Huw and Elen know they\u2019re gonna have a baby brother?\u201d A.C. asked excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cOr sister,\u201d Gwyneth said pointedly.<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if Huw will really understand; Elen will as she sees me growing bigger.\u00a0 I was going to wait and tell them when I really start to show,\u201d Beth replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Mrs. Davies stated and Bronwen said, \u201cI agree.\u201d\u00a0 She turned to A.C. and said firmly, \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be talking about Beth having a baby in public, A.C., just when we\u2019re alone, and you\u2019re not to mention it to Elen and Huw until Beth gives you permission.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna tell \u2018em now,\u201d A.C. whined.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t always get what we want,\u201d Adam said sternly.\u00a0 \u201cIf you disobey your mother, you and I will have a necessary talk, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never get anything I want,\u201d A.C. sulked, but the adults all ignored him, except for his dad, who sent him a warning glare so he subsided. \u201cWe\u2019ll see you again in a couple of weeks,\u201d Dr. Davies said, “and I’ll tell you all about our granddaughter’s graduation.”\u00a0 (Except for Adam and Bronwen, everyone was returning to the Ponderosa after Miranda\u2019s graduation.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen would be traveling to Wilmington with Miranda and William to visit his parents.\u00a0 Then the four of them would travel together to the Ponderosa a few days before the wedding.)<\/p>\n Mrs. Davies added with a smile, \u201cWhen we return, I\u2019ll teach Buckshot how to make bara brith so you can have it as often as you like.\u201d\u00a0 (She\u2019d convinced Buckshot to let her use the kitchen so she could do some baking, and Ben had especially enjoyed the speckled bread.)<\/p>\n “Goodbye, Grandpa,” Beth said, hugging him gently.\u00a0\u00a0 She lifted Huw, who planted a kiss on Ben’s cheek and said, “Bye-bye, Geatganpa.”<\/p>\n “You’re getting too big for your mama to lift,” Adam said to Elen as he held her up so she could kiss ‘Geatganpa’ goodbye.<\/p>\n “Take care of yourself, Beth,” Ben said, hugging her one last time, and Beth replied with a smile, “I’ll be fine, Grandpa.\u00a0 Don’t worry.”<\/p>\n “Goodbye, Grandpa,” Gwyneth said and they hugged.\u00a0 “I’ll be thinking of you while we’re in Boston,” she added quietly.<\/p>\n “Bye, Grandpa,” A.C. said, hugging Ben tightly.\u00a0 “I hope you don’t get lonely while we’re all gone.”<\/p>\n “I’ll manage,” Ben replied with a little smile as he hugged his grandson one more time, touched by the child’s thoughtfulness.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ll miss you, Pa,” Bronwen said softly as she hugged him and kissed his cheek.<\/p>\n “I’ve packed my camera and I’ll take a photograph of Miranda in her cap and gown,” Adam said.\u00a0 “That will be almost as good as being there.\u00a0 Don’t let my young rapscallion here wear you out while Bronwen and I are visiting the Gordons.”<\/p>\n “Dad!” A.C. said, rolling his eyes, and for a moment, Ben felt he’d gone back in time fifty odd years to when Adam had been ten, and he grinned.<\/p>\n “I’m sure A.C. will be good as gold, especially since he knows both his grandfathers and his uncle will have a necessary talk with him if he isn’t.”\u00a0 Ben embraced his son and Adam said quietly, “We’ll see you soon.”<\/p>\n Joe approached his father then and hugged him hard before saying, “I’ll see you soon and I\u2019ll be bringing Benj and Sarah with me.”<\/p>\n “Godspeed, son,” Ben said, hugging Joe one more time.\u00a0 He stood on the front porch and watched as they all climbed in the surrey and Joe slapped the reins.\u00a0 The three children turned around and waved to Ben until he disappeared from their sight. \u201cMama, Daddy,\u201d Miranda called, running heedlessly through the disembarking passengers toward her parents.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019m so happy to see you,\u201d she got out in a choked voice as she embraced first her mother and then her father.\u00a0 Then she saw her baby brother and even though everyone had written her about how tall he was, it was still a shock to realize they were eye to eye.\u00a0 \u201cA.C.!\u00a0 Don\u2019t I get a hug?\u201d\u00a0 The boy\u2019s cheeks reddened but he hugged her and then stepped back so she could greet the others.<\/p>\n William stood to one side, feeling awkward as he watched his intended embracing her parents, siblings and grandparents.\u00a0 He and his father had never done more than shake hands; his mother allowed him to kiss her cheek, but would never have tolerated a hug.\u00a0 This family loved each other and they weren\u2019t afraid to show it, although he did note that Miranda\u2019s father and the tall young woman that must be Gwyneth gave briefer hugs.\u00a0 The two small children were shy but Miranda had said she expected that.\u00a0 I am certainly marrying into a good-looking family<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0 Gwyneth is very striking and the sister with the two small children\u2014Beth\u2014is absolutely exquisite.<\/em><\/p>\n His musings were interrupted then when Joe walked over and extended his hand saying, \u201cHow are you, William?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d he replied as he shook the older man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cCall me Uncle Joe; after all, I\u2019ll be your uncle in a few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n William nodded with a smile and then added, \u201cGuess I\u2019m just feeling a bit overwhelmed by Miranda\u2019s family.\u00a0 They\u2019re so much more demonstrative than mine is.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grinned lazily as he said, \u201cIf it\u2019s any comfort, I think it took my brother a while to get used to it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Miranda finished greeting her family and turned to William.\u00a0 She put her arm through his and said, \u201cI\u2019d like you all to meet my fianc\u00e9.\u00a0 Mam-gu<\/em>, this is William.\u00a0 William, this is my mam-gu<\/em>, Mrs. Davies.\u201d\u00a0 William smiled and then bowed to the frail, stooped little woman.\u00a0 Next, Miranda said, \u201cAllow me to present my mother.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at the delicate, bespectacled woman, whose pure white hair contrasted dramatically with her face, which had few lines, and her slim, youthful figure.\u00a0 She returned his smile as he bowed.\u00a0 \u201cI am so pleased to finally meet you, William,\u201d she said in her dulcet soprano.<\/p>\n Miranda then said proudly, \u201cDaddy, this is William.\u00a0 Dearest, allow me to introduce my father.\u201d\u00a0 William looked up at the white-bearded man with piercing, golden-brown eyes under heavy black brows, beginning to be flecked with white.\u00a0 Somehow he had expected Miranda\u2019s father would be about the same height as her Uncle Joe, so he was taken aback by his future father-in-law\u2019s commanding stature. He extended his hand and Adam shook it with a firm grip.\u00a0 \u2018I\u2019m honored to meet you, sir,\u201d William said and Adam replied, \u201cI am happy to meet you at last.\u201d\u00a0 William turned then to the older man in the party, who Miranda introduced as her tad-cu<\/em>, Dr. Davies.<\/p>\n \u201cNow let me introduce my sisters and brother.\u00a0 This is my older sister, Beth, or I suppose to be really proper, Mrs. Jones.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very pleased to meet you, Beth.\u00a0 I hope I may call you Beth?\u201d William said with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d she replied, returning his smile.\u00a0 Elen hung behind her mother\u2019s skirt but Huw was always braver and he spoke up and said, \u201cI Huw.\u201d\u00a0 Then his courage failed him and he hid behind Beth.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy to meet you, Huw,\u201d William said, smiling at the little lad, who peeked from behind his mother\u2019s skirts.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I think this must be Elen.\u201d\u00a0 On hearing her name, she poked her head out but when he smiled at her, she hid behind Beth again.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my younger sister, Gwyneth,\u201d Miranda said and William was a little disconcerted to realize this future sister-in-law was as tall as he was.<\/p>\n A.C. stepped forward and held out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Adam, Jr., but everyone calls me A.C.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou may call me William, A.C.,\u201d he replied as he shook the boy\u2019s hand.\u00a0 If Miranda hadn\u2019t told him her brother was ten, he would have guessed eleven or twelve.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t resemble his father that closely, but he\u2019d definitely inherited his height and build.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m off to Annabelle\u2019s, but I\u2019ll join you for breakfast tomorrow,\u201d Joe said, and waving goodbye, he went in search of a hansom cab.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I help you take care of the luggage, sir?\u201d William offered.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, I think I can manage, but if you could find hackney cabs to take us to the hotel, I\u2019d appreciate that very much,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to take care of that,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re staying at the Parker House?\u201d and Adam nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2014I mean, may\u2014I help you, Dad?\u201d A.C. asked and Adam agreed so the two of them went to take care of the luggage while William went to summon the cabs.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Miranda asked anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout what?\u201d Bronwen replied, assuming an innocent expression.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout William!\u00a0 Don\u2019t tease me, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe seems very nice,\u201d Bronwen said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cBut we just met.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have a chance to get to know each other better tonight at dinner.\u00a0 We’re going to order room service and eat in our suite.\u201d<\/p>\n “We’re going to eat in your suite?” Miranda repeated in a worried tone, for she’d thought they’d dine in one of Boston’s finer restaurants.\u00a0 She wasn’t sure how William would feel about this arrangement.<\/p>\n “We learned that Elen and Huw are just too young to dine in public,” Bronwen replied.\u00a0 She eyed her second born closely.\u00a0 “I hope you and William don’t mind but it seemed the best way for all of us to get to know each other.”<\/p>\n “No, it will be fine, Mama,” Miranda said quickly.\u00a0 William walked up behind her, having secured the transportation to the hotel.<\/p>\n “Dr. and Mrs. Davies, your cab is ready.\u00a0 And Beth, if you and Gwyneth and the children would like to go to the hotel now, your cab is also ready.\u00a0 If you’ll follow me,” and offering Beth his arm, he led them to the waiting cabs.\u00a0 In a few minutes Adam and A.C. returned.<\/p>\n “The others are on their way to the hotel?” Adam asked, seeing only Bronwen and Miranda.\u00a0 Bronwen nodded so they headed after the others.\u00a0 William was just helping Gwyneth into the cab when they spotted them.<\/p>\n \u2018Our cab is right here, sir,\u201d William said to Adam, \u201cand Dr. and Mrs. Davies are on their way to the hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome wiv us, Unca A.C.,\u201d Elen said excitedly but A.C. shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wanna ride with Miranda,\u201d A.C. replied.\u00a0 \u201cCan I sit by you?\u201d he asked his sister.<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d she replied with a smile.\u00a0 Then she shook her head saying, \u201cI just can\u2019t get over the fact you\u2019re taller than I am.\u201d<\/p>\n A.C. said with a smirk, \u201cGrandpa says I\u2019ll be taller than Dad.\u00a0 Maybe almost as tall as Uncle Hoss was.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s continue this conversation in the cab,\u201d Adam suggested, closing the door of Beth and Gwyneth\u2019s, where Elen was sulking because her uncle didn\u2019t want to ride with her.<\/p>\n It was crowded in the hackney cab with the five of them and Adam and William ended up sharing a seat while A.C. squeezed between his mother and sister in the seat facing theirs.\u00a0 As soon as they started moving, he turned to his sister and said, \u201cI got to ride a horse on the Ponderosa instead of a pony.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou wrote that you got a cob for your birthday; I was surprised since even Gwyneth had to wait until she was eleven and Beth and I were twelve.\u00a0 Penny didn\u2019t even get a horse on her twelfth birthday.\u201d\u00a0 Miranda stopped then and looked nervously at her father.<\/p>\n \u201cA.C. is the only one of you to reach five feet on his tenth birthday, and Penny was about a half foot short of five feet when she was twelve,\u201d Adam said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cShe was always the smallest of you just as A.C. is the tallest.\u00a0 We were going to get her a horse for her thirteenth birthday even if she was still short of five feet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all said goodbye to Penny before we left home,\u201d A.C. said, \u201ceven Elen and Huw.\u00a0 We show them Penny\u2019s photograph so they know who she is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when Miranda and I have children, we\u2019ll do the same,\u201d William said softly, and he read the gratitude in Adam’s and Bronwen\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve looked forward to meeting all of you for a long time.\u00a0 Of course, Miranda has told me so much about you that I feel as though I already know you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe hasn\u2019t been as forthcoming with us,\u201d Adam replied dryly as his daughter blushed and avoided his pointed stare.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that you\u2019ve taught for a year, how do you like it?\u201d Bronwen interjected softly.<\/p>\n \u201cVery much.\u00a0 Oh, some students aren\u2019t much interested in history and are only there because it\u2019s a required course, but I like a challenge.\u00a0 I can\u2019t claim to inspire every student, but I know I\u2019ve reached some.\u00a0 Since visiting your father, Mr. Cartwright, I\u2019ve found my interest in the West has increased.\u00a0 I\u2019ve talked with Dr. Martin and Mr. and Mrs. McKaren and as many of the original settlers as I could about the early days.\u00a0 I was hoping I could speak with you about them, specifically your memories of the journey west by wagon train.\u00a0 Perhaps on the trip to the Ponderosa or to my parents\u2019 house?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps,\u201d Adam replied, his tone noncommittal.\u00a0 William swallowed nervously, hoping he hadn\u2019t overstepped his bounds so early in his relationship with his future father-in-law.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore we travel to Wilmington, we wanted you and Mama to come with us to Hanover so you can see our house,\u201d Miranda inserted, seeing William\u2019s discomfiture.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll visit Mr. and Mrs. Gordon the remainder of the week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna see where you\u2019re gonna live,\u201d A.C. said excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine we\u2019ll all want to see it,\u201d Bronwen said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cI’ll contact the hotel and book the rooms,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not a new house; but I liked it and I knew Miranda would.\u00a0 It\u2019s Greek Revival and it was built in 1860, but it\u2019s in excellent condition,\u201d he added, seeing Adam\u2019s slight frown.\u00a0 \u201cBy buying an older house, we could afford a larger one.\u201d\u00a0 (He\u2019d used the last of his great-aunt\u2019s legacy and Miranda had made a sizeable withdrawal from her trust fund to make a substantial down payment on the house and pay for repairs and furnishings.\u00a0 Initially, William had been against using Miranda\u2019s money, but she\u2019d persuaded him that since it would be her home as well as his, she should help pay for it.)<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful, Daddy,\u201d Miranda said and his frown became more pronounced.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never wrote us that you visited William in Hanover,\u201d he said in that ominously quiet tone his children dreaded.<\/p>\n It was now William\u2019s turn to come to his fianc\u00e9e\u2019s rescue.\u00a0 \u201cOne of my colleagues, Dr. Bronson, and his wife invited Miranda to be their guest one weekend in April.\u00a0 It gave Miranda an opportunity to see the house before I agreed to buy it, and she also had a chance to meet some of the other faculty wives.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was well-chaperoned, Daddy,\u201d Miranda added, answering his nonverbal, but oh so obvious, question.\u00a0 She was relieved to see his features relax.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have any brothers and sisters?\u201d A.C. asked William, oblivious to the potential disaster that had just been averted.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t as lucky as you; I\u2019m an only child.\u00a0 I always wished I had brothers and sisters, and in a few weeks, my wish will come true,\u201d he replied with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cHow come you teach school?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t you rather do something else?\u00a0 Be a jackeroo? Or an engineer?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJackeroo?\u201d William repeated quizzically.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Australian for cowboy,\u201d Miranda explained.<\/p>\n William smiled at his young brother-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 I enjoyed talking with your Uncle Joe, Bronc and Jacob about being a cowboy, but I don\u2019t think I\u2019d care to be one myself.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I\u2019d make much of an engineer since I was never very good in math.\u00a0\u00a0 I love studying history and I enjoy teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n A.C. crinkled his nose at the idea of anyone enjoying history or teaching, which made the adults smile.\u00a0 \u201cDo you like sports?\u201d A.C. asked then, hoping to find some common ground with his future brother-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cI like to play cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI’m afraid we don\u2019t play cricket here; we play baseball instead,” William replied with a diffident smile.\u00a0 “I play baseball, but I prefer tennis and sculling.\u00a0 When I was at Cambridge University, I also did some punting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s sculling and punting?\u201d the boy asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSculling is like rowing except you use two oars, or sculls, instead of one and the boat is very narrow.\u00a0 A punt is a flat-bottomed boat and you move it with a long pole; punting is what you call using the pole to move the boat.\u00a0 I prefer sculling and I was a member of the Harvard crew my junior and senior years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo was I,\u201d Adam said and the two men exchanged smiles.\u00a0 Miranda glanced at her mother and received an almost imperceptible wink, which caused the butterflies in her stomach to disappear.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that mean, a member of the Harvard crew?\u201d A.C. asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat means we were on the college team and we competed in races against other teams.\u00a0 Our big rival was Yale,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cStill is,\u201d William added with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cCould you teach me to scull when we get home?\u201d A.C. asked his dad hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I could build a scull for the two of us,\u201d Adam said thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t sculled in years, but I\u2019m sure it would come back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I help build the scull?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cToo right.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be our project when we get back home,\u201d and the two shared a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you could take me for a ride once the scull is finished,\u201d Bronwen suggested.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds like fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019d be beaut,\u201d A.C. exclaimed<\/p>\n \u201cWilliam has taken Sarah and me rowing on the Charles several times and it was great fun,\u201d Miranda added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to order room service and dine in our suite, and we\u2019re hoping you and Miranda can join us, William,\u201d Bronwen said quickly since they were approaching the Parker House.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d William replied.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I go to the Common, Dad?\u201d A.C. asked hopefully.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe later,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cMiranda and I would be happy to go with A.C. to the Common,\u201d William said quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI imagine he\u2019s tired of being cooped up on the train.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeauty, William,\u201d Bronwen said with a warm smile.\u00a0 \u201cI feel stuffed but I know A.C. would really enjoy spending time with you and Miranda.\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as the cab pulled up in front of the hotel, A.C. jumped out and ran toward his sisters, niece and nephew, who were just getting out of their cab.\u00a0 \u201cMiranda and William and me are going to the Common!\u00a0 You wanna come too?\u201d<\/p>\n Beth and Gwyneth exchanged glances and Beth said with a smile, \u201cToo right.\u00a0 But I have to change Huw first.\u201d<\/p>\n William and Miranda walked up just in time to overhear and Miranda said, \u201cWe\u2019ll wait in the lobby for you.\u201d \u201cThose shoes may look smart, but they make my feet hurt,\u201d she complained.<\/p>\n \u201cCome sit by me on the sofa and I\u2019ll massage them for you,\u201d he suggested.\u00a0 As he gently but thoroughly massaged her small, slender feet he asked, \u201cSo what do you think of our prospective son-in-law?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like him,\u201d she answered decisively, \u201cdon\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo far,\u201d he temporized.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll need to spend more time with him than a cab ride to make up my mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI could tell you weren\u2019t happy about the trip to Hanover, but I think it was nice of his friends to invite Miranda to stay with them.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I did overreact,\u201d he admitted reluctantly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing the house.\u00a0 I admit I\u2019m surprised they didn\u2019t choose a more modern one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGiven William\u2019s obvious interest in the past, I don’t think it’s surprising.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed and wriggled her toes.\u00a0 \u201cOh, they feel so much better.\u00a0 I owe you, Cariad<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince our son is going to be occupied for at least an hour, I know just how you can repay your debt,\u201d he replied with a wink and a smirk. \u201cI have some news to share,\u201d Beth said as they walked together.\u00a0 \u201cI just learned before we left the Ponderosa that I am with child.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Beth, that\u2019s wonderful!\u201d Miranda exclaimed, stopping and throwing her arms around her sister.<\/p>\n \u2018Yes, congratulations,\u201d William said.\u00a0 Then he paused, suddenly realizing that he would be the baby\u2019s uncle.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be an uncle!\u201d<\/p>\n Miranda laughed at his exuberance and replied, \u2018You\u2019ll be Elen and Huw\u2019s Uncle William as soon as we\u2019re married, Dearest.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled sheepishly as he realized his mistake.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is wonderful,\u201d Beth said, smiling at the happy couple, \u201cbut tomorrow before your graduation, I\u2019m going to have to go to Bloomingdale\u2019s to find a gown for your wedding.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be able to fit into the one I made.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t showing much,\u201d Miranda said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut your wedding is almost a month away,\u201d Beth replied with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI started showing much sooner with Huw than I did with Elen and I can tell I\u2019m going to show even sooner with this baby.\u00a0 Mama said it was the same way with her.\u201d\u00a0 She saw William looked uncomfortable and said, \u201cI\u2019m sorry if we embarrassed you, William.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid we\u2019re a very candid family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve known Miranda for six years, so I should be accustomed,\u201d he replied with a self-deprecating grin.<\/p>\n “May I come shopping with you?” Miranda asked.<\/p>\n “Fair dinkum?” Beth replied in surprise since Miranda had never shared her enthusiasm for shopping.<\/p>\n \u201cI even thought I\u2019d come,\u201d Gwyneth added, and then remarked, \u201cMama is coming, too, so she can find some evening gowns.\u2019<\/p>\n “If you ladies want to talk fashion, I think I’ll join A.C. and Huw,” William said with a rueful grin.<\/p>\n “No, we’ll change subjects,” Beth said with a smile.\u00a0 She saw her daughter was running back to her.\u00a0 \u201cElen, I asked you to go play with Huw and Uncle A.C.\u201d\u00a0 Elen shook her head and grabbed her mama\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Beth sighed.\u00a0 “Dafydd and I keep hoping she’ll outgrow this shyness.\u00a0 I thought she was doing better, but she’s encountered so many strangers since we left Cloncurry that she’s been overwhelmed.”<\/p>\n “After you spend some time with her, she won’t be so shy,” Gwyneth added.\u00a0 “She’d forgotten me but we’ve become friends again, haven’t we, Elen.”\u00a0 She’d hoped to encourage Elen to speak, but the little girl only nodded.<\/p>\n “We told you that you were going to meet Auntie Miranda and Uncle William, didn’t we?” Beth asked and again Elen nodded.\u00a0 “Could you say g’day to Auntie Miranda and Uncle William?” Beth asked encouragingly.<\/p>\n Elen looked at Miranda and William with big eyes for a moment and then she dimpled and said, “G’day Auntie Manda and Unca Willum.”<\/p>\n “G’day to you, Elen,” Miranda said with a dimpled smile of her own and William said, “Hello, Elen.’<\/p>\n “Do Radcliffe graduates wear caps and gowns when they graduate?” Gwyneth asked, changing the subject.<\/p>\n “The first Radcliffe graduates only wore dresses, but now we wear caps and gowns just like male graduates.\u00a0 I think the graduation is a very impressive ceremony,” Miranda replied.<\/p>\n “We’re all proud of you; I hope you know that,” Beth said. “Even if I still don’t understand why you wanted to spend all these years studying, I am proud of the fact you achieved your goal.”<\/p>\n “Thank you, Beth,” Miranda said and hugged her sister.\u00a0 Then she turned to their younger sister.\u00a0 “Are you going back to Brisbane and your job at the bookstore?”<\/p>\n “No,” Gwyneth said slowly.\u00a0 “I’ve sublet my flat and I’ll come back home until Mark graduates in December.\u00a0 When I go home, I’ll have to tell Douglas that I realize it’s Mark that I love.\u00a0 I am dreading it, but I suppose it’s crueler to keep his hopes up.”<\/p>\n “It really is,” William said quietly and Gwyneth nodded.\u00a0 “I take it Douglas hasn’t shown any romantic interest in the schoolteacher?” he added.<\/p>\n Gwyneth and Beth looked at him in surprise and Miranda said sheepishly, “I told William what Beth wrote about Miss Andrews being interested in Douglas and Douglas being hopelessly in love with Gwyneth.”<\/p>\n “No, I\u2019m afraid Douglas only thinks of Melanie as Gwyneth\u2019s friend,” Beth replied.\u00a0 “I didn’t really think there was much chance of him turning to her.\u00a0 He’s too in love with Gwyneth to notice to Melanie or any other woman.”\u00a0 She looked sideways at her youngest sister and, seeing her discomfort, quickly changed the subject back to the young couple.\u00a0 “You’ve already bought your house?”<\/p>\n “Yes,” Miranda replied.\u00a0 “In fact, we’re taking Mama and Daddy to Hanover to see it before we go to Wilmington.\u00a0 You and Gwyneth are welcome to come, too.”<\/p>\n “Would you like to see where Auntie Miranda and Uncle William are going to live?” Beth asked Elen, who nodded and said, “Yes,” emphatically.<\/p>\n “I’d like to see it,” Gwyneth said, “and I imagine that Tad-cu<\/em> and Mam-gu<\/em> will want to come as well.\u00a0 We can have Uncle Joe tell Grandpa that we’ll be back at the Ponderosa a few days later than we expected.”<\/p>\n “I have a thought,” William said then.\u00a0 “I’ll bet Elen, Huw and A.C. would like a ride on the swan boats.”<\/p>\n “That’s a wonderful idea, Dear,” Miranda said, smiling up at William.<\/p>\n “What’s swan boat?” Elen asked, surprising them all.<\/p>\n “It’s a boat shaped like a swan.\u00a0 It’s lots of fun to ride,” Miranda answered.\u00a0 “The swan boats are in the Public Garden; it’s connected to the Common.\u00a0 It won’t take us too long to walk there.”<\/p>\n “A.C.!\u00a0 Huw!” Beth called, “come here!”\u00a0 The two boys came running back and she said, “William and Miranda suggested we take a ride on the swan boats in the Public Garden.”<\/p>\n “Where’s the Public Garden?” A.C. asked.\u00a0 “I’ve never been there.”<\/p>\n “It’s very close and the swan boats are fun to ride,” Miranda replied.<\/p>\n “But I wanted to show Huw the frog pond,” A.C. protested.<\/p>\n “We’re going to be in Boston for another two days.\u00a0 You can bring Huw to the frog pond the day after tomorrow,” Beth suggested.<\/p>\n “Okay,” A.C. said.\u00a0 He didn’t mind too much because he was intrigued by the idea of riding in the swan boat.<\/p>\n Huw’s legs got tired before they reached the Public Garden, but he let William carry him the rest of the way.\u00a0 Elen and Huw were entranced by the swan boats and the women had a delightful time.\u00a0 Halfway through the boat ride, William felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to face his young brother-in-law-to-be.<\/p>\n “Sculling is better than this, isn’t it?” the boy whispered.<\/p>\n William winked.\u00a0 “Yes, but I knew Elen and Huw would enjoy the swan boat,” he whispered back.\u00a0 “I have a friend here in Boston who sculls.\u00a0 Maybe before we leave Boston, I can ask to borrow his scull and your dad and I can take you sculling.”<\/p>\n “Beauty, William!” A.C. exclaimed.\u00a0 “I hope it’s all right with your friend.”<\/p>\n “We’ll have to check with your dad first,” William cautioned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they got back to Adam and Bronwen\u2019s suite, where they were visiting with Bronwen\u2019s parents, A.C. immediately exclaimed, \u201cDad!\u00a0 William said he would borrow a boat from one of his friends and we could go sculling!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUh, A.C.,\u201d William said nervously, aware of his prospective father-in-law\u2019s raised eyebrow, \u201cwhat I said was that we would ask your father and, if he agreed, the three of us might go sculling.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, William,\u201d Adam said with a slight smile.\u00a0 \u2018I\u2019m well aware of my son\u2019s tendency to report the facts as he wishes them to be.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head a little and said to A.C., \u201cMaybe when you grow up, Douglas\u2019s father will give you a job writing for the Advocate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n During this exchange Elen climbed onto Bronwen\u2019s lap and said excitedly, \u201cWe rode swan, Me-ma!\u201d while Huw held up his arms to Adam, who lifted him onto his lap.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t ride a swan, Elen.\u00a0 We rode the swan boats,\u201d A.C. said condescendingly while Elen pouted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe took them to the Public Garden,\u201d Miranda explained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you have fun riding the swan boat, mate?\u201d Adam asked and Huw nodded and grinned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMay I take Huw to the frog pond the day after tomorrow?\u201d\u00a0 A.C. asked hopefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think that would be very nice,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking that while the ladies are shopping tomorrow morning, we might explore the Harvard Yard,\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cShow Huw where his grandpa and Uncle William went to school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like a wonderful idea,\u201d William said and Dr. Davies agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou and I will have to compare our experiences at Cambridge,\u201d Dr. Davies said to William with a smile, referring to the university in England he\u2019d attended and where William had earned his Master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dinner that evening was a revelation to William, who\u2019d never spent any time with very small children, but he found the informal atmosphere much more appealing than the stuffy, formal meals at his parents\u2019 house.\u00a0 Beth tied napkins around her children\u2019s necks to protect their clothing.\u00a0 At fifteen months, Huw was still a messy eater.\u00a0 Beth mashed his peas and carrots into his potatoes and William saw in fascination that at least half the food ended up on his face.\u00a0 Elen was a more fastidious eater and didn\u2019t want any of her food to touch but she fed herself with only a few minor mishaps.\u00a0 They had no interest in the adult conversation, but William noted his young brother-in-law-to-be had clearly not been raised under the axiom: \u2018Children should be seen but not heard.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At first, much of the conversation centered on Miranda\u2019s friends and neighbors in Cloncurry.\u00a0 Mr. Michaelson, who managed the post office, had let slip to Beth that Miranda\u2019s friend Emma and Llywelyn had been corresponding for the past year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEmma\u2019s never written a word to me about Llywelyn and he\u2019s never written about her,\u201d Miranda said in surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe wrote me,\u201d Gwyneth said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s spent time with several girls in Sydney, but he didn\u2019t fall in love with any of them.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure if Emma would want him to write, but she did.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t said so, but I think he\u2019s falling in love with her.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI noticed he hadn\u2019t been seeing any young ladies for some time.\u00a0 He and Mark both have been devoting themselves to their studies, except for cricket games and visits to Bondi Beach,\u201d Mrs. Davies said, with a special smile for Gwyneth, who colored slightly at the mention of Mark.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know why you all want to get married,\u201d A.C. said in disgust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust wait five or six years, A.C. bach<\/em>,\u201d Dr. Davies said.\u00a0 \u201cI think it will become crystal clear to you,\u201d and the others all smiled while A.C. sulked and Bronwen looked alarmed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing your home,\u201d Mrs. Davies said to Miranda and William.\u00a0 \u201cHow large a town is Hanover?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not large,\u201d William replied.\u00a0 \u201cMuch of the town\u2019s economy is based on Dartmouth College, but there are also several cotton mills.\u00a0 Because of the college, Hanover is a modern town.\u00a0 For example, the Mary Hitchcock Hospital has a diagnostic x-ray machine.\u00a0 The first hospital in the nation to have one.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to be able to see that,\u201d Dr. Davies said, his face alight with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s an x-ray?\u201d Gwyneth asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll give you an analogy,\u201d Dr. Davies replied.\u00a0 \u201cYour tada<\/em>\u2019s camera takes pictures of what you look like on the outside.\u00a0 An x-ray shows the doctor what you look like on the inside.\u00a0 For example, a diagnostic x-ray is used to learn if a bone is broken or fractured.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Davies then asked William, \u201cDoes your college have a medical school?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, it does.\u00a0 In fact, it was the fourth to be established in the United States,\u201d William said proudly.\u00a0 Then he turned to Adam and said, \u201cWe have the Thayer School of Engineering.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve read about it,\u201d Adam said thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s one of the best in the country.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cHere we are, Uncle Joe,\u201d he called, jumping up and waving his arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSit down, son,\u201d Adam said sternly as he turned toward the door.\u00a0 Along with Joe he saw a pretty little girl with curly golden brown hair and a thin boy with flaxen hair he that knew must be Sarah and Benj.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnnabelle is with Joe,\u201d Bronwen said in surprise.\u00a0 Her sister-in-law, elegant and poised as ever, was on Joe\u2019s arm and Joe looked happier than she had seen him since they arrived in the States.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah was as exuberant as her cousin and ran toward them calling, \u201cHello, Aunt Bronwen!\u00a0 Hello, Uncle Adam!\u201d\u00a0 She hugged them both and then said, \u201cHello, Beth.\u00a0 Are these your babies?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot baby!\u201d Huw said indignantly and Elen, forgetting her shyness, retorted, \u201cI\u2019m a big girl!\u201d in an equally offended tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese are my children,\u201d Beth said with a laugh before hugging her little cousin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello, Gwyneth,\u201d Sarah said and hugged her.\u00a0 Then she turned to A.C.\u00a0 \u201cMy goodness, you\u2019re tall.\u00a0 Almost as tall as Benj.\u201d\u00a0 Indeed, when Joe, Annabelle and Benj approached, it was obvious that thirteen-year-old Benj was only a couple of inches taller than his ten-year-old cousin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSarah, that was very unladylike behavior,\u201d Annabelle scolded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam and Bronwen saw their sister-in-law had aged remarkably well although Bronwen suspected her blonde hair now owed more to artifice than to nature.\u00a0 Annabelle greeted her in-laws and the Davies with her usual sang-froid while Joe stood by her positively beaming.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen exchanged a quick glance sharing their hope that a reconciliation had occurred.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe and his family sat in the row behind them.\u00a0 Beth had brought the picture books Bronwen had purchased at the Corner Bookstore during their shopping expedition to occupy her little ones.\u00a0 Bronwen had also purchased Otto of the Silver Hand<\/strong> for A.C. and gave it to him to read if he became bored.\u00a0 Conversations ceased as the notes of Aida\u2019s Grand March<\/em> began to fill the auditorium.\u00a0 The graduates were impressive as they entered the auditorium in their caps and gowns, and Adam and Bronwen felt their hearts swell with pride as they watched their second born\u2014her expression so grave, so intense\u2014as she marched in with the other young women.\u00a0 When the name Miranda Cartwright was called, she walked to the platform and received her degree, summa cum laude, from a dignified President Agassiz, her face radiant.\u00a0 Bronwen had to dab at her eyes with her hankie while Adam blinked to hold back his tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the ceremony ended, Miranda hurried to her family.\u00a0 \u201cI am so proud of you, Miranda fach<\/em>,\u201d Bronwen said tearfully as she hugged her daughter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mama,\u201d Miranda said before turning to her daddy.\u00a0 He held her tight for a moment before saying in a voice that wasn\u2019t quite steady, \u201cI\u2019m proud of you, too, Angel.\u00a0 I know how hard you worked to achieve your dream.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Daddy, for giving me the opportunity,\u201d Miranda said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI know it wasn\u2019t easy for you and Mama to let me come here, but I am so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou did it, Dearest,\u201d William whispered before he kissed her, while A.C., Elen and Huw stared at them in fascination.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once everyone had had a chance to congratulate Miranda, Adam asked to see her degree.\u00a0 He saw it was signed by Radcliffe\u2019s President Agassiz and countersigned by Harvard\u2019s President Eliot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomeday women will be able to attend Harvard and we won\u2019t need a separate women\u2019s college,\u201d Miranda stated as she gazed at her degree.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis degree will be framed and hung by mine in our library,\u201d William said proudly, putting his arm around Miranda\u2019s shoulders and drawing her close.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes narrowed for a moment and then he smiled at the young couple so obviously in love.\u00a0 He knew with certainty that William would cherish his daughter as she deserved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 2<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n His focus on his own thoughts was broken by his mother-in-law\u2019s lilting Welsh accent. \u201cThe countryside is lovely,\u201d she commented as they traveled northwest across Massachusetts and New Hampshire.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo lush and green,\u201d Bronwen added, \u201cnothing like Cloncurry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to your house and the college, what else should we see in Hanover?\u201d Adam asked William, as he joined in the conversation.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I forgot, Tad<\/em> would like to visit the hospital,\u201d and Dr. Davies smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think we should visit Dartmouth\u2019s museum, sir.\u00a0 Although,\u201d William added, glancing at the two young children playing with the small toys their mother had packed, \u201cI don\u2019t suppose it would be of any interest to Elen and Huw.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not very interested in museums,\u201d Beth said with a smile, \u201cso I\u2019ll be happy to stay with Elen and Huw.\u00a0 Is there any place like the Common where they can play?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s the Dartmouth Green and it\u2019s near the Wheelock Hotel where we\u2019ll be staying.\u00a0 Oh, and you must visit the Dartmouth Bookstore.\u00a0 I think it has as big a variety of books and magazines as any in the country, the Corner Bookstore in Boston included.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe shopped there when I visited and I fell in love with it,\u201d Miranda added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t arrive for another hour,\u201d William then said quietly, \u201cand I was hoping Mr. Cartwright would be willing to describe his trip west by wagon train.\u201d\u00a0 The young man knew he was taking a chance in bringing up the subject again, as it had not been met with much enthusiasm the first time.\u00a0 However, he couldn\u2019t resist the opportunity to hear what this country had been like from someone who had actually traveled across it and lived to tell the story.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, Daddy,\u201d Beth said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve never told us much about that and I\u2019d love to know what it was like.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe, too,\u201d A.C. said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, Adam, I think we\u2019d all enjoy hearing about your journey,\u201d Bronwen said softly.\u00a0 William smiled at his \u201csoon to be\u201d family and saw that they were all as interested as he was in the subject that obviously had not been broached before this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was quiet, a thousand scenes flooding his mind of the loving woman he would always think of when he remembered that time. He slowly nodded and then began to speak.\u00a0 \u201cIt was a long time ago and I was only six.\u00a0 Pa and my stepmother, Inger, whom I always think of as my mama, had married a few months earlier.\u00a0 We were planning on heading west, but we had to wait for spring, and in the meantime, we lived in the Borgstroms\u2019 little clapboard house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His expression became wistful as he continued in a gentle tone.\u00a0 \u201cMama was so wonderful.\u00a0 Every day when I came home from school, she\u2019d be waiting for me with a treat\u2014gingersnaps or current buns or sugar cookies\u2014and a big glass of milk, and she\u2019d ask me what had happened in school that day.\u00a0 After we talked, I\u2019d fill the wood box for her and set the table and we\u2019d talk more or play Twenty Questions until Pa came home.\u00a0 After Uncle Gunnar had sold the family store, Pa managed to find a job working at the livery stable and he was saving money to help pay for our trip to Oregon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stopped then and smiled at the disappointed look on his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI know it isn\u2019t exciting, Jackeroo, but I\u2019d never had a mama before, never lived in a house where I had my own room and my own bed.\u00a0 Living in that little clapboard house with my pa and my mama was the happiest I\u2019d ever been.\u00a0 And it was the happiest I\u2019d ever seen my pa.\u00a0 All the time we\u2019d been traveling west, I knew my pa was sad because he missed my mother.\u00a0 Now we had Mama, and Pa seemed to be smiling all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as the roads were passable, we packed our supplies and a few belongings in our farm wagon and headed for St. Louis, Missouri.\u00a0 There were plenty of other immigrants when we reached St. Louis, and we all loaded our wagons onto steamships and headed west on the Missouri River.\u00a0 That was the easiest part of the trip but after about two hundred miles, the river turns north, so we all had to leave the steamships.\u00a0 There were a couple of jumping off places, such as, St. Joseph and Westport, but we chose the first one, Independence.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn the spring, Independence was full of emigrants and shops that sold what they\u2019d need for the long trek west.\u00a0 It was the first boomtown I\u2019d ever seen\u2014full of people, oxen and mules.\u00a0 No matter where you went, you could hear the loud clanging of blacksmiths shoeing mules and oxen and repairing wagons.\u00a0 I stuck close by Pa and Mama when we went into town because all the people and the noise scared me.\u00a0 After the first trip, Pa went into town alone and left me and Mama at our camp, but it was even more crowded there.\u00a0 There were so many wagons that they covered nearly three square miles.\u00a0 And we were all waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWaiting for what?\u201d A.C. asked, frowning a little.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWaiting for the grass to grow.\u00a0 You see, you needed the grass to be long enough for the oxen or mules to graze along the way.\u00a0 If you left too early and the grass wasn\u2019t long enough, that could be a fatal mistake.\u00a0 We had to buy plenty of supplies for ourselves that the animals would have to haul and I can still remember them: two hundred pounds of flour, one hundred fifty pounds of bacon, twenty pounds of sugar and ten pounds of salt.\u00a0 We also had around fifty pounds of navy beans.\u00a0 Mama had dried apples back home and we had packed those.\u00a0 She packed the china that her mother had brought over from Sweden but we ate off tin plates and drank out of tin cups.\u00a0 Pa let me bring the few books my grandfather had sent me, my Noah\u2019s Ark, and my cloth ball, and he brought my mother\u2019s music box and their copy of Paradise Lost, but we couldn\u2019t bring anything else.\u00a0 The mules could only haul so much and food was more important.\u00a0 Some emigrants didn\u2019t realize that and the trail was littered with furniture, barrels of flour and other things they had to abandon along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhile we waited outside Independence for the grass to grow, Pa talked with some other families and we decided to form a wagon train.\u00a0 One of the families, the Paynes, was camped next to us.\u00a0 They had a boy my age named Johnny, and we\u2019d become friends.\u00a0 We\u2019d play catch with my cloth ball or play Kick the Can.\u00a0 There were some other children camped near us and sometimes we\u2019d all play Needle\u2019s Eye or tag.\u00a0 The older boys would play Shinny, but Mama and Mrs. Payne wouldn\u2019t allow me and Johnny to play it because they thought it was too rough.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stopped and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cActually, we did play it once.\u00a0 One of my front teeth was loose, and it got knocked out in the game and Johnny got a black eye.\u00a0 That\u2019s when our mamas told us we were forbidden to play again.\u201d\u00a0 Bronwen and Mrs. Davies shook their heads then while A.C. grinned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe first week in May, everyone agreed the grass was long enough and they all tried to leave at the same time.\u00a0 It was worse than a log jam.\u00a0 We\u2019d traded our old draft horse, Molly, for a team of mules, and Pa was finding driving a team was trickier than driving one horse; however, he was a better driver than some.\u00a0 Some greenhorns managed to bump their wagons into trees or even tip them over.\u00a0 A few couldn\u2019t even get their animals to move in the right direction.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Adam grinned at the memory of the chaotic scene.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have to tell you that much of the trip was monotonous.\u00a0 Every morning we\u2019d eat a breakfast of bacon and johnnycake.\u00a0 Pa and Mama would drink coffee and we had a milk cow so I\u2019d get milk to drink.\u00a0 I used to help Pa groom Molly and hitch her up, but he didn\u2019t think the mules were as sweet-tempered so I wasn\u2019t allowed to help with them.\u00a0 Instead I\u2019d help by drying the dishes Mama washed and folding up our bedrolls.\u00a0 Then Johnny and I would walk alongside our wagons.\u00a0 We wanted to explore, but we were told not to wonder off.\u00a0 We disobeyed once but Mrs. Payne spotted us right away.\u00a0 Mr. Payne and Pa punished us.\u00a0 I think that was the most painful \u2018necessary talk\u2019 Pa and I ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. looked at his dad with big eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t think Grandpa was that mean.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe wasn\u2019t mean,\u201d Adam replied quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI thought so then but now I understand exactly why he and Mr. Payne punished us so severely.\u00a0 If we\u2019d wandered off out of sight, which would have been easy to do on the prairie that stretches out like a sea of tall grass in every direction, we might have gotten lost and died of hunger, thirst or exposure.\u00a0 They had to make sure we never disobeyed the rule about wandering off again.\u201d\u00a0 A.C. looked thoughtful but he slowly shook his head to show he understood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d walk for miles every day.\u00a0 We\u2019d stop for a midday meal of johnnycake and beans and to give the stock a chance to rest and graze.\u00a0 In the evening, we\u2019d gather the wagons in a circle and if Pa had shot a rabbit or a prairie hen, we\u2019d have stew for dinner.\u00a0 Most times it was more beans and maybe some wild greens.\u00a0 Halfway across Kansas Johnny got a blister on his foot.\u00a0 It became infected and he died of blood poisoning.\u00a0 We had to bury him on the trail.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stopped then, his first encounter with death still as painful as it was over a half century before, and they weren\u2019t sure if he was going to continue.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When he spoke again, his voice was quieter and almost flat.\u00a0 \u201cWe were about two days from Fort Kearny in Nebraska when my brother Hoss was born.\u00a0 We hadn\u2019t made good time because the wagon master was a drunk.\u00a0 A few weeks before Hoss was born, he\u2019d been shot by a man to whom he owed money.\u00a0 That man, Mr. Rockwell, knew the country so the men on the wagon train offered him the job of leading us to Ash Hollow, where we would join up with a larger wagon train.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The painful look returned to the older man\u2019s face and William wished he had just kept his curiosity to himself, rather than cause his future father-in-law any more grief. Before he could voice his concern, however, Adam continued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe got to Ash Hollow about the time Hoss turned a month old, but because of our delays on the trail, the other wagon train had left without us. Unbeknownst to us, some Indians had been following us all along, and once we reached the station, they attacked.\u201d\u00a0 Swallowing hard, he managed to finish that part of the story.\u00a0 \u201cMama was killed in the attack after she handed Hoss to me and grabbed a rifle to help the men fight off the Indians.\u00a0 I saw her fall with an arrow in her back.\u201d\u00a0 He closed his eyes then and was silent, but they could feel his pain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen took Adam\u2019s hand and held it between hers while everyone else was silent.\u00a0 A.C.\u2019s eyes filled with tears as he imagined how he would feel watching his mama die right in front of him without any way to help her.\u00a0\u00a0 Beth wiped a tear from her eye as she thought of her own small ones and how valiantly Inger had fought to protect her children.\u00a0 William took Miranda\u2019s hand and squeezed it.\u00a0 As she looked up at him, he mouthed the words, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d\u00a0 She shook her head and touched his cheek to let him know that this story had been a long time in coming and that her fianc\u00e9 had nothing to be sorry about.\u00a0 She, too, was deeply touched and proud that her middle name had been given in honor of this brave and gentle soul.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a few minutes, Adam drew a deep breath, opened his tear-filled eyes, and resumed his narrative.\u00a0 \u201cOne of the other women on the wagon train had a baby she was starting to wean, and she agreed to wet-nurse Hoss.\u00a0 Johnny\u2019s mother fixed meals for me and Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen we\u2019d left Independence, Pa had told Mama and me about Courthouse Rock, a huge boulder immigrants would climb and then carve or scratch their names onto.\u00a0 I had been looking forward to climbing it and adding my name, but now I didn’t care about it or anything else.\u00a0 When some of the other children went, I stayed with Pa, even though he barely noticed I was there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen, Beth and Gwyneth exchanged glances then, remembering that when Penny died, Adam hadn\u2019t been able to deal with his grief and had ignored the rest of the family.\u00a0 They surmised it must have been the same with Ben.\u00a0 Adam took a deep, calming breath and continued, although with a tenuous hold on his emotions. The next words he spoke were in a man\u2019s voice, but obviously reflected the feelings of the lonely little boy he had been so long ago. \u201cI tried very hard to be a good boy the way Mama would have wanted me to be and not cause any problems for Pa.\u00a0 During the day I managed, but then I started having nightmares.\u00a0 At first they weren’t too bad.\u00a0 I’d wake up and I’d be crying, but I never said anything to Pa.\u00a0 But they got worse and worse. I remember one night waking up screaming and then Hoss started to cry.\u00a0 Pa got him calmed down but I thought I was going to be in trouble for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C.\u2019s eyes grew round as he stared at his father.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did Grandpa do then, Dad?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face softened as he recalled his father\u2019s tenderness in dealing with his distraught child. \u201cPa held me in his arms and stroked my hair.\u00a0 He hadn’t held me in a long time and I remember how good it felt.\u00a0 When I was calm, he told me very gently that Mama was in heaven with my mother and they would both be looking after me and Hoss.\u00a0 Pa promised me that even if our mamas were in heaven, Pa and Hoss and I were still a family.\u00a0 I missed my mama, but knowing Pa loved me and that I had two mamas in heaven looking after me made it easier to go on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. verbalized his own thoughts then.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine growing up without Mama,\u201d and Bronwen reached over and squeezed his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour grandpa did the best he could to be a father and a mother to me and Uncle Hoss,\u201d Adam said quietly, \u201cbut I missed my mama\u2019s gentleness and sweetness.\u201d\u00a0 He gazed lovingly into Bronwen\u2019s eyes as he said, \u201cI am so thankful that your mama has always been with me, helping me to raise you and your sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly realizing that he had bared his soul in front of not only his family, but also William, Adam struggled to regain his composure and finish his story.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I was telling you about our journey.\u00a0 The Oregon and California trails separate in southern Idaho.\u00a0 The majority of the men had decided that since it was so late in the year they would head south toward California.\u00a0 It was on one of the trails across the Sierra Nevada that we saw Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.\u00a0 I wanted to stop there but of course we didn\u2019t have the supplies to survive a winter, especially with a baby in tow, so we pressed on to the valley of the Sacramento River.\u00a0 I never forgot that beautiful lake, and I guess Pa didn\u2019t either since the next spring we headed back over the mountains and built our cabin.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sensing that this was the end of the story for now, though he wanted to hear more about the settling of the Nevada territory, William spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for sharing that, sir.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded, his hazel eyes boring into William\u2019s blue ones as the younger man absorbed the immensity of what he had just heard.\u00a0 The respect and admiration he felt for Miranda\u2019s father had now deepened and grown immeasurably.\u00a0 He realized what a treasure he was being given by this man who had lost so many loved ones in his life, and he would do everything in his power to love and protect Miranda as her father always had.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile Elen had grown tired of rolling her ball back and forth with her little brother and she walked over to her mama and said petulantly, \u201cI\u2019m hungry, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll eat in a little while,\u201d Beth replied with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to look at one of your books?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wanna eat,\u201d Elen stated pugnaciously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, sweetie, but I don\u2019t have any food to give you.\u00a0 Would you like to play with your dolly?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna eat!\u201d Elen repeated even more loudly, and Adam, now once again in command of his emotions, said in a firm voice, \u201cElen Penelope Jones, you will not talk to your mother in that tone of voice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna eat!\u201d Elen shouted and stamped her foot.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up then.\u00a0 Beth began, \u201cDaddy\u2014\u201d but Adam overrode her.\u00a0 \u201cPrincess, I know Elen is your child, but she can\u2019t be allowed to talk back to you,\u201d he said evenly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth sighed.\u00a0 She hated punishing her children, but she didn\u2019t want Elen to grow up to be spoiled and willful.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right, but I will handle it.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded and sat back down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen, little girls mustn\u2019t talk back to grownups,\u201d Beth said as sternly as she could.\u00a0 \u201cIf they do, then they must be punished.\u201d\u00a0 She pulled her daughter over her knees, spanked her once and then sat her down.\u00a0 Elen ran to her grandma sobbing.\u00a0 Bronwen picked her up and sat her on her lap, rubbing her back to calm her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huw, who had been watching with big eyes, now said, \u201cElen bad.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m n-not b-bad,\u201d Elen sobbed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you\u2019re not bad,\u201d Adam said, reaching over to stroke her hair, \u201cbut you did do a bad thing and so your mama had to punish you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWould you tell your mama that you\u2019re sorry you talked back to her?\u201d Bronwen asked gently and the little girl nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m s-sorry, M-mama,\u201d Elen got out and held out her arms to Beth, who took her, blinking back tears of her own.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fortunately, it wasn\u2019t too much longer before they arrived at the large, red-brick hotel.\u00a0 William saw to the luggage while Adam checked them in and Dr. Davies escorted the ladies and children into the hotel\u2019s restaurant.\u00a0 Beth hoped her little ones would be on their best behavior because she didn\u2019t think she could bear giving any more spankings that day.\u00a0 Her wish was granted and except for Huw\u2019s normal messiness they behaved like angels.\u00a0 After the meal, the children needed a nap as did their great-grandparents.\u00a0 Everyone else decided to visit the Dartmouth Bookstore.\u00a0 Gwyneth was envious because the store had a larger inventory than the Overtons\u2019 and each of the Cartwrights chose a book to take back to Cloncurry.\u00a0 When they returned to the hotel, the others were waiting for them so they could go see Miranda and William\u2019s house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOur house is on Butternut Lane,\u201d William said as they left the hotel and headed down the sidewalk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHanover would seem to be the quintessential New England town,\u201d Adam remarked as they strolled along, noting the tree-lined streets, neat lawns and saltbox houses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese trees must be beautiful in the autumn,\u201d Mrs. Davies commented and William said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cOh, they are magnificent.\u00a0 I wish you all could see them\u2014blazing with color.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped in front of a large two-story brick house and said proudly, \u201cHere it is.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat a ripper!\u201d A.C. exclaimed animatedly while Gwyneth said, \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne of the best examples of Greek Revival I\u2019ve seen,\u201d Adam said, admiring the clean lines and fine workmanship of the dwelling.\u00a0 \u201cUsually they\u2019re clapboard, but I\u2019ve seen others in brick.\u00a0 See the gable roof,\u201d he said gesturing, \u201cand the elongated windows and the massive Doric columns; they are all found in Greek Revival homes.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never seen anyone enclose the ends of the porch this way, but I like it.\u201d\u00a0 William\u2019s chest swelled just a bit, and Miranda bit her lip to keep from grinning at his obvious pleasure in gaining her father\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow many rooms does it have?\u201d Mrs. Davies asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt has four bedrooms on the second floor and two more attic bedrooms.\u00a0 The master bedroom is huge,\u201d Miranda said, \u201cand the other three are large.\u00a0 Then there is a drawing room, library, dining room and kitchen.\u00a0 We also have a water closet and a bathroom at the back of the house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have the key so we can go inside and look around,\u201d William added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe had new wallpaper put in all the bedrooms, and the walls and the molding in the drawing room and dining room have been repainted,\u201d Miranda announced proudly.\u00a0 She added, \u201cWe\u2019ve only bought furniture for the drawing and dining rooms, the library and our bedroom.\u00a0 We decided we could furnish the other bedrooms as we needed them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had this new linoleum put on the floor of the kitchen.\u00a0 It\u2019s supposed to be much easier to clean,\u201d William remarked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Poor Beth was struggling not to be envious as she looked about the beautiful house and compared it to the small parsonage with its fading wallpaper and old furnishings.\u00a0 I have a wonderful husband who loves me and our children, and that is more important than the size of our home or the elegance of our furniture<\/em>, she told herself, feeling very ashamed of her envy.\u00a0 Still, as she gazed at the brown leather Chesterfield and the partner\u2019s desk made of walnut in the library and the lovely oval dining room table of tiger maple, there was a part of her that wished she and Dafydd could have a home as fine as Miranda and William\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was concerned that William and Miranda were beginning their life together under a burden of debt.\u00a0 However, his advice had not been asked and the purchases had been made.\u00a0 Miranda knew her father well and seeing his almost imperceptible frown, she moved quickly to set his mind at rest.\u00a0 Drawing him aside, she said softly, \u201cWe paid for the furniture and the repairs, Daddy, using William\u2019s legacy and money from my trust fund.\u00a0 There is a mortgage on the house but we plan to pay it off in ten years.\u00a0 It is important for William\u2019s career that he has an attractive house with nice furnishings so we look on all this as an investment.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled slightly at her before replying in an equally quiet tone, \u201cI\u2019m glad to know you haven\u2019t gone into debt.\u00a0 I hope you didn\u2019t touch the principal of your trust fund.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Daddy, just the interest.\u00a0 We intend to use the principal for our children\u2019s education just like Beth and Dafydd,\u201d and she smiled warmly at him. <\/p>\n Bronwen and Mrs. Davies questioned Miranda about drapes, curtains and rugs, and then offered suggestions.\u00a0 Overcoming her envy, Beth joined in and Miranda and Gwyneth both listened attentively to the older women\u2019s advice.\u00a0 A.C., bored to tears by this time, offered to take Elen and Huw outside to play while the adults finished their dreary dissertation on colors, columns and curtains.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they went through the bedrooms on the second floor, Beth asked, \u201cWhich room will be the nursery?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blushing just a little, Miranda said, \u201cI thought this corner room.\u00a0 It\u2019s right next to ours so I\u2019ll be able to hear the baby when he or she cries, and there are two large windows so there will be plenty of light.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth smiled and said, \u201cThere may be times you wish you\u2019d chosen the bedroom at the other end of the hall,\u201d to which Adam added, \u201cAmen!\u201d\u00a0 All three of his daughters laughed at this, as their mother blushed at her husband\u2019s obvious allusion to their lack of privacy during each of their five children\u2019s infancy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone approved of the master bedroom, which was papered in a floral design on a beige background, and the lovely low post bed made of tiger maple with a sheaf of wheat motif.\u00a0 After looking at the bedrooms, they all went down the backstairs to look at the kitchen, the water closet and bathroom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI like this bathtub,\u201d Bronwen commented, looking at the gleaming white tub on a pedestal base.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the newest thing,\u201d William replied proudly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s solid porcelain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSolid porcelain?\u201d Adam said skeptically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, it\u2019s made of earthenware coated with a white glaze.\u00a0 It weighs almost 900 pounds; we had to tear down the wall to get it installed.\u00a0 And we have a new Howell toilet installed in the water closet.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The water closet was too small for more than two people to enter at a time; Adam went in with William first.\u00a0 \u201cI pull the chain and then it flushes the rim and siphons away the waste.\u00a0 Plus porcelain is easier to clean than wood so this is the most sanitary toilet available.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPretty impressive,\u201d Adam commented while A.C. and Elen, who had recently come back into the house, both chanted, \u201cI wanna see!\u00a0 I wanna see!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe see!\u201d Huw chimed in, hopping up and down excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right, I think you three can all squeeze in,\u201d William said with a grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wish we had one of these rather than an outhouse,\u201d Bronwen said with a sigh and Adam said, \u201cMaybe someday, sweetheart.\u00a0 It\u2019s just not practical now.\u201d\u00a0 He secretly doubted that he would ever live in a home with such a device, as Cloncurry was not likely to install a sewer system anytime in the foreseeable future.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one definite advantage life in the city has over life in the country,\u201d Dr. Davies said with a little smile, knowing his daughter still missed this convenience in her rural home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After they finished inspecting the house, they all walked back to the Wheelock Hotel.\u00a0 It was then time for supper and while they ate in the parlor of Bronwen and Adam\u2019s suite, they made plans for their final day in Hanover.\u00a0 Miranda and Gwyneth both decided they would stay with Beth and the children while everyone else visited the museum since they wanted to enjoy their niece and nephew, as well as the counsel of their married sister.\u00a0 They would all tour the college and then the men would visit the Mary Hitchcock Hospital while the women explored the town.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next day as they strolled toward the museum, enjoying the beautiful day, William purposely dropped back to have a private word with Adam.\u00a0 Bronwen, sensing the young man\u2019s desire to speak privately with her husband, guided A.C. into step with his grandparents.\u00a0 William said quietly to Adam, \u201cI was hoping for a chance to speak with you, sir, when Miranda wasn\u2019t here.\u201d\u00a0 Adam raised one eyebrow but said nothing so William continued.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, I need your advice for the wedding gift I want to give Miranda.\u00a0 I know Miranda loves to ride and I was thinking of buying her a horse.\u00a0 I can stable it at the same livery that the college riding team uses.\u00a0 I would just use one of the college\u2019s horses when we go riding, but I thought Miranda would really like a horse of her own.\u00a0 I know you are an expert, and I\u2019m not, so I was hoping that perhaps while Dr. Davies is visiting the hospital, you and I might actually go and look at a stud farm here in the area and you could help me choose a mare.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C., suspecting that William and his father were up to something, had deliberately hung back to catch what he could of their conversation. \u201cI wanna come, too!\u201d he said excitedly, but his father frowned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C., it is not polite to eavesdrop on private conversations,\u201d he said sternly.\u00a0 William looked a bit uncomfortable at the inadvertent disclosure of his gift, but Adam, hoping to gain his son\u2019s promise of discretion, added, \u201cif you promise not to tell any of your sisters, you may come with us.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Dr. Davies.\u00a0 \u201cIf we\u2019re not along, Tad<\/em>, you can talk shop with the other doctors without any hindrance.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Davies smilingly nodded his assent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen said firmly, \u201cRemember, A.C. bach<\/em>, this is a secret.\u00a0 Not a word to your sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d A.C. agreed, pleased to be taken into the adults\u2019 confidence.\u00a0 He also liked the idea of knowing something his sisters didn\u2019t. <\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what the fishing is like?\u201d Gwyneth remarked, and the other women exchanged smiles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get too close to the water, Huw!\u201d Beth called, as her youngest had moved just out of her reach and was headed straight for the river.\u00a0 \u201cHuw!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get him,\u201d Gwyneth said, knowing her long legs could get her there faster.\u00a0 She barely made it in time to catch him before he tumbled into the water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou certainly have an affinity for water, mate,\u201d Gwyneth said, lifting her nephew high over her head while he chortled merrily. His laughter turned to tears as his mother delivered two quick swats to his bottom and scolded him for ignoring her call.\u00a0 Taking her sobbing baby boy into her arms, Beth laid his head against her shoulder and said to the others, \u201cPoor A.C.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe he didn\u2019t want to come with us.\u00a0 He\u2019s probably bored with the hospital tour.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s nice he wanted to spend time with William but they\u2019ll probably end up here at the river,\u201d Miranda said.\u00a0 \u201cWilliam has a scull and he might take A.C. sculling.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I hope your father doesn\u2019t go with them,\u201d Bronwen said tartly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s still sore from the last time.\u00a0 He just doesn\u2019t realize that he\u2019s not as young as he used to be.\u201d\u00a0 She knew William, Adam and A.C. wouldn\u2019t get back from the stud farm in time to go sculling, and she was relieved that she didn\u2019t have to worry about her husband overexerting himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s play rosie, Mama,\u201d Elen said, tugging on Beth\u2019s skirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAsk me politely first,\u201d Beth said and Elen stuck out her lip in a pout.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s play rosie \uf0bc\u201d and Beth paused, waiting patiently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elen continued to scowl and then, just as suddenly, her expression brightened.\u00a0 \u201cPlease!\u201d she shouted, and Beth bent down to give her a kiss and a hug, and then did the same to the now calm Huw.\u00a0 She looked at her mother and Bronwen said, \u201cI\u2019d love to play.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elen smiled at Mrs. Davies and said, \u201cPlay rosie, Hennain<\/em>?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Davies smiled and reached down to cup Elen\u2019s chubby cheek in her palm.\u00a0 \u201cNa, Elen fach<\/em>.\u00a0 If Hennain<\/em> falls down, she won\u2019t be able to get back up.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just watch the rest of you play.\u201d\u00a0 Her heart warmed at the sight of the three generations playing the ancient game.\u00a0 Elen and Huw shrieked with laughter as everyone fell down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a couple of repetitions Bronwen said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we play London Bridge?\u00a0 Hennain<\/em> and I can be the bridge.\u201d\u00a0 The children were rolling on the ground giggling when the \u201cbridge\u201d fell down on their tall aunt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they walked back to the Wheelock, Beth said quietly to her sister, \u201cThis will be a wonderful place to raise children.\u00a0 I know you and William are going to be very happy here.\u00a0 I just wish Dafydd could have met William.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe someday we\u2019ll visit Cloncurry,\u201d Miranda said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like my children to see where I grew up and to know their Cartwright relatives.\u201d\u00a0 She said softly, \u201cI understand now how hard it must have been for Daddy living so far from Grandpa, Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe.\u201d\u00a0 The sisters, separated for so long by a vast ocean but never far from each other\u2019s thoughts, put their arms about each other\u2019s waists and walked quietly down the brick sidewalk, each savoring the closeness that was once an everyday occurrence. <\/p>\n \u201cI rode a Saddlebred when I spent the summer at my roommate\u2019s farm in western Massachusetts,\u201d Adam told William as they traveled in a rented buggy.\u00a0 \u201cThey have the smoothest gait of any horse I\u2019ve ever ridden.\u00a0 Miranda is an experienced rider, but she\u2019s not the equal of Beth or Gwyneth so we want to look for a horse that\u2019s eager to please, not one that\u2019s a handful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking that we wouldn\u2019t want one more than fourteen or fifteen hands,\u201d William remarked and Adam nodded his agreement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was impressed by the stud farm, and the owner was impressed by Adam\u2019s knowledge of horses.\u00a0 When he and William stated what they were looking for, the owner showed them three mares he thought met their criteria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese are fine animals,\u201d Adam said after examining them.\u00a0 \u201cI lean toward the mahogany bay.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to his prospective son-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, William?\u00a0 You\u2019re the one who\u2019s actually buying the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re the expert,\u201d William replied.\u00a0 \u201cI trust your judgment.\u201d\u00a0 He and the owner finalized the transaction and then the three of them returned to Hanover. <\/p>\n \u201cI expect to hear a good report from Tad-cu<\/em> and Mam-gu<\/em> on your behavior, young man,\u201d Adam said to A.C. before he and Bronwen boarded the train.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw, Dad,\u201d A.C. said, \u201cI\u2019m not a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNo, you\u2019re not but I hope you\u2019re not too old to give your dad a hug?\u201d and he held out his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. hugged him hard, saying, \u201cHooroo, Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGoodbye, Jackeroo.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you in a few days.\u201d\u00a0 He stepped back so Bronwen could say her goodbye.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to miss you, A.C. bach<\/em>, but I know you\u2019ll be on your best behavior for your grandparents,\u201d she said gently.\u00a0 She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek and he hugged her back, reluctant to say goodbye.\u00a0 Realizing that he would be separated from both parents for the first time in his life, he suddenly didn\u2019t feel so grown-up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth came and stood behind him, giving his neck an affectionate squeeze, and he smiled up at her gratefully.\u00a0 \u201cA.C. will be fine,\u201d she said to her parents with a smile before hugging them both.\u00a0 \u201cI can hardly wait to hear what you think of Mrs. Gordon,\u201d she whispered in her mother\u2019s ear as she ended the embrace.\u00a0 Bronwen, gave her daughter a purposeful glance, then kissed her baby one last time and let William help her and Miranda board the train.\u00a0 Adam ruffled his youngest\u2019s hair and caressed his daughter\u2019s cheek with the back of his hand before moving up the stairs with William close behind.\u00a0 A.C. and his sister stood on the platform and waved until the train was out of sight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMiranda told me there is an ice cream parlor here in Hanover,\u201d Gwyneth said cheerfully, seeing her baby brother was on the verge of tears.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like some?\u00a0 My treat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d he replied, trying to grin bravely.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019d be beaut.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they got back to the Wheelock, they found Dr. Davies waiting for them in the lobby along with the luggage, which he had arranged to have sent ahead to the train depot.\u00a0 As A.C. hurried upstairs to see Elen and Huw, Dr. Davies said quietly to Gwyneth, \u201cI was beginning to worry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Tad-cu<\/em>,\u201d she replied in an equally quiet tone.\u00a0 \u201cI bought A.C. some ice cream.\u00a0 He was missing Mama and Daddy and I thought it would cheer him up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was very sweet,\u201d he said, putting his arm about her waist and giving her an affectionate squeeze. <\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u00a0 We\u2019ll meet you in a few minutes,\u201d Miranda said to her parents before running up the stairs with William.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “If you’ll follow me, Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright,” the parlor maid said, “I’ll show you to your rooms.”\u00a0 Adam’s eyebrow shot up at her use of the plural.\u00a0 He caught Bronwen’s eye, and she shrugged slightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The maid led them up the stairs to the second floor and then down a hallway.\u00a0 “This is your room, ma’am,” she said, opening the next to the last door in the hall and revealing a large bedroom papered with a floral design.\u00a0 It had a tall, narrow, many-paned window that overlooked the street, and a lovely high post bed, highboy and vanity made of mahogany.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is your room, sir,\u201d the maid said then, opening the door to the last room in the hall, which also had a window overlooking the street, but the walls were painted a pale green with ivory molding.\u00a0 It had a low post bed with a pineapple and ring design.\u00a0 The bed and highboy were made of tiger maple.\u00a0 \u201cThe chauffeur will bring up your luggage as soon as it arrives,\u201d the maid said.\u00a0 She curtseyed and then hurried back down the hall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhich room do you want to use?\u201d Bronwen asked with a giggle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I think I prefer yours, with you still in it,\u201d he replied with a grin and she agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I would’ve liked to change before meeting Mrs. Gordon,\u201d Bronwen commented as she stood in front of the room\u2019s full-length mirror and looked at her reflection critically, “but since our trunk hasn’t arrived, I suppose I’ll have to go as I am.\u201d\u00a0 She removed her hat, straightened the jacket of her tailor-made suit, and tried to smooth out the creases in the skirt.\u00a0 Adam wanted to loosen his high collar and remove his necktie, but with a sigh, he merely straightened it and then offered Bronwen his arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They met William and Miranda on the stairs and the four of them entered the drawing room together.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen saw that Mrs. Gordon was an attractive woman around Bronwen\u2019s age, elegantly dressed and coifed, her face a polite mask.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, how nice to meet you,\u201d she said, but there was no warmth in her voice or expression.\u00a0 “I trust your journey was without incident?”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Yes, thank you,” Adam replied as he and Bronwen seated themselves on a settee by Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 William and Miranda sat on a matching settee across from her parents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “This is a lovely room,” Adam said admiringly.\u00a0 It was well-proportioned with a high ceiling and tall, narrow windows.\u00a0 It was painted robin’s egg blue while all the Robert Adam style molding was painted white.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Thank you,” Mrs. Gordon replied complacently.\u00a0 Then in a brisk tone she added, \u201cIt will just be the six of us dining tonight.\u00a0 Tomorrow night I have invited my in-laws to dine since they are not able to attend the wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to meeting them,\u201d Bronwen said.\u00a0 \u201cI am sorry we have such a short time to spend with you and Mr. Gordon before the wedding but I\u2019m sure you can understand that when William and Miranda invited us to visit Hanover so we could see where they were going to live, we simply could not pass up that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy husband and I have not been invited to visit,\u201d Mrs. Gordon said in a frosty tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe house isn\u2019t totally furnished yet, Mother.\u00a0 We will certainly invite you to visit once we have settled in.\u00a0 However, it might be years before Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright visit the U.S. again, so we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity,\u201d\u00a0 William said, already uncomfortable with his mother\u2019s obvious resentment at being second in anything that involved him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy wife and I are both grateful for the chance to see their home and the community where they will live,\u201d Adam said calmly.\u00a0 \u201cAs were Miranda\u2019s sisters and her grandparents.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t forget A.C.,\u201d Bronwen added with a grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C.?\u201d Mrs. Gordon repeated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOur son, Adam, Jr.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want him called Junior,\u201d Adam replied, \u201cso his sisters decided to call him A.C. for Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I see,\u201d Mrs. Gordon replied in a condescending tone.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve always thought nicknames vulgar.\u00a0 I never allowed William to be called Willy or Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think nicknames are less stuffy and formal,\u201d Bronwen replied with a smile, though her meaning was clear.\u00a0 \u201cWe named our oldest Elizabeth, but we\u2019ve always called her Beth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy youngest sister was Penelope, but she was always so dainty that Penelope just didn\u2019t seem to fit so we called her Penny,\u201d Miranda added, supporting her mother\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTo each his own,\u201d Mrs. Gordon replied with a sniff, indicating her contempt, and Bronwen could now appreciate why Miranda felt the way she did about her future mother-in-law,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William said quickly, \u201cI was so glad to have the chance to meet Miranda\u2019s sisters and brother.\u00a0 And my new niece and nephew are charming.\u00a0 Elen was just beginning to lose her shyness around me.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, William, they aren\u2019t your niece and nephew yet, and charming is not usually a word associated with small children.\u201d\u00a0 Turning to Adam and Bronwen, she then asked as an afterthought.\u00a0 \u201cHow old are your grandchildren?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen will be four this November and Huw was a year old in March,\u201d Bronwen replied, trying hard not to let her dislike show in her expression or tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before his future in-laws could respond to the slight against their grandchildren, William reasserted himself.\u00a0 \u201cElen is sweet, but she\u2019s very shy.\u00a0 Huw, on the other hand, is as friendly as a puppy.\u00a0 And charming is the correct word for these particular children, Mother.\u00a0 They are well-behaved and quite a joy to be around.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Gordon felt she\u2019d heard as much about the Cartwrights\u2019 grandchildren as politeness dictated so she decided to change the subject.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not familiar with the customs of the \uf0bcum \uf0bc frontier.\u00a0 After the wedding ceremony, will there be some sort of celebration?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhile only our immediate family and close friends will be at the wedding ceremony, all the hands and the Ponderosa\u2019s neighbors are invited to the reception afterward,\u201d Miranda said coolly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo it will be a formal occasion?\u201d Mrs. Gordon inquired.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFormal in Nevada is different from formal here in New England,\u201d Adam replied, having had the benefit of living in both venues.\u00a0 \u201cI imagine we\u2019ll barbecue a steer and have some side dishes, and there will be some dancing outside in the yard.\u00a0 Then after William and Miranda leave, there\u2019ll be a shivaree.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShivaree?\u201d Miranda asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, it\u2019s a mock serenade we have for newlyweds.\u00a0 Uncle Joe and I will keep it from getting out of hand,\u201d Adam assured her while Mrs. Gordon\u2019s face expressed her scorn at such backwards attempts at honoring the couple.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen decided she\u2019d had all she could take of the haughty Mrs. Gordon and spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid I developed a headache on our journey.\u00a0 Would you excuse me, Mrs. Gordon?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Mrs. Gordon replied.\u00a0 \u201cDinner is in two hours and I hope you\u2019ll be feeling better then.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I will.\u00a0 I\u2019m just tired,\u201d Bronwen replied, and to herself finished the sentence of you<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not wanting to be left alone with this unbearable woman, Adam quickly inserted \u201cI think I\u2019d like to rest as well.\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon nodded, so they left, leaving William and Miranda to their fate. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be there in just a minute,\u201d she called from their bedroom.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes traveled over her appreciatively as she entered the room, wearing one of her new evening gowns.\u00a0 It had the simple style that she knew he liked her to wear: a plain skirt of crimped lilac taffeta edged with two narrow frills at the hem, while the bodice had a deep d\u00e9colletage trimmed with lace.\u00a0 He knew she was wearing a corset because she looked as slender as the day they married.\u00a0 Her hair, now silvery white, was arranged carefully atop her head in a knot.\u00a0 As a finishing touch, she was wearing the amethyst and diamond earrings he\u2019d given her for their first Christmas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSweetheart, you take my breath away,\u201d he said in a low husky voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re making my heart race,\u201d she whispered as she thought how handsome he was dressed in the black dinner jacket that set off his broad shoulders and slim waist.\u00a0 He was still the handsomest man she\u2019d ever seen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose we could send our excuses to the Gordons?\u201d he asked softly as he lightly caressed her slender neck with his fingertips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m tempted, but no,\u201d she replied with a tiny smile.\u00a0 \u201cMiranda would be mortified.\u00a0 Now, let me fix your tie.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose anticipation will simply add to our enjoyment later tonight,\u201d he added with a suggestive grin.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to send A.C. to stay with Rhys and Matilda some night and I want you to wear that dress just for me.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled when he saw her milky-white skin flush with color.\u00a0 She finished with his tie so he offered her his arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWait,\u201d she said, and he chuckled when she went into their room, removed her spectacles, and set them on the vanity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI take it you don\u2019t want to see Miranda\u2019s future in-laws?\u201d he asked wryly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot particularly,\u201d she replied with a little grin, \u201cand I want to look my best when I meet that odious woman again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI prefer that I\u2019m the only one who sees how beautiful your eyes are,\u201d he said in the low tone that always made her shiver with delight.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, I suppose it\u2019s in a good cause,\u201d he added with a wink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He saw with satisfaction the appreciation in Mr. Gordon\u2019s eyes and the envy in Mrs. Gordon\u2019s when they met them in the drawing room.\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon was attractive enough, although the frown lines in her forehead were deeply etched, but compared to Bronwen, her figure was gross and fleshy and she looked much older than her contemporary.\u00a0 Adam was proud of the fact no one looking at Bronwen would ever think she\u2019d borne him five children.\u00a0 He also thought her pure white hair was lovelier than the clearly artificial gold of Mrs. Gordon\u2019s.\u00a0 Bronwen\u2019s greatest assets were always her charm and vivacity, two qualities that Mrs. Gordon was sadly lacking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Cartwright, may I express my admiration,\u201d Mr. Gordon said, taking her hand and kissing it, with more warmth than Adam thought was necessary.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be my pleasure to escort you to dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd mine to escort you, Mrs. Gordon,\u201d Adam said, trying to sound gallant, even though his attention was directed at\u00a0 the way Mr. Gordon was looking at Bronwen and he inadvertently avoided eye contact with his dinner partner, which only made Mrs. Gordon even more incensed.\u00a0 Miranda and William, who had remained silent during this conversation, now exchanged uneasy, though slightly bemused, glances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Mrs. Cartwright, you have extraordinary eyes; I have never seen any that color before,\u201d Mr. Gordon said as he seated Bronwen on his right.\u00a0 \u201cThey remind me of violets in the spring.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you misplace your spectacles?\u201d Mrs. Gordon inquired spitefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I don\u2019t wear them that often,\u201d Bronwen replied airily, which caused Miranda\u2019s eyebrows to shoot up and Adam to clear his throat noisily.\u00a0 Seeing both their expressions caused William to stifle his laugh in his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mr. Gordon glared at his wife for her rudeness and then said with a smile directed toward Bronwen, \u201cSo what do you think of our part of the country, Mrs. Cartwright?\u00a0 How does it compare with Queensland?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cQueensland is nothing like Delaware,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cFor one thing, it\u2019s much cooler here.\u00a0 The weather today felt like our winter.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSurely you exaggerate,\u201d Mrs. Gordon said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, my wife is quite correct,\u201d Adam stated.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve lived in Queensland for twenty-four years and I can only remember one or two times the temperature fell below fifty degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI remember the hottest day,\u201d Miranda interjected.\u00a0 \u201cIt was two years before I came to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cIt was January 16, 1889.\u00a0 The temperature reached 127 degrees.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood God!\u201d Mr. Gordon said with feeling.\u00a0 \u201cBeg pardon, ladies,\u201d he added quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe spent most of that day at the river, swimming,\u201d Bronwen said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSwimming?\u201d Mrs. Gordon repeated, her tone indicating only the vulgar masses would indulge in the activity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you must be very fetching in a bathing costume,\u201d Mr. Gordon said to Bronwen, and William, seeing Adam\u2019s fierce glower, said quickly, \u201cHave I told you what a splendid equestrienne Miranda is?\u00a0 She told me that you taught her to ride, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, Daddy taught all of us to ride,\u201d Miranda chimed in.\u00a0 \u201cWe each got our first pony on our fourth birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would have preferred to wait until they turned five, but my husband convinced me that four was old enough.\u00a0 Our granddaughter turns four this November, and he will be giving her riding lessons then,\u201d Bronwen said, smiling at William for his obvious redirection of the conversation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe you have grandchildren,\u201d Mr. Gordon said to Bronwen, smiling warmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She returned his smile, saying, \u201cYou flatter me.\u00a0 Actually, we just learned that our third grandchild is due in December.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy wife,\u201d Adam stated, stressing the possessive pronoun, \u201cis a doting grandmother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, but my husband is the one who spoils our grandchildren,\u201d Bronwen said, smiling at Adam, while Miranda blinked in surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to being a grandfather myself,\u201d Mr. Gordon stated.\u00a0 \u201cSeeing the next generation of Gordons.\u00a0 Perhaps your son will want to join the family firm,\u201d he added, directing a frown at William.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps, but he might chose to be an historian, engineer or architect,\u201d William replied evenly, his tone imparting his opinion on the subject of the \u201cfamily firm\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOr even a cowboy,\u201d Miranda added, earning a disapproving stare from her in-laws to be.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe point is, it will be his choice,\u201d William said firmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA father likes to see his son follow in his footsteps.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you agree, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, yes,\u201d Adam said slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI think young Adam will study engineering at the Sydney Technical College and then join our mining company.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut if he did choose another career, you\u2019d accept it?\u201d William asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have much choice, would I?\u201d Adam replied, surprised at William\u2019s intensity.\u00a0 \u201cBut he\u2019s always talked of becoming an engineer.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow old is your son?\u201d Mr. Gordon asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s ten,\u201d Bronwen said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen William was ten, he still talked of joining the family law firm,\u201d Mr. Gordon stated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen saw the concern in her husband\u2019s eyes and she realized it had never occurred to him that A.C. might not want to be an engineer, and he clearly didn\u2019t like that idea.\u00a0 Don\u2019t borrow trouble<\/em>, she told herself firmly.\u00a0 A.C. is always talking about when he and Llywelyn run the mining company instead of Adam and Rhys.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have a chance to meet the lad ourselves,\u201d Mr. Gordon continued, \u201cwhen we\u2019re all in Nevada for the wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, you\u2019ll be able to meet all our children and grandchildren,\u201d Bronwen said with a proud smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought you told us that your oldest sister wouldn\u2019t be able to attend?\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon queried, suddenly realizing that if Miranda\u2019s older sister was in attendance, surely her two small children would also be involved in the wedding celebration as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t think she would, but her husband wanted her to be here so she and the children traveled with Mama and Daddy,\u201d Miranda answered.\u00a0 \u201cBeth will be my Matron of Honor.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s nice,\u201d Mr. Gordon said, as his wife gave a thin lipped smile that showed her disappointment at Miranda\u2019s pronouncement.\u00a0 In her opinion, children should be banned from such events until they were old enough to sit quietly and speak only when spoken to.\u00a0 Given her future daughter-in-law\u2019s outspokenness, she could already envision how her grandchildren would be raised.\u00a0 I must make a note to inquire as to a proper nursemaid as soon as we return from that God-forsaken wilderness<\/em>, she thought anxiously.\u00a0 I must have as much influence on my grandchildren\u2019s upbringing as possible to counteract their mother\u2019s highly opinioned nature, which is so unbecoming in a woman!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oblivious as always to his wife\u2019s plans, Mr. Gordon turned to more important matters.\u00a0 \u201cI read in the paper that Germany and Great Britain have sent fleets to Manila Bay and the Germans are ignoring Dewey\u2019s blockade,\u201d and the conversation moved to a discussion of America\u2019s war with Spain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, since it became clear almost immediately that Mr. Gordon and Adam held diametrically opposed views, that wasn\u2019t a safe topic either.\u00a0 However, Adam saw the pleading look his wife was giving him, and when Mr. Gordon finally stopped pontificating, he only said mildly, \u201cOf course the newspapers in Queensland report the British point of view.\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon took control of the conversation then and she did steer them toward neutral topics.\u00a0 Mr. Gordon continued to flirt with Bronwen throughout the evening and although she did not encourage him, a part of her enjoyed having another man pay her compliments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Adam and Bronwen were alone in her room, he was very quiet as he took off his dinner jacket and carefully hung it in the wardrobe and then removed the gold cufflinks she\u2019d given him their first Christmas together and placed them on the vanity.\u00a0 He turned slowly to gaze at her with smoldering eyes and said, \u201cYou enjoyed flirting with Gordon tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe just a little,\u201d she admitted with an impish grin as she finished removing her earrings and placed them by his cufflinks.\u00a0 \u201cBut what do I care about Mr. Gordon when I have you?\u00a0 You\u2019re still the most beautiful man I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d\u00a0 She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his mouth to hers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the kiss ended, he let his fingertips lightly caress her neck and shoulders as he asked, \u201cWould you like some help undressing?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf you wish,\u201d she replied, lowering her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He began by peeling off her elbow-length gloves, slowly and sensuously, dropping kisses down her sensitive inner arm and wrist, leaving her breathless.\u00a0 Then, as he kissed her neck and bare shoulders, his hands reached around to unfasten her bodice and untie the sash at her waist.\u00a0 He pulled her bodice off, revealing her black sateen corset, embroidered with crimson roses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow it\u2019s my turn,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 She unfastened the black bow tie and then unbuttoned the starched white shirt, running her fingertips through the thick mat of hair she exposed.\u00a0 She pulled down his suspenders and then tugged off the shirt, her hands caressing his hard, muscular arms and back.\u00a0 He bent down and kissed her deeply as he unfastened and then removed her corset.\u00a0 Her skirt went next, pooling at her feet, and she stood in the pretty frou-frou petticoat he\u2019d given her.\u00a0 Before moving to the bed, he unpinned her hair and watched the silvery white tresses cascade past her hips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Afterward she lay astride him, their bodies still joined, both reluctant to separate.\u00a0 He felt rather than heard her soft giggles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d he whispered, gently caressing her cheek.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was just thinking how surprised the maid will be when she discovers one of our rooms wasn\u2019t used tonight.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019m glad Mr. Gordon has to go to the office today,\u201d he said with a slow smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, all the ladies who call are going to be jealous of me,\u201d she replied, reaching up to straighten his necktie.\u00a0 \u201cYour morning coat is very flattering.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad you like it because I hate wearing this necktie,\u201d he complained.\u00a0 \u201cAt least I can fold this collar over but I still feel like I\u2019m being choked.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn a few more days we\u2019ll be back at the Ponderosa and you won\u2019t have to dress up except for the wedding.\u00a0 Besides, I know your collar and necktie cannot possibly be more uncomfortable than this corset.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He grinned at that saying, \u201cYou\u2019re probably correct.\u201d\u00a0 Just then there was a knock at the door and Miranda called, \u201cMama, are you ready to go down to breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam opened the door and saw the startled look on William\u2019s face, while Miranda merely grinned at her father as she gave him a peck on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, you two.\u00a0 I think your mother is just applying the finishing touches to her hair,\u201d he said to Miranda.\u00a0 \u201cCome in, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad to see you\u2019re wearing your spectacles today,\u201d Miranda said to her mother, who was just putting the last comb in her hair.\u00a0 \u201cWhy ever did you tell that fib about not wearing them often?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen sighed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, William, but I just didn\u2019t want to look dowdy next to your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou definitely weren\u2019t dowdy,\u201d William said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know my father even knew how to flirt, but he was certainly taken with you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was obvious,\u201d Adam said sarcastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI predict that this morning all the ladies are going to be flirting with you,\u201d Bronwen said, putting her hand on his arm, and they exchanged a warm, loving smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William and Miranda followed the older couple and he said very quietly, \u201cYour parents really love each other.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, they do.\u00a0 And I know I\u2019ll love you just as much when I\u2019m Mama\u2019s age as I do now. We\u2019re going to have a marriage just as wonderful as theirs,\u201d she said earnestly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope so,\u201d he replied, bringing her hand to his lips.\u00a0 He\u2019d never realized a husband and wife might choose to share a bedroom even after there was no more hope of children\u2014certainly his parents didn\u2019t, nor any of his friends\u2019 parents.\u00a0 The way Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright looked at each other and the way they touched he was sure that they were still lovers.\u00a0 That was the kind of marriage that he wanted to have with Miranda\u2014a marriage of true minds where love did not alter with the passing years.\u00a0 How did Shakespeare put it?<\/em> he thought.\u00a0 Oh yes.\u00a0 \u2018Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks\/But bears it out even to the edge of doom.<\/em>\u2019 <\/p>\n After the initial introductions had been made, Mr. Gordon\u2019s older sister, Mrs. Logan, said coquettishly, \u201cIt\u2019s easy to see where your daughter gets her looks, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d he replied, allowing his lips to quirk up in a slight smile, as he glanced over at his wife to gauge her response to the older woman\u2019s barely concealed flirtation.\u00a0 Bronwen, able to assess the situation for what it was, gave him a bright smile in return.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Logan then added in a condescending tone, \u201cIs this your first visit to the United States, Mrs. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen smiled slightly and replied, \u201cThis is my first visit to Delaware, but I\u2019ve visited Boston four times now and Nevada \uf0bc\u201d\u00a0 She paused and Adam inserted smoothly, \u201cSix times.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Cariad<\/em>,\u201d she replied with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cMy husband and Miranda are the mathematicians in the family.\u00a0 But I digress.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to see several of your states on the trip from Nevada to New England.\u00a0 Your country has such a variety of landscapes and climates that it is always a fascinating journey.\u00a0 I confess I grow a bit weary of the weeks onboard ship when there is nothing to see but water in every direction.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since neither Mrs. Logan nor Mrs. McKean had ever left Wilmington, they had nothing to add.\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon said, \u201cI\u2019ve been lucky enough to visit London and Paris.\u00a0 Travel can be so broadening.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cParis and London are both beautiful cities,\u201d Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI think I preferred Rome because of the ruins.\u00a0 Of course the Acropolis and the pyramids are magnificent.\u00a0 I marvel that ancient man was able to create and build such amazing and awe-inspiring monuments.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were a world traveler, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Mrs. Gordon said, sounding miffed that she had been upstaged by these highly unorthodox people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI traveled in Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land.\u00a0 I was planning on visiting the Orient after my visit to the continent of Australia.\u00a0 However, I met my wife and decided to settle in Queensland.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFor which I am profoundly grateful,\u201d William said, smiling adoringly at Miranda.\u00a0 \u201cJust as I\u2019m grateful you allowed Miranda to attend the Girls\u2019 Latin School and Radcliffe.\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine my life without her.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wish you weren\u2019t having the wedding in Nevada.\u00a0 That is simply too far for me and my husband to travel,\u201d Mrs. McKean said with a sniff.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHaving the wedding at the Ponderosa was the only way my father could attend,\u201d Adam said quietly, \u201cso I\u2019m grateful to Miranda and William.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, I d-didn\u2019t realize,\u201d Mrs. McKean stuttered, surprised that a man of his age would have a parent still living.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too bad that you can\u2019t come, Aunt Sophie,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cThe ranch house is magnificent.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Adam and said with obvious sincerity, \u201cI\u2019m surprised you didn\u2019t pursue a career in architecture, sir.\u00a0 Especially since Miranda tells me the house you designed for your family in Queensland is as lovely as the house on the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Adam replied with a little smile.\u00a0 \u201cI enjoy both architecture and engineering, but it was easier then to pursue a career as an engineer.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve been lucky enough to have some opportunities to use my skills as an architect.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Logan turned to William and Miranda.\u00a0 \u201cSince the wedding is only two weeks away, are you two getting nervous?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA bit,\u201d Miranda confessed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I am,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cWe still have to buy a few pieces of furniture, but basically our home is all ready for us and I\u2019m eager to come home every night to find my beautiful wife waiting for me.\u201d\u00a0 He brought Miranda\u2019s hand to his lips and dropped a kiss on the palm.\u00a0 Both of his aunts and his mother were shocked at the young man\u2019s display of affection for his intended, though a bit of envy was evident as they noted the adoration in William\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose I\u2019m a bit nervous because married life will be so different from being a student,\u201d Miranda commented.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly will be,\u201d Mrs. Gordon said with a sneer.\u00a0 \u201cI cannot see the point in young women attending college.\u00a0 College won\u2019t teach them how to be good wives.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t attend college so we\u2019ll learn how to be good wives any more than young men attend to learn how to be good husbands, and why should we?\u201d Miranda said, her eyes alight with righteous indignation.\u00a0 \u201cA woman\u2019s life shouldn\u2019t revolve around her husband and children.\u00a0 She is a person in her own right with her own dreams, her own needs.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William\u2019s aunts and mother look scandalized while Bronwen, highly disturbed at her daughter\u2019s less than respectful tone, said firmly, \u201cWhen your children are very young, your life must revolve around them because they need you so much.\u00a0 When they grow older and can do things for themselves, then you can attend to your own needs.\u201d\u00a0 Miranda nodded slowly, her head bowed as she felt her mother\u2019s flashing violet eyes upon her.\u00a0 Seeing that her words had the invoked the intended response in her daughter, Bronwen continued in a tone of mild rebuke.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you truly love someone, I think you put his needs first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Gordon said sanctimoniously, \u201cIt is a wife\u2019s duty to obey her husband.\u201d\u00a0 The effect was spoiled by William\u2019s hastily suppressed snort of laughter, and his aunts had to hide their smiles at the thought of their haughty sister-in-law as an obedient wife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course, Mama; I will put William\u2019s needs first,\u201d Miranda said quietly, a faint blush on her cheeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJust as I will put yours first,\u201d William said earnestly, earning an approving smile from his future father-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, St. Paul also says husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies,\u201d and he reached for Miranda\u2019s hand and gave it a squeeze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just then the maid announced the arrival of the wife of Mr. Gordon\u2019s younger brother, and her married daughter, who was two years older than Miranda.\u00a0 Mrs. Florence Gordon\u2019s eyes traveled appreciatively over Adam and she smiled flirtatiously when she offered her hand, causing Bronwen to wink mischievously at her husband.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo will any other members of your family be attending the wedding?\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Stedman inquired politely after she and her mother had seated themselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, both my sisters and my brother are traveling to the Ponderosa right now along with my niece and nephew,\u201d Miranda replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd my parents,\u201d Bronwen added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy goodness, your side of the family will certainly be well represented,\u201d Mrs. Florence Gordon said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy husband and I will be attending the wedding,\u201d Mrs. Logan interjected with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cHe is eager to renew his acquaintance with your father, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure my father will be most happy to see him again,\u201d Adam said, returning her smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou mentioned your niece and nephew,\u201d Mrs. Stedman said.\u00a0 \u201cHow old are they?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen is three and a half and Huw just turned a year old,\u201d Miranda replied.\u00a0 \u201cYour Alice comes right between them, doesn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the next few minutes the conversation centered on babies and Adam allowed his concentration to wander and was caught off guard when he felt Bronwen\u2019s hand on his sleeve.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all right,\u201d Mrs. McKean said with a coquettish smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure all this talk of babies can\u2019t be very interesting to you and William.\u00a0 I was just asking if it were true that you were a cowboy at one time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, it\u2019s true,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat must have been an exciting life,\u201d she said enthusiastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSometimes,\u201d he answered with his little half smile.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing exciting about rounding up strays or branding calves, but a cattle drive can have its exciting moments.\u00a0 The cattle might stampede, and I\u2019ve known cases where drovers were trampled to death.\u00a0 Or rustlers may follow along just looking for an opportunity to steal some of your cattle, and that may involve gunplay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you carry a gun?\u201d Mrs. Stedman asked excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cI have had to draw on men,\u201d he added, seeing the speculation on her face, \u201cbut only as a last resort.\u201d\u00a0 He did not elaborate on the number of times he had had to kill or be killed.\u00a0 \u201cMostly I\u2019ve shot rattlesnakes.\u00a0 We have even more venomous snakes in the outback, so I wear a gun every day when I ride to our mine and back home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have two dogs that are excellent at killing snakes and other vermin,\u201d Bronwen added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTwo?\u201d Miranda said.\u00a0 \u201cOh yes, I forgot about Lady\u2019s pup.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t imagine a dog killing a snake,\u201d Mrs. Logan said with a shudder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThese terriers are bred with a thick rough coat and an even thicker ruff around their neck to protect them, and they are very quick,\u201d Adam stated.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re not invulnerable though; our first dog died as a result of snakebite, but she killed the snake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPoor Belle,\u201d Miranda said softly and William gave her hand a comforting squeeze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you ever have to fight any Indians?\u201d Mrs. Stedman asked curiously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI was nearly killed in an Indian attack, but it never would have happened if it hadn\u2019t been for the cruelty and barbarity of some soldiers.\u00a0 You see, under the guise of signing a peace treaty with the Indians, they poisoned Apache men, women and children.\u00a0 Naturally the relatives of those slain wanted revenge and they pursued the soldiers from Arizona to Nevada.\u00a0 One of the soldiers managed to escape them and entered our camp.\u00a0 My father and brothers and I were returning from a cattle drive and we just happened to be setting up camp where the Apaches had been chasing the soldiers.\u00a0 I made what in retrospect I realize was a stupid decision and tried to leave our camp to fill our canteens and was shot by the Apaches.\u00a0 My youngest brother risked his own life to save me.\u00a0 Eventually everything was sorted out: the soldier was turned over to the army to be court-martialed, Cochise led his warriors back home, and the army surgeon was able to remove the bullet and save my life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI find it hard to believe a soldier in the United States Army would poison women and children,\u201d Mrs. Gordon said stiffly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe man admitted it freely.\u00a0 My brothers said he seemed proud of his action and felt he should be commended,\u201d Adam replied in a soft but authoritative tone.\u00a0 \u201cI was in shock and not really aware of what was happening but I know my brothers wouldn\u2019t lie and I know the soldier was court-martialed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was silence for a few moments and then Mrs. Logan said quietly, \u201cMy sister-in-law said that you were going to visit Hanover before traveling here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWe were all happy to have a chance to see where Miranda and William will be living.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour grandson and granddaughter are your oldest daughter\u2019s children, correct?\u201d Mrs. Florence Gordon asked, and Bronwen nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIs your third daughter married?\u00a0 Or your son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suspect we will be planning Gwyneth\u2019s marriage in the near future,\u201d Bronwen replied, \u201cbut our son is only ten, so he won\u2019t be getting married for a few years yet,\u201d she added with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been living in this country for a number of years,\u201d Mrs. Stedman remarked to Miranda, \u201cso your brother must have been quite young when you left.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, he was only three when I left to attend the Girls Latin School but I saw him three years later when I traveled home for my older sister\u2019s wedding.\u00a0 Then I saw him four years ago when I graduated, and I wrote to him regularly.\u00a0 When he was old enough, then he wrote to me.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t the same thing as being there when he was growing up.\u00a0 He is so tall now that he\u2019s actually a quarter inch taller than Mama and I are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt age ten?\u201d Mrs. Gordon said disbelievingly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe is a very tall ten-year-old,\u201d William agreed.\u00a0 \u201cHe looks more like twelve.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe takes after his father,\u201d Bronwen said proudly and William added, \u201cSo does Gwyneth; she\u2019s about a half-inch taller than I am.\u00a0 A very striking young woman.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBeth is the real beauty of the family,\u201d Miranda added.\u00a0 She added teasingly to William, \u201cShe is lovelier than I am, admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn my eyes, you are the most beautiful creature in the universe,\u201d William said gallantly while Miranda rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll our daughters are lovely,\u201d Adam inserted, \u201cand talented, just like their mother.\u201d\u00a0 Bronwen blushed prettily at this comment, and Mrs. Gordon again felt a pang of envy at the obvious affection that was in evidence each time Miranda\u2019s parents looked at or spoke to one another.\u00a0 It had been a very long time since her own husband had voiced such compliments about her.\u00a0 She sighed and looked down at her hands as the visitors continued to chat about the upcoming nuptials.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More of William\u2019s aunts and cousins continued to visit throughout the morning, and were all expected back that evening to enjoy a family gathering in the engaged couple\u2019s honor.\u00a0 The three Cartwrights, William and his mother all had lunch together but then William took his future in-laws sightseeing, while his mother begged off with needing to pack for the trip west.\u00a0 They saw the Holy Trinity Church, which had been built in 1689 by a group of Swedish Lutherans, and then went to Market Street where Bronwen and Miranda shopped at the Five Cent Store.\u00a0 Adam was interested in the Equitable Building, which had been constructed eight years earlier and was an excellent example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style he\u2019d read about.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dinner that evening was an interesting experience as Bronwen later commented to Adam while they snuggled in the large high post bed.\u00a0 She\u2019d worn her other new evening gown of deep emerald satin with a v-shaped d\u00e9colletage, and once again left her spectacles behind.\u00a0 Mr. Gordon was less obvious in his attentions to her, but they still drew raised eyebrows among his family.\u00a0 However, Mrs. Gordon\u2019s air of superiority and condescension had not made her popular among her in-laws and the older women enjoyed her discomfiture.\u00a0 William\u2019s cousins, on the other hand, were frankly shocked at the behavior of their normally staid elders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, Bronwen, Miranda and William all left for the Ponderosa the next morning; the Gordons and the Logans were traveling together two days later, planning to arrive the afternoon before the wedding and leave the day after.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen were pleased with the opportunity to get to know William better, and the more they saw the two young people together, the more confident they were that he would be a good husband to Miranda. <\/p>\n \u201cShe and A.C. will keep everyone on their toes and no mistake,\u201d Jacob agreed in his rich baritone.\u00a0 \u201cNot to mention little Miss Elen and Huw.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at the older man then saying, \u201cI ain\u2019t never seen Mr. Ben so happy.\u00a0 Just think, all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be here together at the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo one deserves it more neither,\u201d Bronc said.\u00a0 He shook his head a bit and added, \u201cYou never got a chance to see Mr. Ben and his three sons but I tell you, Jacob, I never saw a family as close as they were.\u00a0 The boys were so different, but they loved each other the ways brothers should.\u00a0 It was hard on the whole family when they learned Adam had made up his mind first to go travelin\u2019 to foreign parts and then to settle in a foreign land; first time he brought his family for a visit when Miss Beth and Miss Miranda were just babies, they all hoped he\u2019d decide to stay.\u00a0 Broke Mr. Ben\u2019s heart when he made it clear he was returnin\u2019 to Queensland and takin\u2019 those darlin\u2019 little girls with him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019d he go?\u00a0 He had to have known he was hurtin\u2019 his family,\u201d Jacob said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIn some ways Adam\u2019s the most like his pa and he wanted to build his own dream,\u201d Bronc answered slowly.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Ben understood that and I don\u2019t think he ever let Adam know just how much it hurt to let him go off on his own.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess now that Miss Miranda is going to be living here in the States, Mr. Adam\u2019s beginning to find out what it\u2019s like,\u201d Jacob said and Bronc nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI expect you\u2019re right.\u00a0 But like I said, he takes after his pa, and he\u2019ll never let her know how much it hurts him neither.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both men\u2019s jaws dropped when they saw Joe help Annabelle alight from the train, and then they exchanged puzzled looks.\u00a0 Sarah spotted them immediately and ran toward them calling, \u201cHello, Bronc!\u00a0 Hello, Jacob!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello, Miss Sarah,\u201d both men said.\u00a0 They looked for the rest of the party, but saw only Benj and his mother with Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWhere are your cousins?\u201d Bronc asked, trying not to sound worried.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, they\u2019ll be here in a couple of days,\u201d Sarah answered and the others approached then.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello, Bronc, Jacob,\u201d Annabelle said coolly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d they both replied, tipping their Stetsons.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI expect you\u2019re wondering where everyone else is,\u201d Joe said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cThey all went to Hanover to see where Miranda and William will live; they should be here in a couple of days.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen and the bride and groom will arrive as scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take care of your luggage,\u201d Bronc said.\u00a0 \u201cThe surrey\u2019s right over there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Joe said with a bigger grin.\u00a0 \u201cSee you back at the ranch.\u201d\u00a0 He offered Annabelle his arm and the four of them walked toward the surrey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf that don\u2019t beat all,\u201d Bronc said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope she\u2019s home for good,\u201d Jacob said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019ll kill Joe if she leaves him again.\u201d <\/p>\n Joe was happier than he\u2019d been in years.\u00a0 That first night in Boston after he\u2019d brought the children back to the row house, Annabelle had been warm and friendly and the old passion had reignited.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t let Adam or the others know that he\u2019d spent the night in Annabelle\u2019s bed and he\u2019d slipped away before the children woke up.\u00a0 They\u2019d been together every night in Boston and it had been easier than he\u2019d imagined to persuade her to come back home with him.\u00a0 He smiled as he remembered how worried Sarah had been about her Billy Boy until Kathleen had promised that she\u2019d look after him.\u00a0 Somehow he didn\u2019t think the little bird would survive the journey from Boston, but they\u2019d find him a new owner and Sarah would have her beloved pony, Applesauce, to take her mind off the little parakeet.\u00a0 Benj really liked his preparatory school, but he\u2019d been happy before attending school in Carson City and had friends there, so Joe was sure he\u2019d readjust.\u00a0 It would just be so wonderful to have them all together as a family, and it would mean so much to Pa as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The others arrived a few days later and everything was wonderful.\u00a0 Benj remained aloof but Joe told himself it was just that he was older than Sarah and A.C. but much younger than his older cousins.\u00a0 He offered to take the boys fishing and they both eagerly accepted.\u00a0 Gwyneth asked if she could come as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you bait your own hook nowadays?\u201d Joe asked teasingly and grinned as she shook her head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDouglas always does it for her,\u201d A.C. said, surprised when his sister turned red.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll do it for you, sis,\u201d he offered magnanimously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they sat quietly at the fishing hole, A.C. said sadly, \u201cI wish Mama and Dad would hurry up and get here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMissing them?\u201d Joe asked, giving his nephew\u2019s neck a friendly squeeze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA bit,\u201d A.C. admitted cautiously.\u00a0 \u201cThey always come in and kiss me goodnight.\u00a0 Course, I\u2019m too old to miss that,\u201d he added quickly and looked at the others pugnaciously as if daring them to contradict him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, when I was your age I still liked your grandpa to come tuck me in,\u201d Joe said casually and saw his nephew\u2019s features relax.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe and Dafydd are gonna teach Huw to fish when he\u2019s bigger,\u201d A.C. then said and his sister arched one eyebrow and said sarcastically, \u201cI hope you\u2019re going to teach him to be quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She looked and sounded so much like Adam that Joe blinked while A.C. stuck out his tongue.\u00a0 He took the hint, however.\u00a0 They returned to the ranch house with a nice string of trout and Buckshot made them clean the fish before he fried them for dinner. <\/p>\n \u201cToo right!\u201d A.C. exclaimed and Joe said, \u201cI\u2019ll take that as a yes,\u201d and grinned at his nephew.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe go!\u201d Huw announced, though everyone suspected he had responded in an effort to copy his uncle\u2019s response.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sweetie, you\u2019re staying with Mama,\u201d Beth said with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, me go Me-ma, Pa-pa,\u201d Huw repeated more forcefully and everyone was surprised that Huw had deduced that it was his grandparents that Joe had been referring to.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Huw,\u201d Beth said more firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou can see Me-ma and Pa-pa when they get here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe go!\u201d the little boy repeated, sticking out his lip in a pout.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see there\u2019s more Cartwright in you than I realized,\u201d Joe said with a giggle while the women frowned at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease don\u2019t encourage him, Uncle Joe,\u201d Beth said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe said contritely, but couldn\u2019t hold back a chuckle at the stubborn look on his grandnephew\u2019s normally cheerful face.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes were alight with the memory of Hoss as a baby, declaring his intentions in a similar way when his big brother was about to do something that he wanted to do, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No more was said about it and Beth assumed her baby had forgotten his declaration, but as soon as she lifted him out of his highchair to the floor he ran toward the front door shouting, \u201cMe go Me-ma, Pa-pa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuw Adda Jones!\u00a0 You come back here this instant!\u201d Beth called, running after him, while Elen gleefully announced, \u201cHuw\u2019s bad!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw, Beth, why don\u2019t you let him come?\u201d Joe called, earning a glare from his wife.\u00a0 Beth returned carrying a sobbing Huw, who\u2019d had his little behind spanked for his disobedience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t he come, Beth?\u201d A.C. asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d watch him and I bet Mama and Dad would be glad to see him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth wanted to be firm but seeing her uncle, brother and son\u2019s eyes all looking at her beseechingly, she caved in.\u00a0 \u201cHuw bach<\/em>, you mustn\u2019t ever talk back to Mama or she has to have a necessary talk with you.\u00a0 But, since your Uncle Joe and your Uncle A.C. have both asked, you may go with them to meet Me-ma and Pa-pa.\u201d\u00a0 Huw grinned through his tears and she put him on his feet.\u00a0 He ran over and grabbed Joe\u2019s hand and began tugging.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGo Me-ma, Pa-pa, Unca Joe\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhoa, little buddy,\u201d Joe said, tousling the child\u2019s thick mop of hair.\u00a0 \u201cUncle A.C. and I have to go hitch up the team first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Huw bach<\/em>,\u201d Beth said, taking his hand, \u201cyou and I will sit on the porch and wait.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cJacob drove the buckboard,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll load the trunks\u2014except yours, William\u2014and then I\u2019ll go back to the ranch with Jacob, and Adam can take everyone else in the surrey.\u00a0 We\u2019re planning on you eating dinner with us, William, but I guess you\u2019ll want to register at the hotel first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, and I\u2019ll need to have my trunk delivered there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJacob and I might as well deliver your trunk to the hotel,\u201d Joe said with a grin, \u201csince it\u2019s on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Uncle Joe,\u201d William said with a matching grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you to the hotel,\u201d Miranda declared and Adam said, \u201cI think the rest of us will just wait for you two at the surrey.\u201d\u00a0 As they walked along Bronwen asked A.C., \u201cWhat have you been doing while we\u2019ve been away?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne day Uncle Joe took me and Benj and Gwyneth fishing,\u201d A.C. said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cGwyneth caught the most trout,\u201d he said in disgust but then added with a grin, \u201cThat made Benj mad.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t think girls should be better than boys at fishing and riding, but Gwyneth\u2019s better than he is at both.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C.,\u201d Adam said warningly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut she is, Dad!\u00a0 Uncle Joe says she rides better than any other woman he\u2019s ever seen.\u00a0 Benj isn\u2019t bad; he just isn\u2019t as good as Gwyneth.\u00a0 Or me,\u201d he added, trying to look modest, but not succeeding very well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure there are things Benj can do better than you,\u201d Bronwen said and A.C. nodded reluctantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYesterday, Uncle Joe let me and Benj come with him when he hunted for strays,\u201d he added proudly.\u00a0 \u201cHe said we did a good job, too.\u00a0 Said I had the makings of a real cowboy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, he did, did he?\u201d Adam replied and Bronwen was just a little uneasy at the sharpness of his tone but A.C. seemed oblivious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you have a good time with William\u2019s parents?\u00a0 Is his mother really a dragon?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam scowled and started to snap at A.C., but bit his words off.\u00a0 It was Miranda\u2019s fault; she shouldn\u2019t have referred to her future mother-in-law that way.\u00a0 Having met Mrs. Gordon, he could understand her feeling that way, but it was still highly disrespectful.\u00a0 Bronwen was thinking the same thing and spoke up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C., it was very wrong of your sister to have written that about Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 You mustn\u2019t repeat it, especially not to William.\u201d\u00a0 A.C. shrugged but she wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d made him understand.\u00a0 \u201cThink how you would feel if you heard someone call me a dragon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He frowned at that.\u00a0 \u201cI wouldn\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd William won\u2019t either.\u00a0 He would be justifiably angry if he knew Miranda had done so.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d A.C. stated.\u00a0 Then he asked curiously, \u201cWhat did you do while you were in Wilmington?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing you would have enjoyed,\u201d Adam answered, trying to rescue his hat from Huw.\u00a0 Rather than a Stetson, he\u2019d started wearing a Dunkerley Slouch hat and Huw loved to play with it; unfortunately, the hat was getting pretty battered from his attentions.\u00a0 Just then Miranda and William approached.\u00a0 \u201cHere, mate, you go with Me-ma and I\u2019ll drive us home.\u201d\u00a0 Bronwen smiled as she held out her arms and Huw allowed himself to be transferred without complaint.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most of the conversation on the ride home centered around the wedding, which was only three days away.\u00a0 A.C. was growing bored with the talk of flowers and dresses, but his interest increased when they began to discuss the wedding cake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you and Beth make a tiered sponge cake with marzipan and white icing?\u201d Miranda asked.\u00a0 \u201cMrs. Alden and Charlotte told me that\u2019s the type of cake they\u2019ve seen at all the weddings they\u2019ve attended recently.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA tiered cake?\u201d Bronwen repeated.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose we could.\u00a0 How many tiers would you like?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThree,\u201d Miranda said hesitantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose we can manage that,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve never done one, but Beth and I like a challenge and I imagine Gwyneth will want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow come you\u2019re not having fruitcake like Beth did?\u201d A.C. asked.\u00a0 \u201cI like fruitcake better than sponge cake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I like sponge cake best,\u201d Miranda replied with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBesides, fruitcake has to age.\u00a0 We would have needed to make it at home and bring it with us,\u201d his mother replied and A.C. began giggling at the idea of them traveling with Miranda\u2019s wedding cake packed in a trunk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as Adam pulled the surrey into the yard, Bronwen turned around and said quietly, \u201cAfter you say hello to Grandpa, would you take a little walk with me, Miranda?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Miranda said, her tone expressing her puzzlement.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they walked toward the little bower not far from the house, Bronwen said with a quiet intensity, \u201cI wanted an opportunity to talk with you in private about your mother-in-law.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMust we?\u201d Miranda remarked flippantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, we must,\u201d Bronwen replied very earnestly.\u00a0 \u201cI know she is a difficult woman, but she is William\u2019s mother and you must treat her with respect.\u00a0 Thanks to the way you wrote of her, A.C. just referred to her as \u2018the dragon\u2019, and it\u2019s only sheer luck he didn\u2019t do so in William\u2019s hearing,\u201d she added, seeing the frisson of alarm in her daughter\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cEven if William is not close to his mother, it would not please him to hear her referred to in that fashion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Mama,\u201d Miranda replied with downcast eyes and burning cheeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps you and Mrs. Gordon will never like each other, but you can treat each other with respect for William\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda nodded and then said with just a slight grin, \u201cIt should be easier since we won\u2019t live in the same state,\u201d and her mother shook her head at such levity.\u00a0 With a sigh, Miranda added, \u201cI know it\u2019s a serious matter, Mama, and I will do my best to always treat Mrs. Gordon with respect.\u201d <\/p>\n William was eating with his newly arrived family in town, and although she missed him, Miranda was glad of the opportunity to be alone with her own family.\u00a0 This is the final supper I will eat as a Cartwrigh<\/em>t, she thought.\u00a0 By this time tomorrow, I will be Mrs. William Gordon.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t had much experience at keeping house these past seven years.\u00a0 I hope I\u2019ll be successful.\u00a0 William has hired a Mrs. Matthews to cook and a Nancy to be a maid of all work.\u00a0 I would have preferred to hire my own servants, but I know William is correct and we couldn\u2019t wait and hire them after we\u2019d set up house, especially since all the other faculty wives will be paying calls on me.\u00a0 I wish I were more like Beth.\u00a0 She never had to worry about her domestic skills; that always seemed to come naturally to her just as mathematics did to me.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was watching Miranda as he ate.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have any favorites among his grandchildren, but his feelings about Miranda were special.\u00a0 She was the only one of his granddaughters to bear a marked resemblance to one of his lost loves.\u00a0 Looking at her was like having Liz back with him.\u00a0 After her wedding, it wouldn\u2019t be the same, and yet, he wanted her to be happy with her William, as happy as he and Liz had been.\u00a0 God willing, she and William would have all those happy years together that he and Liz had been denied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, too, was thinking how his relationship with his daughter would be forever changed the next day.\u00a0 She would no longer be his little girl to love and cherish.\u00a0 He stole a glance at his father-in-law, engaged in lively conversation with his wife.\u00a0 I suppose it was the same for you,<\/em> Tad.\u00a0 You and Bronwen had always been close, and then I came along and suddenly you were no longer the most important man in her life.\u00a0 But I know you were happy for us just as I\u2019m happy for Miranda and William.<\/em>\u00a0 He looked at his son, who was laughing with his young cousin, and then at back at his wife.\u00a0 I have a feeling, Sweetheart, that you are going to find it just as difficult when A.C. falls in love.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as Beth could see Elen and Huw were finished with their stew, she stood up and said, \u201cC\u2019mon, you two, it\u2019s time for you to have a bath and then Mama will tuck you in.\u201d\u00a0 She lifted Huw out of his highchair but Elen pouted and said, \u201cNo, I don\u2019t wanna bath.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen,\u201d Beth said warningly, and although still pouting, Elen jumped off her chair and took her mama\u2019s hand, knowing that that same hand could warm her little bottom if she didn\u2019t do as she was told.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI want you to take a bath tonight as well, A.C.,\u201d Bronwen added.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, why don\u2019t all the men bathe tonight and we can have our baths tomorrow morning?\u201d\u00a0 Everyone agreed to that plan although A.C. grumbled about the idea of taking a bath any night other than Saturday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf I take one tonight, then I\u2019m not takin\u2019 one tomorrow night,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFair enough,\u201d Bronwen said.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to wash your hair tonight; it should dry before you need to go to bed.\u201d\u00a0 All the women had washed their hair earlier in the afternoon so it would be dry by that night.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After putting her children to bed, Beth came and sat on the porch with the others.\u00a0 Bronwen noticed her smile as she placed her hands protectively over her abdomen.\u00a0 \u201cThe baby?\u201d she asked quietly and Beth nodded, a dreamy smile on her face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve felt him or her move,\u201d she said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad your wedding is tomorrow, Miranda, because I\u2019m anxious to get home to Dafydd.\u201d The others all smiled at this.\u00a0 “So is Elen.\u00a0 Every night she asks when she’ll see Tada<\/em> again.”\u00a0 Beth’s face clouded then as she added, “I’m afraid Huw has forgotten his tada<\/em>.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I don’t think so,” Dr. Davies said.\u00a0 “But, even if he has, they\u2019ll soon reestablish their bond.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry Beth fach<\/em>.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Tad-cu<\/em>,\u201d Beth said with a smile.\u00a0 She turned to her sister and said with a smile, \u201cI am looking forward to meeting your in-laws.\u00a0 I hope they are enjoying Carson City.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTell me again who Jacob is picking up tomorrow,\u201d Joe said, \u201cthat is, besides William and his parents.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHis aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Logan,\u201d Miranda replied, \u201cand his Best Man, Robert Lodge.\u00a0 Oh, and my friends Sylvia and Samantha.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou met Mr. Logan, Pa,\u201d Adam said, \u201cwhen we supplied lumber for that trestle.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes,\u201d Ben said, remembering how important that job had been to him\u2014until his determination to get results at all costs resulted in the death of an old man.\u00a0 His guilt had caused him to veer from one extreme to another, but with some help from his old friend and rival, Barney Fuller, he\u2019d been able to put things in perspective.\u00a0 \u201cI look forward to seeing him again,\u201d he added with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After A.C. took his bath and rejoined the group, Ben asked if they could sing.\u00a0 Adam got his guitar and they sang, in four part harmony, savoring the opportunity of all being together as an extended family, which they knew would never come again. <\/p>\n \u201cThank you so much, Mrs. McKaren,\u201d Miranda said, accepting the bouquet with a dimpled smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNonsense, I\u2019m happy to help.\u00a0 I know you\u2019ll be a beautiful bride,\u201d Virginia replied.\u00a0 Just then Huw came toddling over, a big grin on his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHello, Sweetie,\u201d Virginia replied, smiling at the little boy.\u00a0 \u201cThis must be your great-grandson,\u201d she said to Ben, \u201cbecause he surely has your eyes,\u201d and Ben smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI Huw,\u201d the little boy stated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s your sister?\u201d Virginia asked and Ben replied, \u201cElen is very shy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have a chance to see her later,\u201d Virginia said with an understanding nod.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Adam,\u201d she said and then she exclaimed, \u201cDon\u2019t tell me this is A.C.!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam said proudly, putting his hand on A.C.\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day, Mrs. McKaren,\u201d A.C. said dimpling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just can\u2019t believe how much you\u2019ve grown,\u201d Virginia said, shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, it has been four years.\u00a0 Well, I can see you\u2019re going to be a real heartbreaker, just like your dad.\u201d\u00a0 A.C. looked puzzled and the others all smiled.\u00a0 Adam introduced Virginia to his in-laws and then she made her excuses, knowing the family would need to be getting dressed for the wedding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While Bronwen and Mrs. Davies were bathing, Beth dressed Elen and Huw in their wedding finery and then asked her father and grandfathers to watch them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou look beautiful, Precious,\u201d Adam said as Elen pirouetted to show off her pretty salmon-pink silk frock.\u00a0 Beth had worked long hours on the dress with its yoke of tucked silk trimmed in cream muslin and delicate muslin ruffles at the wrists of the tight-fitting sleeves, not to mention the silk-covered buttons and tiny loops used to fasten it in the back.\u00a0 As a finishing touch, she had brushed her daughter\u2019s thick golden-brown hair until it shone and then tied it back with a pink ribbon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd you look very fine, Huw,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Beth had worked just as hard on Huw\u2019s smocked frock of navy blue silk as she had on Elen\u2019s dress, although at Dafydd\u2019s request, she had refrained from adding lace or embroidery.\u00a0 She refused to cut Huw\u2019s thick black hair until he was at least three, but the previous evening she had cut his bangs so they weren\u2019t getting in his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. and Benj came downstairs then, both looking very grownup in their black morning coats, black bow ties and white kid gloves.\u00a0 Bronwen, Sarah and Annabelle were next, and they watched the little ones so the men could get dressed.\u00a0 Soon everyone but the bride was dressed and Bronwen and Beth went upstairs to assist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou look lovely,\u201d Beth said as she stepped back from pinning on her sister\u2019s floor length veil.\u00a0 \u201cThis is such a beautiful veil.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was Grandma\u2019s,\u201d Miranda replied with a sad smile.\u00a0 \u201cGreat-grandfather Stoddard arranged to have it sent to Grandpa after he died.\u00a0 When Grandpa knew William and I were going to be married here on the Ponderosa, he asked me if I\u2019d like to wear Grandma\u2019s wedding veil.\u00a0 I knew it would mean so much to him if I wore it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth smiled and nodded, for she understood why Grandpa had saved their grandmother\u2019s wedding veil for Miranda\u2019s wedding.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll look at you in this veil and think of Grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI promised him that I\u2019d give it to my daughter for her wedding day.\u00a0 If I have a daughter,\u201d she added, ever practical, causing Bronwen and Beth to grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth then asked, \u201cNow, you\u2019re wearing the blue silk garters I gave you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s something old and something blue.\u00a0 Gwyneth bought me these silk stockings, so that\u2019s something new, and Mam-gu<\/em> gave me a silver sixpence for my shoe.\u00a0 All I need is something borrowed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have something borrowed,\u201d Bronwen said softly.\u00a0 \u201cDaddy gave me this locket,\u201d and she handed the silver locket engraved with a spray of violets to her second born.\u00a0 \u201cOpen it up,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda and Beth both felt their eyes fill with tears as they saw the lock of their little sister\u2019s hair and her portrait smiling at them.\u00a0 \u201cOh Mama,\u201d Miranda got out in a choked voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDaddy and I wanted you to know Penny is with you, sharing your special day,\u201d Bronwen said, her own voice unsteady as she fastened the locket around Miranda\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cWe also wanted to give you this.\u201d\u00a0 She handed Miranda her father\u2019s dog-eared copy of Shakespeare\u2019s sonnets.\u00a0 \u201cWe pressed two blooms from Penny\u2019s rosebush for you so you can always have something of her with you.\u00a0 The sonnets are yours as well since we know they are your favorites.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With trembling fingers, Miranda opened the book and found the two dark crimson blooms marking her favorite sonnet, 116.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t cry, Cariad<\/em>, because Penny wouldn\u2019t want that,\u201d Bronwen said softly as she embraced her daughter, whose eyes were now overflowing with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, she wouldn\u2019t,\u201d Miranda agreed with a shaky laugh, as she borrowed her mother\u2019s proffered handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe guests will be arriving so I need to go downstairs,\u201d Bronwen said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go ahead and send your daddy up.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She met Adam on the stairs and thought how handsome he looked in his new tailcoat and crisply starched dress shirt.\u00a0 He stopped on the stairs so he could actually look her in the eye and then, putting his finger under her chin and tilting her face up, he dropped a quick kiss on her lips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou look pretty enough to be the bride,\u201d he said softly, and indeed her simple gown of pale azure taffeta suited her very well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She smiled back and said, \u201cMiranda and Beth are waiting for you.\u00a0 Who is watching Elen and Huw?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTad<\/em> and Mam<\/em>, with some help from Pa,\u201d he replied with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure they won\u2019t mind a reinforcement.\u00a0 Jacob hasn\u2019t returned yet, but the McKarens are here as is Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone was happily conversing and enjoying Elen and Huw when the surrey pulled into the yard.\u00a0 Joe and Ben went out followed by A.C. and Benj.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to the Ponderosa,\u201d Ben said, leaning on Joe\u2019s arm, for he refused to use his cane today.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The men helped the women alight.\u00a0 Ben saw a rather stout woman with a sour expression and guessed this was William\u2019s mother.\u00a0 The two young women must be Sylvia and Samantha and the other older woman was probably William\u2019s aunt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as everyone was in the yard, William said, \u201cMother and Father, I\u2019d like you to meet Miranda\u2019s grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d the sour-faced woman stated stiffly while the stout gentleman, who had William\u2019s large blue eyes and aquiline nose, smiled warmly as he extended his hand and said, \u201cYes, indeed.\u00a0 It\u2019s an honor, sir, to meet one of this country\u2019s pioneers.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also like to present Miranda\u2019s uncle, Joseph Cartwright, and his son, Benj.\u00a0 And last, but certainly not least, her brother, A.C.,\u201d William said with a broad smile.\u00a0 They all shook hands and Mr. Gordon said genially, \u201cWell, A.C., your sister told us you were tall for your age and I can see she certainly didn\u2019t exaggerate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you, sir,\u201d A.C. replied dimpling, which made all the women (except Mrs. Gordon) exchange smiles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The rest of the introductions were made quickly and they moved inside where William introduced everyone else.\u00a0 Then they all took their seats while William and Robert stood in front of Reverend Newton and Gwyneth began to play Jesu, Joy of Man\u2019s Desiring<\/em> on Adam\u2019s guitar.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as she heard the music, Beth kissed her sister\u2019s cheek and carefully arranged her veil.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you both in a few minutes,\u201d she said with a smile before descending the stairs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you and William will be very happy, Angel,\u201d Adam said earnestly, \u201cbut always remember you have family here and in Queensland that loves you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be too proud to ask us for help if you ever need it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, Daddy,\u201d she said softly, then added, \u201cI\u2019m ready,\u201d so he offered her his arm and led her carefully down the stairs to stand beside William.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth\u2019s incredible voice began to fill the room with Bach\u2019s haunting melody and then Adam stood by his second born listening to the words the minister was intoning:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church. . . \u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He saw the joy on William\u2019s face as he looked at Miranda; her expression was hidden behind her veil but he felt her trembling slightly as she gazed at her beloved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c. . . and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. \uf0bc\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He remembered the pride he\u2019d felt when five-year-old Miranda with her big hazel eyes and black curls would sit on his lap and count to 100.\u00a0 He could see her joy when she learned first how to add and subtract and then to multiply and divide.\u00a0 He remembered her delight when she was able to prove a theorem, and when she learned how to solve quadratic equations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He looked at Beth, standing at her sister\u2019s side, her face radiant with the joy she felt at her sister\u2019s happiness.\u00a0 He smiled a little as he remembered some of the arguments between his two oldest girls.\u00a0 Beth had no use for lessons and couldn\u2019t understand how anyone could actually enjoy them, and Miranda couldn\u2019t believe that her sister really hated something she loved so much.\u00a0 It had always reminded him of when he and Hoss were growing up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He came back to the present when he heard Reverend Newton address William.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWilliam, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William\u2019s voice was low but sure as he answered, \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then Reverend Newton turned to Miranda.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMiranda, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?\u00a0 Wilt thou love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam smiled inwardly at the absence of the vow to obey as Miranda replied firmly, \u201cI will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then Reverend Newton looked at him and said, \u201cWho giveth this woman to be married to this man?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam said resolutely, \u201cI do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He took his seat by Bronwen, enfolding her small, delicate hand in his, and thought I really gave you away seven years ago, Angel, when your mama and I decided to let you attend the Girls Latin School in Boston.\u00a0 I have missed you so much, missed seeing you grow from a girl to a young woman, and now I will miss seeing you as a wife and mother.\u00a0 Still, I can\u2019t truly regret our decision.\u00a0 In William, you have found your intellectual equal, a man who loves you and values your intelligence.\u00a0 You will be happier living with him in Hanover than you would be living with us in Cloncurry, and your happiness is more important than being able to see you as often as I\u2019d like.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He glanced down at Bronwen and saw her face was wet with tears so he let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulders comfortingly.\u00a0 He could feel tears on his own cheeks as he heard Miranda say:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI, Miranda, take thee, William, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 3<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n His thoughts were interrupted by Gwyneth playing Greensleeves<\/em> on Adam\u2019s guitar, which was the signal for first the bridal couple, and then the wedding guests to move to the yard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While the wedding had been taking place, Jacob had been directing some of the other hands as they strung Chinese lanterns for decorations and set up one table for the wedding cake and punch and another for the side dishes accompanying the beef.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Buckshot was supervising barbecuing the steer.\u00a0 When Miranda and William emerged from the ranch house, the hands set up a cheer and lined up for the honor of kissing the bride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, boys,\u201d Ben said with a blinding smile, \u201cgrandfathers have the first claim.\u00a0 Right, Llywelyn?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo right!\u201d Dr. Davies stated emphatically as he unobtrusively guided Ben to the front of the line.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFollowed by fathers,\u201d Adam added and was seconded by Mr. Gordon as they took their places behind the older men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen brothers, uncles, and cousins\u201d Joe interjected, putting his arms about A.C.\u2019s and Benj\u2019s shoulders as they moved next in line.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Gordon stood off to one side and watched the ranch hands, dressed in clean shirts with their hair slicked down, take turns kissing her new daughter-in-law while her son stood by grinning and shaking their hands.\u00a0 \u201cHow barbaric,\u201d she said with a sniff.\u00a0 Her in-laws were standing close by and Mr. Logan said coldly, \u201cAmaryllis, you are without a doubt the biggest snob I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to his wife and, offering his arm said, \u201cLet\u2019s join the others, shall we?\u201d\u00a0 They left Mrs. Gordon standing alone, looking down her nose at the other guests.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was too good a host to see a guest being ignored so he walked slowly over to Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 \u201cI haven\u2019t had a chance to tell you how happy we all are to have your son as a member of our family, Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 He is a fine young man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course we\u2019re happy to have your granddaughter as a member of ours,\u201d she replied stiffly, impressed in spite of herself by the elderly man\u2019s courtesy.\u00a0 Just then Beth approached with Elen and Huw.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Gordon, allow me to present Miranda\u2019s older sister, Elizabeth.\u00a0 You already met Elen and Huw before the ceremony,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth looked at Miranda\u2019s mother-in-law and, seeing the cold, sour expression on her face, decided Miranda had been accurate in her description.\u00a0 However, she felt sorry for the older woman.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Gordon,\u201d she said with a warm smile, and even Mrs. Gordon was not immune to her beauty and found herself returning the smile.\u00a0 I could have understood it better if William had married this Cartwright daughter.\u00a0 What a pity the little girl didn\u2019t inherit her mother\u2019s looks.\u00a0 The little boy is appealing though.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hungry, Mama,\u201d Elen whined and Beth said patiently, \u201cIt\u2019s not time to eat yet, Elen.\u00a0 Would you like to look at one of your picture books?\u201d\u00a0 Elen nodded so Beth said, \u201cWould you excuse me, Mrs. Gordon?\u201d and she left with her two little ones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annabelle strolled over then so Ben excused himself and went to greet the newest arrivals.\u00a0 \u201cYou are Miranda\u2019s aunt?\u201d Mrs. Gordon asked and Annabelle nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy family is from Boston; I understand yours is from Philadelphia?\u201d she asked politely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Gordon paused for a moment and then asked in a disdainful tone, \u201cYou left Boston to come live here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s correct,\u201d Annabelle replied in a frosty tone.\u00a0 Fortunately, Sarah came running over then.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMama, are you going to try to catch Miranda\u2019s bouquet?\u201d she asked excitedly.\u00a0 Then she noticed Mrs. Gordon and added hastily, \u201cExcuse me, Mrs. Gordon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnly unmarried young ladies try and catch the bouquet,\u201d Annabelle answered her daughter with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2014I mean may\u2014I try?\u201d Sarah begged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose,\u201d her mother replied.\u00a0 Then she turned to Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, Mrs. Gordon.\u00a0 Come, Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Standing by herself, Mrs. Gordon saw with a frown that her husband was ignoring her to flirt with Mrs. Cartwright, so she forced herself to join the others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAh, Mrs. Gordon,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile, happy to find a polite way of ending her t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate with Miranda\u2019s father-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cLet me introduce you and Mr. Gordon to some of the new arrivals,\u201d and she moved toward the Fuller family, exchanging a brief wink with Adam, who was chatting with Sylvia and Samantha.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben had been watching and when he saw all the guests had arrived, he signaled unobtrusively to Buckshot.\u00a0 A few minutes later, the cook emerged from the house with some buckets containing chilled bottles of champagne and trays of glasses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The guests gathered round while the Cartwrights poured the champagne.\u00a0 When everyone had a glass, Adam raised his and said, \u201cFriends, Bronwen and I want to welcome you all and thank you for coming to help us celebrate the wedding of our daughter, Miranda, and Dr. William Gordon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will never forget the day Miranda was born.\u00a0 Her mother had promised that she\u2019d give me a birthday to remember, and she certainly did. Instead of attending a fancy dinner party, I spent my thirty-ninth birthday waiting anxiously for our second child to be born.\u00a0 You were the best birthday gift I ever received, Angel,\u201d and he smiled lovingly at her.\u00a0 \u201cEver since Miranda was a tiny girl, she\u2019s had a love of learning.\u00a0 Her grandparents,\u201d and he nodded at Dr. and Mrs. Davies, \u201cwould buy picture books for her older sister, but it was Miranda who looked at the books until they were dog-eared.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He shared a smile with Bronwen and then continued.\u00a0 \u201cWhen she was sixteen, she asked her mother and me if she could attend the Girls Latin School in Boston, the city of my birth.\u00a0 It was a very difficult decision for us, knowing if we agreed that we wouldn\u2019t see her again for two or three years.\u00a0 But we love her and want the best for her, so with a degree of trepidation, we said yes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was while she was living in Boston that she met the young man who would become her true-love.\u00a0 It was hard for me, reading in her letters about this young man who was courting her, afraid he might not be the sort of young man I would approve of, but then I reminded myself that Miranda has always been level-headed\u2014a girl who would follow her head rather than her heart.\u00a0 From what I\u2019ve seen these past few weeks, her head and her heart are in complete agreement that William is the man for her.\u00a0 Now that I\u2019ve finally a chance to meet him, I have to say that she has made the right choice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He lifted his glass higher then, saying, \u201c”So, ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, let us raise our glasses and join together in wishing Miranda and William every happiness, and may God bless them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Adam\u2019s toast, William held up his glass.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, I give you my heartfelt thanks for the wondrous gift you\u2019ve bestowed on me, my dearest love, Miranda.\u00a0 Friends, for I hope I may call you all that, I thank you for your good wishes.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to gaze into Miranda\u2019s eyes then saying, \u201cMost of all, my Dearest, I thank you for the gift of yourself.\u00a0 You are indeed my better half without which my life would be incomplete.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He smiled then at Beth and Gwyneth.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I mustn\u2019t forget my new sisters.\u00a0 Not many men are as lucky as I am to gain two such lovely and talented sisters.\u00a0 Gwyneth, I didn\u2019t believe Miranda when she told me you had the better voice, but Dearest,\u201d he said, smiling at his radiant bride, \u201cI stand corrected.\u00a0 Gwyneth has the voice of an angel.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to smile at Beth then.\u00a0 \u201cMy bride also told me that her sister, Beth, was more beautiful, but here I beg to differ.\u00a0 Lovely as you are, Beth, Miranda is the fairer.\u201d\u00a0 Beth smiled warmly at her brother-in-law then.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLadies and gentlemen, will you join me in drinking a toast to Beth and Gwyneth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone drank a toast to the bride\u2019s sisters and then William\u2019s best man, Robert Lodge, raised his glass.\u00a0 \u201cLadies and gentlemen, I first met William here when we were freshman at Harvard.\u00a0 When I opened the door to my room in the dormitory, I discovered this skinny, bespectacled fellow.\u00a0 I soon learned my new roommate had actually come to college to study.\u00a0 What a shock!\u201d\u00a0 Most of the ranch hands laughed heartily at this.\u00a0 \u201cI did my best to show him the error of his ways, but with no success.\u201d\u00a0 The guests laughed while William shook his head.\u00a0 Robert continued with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cNot that William spent all his time at Harvard with his nose in a book.\u00a0 No, he was a member of the Harvard crew and the baseball team.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The guests looked puzzled at Robert\u2019s mention of the Harvard crew, but smiled approvingly on learning William had played baseball in college.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was there when William and Miranda met for the first time, and it was clear to me right from the start that they had one thing in common:\u00a0 They were both bookworms.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t at all surprised to learn that they had decided to marry, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll be very happy together.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, I have some telegrams from family and friends who were unable to be here, and I\u2019d like to share them.\u201d\u00a0 He read telegrams from the Aldens, Rhys and Matilda, and from William\u2019s other uncles and aunts.\u00a0 He concluded by lifting his glass high and saying, \u201cLadies and gentlemen, please join me in toasting the parents of the bride and groom.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A final toast, unexpected but deeply felt, was offered by the patriarch of the Cartwright family.\u00a0 Ben rose slowly from his chair and a hush fell over the family and guests in deference to this much respected man.\u00a0 Clearing his throat as he had always done when faced with an emotional task, he supported himself on the table before him and spoke.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI would like to offer not only my best wishes and congratulations to my dear granddaughter and her husband on their special day, but my heartfelt gratitude for choosing to hold their wedding ceremony here on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 It has meant the world to me to have all my family, including the Davies and now the Gordons, here to celebrate this most joyous occasion.\u00a0 Thank you both for making this a day I will always cherish.\u00a0 To the bride and groom.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He raised his glass in a toast and as one voice, the audience echoed his sentiments, \u201cTo the bride and groom.\u201d\u00a0 Adam felt his own throat tighten as he brought the glass to his lips, and a single tear escaped from the corner of his eye as he knew in his heart that this visit would be the last time he would see his father in this lifetime.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When the toasts were finished, Buckshot began carving the steer while some hands brought out the sliced bread and side dishes.\u00a0 Beth took Huw into the kitchen to feed, promising him he could have a piece of Auntie Miranda\u2019s and Uncle William\u2019s cake to quiet his fussing.\u00a0 Elen sat by her grandma wearing a big towel as a bib, delighted to be able to eat with the grownups.\u00a0 Beth knew her children needed a nap but they were much too excited and she didn\u2019t want to spoil the day by causing a scene with her two youngsters, so she decided she would just send them to bed early after the festivities were over.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere you are, Princess,\u201d Adam said with a smile when she reappeared with Huw, \u201cwe didn\u2019t want to start the dancing without you.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded to the fiddler Ben had hired.\u00a0 The man began to play and Adam whirled Miranda around the yard in a two-step waltz.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou are a beautiful bride, Angel,\u201d he said as they danced gracefully.\u00a0 \u201cWilliam is a lucky man,\u201d and she blushed, just like her mother had all those many years before when he had held her in his arms for the first time as husband and wife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When their dance ended, William approached and Adam said with a bittersweet smile.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s yours now, William.\u201d\u00a0 He stepped back to stand with Bronwen, putting his arm around her shoulders as they watched their daughter glide about the yard in the arms of her husband.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey dance so beautifully together,\u201d Beth said softly, happy for her sister.\u00a0 How I wish Dafydd was here; I yearn to be in his arms, to love him and be one with him. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen found herself dancing a waltz with Mr. Gordon, who kept trying to hold her too close.\u00a0 Adam was dancing with Mrs. Gordon but keeping an eye on Bronwen and Mr. Gordon; however, he could only direct baleful glares at Mr. Gordon.\u00a0 With a grin, Joe, who\u2019d been watching from the sidelines, cut in on Mr. Gordon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think Adam could have stood much more.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t let my niece\u2019s wedding be spoiled by a brawl between her father and her brand-new father-in-law.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled adding, \u201cYou certainly have made a conquest,\u201d and she rolled her eyes in a dead-on imitation of her husband.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time the cake had been cut, the bouquet tossed (and caught by Gwyneth), the bride and groom escaped to the little cabin, and the last guest departed, Huw was rubbing his eyes to keep them open.\u00a0 The rest of the family collapsed in the great room, the men and boys all loosening their ties.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was a lovely wedding,\u201d Mrs. Davies said.\u00a0 \u201cI know they\u2019ll be very happy, especially since they live some distance from William\u2019s parents.\u00a0 I quite like him, but his parents \uf0bc\u201d She carefully kept her thoughts to herself, but everyone silently echoed her unspoken opinion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow come William\u2019s dad was always hanging around Mama?\u201d A.C. asked. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s Mrs. Gordon that Mr. Gordon really likes,\u201d Bronwen said with a faint smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re prettier and lots nicer than she is,\u201d Sarah commented and Adam added under his breath, \u201cAmen to that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you very much for the compliment, Sarah,\u201d Bronwen said, smiling at her niece.\u00a0 \u201cBut it really doesn\u2019t matter because I only like your Uncle Adam.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned over and kissed her then while the others smiled. <\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Sweeties, you and Mama are going to bed,\u201d Beth said, \u201cjust like Great-grandpa, Hendaid<\/em> and Hennain<\/em>,\u201d and the little ones reluctantly allowed themselves to be led off to bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have to go to bed yet, do I?\u201d Benj asked his parents.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cYour uncle and I are going on the shivaree; would you like to come?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s a shivaree?\u201d Benj asked, his curiosity piqued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s when you go serenade the bride and groom,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think it\u2019s a good idea, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw, he\u2019s thirteen, Adam.\u00a0 I think he can handle it.\u00a0 Besides, his being with us will have everyone on their best behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have a point there,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna come, too, Dad,\u201d A.C. begged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Adam said firmly.\u00a0 Seeing his son was about to argue he added, \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to hear anymore about it, is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d A.C. said sullenly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah then asked, \u201cMay I come on the shivaree,\u201d but Joe said, \u201cSorry, Sugar, but a shivaree is only for men.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing her disappointment, and hoping to distract her and his nephew from the subject, he suggested brightly, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you and A.C. play a game of checkers?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d she replied, her expression brightening.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna play, A.C.?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, okay,\u201d he replied, still sulking because his dad was treating him like a baby.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen does the shivaree start?\u201d Benj asked and his dad replied, \u201cOh, not until moonrise.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go ahead and change out of these fancy duds.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I think you should change as well, Sarah,\u201d Annabelle said.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want anything happening to that dress.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll change, too,\u201d A.C. added, jumping up and taking the stairs two at a time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat boy,\u201d Bronwen said, shaking her head.\u00a0 \u201cHe looks so handsome in his morning coat.\u00a0 But he\u2019s definitely his father\u2019s son when it comes to dressing up,\u201d and she directed a mock frown at Adam, who just grinned at her before heading upstairs to change.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll go read in my room,\u201d Annabelle said and Bronwen added, \u201cThat sounds like an excellent idea.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The others soon reassembled in the great room in more comfortable clothes and the two youngest set up the checkerboard.\u00a0 Adam said, \u201cGwyneth and I have an idea for something the rest of us could do to pass the time.\u00a0 Do you know how to play Hearts?\u201d\u00a0 Benj and Joe shook their heads and Gwyneth spoke up then saying, \u201cDaddy and I could teach you.\u00a0 It\u2019s lots of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m game,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cHow about you, Pardner?\u201d and Benj nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They had time to play a couple of games (Adam and Benj defeated Joe and Gwyneth both times) before Adam and Joe heard signs of activity in the yard and said it was time to go.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After they left, Gwyneth decided to read.\u00a0 She picked up her copy of What Maisie Knew<\/strong>, which she\u2019d slipped among her grandpa\u2019s books, and curled up in the blue velvet chair.\u00a0 Once he saw her open the book, A.C. stretched and said, \u201cI\u2019m too tired to finish this game.\u00a0 Think I\u2019m going to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Then he winked at Sarah and gestured toward the stairs.\u00a0 She looked surprised for a minute and then nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think I\u2019m going to turn in, too,\u201d she announced.\u00a0 Gwyneth was already so absorbed in her book that she didn\u2019t pay any attention except to say absently, \u201cGoodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they reached the top of the stairs, A.C. motioned for Sarah to follow him into his room.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna come with me to the shivaree?\u201d he whispered once the door was safely shut.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut our dads said we weren\u2019t to go,\u201d Sarah protested, keeping her voice low.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t have to know,\u201d he whispered back.\u00a0 \u201cWe know they\u2019re goin\u2019 to the cabin and we can ride far enough behind they won\u2019t know we\u2019re there.\u00a0 Well, you wanna come or not?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah hesitated for a moment but then she nodded and said, \u201cOkay, but Gwyneth\u2019ll see us if we go outside, and she\u2019ll stop us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot if we climb out of my window.\u00a0 Look, there\u2019s a branch that\u2019s real close.\u00a0 All we hafta do is slide a little bit on the roof to get to it.\u00a0 Then it\u2019ll be easy to climb down,\u201d and Sarah nodded hesitantly.\u00a0 He threw up the sash and climbed out, trying to scrabble as quietly as he could to the branch.\u00a0 Sarah felt like she was going to be sick when she climbed out the window and saw how far below her the ground was.\u00a0 She stood frozen, her hands clutching the window for dear life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon!\u201d A.C. hissed but she shook her head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m too scared.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t look down.\u00a0 Look at me.\u00a0 Here, all you hafta do is take my hand.\u00a0 You can do it.\u201d\u00a0 He swung off the branch and stood on the roof, clutching the branch with one arm while he extended the other to his cousin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She fixed her eyes on him and slowly let go of the window and began to inch toward his outstretched arm.\u00a0 As soon as she was close enough, he clasped her arm and pulled her closer until she could grab the branch.\u00a0 She swung onto the branch and he was right behind her.\u00a0 They climbed down the tree easily and then Sarah asked, \u201cCan you ride bareback?\u00a0 It\u2019d be quicker than having to saddle our mounts.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. had never ridden bareback, but was sure that he could, so he nodded and they ran to the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The horse and the pony were a bit startled when their riders vaulted on their backs without first saddling them, and it felt a bit strange to both children.\u00a0 However, they were both experienced riders and had no trouble keeping their balance.\u00a0 Luckily there was a full moon providing adequate light.\u00a0 They started off at a walk until they felt comfortable and then they rode at a canter until they could hear the other horses ahead of them, and slowed back to a walk.\u00a0 They noticed some of the riders were carrying torches and made sure they kept back to the shadows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was a longer ride to the cabin than they realized but finally its dim outline was visible.\u00a0 They moved as close to the group of men as they could while still remaining out of sight.\u00a0 \u201cI wonder what happens now?\u201d Sarah asked in a loud whisper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Dad says they serenade, but I\u2019m not sure what that is,\u201d A.C. whispered back.\u00a0 Just then they heard the sound of a guitar being strummed and then Adam\u2019s voice could be heard singing the first verse of Billy Boy<\/em> and the others all joining in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess serenading must be the same as singing,\u201d Sarah whispered.\u00a0 \u201cOh, look!\u00a0 There\u2019s William!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They saw William standing in the doorway in his bare feet and robe.\u00a0 Sarah was surprised that he didn\u2019t seem to be wearing a nightshirt under his robe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you for the shivaree, gentlemen,\u201d he said with a grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s your little wife, Billy Boy?\u201d one of the hands called.\u00a0 \u201cWe want her to thank us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid my bride has retired and she asked me to thank you on her behalf,\u201d William replied firmly, rather relieved to see Adam and Joe among the others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe means we\u2019re interrupting his fun,\u201d another hand said with a laugh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re enjoying the music and my wife wonders if you could sing Scarborough Fair<\/em>,\u201d William replied with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know it,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 His son-in-law\u2019s appearance was an uncomfortable reminder that his little girl was now a wife, but he was here to ensure the shivaree didn\u2019t get out of hand.\u00a0 His rich baritone began singing the old ballad.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Scarborough Fair<\/em> just happened to be one of Sarah\u2019s favorite songs and without thinking she began to sing with Adam.\u00a0 All the hands were astonished to hear a soprano voice singing along with Adam, and Joe recognized the voice immediately.\u00a0 Signaling his intention to Adam, who continued singing, Joe turned his mount and rode quietly in the direction of his daughter\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He saw the two children and with a fearsome scowl said, \u201cSarah Marie Cartwright, what are you doing here!\u00a0 And your dad will be having a \u2018necessary\u2019 talk with you, Adam Stoddard Cartwright, Jr.!\u201d\u00a0 His eyes narrowing, he added in an ominously quiet tone, \u201cDid the two of you ride here bareback?\u201d\u00a0 Their eyes wide and frightened, they nodded mutely.\u00a0 \u201cAnd was that your idea, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cN-no, it was mine, Daddy,\u201d Sarah said in a small voice.\u00a0 \u201cBut we didn\u2019t have any problems and it was f-fun.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s too late now but tomorrow morning after breakfast, you and I are going to have a very \u2018necessary\u2019 talk about what is proper fun for a young lady,\u201d Joe said sternly.\u00a0 \u201cRight now, I\u2019m going to escort the two of you back to the house.\u201d <\/p>\n Sarah looked at her cousin.\u00a0 He licked his lips nervously and reached up to tug on an earlobe, unconsciously imitating his father.\u00a0 \u201cUh, we, uh, climbed out my window and then down the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe felt sick as the picture flashed through his mind of his daughter\u2019s crumpled form lying at the base of the tree.\u00a0 \u201cAnd whose idea was that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cM-mine, Uncle Joe,\u201d the young boy stuttered and Joe reminded himself that no matter how tall the boy was, he was still only ten.\u00a0 Pa, I think I finally realize what I must have put you through.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo breaking your arm and getting a concussion didn\u2019t teach you about the dangers of climbing trees?\u201d he asked, trying to keep his tone calm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI-I\u2019m not supposed to climb them,\u201d the boy said in a very small voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought,\u201d Joe said flatly.\u00a0 \u201cYou are going to have to tell your dad what you did, but that can wait until morning.\u00a0 No reason to disturb everyone else in the middle of the night.\u00a0 Besides, I think it will do you both good to think about what you did.\u201d <\/p>\n The children crept up the stairs soundlessly and Joe sat in Pa\u2019s leather chair to wait for his older brother to return.\u00a0 He had dozed off so he was startled awake when he heard the sound of the door opening.\u00a0 Adam saw him and after Benj headed to bed, he asked Joe quietly, \u201cA.C. was with Sarah, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he was.\u00a0 I sent them both to bed and said we\u2019d punish them tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded his agreement and Joe continued.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019d better prepare you even though I told A.C. he\u2019d have to fess up to you what he\u2019d done.\u00a0 They rode bareback; that was Sarah\u2019s idea.\u00a0 They got out of the house without anyone knowing by climbing out A.C.\u2019s window and then down the tree.\u201d\u00a0 Joe paused and then added carefully, \u201cThat was A.C\u2019s idea.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He saw his older brother close his eyes for a moment while his lips thinned.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I had taught him to keep his word.\u00a0 Obviously I failed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRemember, he\u2019s just a kid, Adam,\u201d Joe said quietly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s old enough to know when he\u2019s breaking a promise he made to his mother,\u201d Adam replied.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad I have some time before punishing him.\u00a0 I\u2019m so angry now that I wouldn\u2019t trust myself.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed and added in a mocking tone, \u201cHe should have been born first.\u00a0 I\u2019m getting too old to deal with this.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Joe could only nod in sympathy. <\/p>\n \u201cMy, you two are up early,\u201d Beth commented, knowing her brother was usually the last one down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d Elen announced and Beth said, \u201cWe\u2019ll eat when the others come downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Buckshot came in carrying a dish of scrambled eggs and a platter of biscuits.\u00a0 Elen ran over to him and said, \u201cI wanna help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right, little lady,\u201d the walleyed cook replied in his gravelly voice, smiling at the little girl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMama will put the plates on the table and you can put on the silverware,\u201d Beth said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll put on the cups and saucers and the glasses,\u201d Sarah said, walking toward the dining room, and after a brief hesitation, A.C. offered to put the napkins on the table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annabelle and Bronwen came down the stairs a few minutes later trailed by Gwyneth and the Davies.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if this isn\u2019t a sight to gladden any mother\u2019s heart,\u201d Bronwen said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t we have well-behaved children, Annabelle?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe surely do,\u201d Annabelle replied with a little smile while Sarah and A.C. only exchanged tragic glances, which were not lost on Beth, but she kept her suspicions to herself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time Adam, Joe and Benj came down the stairs, the others were seated around the table and Beth was putting Huw in his high chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood morning,\u201d Ben said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cWe were just debating whether we should start without you three.\u00a0 Since you\u2019re here, would you say grace, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded and slipped into the chair between Bronwen and A.C., who swallowed convulsively at the sight of his dad\u2019s stern face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Adam blessed the food and everyone began passing round the platters, Sarah noticed that Miranda and William were absent.\u00a0 When she mentioned it, the adults smiled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere won\u2019t be any flapjacks left pretty soon.\u00a0 Shouldn\u2019t someone should go to the cabin and get them?\u201d she queried.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll survive missing breakfast, Sugar, trust me,\u201d Ben replied calmly.\u00a0 \u201cI expect we\u2019ll see them at dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll go fishing,\u201d Gwyneth announced.\u00a0 (Since they\u2019d had an exhausting day Saturday, and the drive to church was so long, they\u2019d all agreed this Sunday they would stay home.)\u00a0 \u201cAnyone like to come with me?\u201d Benj immediately said yes.\u00a0 A.C. started to say he\u2019d go when he remembered and closed his mouth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you want to come, A.C.?\u201d Gwyneth asked, surprised that he hadn\u2019t jumped at the opportunity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid your brother will be occupied in other ways,\u201d Adam said quietly, and recognizing the tone, Bronwen looked at her husband in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cAs soon as we\u2019ve finished breakfast, A.C. has a few things that he needs to tell us, sweetheart.\u00a0 Right, A.C.?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. nodded and then seeing his dad\u2019s frown said, \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd Sarah and I will be having a \u2018necessary\u2019 talk after she does some explaining to you,\u201d Joe said to Annabelle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A pall seemed to settle on the meal after that.\u00a0 The Davies and Ben didn\u2019t know what had happened but it was clear A.C. and Sarah were in serious trouble judging by their fathers\u2019 expressions.\u00a0 A.C.\u2019s appetite vanished and he found himself pushing his food around his plate until he saw his dad\u2019s frown and forced himself to eat, even though it made him feel sick.\u00a0 Sarah wasn\u2019t faring any better and she couldn\u2019t stop her tears from overflowing.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t so much the spanking, although she was dreading that; it was the knowledge that she\u2019d disappointed her daddy that really hurt.\u00a0 Only Huw seemed oblivious to the atmosphere and ate with his usual messy glee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam, Bronwen and A.C. finished first.\u00a0 After they excused themselves, Adam suggested they go to the barn.\u00a0 They were all quiet until they were inside and then Adam turned to his son.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Joe tells me you have some explaining to do, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. stared at the ground, pulling on his earlobe as he began.\u00a0 \u201cSarah and I\u2014\u201c but his dad interrupted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo us the courtesy of looking at us when you speak,\u201d he commanded in that ominously quiet tone and A.C. forced himself to look up, although he couldn\u2019t meet his parents\u2019 eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSarah and I went to the shivaree,\u201d he said in a voice so soft they had to strain to hear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam waited and when A.C. said nothing more he commanded, \u201cYour mother and I want to hear the details.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. took a deep breath, and looking somewhere over his father\u2019s left shoulder, he said, \u201cWe sneaked out of the house and then we rode bareback to the cabin.\u00a0 It was Sarah\u2019s idea to ride bareback,\u201d he added, looking into his father\u2019s eyes for the first time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow did you sneak out of the house?\u201d Adam asked in an implacable tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The boy\u2019s eyes shifted off to the side again as he said, \u201cWe climbed out my window and then down the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C.!\u201d Bronwen exclaimed, \u201cyou promised me that you wouldn\u2019t climb any more trees.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just forgot, Mama.\u00a0 Honest!\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 Dad, I\u2019m really sorry,\u201d and his large brown eyes began to fill with tears at the hurt he saw in his mama\u2019s eyes and the disappointment in his dad\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou should be sorry,\u201d Adam said grimly.\u00a0 \u201cYou willfully disobeyed me, you broke a promise you made to your mama, and you put not only your own life, but Sarah\u2019s at risk.\u00a0 We are going to have a necessary talk, but that is not enough punishment for this.\u00a0 You are confined to the house and the yard for the remainder of our visit and you will chop firewood for Buckshot, clean and whitewash the henhouse, and do any other chores he has for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam,\u201d Bronwen started to protest, but at the look he gave her, she closed her mouth.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t really argue that the punishment was too strict.\u00a0 That A.C. would break a promise he had made to her and his dad made her both sad and angry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. looked at her beseechingly.\u00a0 \u201cMama \uf0bc\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI am extremely disappointed in you, A.C. bach<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 She turned then saying, \u201cI\u2019ll see you inside, Cariad<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\n Sarah\u2019s greenish hazel eyes pooled with tears as she said, \u201cI disobeyed Daddy and went to hear the shivaree with A.C.\u00a0 We climbed out his window and down the tree so Gwyneth wouldn\u2019t see us and then we rode bareback to the cabin.\u201d\u00a0 She stopped and said in a shaky voice, \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I know it was wrong, and I know I\u2019m older than A.C. and I should have stopped him instead of going with him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad to hear that you realize that,\u201d Joe said in a stern voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annabelle, who had been shocked at her daughter\u2019s admission, now spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cBefore Sarah receives her punishment, I need to speak with you in our room.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe frowned a little but nodded curtly.\u00a0 As soon as they reached their room, Annabelle said, \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t think you should spank Sarah.\u00a0 She\u2019s nearly twelve years old and I think that\u2019s too old for corporal punishment.\u00a0 I would prefer we confine her to her room for the rest of the day and then to the ranch house for the remainder of our stay.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRemainder of your stay,\u201d Joe repeated, feeling his heart constrict.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI do love you, Joe,\u201d she said softly, \u201cand I know you can\u2019t leave Pa, but I want our children educated in Boston with all its cultural advantages, not here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe greatest advantage we can give our children is for them to grow up in a family where they are loved.\u00a0 That\u2019s what\u2019s important.\u00a0 Not what schools they go to!\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it\u2019s not just the children\u2014I love you, Annabelle, and I don\u2019t want to be separated.\u00a0 I need you,\u201d and he took her in his arms and kissed her hungrily.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At first, she melted into his embrace, but then she pushed away.\u00a0 \u201cYou can visit Boston and we can be together then, but I just can\u2019t live here.\u00a0 I can\u2019t!\u201d\u00a0 She saw the pain in his eyes and said, \u201cI tried\u2014I tried for eleven years\u2014but I was miserable.\u00a0 In Boston I have friends.\u00a0 It\u2019s true that some have turned their backs on me because I live apart from you, but not my true friends.\u00a0 I am a fish out of water here.\u00a0 You know I am.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His shoulders slumped in defeat, he asked, \u201cWhen are you leaving?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe same day as the others.\u00a0 I thought it would be easier on Sarah and Benj that way.\u201d\u00a0 She reached for his hand, but he jerked it away.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, Joe.\u00a0 Please try to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI only understand how much you\u2019re hurting our family, and Pa.\u00a0 But I know I can\u2019t stop you.\u00a0 Just, please, don\u2019t say anything until the day before you leave.\u00a0 Don\u2019t spoil this special time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d she agreed. <\/p>\n \u201cYou missed breakfast!\u201d\u00a0 Benj shouted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, we didn\u2019t,\u201d Miranda replied as they drew closer.\u00a0 \u201cSylvia and Samantha both told me if we wanted to have good luck, then I needed to cook our first meal.\u00a0 They were so insistent that I fixed our breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seeing his father-in-law\u2019s raised eyebrow, William added.\u00a0 \u201cIt was only toast.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t burnt enough to be inedible.\u201d\u00a0 And he grinned from ear to ear.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWilliam!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, Dearest, you did say you were a terrible cook; I am just being a good husband and agreeing\u201d he replied, putting his arm about her waist and giving her a squeeze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the last time you\u2019ll have to eat a meal I prepared,\u201d she replied with a smile while her older sister snickered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, let\u2019s get these trout cleaned.\u00a0 I\u2019m hungry,\u201d Benj said.\u00a0 Seeing the way his cousin and her husband gazed into each other\u2019s eyes made him uncomfortable.\u00a0 When he and Gwyneth went around back, they found A.C., spattered with whitewash, just finishing the henhouse.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess this is part of your punishment, huh?\u201d Benj asked.\u00a0 When his cousin nodded, he added, \u201cAt least it\u2019s better than a tanning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got that, too,\u201d A.C. said, rubbing his posterior and smearing it with whitewash.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGosh, Uncle Adam must be really strict,\u201d Benj commented in surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe is,\u201d Gwyneth responded, adding, \u201cbut he\u2019s fair.\u00a0 Right, little brother?\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cA.C., you\u2019d better hurry and finish because you\u2019re not sitting down at the table until you\u2019ve had a bath and washed your hair.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just had a bath the day before yesterday,\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care; you are filthy and you have to have another.\u00a0 I hope I can get that whitewash out of your clothes.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go put some clean ones in the bathhouse and heat some water for your bath.\u201d <\/p>\n After dinner, Ben and the Davies declared their intention to take a nap.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA nap sounds like a wonderful idea,\u201d Adam said, stretching.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019m getting too old for these late nights.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuw, I\u2019ll have to wash your hair before you take your nap, you naughty boy,\u201d Beth scolded while her little darling grinned unrepentantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna take my nap wiv Pa-pa,\u201d Elen declared and Huw added, \u201cMe nap Pa-pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess we can all three fit,\u201d Adam said, grinning at his grandchildren.\u00a0 \u201cCare to make it four, Me-ma?\u201d he asked Bronwen with a wink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I think that arrangement would be too crowded.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll take The Well-Beloved<\/strong> and read on the porch,\u201d she replied with a smile, and Annabelle said she\u2019d get her book and join her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam then asked Buckshot, \u201cI hope you have plenty of work for A.C.?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d the cook replied in his gravelly voice.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna wash the dishes, pots and pans, and then he\u2019s gonna weed my vegetable garden.\u00a0 I figure that should take most of the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think it should,\u201d Adam replied, watching his son\u2019s shoulders sag and his face fall at the mention of all that work.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see you all at supper,\u201d Miranda said, taking William\u2019s hand as they exited.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad they\u2019re so happy, but it makes me miss Dafydd,\u201d Beth said in an undertone to Gwyneth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I miss Mark so much.\u00a0 I hope we won\u2019t have to wait long after he graduates to marry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth smiled in understanding.\u00a0 \u201cCould you watch Elen while I wash this little man\u2019s hair?\u201d and her sister nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow about I help you with Huw?\u201d Adam suggested.\u00a0 \u201cFor a child who loves water, he certainly hates bathing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Daddy.\u00a0 I could use the help,\u201d and Beth accepted with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow would you like to go for a ride, Pardner?\u201d Joe asked and Benj agreed willingly. <\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Adam said quietly, knowing the truth of his words.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get my guitar and Joe and Benj can join us when they get back.\u00a0 And I think A.C. has done enough work today.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Annabelle added, \u201cI\u2019ll go tell Sarah that she may come join us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSince today is Sunday, I suggest we sing hymns,\u201d Mrs. Davies said and everyone agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe heard their voices singing the old beloved hymns in four-part harmony as he and Benj rode up to the yard, and for a moment he was overcome with grief and sadness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you okay, Dad?\u201d Benj asked worriedly, seeing the tears in his dad\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Pardner,\u201d Joe replied, managing to keep his voice steady for his son\u2019s sake.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I was just feeling sad, remembering when your uncles, grandpa and I used to sing hymns together.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou really miss Uncle Hoss, don\u2019t you?\u201d the boy said slowly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I do.\u00a0 And I miss Uncle Adam.\u00a0 Reading his letters just isn\u2019t the same as having him here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI kinda miss Sarah when I\u2019m at school, and I miss you and Mama.\u00a0 But now I miss my friends.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe hesitated and then said, \u201cYou won\u2019t miss them much longer.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be heading back to Boston the day after tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I thought \uf0bc\u201d and the boy\u2019s voice trailed off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo did I, but your mama wants you all to return to Boston,\u201d Joe replied, trying to keep any bitterness from his tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you and Mama love each other?\u201d the boy asked in an anguished tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, we do, but sometimes love just isn\u2019t enough,\u201d Joe said sadly. <\/p>\n \u201cFair dinkum?\u00a0 I mean, really?\u201d she asked with shining eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u00a0 We have the rest of our lives to spend together, but I know your family won\u2019t be able to visit often.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll mind if we\u2019re a little late to breakfast, hmm?\u201d and she giggled before wrapping her arms around him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They found the others were just beginning to pass around the food when they arrived and A.C. said cheekily, \u201cYou\u2019re late.\u00a0 All the biscuits are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Buckshot said with a wink at the newlyweds, \u201cI got another batch in the oven; be ready in just a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo we have any plans for today?\u201d Miranda asked.\u00a0 \u201cIf not, I was hoping maybe we could have a picnic at the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe play horseshoes,\u201d William suggested and Joe snickered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been practicing, Uncle Joe,\u201d William replied with a straight face and with a lift of an eyebrow, Adam said to his brother, \u201cHow about you and Benj against William and me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re on, brother,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam suddenly noticed the woebegone expression on his son\u2019s face and realized the problem.\u00a0 \u201cJackeroo, you may come on the picnic, but I want you to help Beth watch Elen and Huw and play some games with them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSarah, you can do the same,\u201d Joe said and the two youngsters nodded, happy grins on their faces, as their fathers\u2019 pronouncements let them know that they had both been forgiven for their disobedience. <\/p>\n \u201cIt turns out the head of my department loves to play horseshoes and so he was happy to help me improve my game,\u201d William said smugly while Miranda gazed on proudly and Adam threw back his head and laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meanwhile, A.C. quickly tired of rolling the ball to Huw but Elen wanted to play catch with Sarah and her mama, and he knew better than to complain.\u00a0 He was relieved when Beth and Gwyneth suggested playing some other games.\u00a0 He enjoyed playing London Bridge and shaking everyone else up.\u00a0 He even enjoyed playing ring-a-round-a-rosy, although he\u2019d never admit it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the horseshoe game, Adam suggested a game of Needle\u2019s Eye, and everyone but Ben and the Davies joined in, Adam and Joe running with Huw and Elen to ensure they broke through.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As the sun moved farther in the west, Adam said, \u201cI think we should say our goodbyes now when we can be private.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSi\u00e2n and I will go for a walk along the shore to give you more privacy,\u201d Dr. Davies said and William offered to accompany them but Bronwen said, \u201cNo, please stay, William.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Annabelle said quickly and everyone except Joe and Benj exchanged glances.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth said in a shaky voice, \u201cI doubt if the children and I will ever be able to travel here again, but I\u2019m so glad I got to see all of you, and to meet you, William.\u201d\u00a0 She hugged Ben and kissed his cheek and then turned to Miranda.\u00a0 The hugged each other tightly and made no effort to check their tears.\u00a0 Next she turned to William and Joe and hugged them quickly.\u00a0 \u201cIt was wonderful seeing you again, Sarah and Benj.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah threw her arms about her cousin, hugging her tightly, and then Beth smiled and asked Benj, \u201cDo I get a hug?\u201d\u00a0 He stiffened at first, but then he hugged her back.\u00a0 Elen and Huw had stood by with big eyes and now Beth said, \u201cWe\u2019re going to leave for home tomorrow, so can you give everyone a goodbye kiss?\u201d\u00a0 Elen was a little shy but Huw was enthusiastic in his kisses.\u00a0 Beth took them to Ben last.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGreat-grandpa is really going to miss you,\u201d Ben said as he cupped their smooth, soft cheeks in his gnarled old hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI miss you,\u201d Elen said and two fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she kissed his weathered one.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBye-bye, Geatganpa,\u201d Huw said smacking Ben\u2019s cheek loudly and Ben smiled at his beautiful, innocent countenance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to miss you so much, Grandpa,\u201d Gwyneth said softly before she hugged him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope you and your Mark will be very happy.\u00a0 You make sure your daddy sends me a picture of the two of you on your wedding day,\u201d Ben said unsteadily, and Gwyneth nodded, too moved to speak.\u00a0 Miranda held out her arms and the two sisters, so opposite in height, hugged fiercely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou take good care of my sister,\u201d Gwyneth said to William with a wobbly smile, and he answered solemnly, \u201cI will.\u00a0 You make sure Miranda and I also get a photograph of you and Mark on your wedding day.\u201d\u00a0 They hugged before Gwyneth said her goodbyes to her uncle and cousins.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not too big to give your grandpa a hug, are you, A.C.?\u201d Ben said with a smile and A.C. shook his head before hugging Ben, and he didn\u2019t even squirm when Ben kissed his cheek although normally he only tolerated kisses from his mama.\u00a0 \u201cI love you, Grandpa,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI love you too, child\u201d Ben answered, unashamed at the tears that fell from his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI want a hug, too,\u201d Miranda said to her not-so-little brother, so he hugged her and blushed when she kissed his cheek.\u00a0 William held out his hand and clasped A.C.\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou write your sister and me, all right?\u201d and the boy nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe said with a grin, \u201cI know your cousins don\u2019t want a hug, but I do,\u201d and he held out his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After they hugged, A.C. said to his cousins, \u201cI\u2019m glad I got to see you again, and I\u2019m sorry I got us in trouble, Sarah.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s okay.\u00a0 I should have stopped you instead of going with you,\u201d she replied with a faint grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was nice seeing you again,\u201d Benj said, holding out his hand, and A.C. shook it solemnly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth had already taken her children to join the Davies and now Gwyneth and A.C. started after them while Bronwen turned to Sarah and Benj.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry we aren\u2019t able to spend more time together, but I\u2019m happy we had this brief visit.\u00a0 I\u2019d like it very much if you wrote to me and your uncle.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at Benj and then hugged Sarah before turning to her brother-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I\u2019ll miss you so much.\u201d\u00a0 She hugged him tightly as she whispered, \u201cI hope that things will work out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy brother is a very lucky man,\u201d Joe said softly.\u00a0 \u201cIf he ever needs to be reminded of that, you just let me know,\u201d and he kissed her cheek.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa,\u201d Bronwen said as Ben held out his arms to her, and she couldn\u2019t stop the tears, knowing she would probably never see her father-in-law again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t cry, Dear,\u201d he said gently after kissing her cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t love you more if you were my own daughter, and I can\u2019t thank you enough for the happiness you\u2019ve given my son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She hugged Ben one more time before turning to her second born and her new son-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s so hard to leave you, Miranda fach<\/em>.\u00a0 It helps knowing that you and William have found each other, but only a little.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll write often, Mama.\u00a0 I promise,\u201d Miranda said, her voice unsteady and her eyes filling with tears.\u00a0 They shared a fierce embrace, reluctant to end it, but Bronwen forced herself to turn to her son-in-law.\u00a0 \u201cI wish we could have spent more time together, William, but I know you\u2019ll make my little girl happy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll do my best,\u201d he hesitated and added, \u201cMama.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled and hugged him before following the others to the lakeshore.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned to his brother\u2019s children, saying with a smile, \u201cYour aunt spoke for both of us when she said we wish we could have spent more time with you, and we would like to hear from you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll write, I promise, Uncle Adam,\u201d Sarah said before throwing her arms around her tall uncle.\u00a0 He kissed her cheek before holding out his hand to Benj, who said, \u201cI\u2019ll write and I\u2019d like to hear from you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They started to go after the others but Joe said, \u201cDon\u2019t go.\u00a0 I have something I need to say.\u201d\u00a0 Sarah looked puzzled while Benj nodded his understanding.\u00a0 Adam and Ben exchanged worried glances.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no easy way to say this.\u00a0 Tomorrow you both are returning to Boston with your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought we were going to live here with you and Grandpa,\u201d Sarah said, tears trickling down her cheeks.\u00a0 She ran to him and hugged him tightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll still spend your summers here and I\u2019ll try and visit in October,\u201d Joe said softly as he stroked his little girl\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll miss you, Grandpa,\u201d Benj said, and he was old enough to understand that his grandpa might not be there next summer when he visited, so he hugged him\u2014something he hadn\u2019t done since he was A.C.\u2019s age.\u00a0 Sarah ran over and hugged Ben and he held both the children close.\u00a0 He had to struggle not to break down knowing that it might be the last time he saw any of his grandchildren.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sarah scrubbed her cheeks with the backs of her hands and then she and Benj ran to join the others along the lakeshore.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned to his brother and said quietly, \u201cJoe, I\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know you are, Adam, but I\u2019d rather not talk about it,\u201d Joe replied, struggling to keep his emotions under control.\u00a0 He paused then added, \u201cYou\u2019re a very lucky man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am,\u201d Adam replied softly.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s anything I can do \uf0bc\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded afraid to speak, but he embraced his brother before heading after his children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam turned to his daughter and new son-in-law, who\u2019d stood by shocked and saddened by Joe\u2019s announcement.\u00a0 \u201cI can only echo your mother and say how hard it is to leave you, Angel, even knowing that you now belong to William.\u201d\u00a0 He took her in his arms and felt his eyes fill with tears, knowing it would be years before he would see his precious daughter again.\u00a0 As he kissed her cheek, he could taste the saltiness of her tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they broke apart, he turned to his son-in-law, and they clasped arms.\u00a0 \u201cI promise I\u2019ll love her and care for her \uf0bc\u201d\u00a0 William paused and then asked, \u201cMay I call you Dad as A.C. does?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like that very much, William,\u201d Adam said with one of his rare, blinding smiles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William turned to Miranda then and said, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we join the others?\u00a0 I know you want to say goodbye to your tad-cu<\/em> and mam-gu<\/em>,\u201d and he only stumbled a little over the Welsh words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they were out of sight, Adam turned to his pa, fresh tears forming in his eyes.\u00a0 The two men embraced and then Ben said in a voice that he couldn\u2019t quite steady, \u201cI\u2019m holding you to your promise, son.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep it, Pa, no matter how hard it is,\u201d Adam answered in a strained voice.\u00a0 \u201cI love you, and I know I haven\u2019t said it enough.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled as he said gently, \u201cYou\u2019ve shown your love in many ways over the years.\u00a0 You are a son any man would be proud of: intelligent, hardworking, and loyal.\u00a0 You are a man of integrity, and you have the strength of your convictions.\u00a0 That is something I have always admired about you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He reached up and caressed the silvery curls at his son\u2019s nape.\u00a0 \u201cYou may be nearly sixty-two now, but when I look at you, I can still see that precious little boy with his curls and dimples who started off from Boston with me in that old farm wagon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head and smiled ruefully but then he added slowly, \u201cI know what you mean.\u00a0 When I looked at Miranda dressed in her wedding gown and veil, I could see the tiny infant I held in my arms and the little girl with her big eyes and curls sitting on my lap and \u201creading\u201d to me from one of her picture books.\u00a0 It was the same with Beth and it will be the same with Gwyneth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, you do understand,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Clasping his son\u2019s hand in his own, he said gently, \u201cWhen the time comes that I go to join your mothers, your brother, and your precious Penny, you will still have your memories, and they will always be there when you need them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 4<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n \u201cSee Tada<\/em>?\u201d Elen asked her mama with shining eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Sweetie, not yet.\u00a0 But we\u2019ll see Tada<\/em> soon, I promise,\u201d Beth replied, giving her little girl a reassuring hug and kiss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLlywelyn and Mark are planning on meeting the ship,\u201d Dr. Davies commented and saw the way Gwyneth\u2019s face lit up, just as her little niece\u2019s had a moment before at the mention of the most important man in her life. <\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations,\u201d Llywelyn said with an enormous grin.\u00a0 Then he smiled at Elen and Huw, who were clutching their mama\u2019s hands tightly as the crowd milled around them.\u00a0 \u201cSo you\u2019re going to have a baby brother or sister.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna sister,\u201d Elen asserted, causing everyone to smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLlywelyn will get some hackney cabs, and I\u2019ll see to everyone\u2019s luggage,\u201d Mark then said.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re staying at the same hotel, aren\u2019t you, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s correct.\u00a0 Thank you both,\u201d Adam replied, directing a smile at the two young men.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before he left to take care of the luggage, Mark said to Adam in an undertone, \u201cCould I speak with you privately this afternoon, sir?\u201d and Adam nodded.\u00a0 He had just given away a daughter in America, and now it appeared that he would soon be repeating the bittersweet ritual with his remaining girl in Queensland. <\/p>\n Mark liked Gwyneth\u2019s father, but he had always found him just a little intimidating.\u00a0 He\u2019d worked out exactly what he wanted to say ahead of time, but now that time had come to speak he was finding it very difficult.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam finally took pity on the young man and said, \u201cYou wanted to speak with me, Mark?\u00a0 I can guess that it\u2019s about Gwyneth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Mark replied.\u00a0 He took a deep breath to steady his nerves and said as confidently as he could, \u201cMr. Cartwright, you know that Gwyneth and I are in love.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded, with just a hint of a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI realize that I don\u2019t graduate for almost four months, and I know it will be several months after I begin working at Cartwright & Davies before I\u2019ll be able to save up enough money to make a down payment on a house.\u00a0 However, sir, I would like your permission to ask Gwyneth to marry me now.\u00a0 I want her to return to Cloncurry wearing my ring so Douglas Campbell will know that she\u2019s made her choice.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYou have my permission, Mark.\u00a0 In fact, I think it is a good idea that Gwyneth returns home as your fianc\u00e9e.\u00a0 I agree that you cannot marry until after you\u2019ve graduated, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s necessary for you to wait until you\u2019ve saved enough to make a down payment on a house.\u00a0 Thanks to her time in Brisbane, Gwyneth already owns everything you\u2019ll need to set up housekeeping and she knows how to make a budget and follow it.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure the two of you can manage on your salary at the mine.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be happy to loan you the money for a down payment on a house.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thank you for your generosity, sir, but no.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to be in anyone\u2019s debt,\u201d Mark said firmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI admire your opinion on that subject, but hear me out, Mark, because my motives are not selfless.\u201d\u00a0 Mark\u2019s eyebrows shot up, showing his disbelief, but Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cYou and Gwyneth have been in love since before you went away to school four years ago, and I have no doubts about your feelings for each other.\u00a0 Now, it may be hard for you to believe, but I was once young and in love and I know that the flesh is weak.\u00a0 I think it would be best if you and Gwyneth marry as soon as possible after you return to Cloncurry.\u00a0 Please, accept my offer of a loan so you can be together.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam watched the struggle on the young man\u2019s face between his pride and his love for Gwyneth, and was relieved when the young man said.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, but I must pay you interest on the loan.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne percent,\u201d Adam said, extending his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s too little,\u201d the younger man objected and Adam laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMark, I don\u2019t want to make money off the loan.\u00a0 One percent is plenty.\u201d\u00a0 He didn\u2019t tell him that he intended to deposit the interest in Gwyneth\u2019s trust fund.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo I have your permission to take Gwyneth to supper tonight?\u201d Mark asked, a bit stiffly, and Adam dimpled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t keep her out too late.\u00a0 Beth is anxious to return to Dafydd, so we\u2019re going to leave for Townsville on the first available train tomorrow,\u201d and Mark nodded, now returning his future father-in-law\u2019s smile. <\/p>\n \u201cI like him,\u201d Gwyneth replied honestly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s very nice.\u00a0 He\u2019s not up himself, but his mother is another story.\u201d\u00a0 Her lips turned up in a smile as she added, \u201cAnd William\u2019s father kept flirting with Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFair dinkum?\u201d Mark said, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo right,\u201d Gwyneth replied with a giggle.\u00a0 \u201cDaddy didn\u2019t like it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t like it if anyone flirted with you,\u201d Mark said very seriously and Gwyneth\u2019s cheeks reddened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe got to see the house William and Miranda are buying in Hanover.\u00a0 I guess professors earn more than I realized because it\u2019s as big as our house.\u00a0 It\u2019s old though,\u201d she added quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI think William said it was built back in the 1860s.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you want a big house, too,\u201d he said dejectedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d she replied quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI liked my flat and I think I\u2019d prefer a small house.\u00a0 Although I guess it would depend on the size of my family.\u201d\u00a0 Realizing what she\u2019d said, her face flamed and he smiled and reached for her hand.\u00a0 Just then the waiter arrived with their food, so they concentrated on their meal.\u00a0 After he\u2019d paid their check, Mark suggested they go for a walk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGwyneth,\u201d he began as they walked along the nearly deserted street holding hands, \u201cI\u2019ve loved you ever since that first time we danced together and your glorious hair came unpinned and tumbled down around you.\u00a0 The more time we spent together, the deeper my love grew.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped then because they had come to a large gum tree slightly off to the side of the road.\u00a0 He drew her behind the tree where they were hidden from any passing eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI spoke with your father this afternoon and he gave me permission to ask you to be mine.\u201d\u00a0 He took her hand and dropped to one knee.\u00a0 \u201cGwyneth, my darling, will you marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh yes, Mark,\u201d she replied softly, so he stood and took her into his arms, and they shared a kiss that conveyed their feelings without words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have something for you,\u201d he said when they finally ended their kiss.\u00a0 \u201cI know diamonds are your birthstone.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t afford a very big one\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care about that,\u201d she interrupted, and he slid the ring on her finger.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful,\u201d she added, turning her hand to admire the plain gold band and the tiny sparkling stone set in the center.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour dad offered to loan us the money for the down payment on a house.\u00a0 It will need to be a small one for now.\u00a0 We can always move to a bigger house after I\u2019ve been able to save more money.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have a trust fund\u2014\u201d she began, but he cut her off.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not living off my wife\u2019s money,\u201d he said harshly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d she agreed.\u00a0 \u201cBeth told me she and Dafydd agreed that they would use her trust fund for their children\u2019s education.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess that would be all right,\u201d he conceded.\u00a0 \u201cYour dad mentioned that you\u2019d already bought everything we\u2019d need to set up housekeeping.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you find us a house?\u00a0 Take your dad along and ask his advice; I trust you.\u00a0 That way we can get married soon after I graduate.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like that,\u201d she said, snuggling close.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you want a big wedding?\u201d he asked with a hint of apprehension because he knew his family would be very uncomfortable at a big wedding, for they felt inferior to the Cartwrights and the Davies.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d prefer a small wedding like Miranda\u2019s with only our families.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t really want a big reception like Miranda and Beth had.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d he asked, for he didn\u2019t want her cheated out of something she truly wanted. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m glad it\u2019s the bride and her family that are in charge of the wedding,\u201d he replied with real feeling.\u00a0 Then he took her in his arms for another long, passionate kiss.\u00a0 When they broke apart he said, \u201cIt\u2019s a good thing you\u2019re leaving for Cloncurry tomorrow.\u00a0 This is going to be the longest four months of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd mine,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 He was barely able to resist the temptation to take her in his arms again, to unpin that glorious hair and bury his face in the softness of those curls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019d better head back for the hotel,\u201d he said, stepping away from her, but reaching for her hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They knocked on the door of her parents\u2019 suite together and found everyone, including Dr. and Mrs. Davies, and they all smiled at the young couple.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMark and I are going to be married,\u201d Gwyneth announced, her shy and reserved expression replaced by one of complete happiness.\u00a0 Even Mark\u2019s normally saturnine countenance was lightened by his obvious joy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After everyone had congratulated the couple and admired Gwyneth\u2019s ring, Bronwen asked, \u201cHave you thought about a date?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking of the first Saturday in February,\u201d Gwyneth replied.\u00a0 \u201cThat won\u2019t be very long after Llywelyn and Mark return to Cloncurry, but as Mark says, we\u2019ll be making the arrangements so I don\u2019t see why we should wait.\u00a0 We\u2019ve already waited four years.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Her parents nodded their understanding and then Beth spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cWe should buy the material for your wedding dress here, and take it back to Cloncurry with us.\u00a0 Will we have time to shop before we have to leave, Daddy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll have time as long as you are quick about it,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you and Mama?\u00a0 Won\u2019t you need new dresses?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMark and I want a very small wedding\u2014only our families,\u201d Gwyneth said and Mark nodded his agreement as he put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close.\u00a0 \u201cNo one in Cloncurry has seen what Beth and Mama wore to Miranda\u2019s wedding so I don\u2019t see why they couldn\u2019t wear those dresses,\u201d Gwyneth suggested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d Bronwen said and Beth added, \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll finally be able to wear the dress I made for Miranda\u2019s wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s settled then,\u201d Adam said, with an inner sigh of relief.\u00a0 They\u2019d spent a considerable sum on the trip to the States and back plus the expense of Miranda\u2019s wedding, and although wealthy, he was, by nature, a frugal man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGwyneth and I were hoping that you could help her select a house for us,\u201d Mark said quietly to Adam, who nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOnce we find a house, we\u2019ll have to arrange to have your belongings transported from Brisbane.\u00a0 It would be so much easier if we were connected by rail,\u201d Adam remarked with a frown, for Cloncurry\u2019s lack of a rail connection was a sore point with him.\u00a0 He and Rhys had to make arrangements to have their ore transported by Afghan cameleers.\u00a0 Transporting the ore by rail would be so much more efficient and cost effective.\u00a0 Communication with their families in Sydney and the States would be quicker by rail than by Cobb and Co. mail coach.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt seems like you\u2019re gonna move away almost as soon as you get home,\u201d A.C. remarked sadly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be that far away,\u201d Gwyneth said gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou can visit Mark and me just like you visit Beth and Dafydd.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess,\u201d A.C. replied, but everyone could sense his sadness so, to change the mood, Llywelyn said to his young cousin, \u201cSo I hear you and Uncle Adam are going to build a scull?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo right!\u201d the youngster replied, his attention successfully diverted, and he began to talk of his experience sculling on the Charles with his father and newest brother-in-law. <\/p>\n Adam smiled warmly at his nephew.\u00a0 \u201dI\u2019d love to design a house for you and Emma.\u00a0 You can consider it our wedding gift.\u201d <\/p>\n Mrs. Davies made no effort to check her tears as she hugged her daughter, who would always be her baby even though she was now a grandmother.\u00a0 \u201cDw i\u2019n dy garu di, Bronwen fach.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Davies took his precious daughter\u2019s face in his palms and kissed her gently on the forehead.\u00a0 \u201cYou are with us every day in our hearts, Bronwen fach, and we will always have our memories of this time together. Hwyl<\/em>. \u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDw i\u2019n dy garu di,\u201d<\/em> she said to each in turn, and, once seated on the train, she waved until her parents were out of sight.\u00a0 Adam put his arm about her shoulders, and the warmth of his embrace caused her barely contained tears to overflow. <\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be!\u201d Beth exclaimed, standing on tiptoe and holding the overhead rail of the train car to get a better view.\u00a0 \u201cOh, it is!\u201d she exclaimed in delight as she looked where her sister pointed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam saw Dafydd then and scooped up his granddaughter, lifting her to see through the top of the window.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Precious!\u00a0 There\u2019s your tada<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dafydd spotted Adam and Gwyneth\u2019s tall figures and then his little daughter, and began waving to her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTada<\/em>!\u201d she shrieked.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my tada<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth picked up Huw and pointed.\u00a0 \u201cLook, Huw.\u00a0 There\u2019s your tada<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled, but showed no sign of recognition.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dafydd was waiting at the stairs as the train came to a halt.\u00a0 He tenderly helped Beth down to the ground and gave her a quick peck on the lips.\u00a0 Noticing that Adam was having trouble keeping Elen from jumping out of his arms, he reached up and plucked his little girl from her grandfather.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTada<\/em>, Tada<\/em>, I missed you!\u201d she cried as she threw her arms around his neck and clung to him while Beth smiled happily.\u00a0 Adam turned to assist Bronwen and Gwyneth, who was carrying Huw, and then A.C. jumped down to the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s my boy?\u201d Dafydd asked, but Huw clung to Gwyneth and looked at his father with big eyes.\u00a0 Dafydd was not unprepared for this reaction so he said calmly, \u201cI have a couple of hackney cabs waiting to take us to the hotel.\u00a0 I thought Bethan should rest a day before we start back home.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned over and kissed her properly, still holding Elen who refused to leave her father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cExcellent idea,\u201d Adam agreed and Bronwen nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy friend, Charles Edgerton, and his wife have invited all of us to dine with them at the parsonage.\u00a0 They have a little boy about Huw\u2019s age, so it will be much more comfortable than dining at a restaurant.\u201d\u00a0 The others nodded their agreement, but just then Dafydd noticed the ring on Gwyneth\u2019s left hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou and Mark are engaged?\u201d he asked with a warm smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth blushed and nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, we can talk more at the hotel,\u201d Dafydd said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll just go see to your baggage.\u00a0 The cabs are right over there,\u201d and he gestured.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 \u201cA.C., would you please escort your mother and sisters to the cabs?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir,\u201d A.C. stated, visibly swelling with pride at being treated as a man. <\/p>\n \u201cEwyrth<\/em> Rhys came on behalf of the congregation to tell me they wanted me to travel here to meet you because they thought we\u2019d been apart too long.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t argue with them, especially after the wonderful news you\u2019d already shared.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI gonna get a baby sister, Tada<\/em>,\u201d Elen announced then, wanting her tada<\/em>\u2019s attention all for herself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell now, Elen fach<\/em>, you might get another brother,\u201d he said, pinching her rosy cheek.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna sister,\u201d Elen declared stubbornly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWant Pa-pa,\u201d Huw said then, his lip sticking out in a pout since the rest of the family had taken the second cab.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see Pa-pa as soon as we get to the hotel,\u201d Beth said soothingly to her little boy.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t you like to sit on Tada<\/em>\u2019s lap?\u201d she coaxed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, want Pa-pa,\u201d Huw replied, his chin beginning to quiver and his eyes to fill with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Anwyld<\/em>,\u201d Dafydd said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI knew Huw bach<\/em> might forget me after all this time, but he\u2019ll remember me soon.\u00a0 We just have to give him time.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned over and kissed her lightly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, tell me all about the wedding and our new brother-in-law.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before Beth could open her mouth, Elen piped up.\u00a0 \u201cAuntie Manda is pitty, Tada<\/em>.\u00a0 And Unca Willum is nice.\u00a0 He took me \u2018n\u2019 Huw to ride swan boat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth said with a smile, \u201cYes, Elen and Huw both enjoyed riding the swan boats in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI got to ride Pa-pa\u2019s horsy and Huw rode wiv Mama,\u201d Elen continued excitedly. \u201cAnd we saw Geatganpa and Hendaid<\/em> and Hennain<\/em> and Unca Joe and Benj and Sara and Auntie Anbell.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like you had a wonderful time,\u201d Dafydd said, sharing a smile with Beth at the exuberance of their normally shy little girl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell Tada<\/em> about Auntie Miranda and Uncle William\u2019s house?\u201d Beth suggested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s big, Tada<\/em>,\u201d Elen said stretching her arms to illustrate, \u201cand they have funny outhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Seeing her husband\u2019s puzzled expression Beth explained, \u201cThey have a brand-new WC made of porcelain that flushes the waste away.\u201d\u00a0 She added with a grin, \u201cWilliam is very proud of having the most modern WC.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGeatganpa lives in a big house and he has lots of cows and piggies and chickens,\u201d Elen continued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHorsies,\u201d Huw interjected with a big grin, and Beth said, \u201cThat\u2019s right, Huw bach<\/em>; Great-grandpa has lots of horses.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at her baby and then said quickly, \u201cThe wedding was lovely and so was the reception.\u00a0 Everyone had a marvelous time except for William\u2019s mother.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid she is exactly as Miranda painted her.\u201d\u00a0 She added with a giggle, \u201cWilliam\u2019s father kept flirting with Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re joking!\u201d Dafydd replied but Beth shook her head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 You could see Daddy was getting really angry and poor Mama was embarrassed.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She stopped and added in a low voice, \u201cThe only other unfortunate incident was that A.C. broke his promise not to climb any more trees and he disobeyed Daddy. I was really surprised that he disobeyed, knowing what the outcome would be, but I think he\u2019s learned his lesson.\u00a0 Not so much from his punishment, but from seeing how he disappointed all the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid A.C. does seem to have to learn things the hard way,\u201d Dafydd replied, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMista Buckshot letted me help set the table,\u201d Elen inserted proudly, and Beth added with a smile, \u201cYes, you were very helpful and Mama was proud of you.\u201d\u00a0 Then she said to Dafydd, \u201cThe graduation was very impressive.\u00a0 All the young women wore caps and gowns.\u00a0 William was as proud of Miranda as any of us.\u00a0 Daddy took some photographs of her in her cap and gown, holding her diploma and he took some of all of us at the wedding.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled wistfully then, saying quietly, \u201cIt was wonderful seeing Grandpa again, but sad knowing that it was probably the last time.\u201d\u00a0 Dafydd squeezed her hand then and she continued, \u201cHe was so happy to see Elen and Huw and to know about the baby.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose it was probably the last time we\u2019ll see Tad-cu<\/em> and Mam-gu<\/em>, too.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled faintly as she added, \u201cYou may have missed Miranda and William\u2019s wedding, but you\u2019ll soon be marrying Gwyneth and Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave they set a date?\u201d Dafydd said in surprise and Beth nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe first Saturday in February,\u201d Beth replied and then added, \u201cPoor Gwyneth is dreading having to tell Douglas.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t be easy, and probably she should have told him earlier.\u00a0 I know she meant to be kind, but in the end, I\u2019m afraid she\u2019s made it harder for him,\u201d Dafydd said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cEvery time I saw him, he\u2019d ask if I had any news about her.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou need to tell us what\u2019s been happening while we\u2019ve been gone,\u201d Beth said then with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, Nani had a litter of four puppies,\u201d Dafydd began and Huw squealed, \u201cPuppies!\u201d and grinned at his father, who grinned back.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ve started construction on the courthouse; it\u2019s going to be on the corner of Sheaffe and Daintree.\u00a0 Oh, and they\u2019re building an office for the District Rabbit Board on Scarr Street.\u00a0 And a lot of new houses are being built.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ll all be surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe town seems to be growing so fast now,\u201d Beth said, shaking her head slightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, it really is,\u201d Dafydd agreed as their hackney cab pulled up in front of the hotel. <\/p>\n Huw grinned happily but Elen\u2019s lower lip came out in a pout.\u00a0 \u201cI wanna sleep wiv Tada<\/em>,\u201d she whined.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see Tada<\/em> in the morning, but he and your mama want to spend some time together,\u201d Adam said firmly.\u00a0 Elen still pouted, but she didn\u2019t make a fuss.\u00a0 Beth and Dafydd smiled gratefully at the older couple. <\/p>\n Friends and neighbors called their hellos to the Cartwrights as they headed to their own home and Adam said quietly, \u201cI think we can expect a visit from Douglas.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t see him tonight,\u201d Gwyneth replied in an anguished voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll tell him that you\u2019re gonna marry Mark if you want me to,\u201d A.C. offered magnanimously, not understanding why the idea upset his sister so much.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a generous offer, A.C. bach<\/em>,\u201d Bronwen replied, managing to keep her face straight, \u201cbut this is something Gwyneth has to do.\u00a0 She owes it to Douglas.\u00a0 However, I agree it can wait until tomorrow; we\u2019re all tired now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d her energetic son replied.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to say g\u2019day to Robbie.\u00a0 Please?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shook his head slightly, but then seeing his son\u2019s dejected expression he answered, \u201cAll right, after supper.\u00a0 But you can\u2019t stay very long.\u00a0 You\u2019ll see Robbie tomorrow at school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI forgot about school,\u201d A.C. said in a disgusted tone that made his parents and older sister smile. <\/p>\n Matilda insisted they have supper with them and soon the six of them were gathered in the Davies\u2019 dining room, talking about Miranda\u2019s graduation and wedding and congratulating Gwyneth on her engagement.\u00a0 Just as Daisy was serving dessert, there was a knock at the front door.\u00a0 \u201cNow I wonder who that could be?\u201d Rhys mused as Daisy went to answer the door.\u00a0 A minute later Douglas Campbell\u2019s tall, muscular frame filled the doorway, his face lighting up with joy at the sight of Gwyneth.\u00a0 Adam said quickly in an authoritative tone, \u201cDouglas, would you mind calling on Gwyneth tomorrow?\u00a0 We\u2019d like a chance to spend some time with the Davies this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Douglas replied with obvious reluctance, managing to tear his eyes from Gwyneth\u2019s face.\u00a0 She\u2019d met his eyes for a moment and seen such longing, such love, and was horrified to feel a wave of desire at the sight of his broad shoulders and muscular body.\u00a0 She quickly hid her left hand under her napkin, lest he see her engagement ring accidentally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After his departure, only A.C. was oblivious to the change in atmosphere.\u00a0 \u201cMay I go visit Robbie now?\u201d he asked through a mouthful of Spotted Dick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t talk with your mouth full,\u201d Bronwen responded automatically.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you\u2019ve finished your pudding, then you may go.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re just to say hello and then come back home,\u201d Adam reminded him.\u00a0 Then he turned to his friend and business partner.\u00a0 \u201cDafydd told us a number of new houses are being built; would you mind if I took one more day off so Gwyneth and I could do some house hunting?\u00a0 I told Mark I\u2019d help her choose one for them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot at all,\u201d Rhys replied, and they were all pleased to see Gwyneth looked happy again at the prospect of choosing a home for herself and Mark. <\/p>\n \u201cOf course you\u2019re welcome, Mama,\u201d Gwyneth said with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019d value your opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be glad to come and give you mine,\u201d A.C. offered enthusiastically.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s very kind of you, Jackeroo,\u201d Adam said with a straight face, although his eyes twinkled, \u201cbut I\u2019m afraid you\u2019ll be too busy at school to offer us your expert opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. grinned back at his dad, knowing his leg was being pulled, and then asked anxiously, \u201cWe\u2019re still gonna start work on our scull, right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI said we would,\u201d Adam replied.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRobbie wants to help; his dad said he could, if it\u2019s okay with you,\u201d and the boy grinned when his dad nodded his permission.\u00a0 Gwyneth and Bronwen exchanged little smiles.\u00a0 Robbie spent so much time at the Cartwrights\u2019 home that he seemed like a second son.\u00a0 He\u2019d discovered that while A.C.\u2019s dad might look old, he was more willing to play catch or go fishing, swimming and riding than his own was.\u00a0 It was Adam who\u2019d taught Robbie to ride, and Rhiannon, Miranda\u2019s old cob, was Robbie\u2019s mount whenever he and A.C. went riding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of school,\u201d Bronwen interjected, \u201cyou\u2019d better hurry or you\u2019ll be late.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. nodded and then proceeded to wolf down his scrambled eggs and bacon, causing his mama to shake her head and sigh because that wasn\u2019t what she\u2019d meant.\u00a0 Not long after he\u2019d dashed out the door with his schoolbooks, the other three headed to Alice and Margaret Streets, where Dafydd had told them several new houses were going up.\u00a0 Adam saw immediately that the houses were either what was known as a \u201chip house\u201d because of the veranda jutting out at the back and front, or a \u201cpyramid house\u201d, which got its name from the shape of its roof.\u00a0 (Pyramid houses also had verandahs at the back and front.)\u00a0 They were all small houses; the hip houses tended to have three or four small rooms while the pyramid houses had three or four slightly larger rooms.\u00a0 After discussion and after Adam had a chance to examine the structures, Gwyneth narrowed her decision to two of the pyramid houses on Margaret Street, a quiet cul-de-sac.\u00a0 Adam decided he would meet with the builder after they had dinner while the two women had already made plans to visit with Matilda so they could look at her pattern books and choose one for Gwyneth\u2019s wedding dress.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When A.C. and Robbie arrived home from school, they found Adam had already purchased lumber and soon the three of them were busy working on the scull while the women were in the library busily cutting the pieces of the wedding dress.\u00a0 In the midst of their talking and cutting, Mary walked into the library, her expression somber.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMister Douglas is here to see you, Miss Gwyneth,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 The two older women exchanged uneasy glances as Gwyneth left the room, her expression mournful.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s waiting in the drawing room,\u201d Mary said, and then went back into the kitchen to finish preparing supper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Douglas was pacing the room impatiently, but when he saw Gwyneth, his countenance reflected his joy and his love.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Gwyneth, my love, I\u2019ve missed you so,\u201d he said and tried to take her in his arms, but she eluded him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDouglas, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d she began, nervously twisting the diamond ring on her left hand, and he suddenly noticed it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re engaged to Pentreath,\u201d he said in a voice that wasn\u2019t quite steady.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to tell me that you\u2019re sorry, but you\u2019re going to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI never wanted to hurt you, Douglas.\u00a0 Please believe me,\u201d she said, her eyes filling with tears behind her spectacles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou mean everything to me,\u201d he said, grabbing her arms and pulling her close.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve tried so hard to be the man you wanted me to be, and now, it\u2019s all for nothing.\u00a0 I\u2019m just supposed to stand by and watch you marry Pentreath, knowing that you want me as much as I want you,\u201d and he fastened his mouth on her hungrily.\u00a0 For a moment, she felt her own desire flare and returned his kiss, but then she turned her head aside and pushed at him.\u00a0 He tried to capture her mouth again, but when she moved her head away, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he dropped his hand to his side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be damned if I\u2019ll wish you happiness,\u201d he said bitterly and strode from the room. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Punkin,\u201d he said gently when she\u2019d finished.\u00a0 \u201cLife isn\u2019t fair.\u00a0 However, Douglas is not the first man to be disappointed in love, and although he may not believe it now, his life is not over.\u00a0 He has a lot going for him and someday he\u2019ll fall in love again and hopefully she\u2019ll return his love.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t want you worrying about him.\u00a0 You have to concentrate on the life you and Mark are going to share.\u201d\u00a0 After a long moment, she nodded to show she understood. <\/p>\n This went on for nearly two weeks, but early one evening, all conversation at the Prince of Wales ceased when Melanie Andrews walked through the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMiss Andrews!\u201d Mr. Gibson said in a shocked tone.\u00a0 \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be here.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI need to speak with Douglas Campbell and I know this is where I can find him,\u201d Melanie replied firmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, Miss Andrews, Douglas Campbell is in no condition to speak with a lady,\u201d Mr. Gibson stated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNevertheless, I must try,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cCould you point me in his direction?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Very reluctantly, Mr. Gibson pointed to a dark corner in the back of the pub.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Melanie drew near, she was relieved to see that Douglas was only one sheet to the wind.\u00a0 His eyes were bloodshot, but the hand holding his glass of whiskey was still steady.\u00a0 He smiled when he saw her, but it was not a pleasant smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAh. Melanie, come to offer me comfort, have you?\u201d he slurred, pulling her onto his lap and bending to capture her mouth with his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She shoved him away and jumped out of reach.\u00a0 \u201cNot that kind of comfort.\u00a0 In fact, I\u2019ve come here to tell you how disappointed I am in you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His expression hardened but then his features relaxed and he replied, \u201cYou\u2019ve got company.\u00a0 My parents are disappointed as well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd so is Gwyneth,\u201d Melanie said softly and for a moment she thought he was going to cry, but instead he twisted his features into a sneer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t give a damn about me,\u201d and he picked up his shot of whiskey and downed it before pouring another.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t care the way you want her to care, but that doesn\u2019t mean she has no feeling for you and you know it.\u00a0 That\u2019s why you are doing this,\u201d she said, gesturing with her hands at the half empty bottle of whiskey and his disreputable condition.\u00a0 \u201cTo punish her.\u00a0 I think you\u2019ve punished her enough for the crime of not loving you more than Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t understand,\u201d he said before reaching for his glass, but she put her hand over his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I do.\u00a0 I understand only too well how much it hurts to watch the one I love give his heart to someone else,\u201d and for the first time she made no effort to hide the love she felt.\u00a0 His eyes widened slightly and she continued.\u00a0 \u201cIf you can\u2019t bear to see her with Mark, then find a job somewhere else.\u00a0 You\u2019re a skilled printer and an intelligent man; don\u2019t let this one disappointment sour your whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He was quiet, but he shoved the glass away.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll think about what you said.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She stood and turned to go.\u00a0 At the doorway she turned back.\u00a0 \u201cIf you do decide to go, would you write me and let me know how you are doing?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He shook his head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cIt would be cruel to give you false hope.\u00a0 I have learned that much.\u201d\u00a0 She turned then and ran from the room so he wouldn\u2019t see her break down in tears. <\/p>\n \u201cGotcha some letters, Mr. Ben,\u201d he called as he climbed off the buckboard, waving a fistful of envelopes.\u00a0 He hurried over and placed them on the space the two elderly men had made on the table.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSince Joe isn\u2019t back from Boston, let\u2019s go ahead and read the letters,\u201d Ben said with a smile, and his old friend nodded with a matching grin.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see.\u00a0 Letters from Adam, Gwyneth, and Mrs. William Gordon.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll start with Miranda\u2019s,\u201d he said, getting out his bifocals.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m anxious to hear how she\u2019s adjusting to married life.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n October 18, 1898 <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hope you\u2019ll forgive me for not writing you more than a short note before this, but I\u2019ll try to make up for that with this letter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since William and I knew we didn\u2019t need to be back in Hanover until the end of August, we decided to stop and visit some cities on our route home.\u00a0 The first we visited was Kansas City.\u00a0 We saw the Hannibal Bridge, the first to span the Missouri River.\u00a0 I think Daddy would have been impressed.\u00a0 William wanted to visit the stockyard and the Livestock Exchange.\u00a0 I found the Exchange more interesting than the stockyard, which was loud and smelly.\u00a0 Kansas City has a lovely public park, donated by a Col. Swope, hence it is named Swope Park.\u00a0 We had the hotel restaurant prepare us a picnic lunch and we spent the afternoon in the park.\u00a0 The next day we visited Independence.\u00a0 I imagine it looks different than the town you saw back in the 1840s.\u00a0 Now, it is an attractive small town with lovely tree lined streets and a red-brick courthouse in the town square.\u00a0 Not a lot to see, but we rented some horses and went for a nice ride in the afternoon and saw some of the countryside, perhaps even where you and Daddy and Grandma Inger had camped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We spent two days visiting Kansas City and Independence.\u00a0 The other city we visited was Chicago.\u00a0 I told William that since we visited the stockyards in Kansas City, I would prefer not to see those in Chicago.\u00a0 We did visit the area known as the Loop, which contains a high concentration of high rise buildings, and we rode the elevator to the observatory of the Masonic Temple, which is twenty-one stories high!\u00a0 It seemed strange to be that far off the ground but the view was spectacular!\u00a0 I had a chance to do a little shopping at the Marshall Field Wholesale Store.\u00a0 We also saw Hull House. We had both read about Jane Addams and her efforts to help Chicago\u2019s poor and we were interested in seeing her work firsthand.\u00a0 We spent almost an entire day visiting the Zoo.\u00a0 I think Duchess the elephant was my favourite.\u00a0 The roos made me a bit homesick for the Outback.\u00a0 During our three days in Chicago we rode both the street cars and the elevated railroad.\u00a0 I think you can tell I had a marvellous time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William had arranged with our maid, Nancy, to have the house aired and ready for us when we returned on August 25.\u00a0 She\u2019d aired the house and dusted, but neglected to make up the bed, so when we arrived late that evening, feeling rather tired, we had to make up our own bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our cook, Mrs. Matthews, arrived on time the next morning and prepared a hearty breakfast for us.\u00a0 (Like Mama, I prefer tea and toast; Mrs. Matthews was affronted, thinking I didn\u2019t care for her cooking, but I explained I never eat more than toast for breakfast and promised to do justice to the dinner she prepared.)\u00a0 After we finished breakfast and I had my talk with Mrs. Matthews, William told me he was going to show me my wedding gift.\u00a0 (He\u2019d already explained he couldn\u2019t give it to me until we returned home.)\u00a0 He\u2019d bought me a beautiful mahogany bay mare, and I\u2019ve named her Desdemona.\u00a0 She is a Saddlebred and she has the smoothest gait of any horse I\u2019ve ever ridden.\u00a0 William told me that he\u2019d asked Daddy\u2019s advice and that he and A.C. picked Desdemona out for me.\u00a0 We went for a ride and then we returned home to dinner.\u00a0 Mrs. Matthews had prepared sirloin steaks, but they were as tough as shoe leather.\u00a0 I told her as diplomatically as I could that I preferred my beef a little rare.\u00a0 She did not take it well and I was afraid she was going to give her notice, but I was able to soothe her.\u00a0 That wasn\u2019t the first time that I had to explain my preferences, which would cause her to be insulted and then I\u2019d have to calm her down.\u00a0 (These scenes occur much less frequently now, I am happy to report.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After dinner, William went to visit with his colleague, Dr. Bronson, and I began to address my wedding cards.\u00a0 Some of the ones I had looked at in Boston were much too grandiose for my taste; I chose a plain card ornamented only by a silver edge.\u00a0 I had to address cards for each faculty member and his spouse, and in order to keep my handwriting neat, I had to write slowly and carefully.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t quite finished when William returned for supper.\u00a0 We decided the cards could wait until the next day. <\/p>\n The next day I finished the wedding cards and then we did some shopping.\u00a0 (We still needed to buy some rugs and we decided to buy a piano so I can continue playing.)\u00a0 The piano was going to be delivered the next day so we stayed home and unpacked William\u2019s books, which had arrived the previous day while we were shopping.\u00a0 Oh, and we hung our diplomas, side by side, on the wall in the library.\u00a0 After the piano arrived, we went for another ride.\u00a0 We only had one last day to spend together before we had to be at home to receive calls.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I don\u2019t know how calls on newlyweds are done in Nevada, but here in New England it is very formal.\u00a0 Mrs. Alden had already warned me that I must never receive a visitor alone.\u00a0 She also told me that I would be expected to serve wedding cake and wine to my guests, so while we were all visiting Hanover before the wedding, I made arrangements with a bakery to make us a sponge cake with marzipan and white icing and deliver it the first day we were to begin receiving calls.\u00a0 Promptly at 10 o\u2019clock, President and Mrs. Tucker and Professor and Mrs. Smith arrived.\u00a0 (Professor Smith is the Professor of Modern History, which means he is William\u2019s superior.)\u00a0 I was nervous but William told me afterward that I hid it very well.\u00a0 President Tucker congratulated me on earning my degree from Radcliffe.\u00a0 They were all interested in hearing about the wedding and Professor Smith quizzed William on what Daddy told us about his trip west by wagon train.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as they were leaving, Dr. Bronson and his wife arrived.\u00a0 (I had stayed with them on my visit to Hanover in the spring, and it was very nice to see familiar faces.)\u00a0 Lucy Bronson is only a few years my senior, and we had enjoyed each other\u2019s company during my visit.\u00a0 She and her husband are expecting their first child about the same time Beth\u2019s baby is due.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone who visited was kind and friendly, but many of the faculty wives were much older than I.\u00a0 Besides Lucy Bronson, there are two others near my age: Lydia Tompkins and Gertrude Templeton.\u00a0 Lydia Tompkins\u2019 husband is an assistant professor at the Thayer School of Engineering and Gertrude Templeton\u2019s husband is an assistant professor of Medieval History.\u00a0 Lydia and her husband were only married six months ago while Gertrude and her husband have been married for two years and have a little girl who is not quite a year old.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once our days for receiving wedding calls were over, we began to settle into our new routine.\u00a0 Classes began the first week in September, so I am on my own until William returns for luncheon.\u00a0 Every Thursday afternoon, we have tea for William\u2019s students.\u00a0 It feels so strange to be the hostess, pouring all those cups of tea.\u00a0 (Mrs. Matthews is not much of a baker so on those days I have tea cake and petit fours delivered to our house by the bakery.)\u00a0 In addition, Mrs. Matthews makes plenty of bread and butter and cucumber sandwiches but these young men have enormous appetites and we never have any food left over.\u00a0 I was hoping to have cerebral conversations, but I\u2019m afraid I shock them if I try to talk about current events or anything of a serious nature.\u00a0 Even Lucy, Lydia and Gertrude have no interest in talking about anything but their children or the latest fashions.\u00a0 At least William will talk with me about more important topics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m also taking advantage of the Dartmouth Bookstore and doing a lot of reading.\u00a0 And Desdemona and I go for a ride every afternoon unless it\u2019s raining.\u00a0 It seems so strange to have no set schedule each day.\u00a0 I was so used to attending classes and studying afterwards that I feel somewhat at loose ends now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We had been invited to dine several times and last Friday evening we gave our first dinner party.\u00a0 I was so nervous.\u00a0 I talked the menu over with Mrs. Matthews.\u00a0 I suppose I was thinking in terms of the type of dinners Mrs. Alden used to give, but I quickly realized beef bourguignon, duck a l\u2019Orange and coq au vin were beyond her capabilities.\u00a0 We settled on a rib roast and side dishes of cauliflower in cheese sauce and artichokes in butter sauce and pumpkin pie for dessert.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t feel ready to host a large dinner party so we only invited the Bronsons and the Templetons since they are all part of the history department.\u00a0 The dinner went smoothly except the roast was a bit overdone.\u00a0 Afterward I played the piano and we sang.\u00a0 It was a pleasant evening.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I promise I will be a more faithful correspondent in the future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Your loving granddaughter, <\/p>\n P.S. William has reminded me to say hello from him and that he hopes you are in good health.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dr. Martin smiled at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounds as though Miranda and her professor are enjoying marital bliss.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded and then remarked, \u201cShe sounds so much like Liz did, just before her father and I opened the chandlery.\u00a0 Then she had the bookkeeping to keep her busy and before long, Adam was on his way.\u00a0 I hope Miranda will soon be expecting a child.\u00a0 I think she\u2019ll have less interest in current events and such once she has a baby to look after.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and then said, \u201cI think I\u2019ll read Gwyneth\u2019s letter next, and save Adam\u2019s for last.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n September 17, 1898<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Grandpa,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My life since I returned to Cloncurry has veered from overflowing joy to unbearable sadness.\u00a0 The day we arrived in Sydney, Mark and Llywelyn met us at the dock and that evening Mark proposed to me.\u00a0 We are going to be married the first Saturday in February.\u00a0 It will be a very small, private wedding.\u00a0 I had wanted a small reception but Daddy said all the men who work at Cartwright & Davies know us and they know Mark\u2019s family so it wouldn\u2019t be right not to invite them to the reception, and Mama said our neighbours and the Pentreaths\u2019 neighbours should also be invited.\u00a0 It\u2019s beginning to look as though most of Cloncurry will be attending the reception.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The town really grew while I was living in Brisbane.\u00a0 They\u2019ve built several new houses and Daddy, at our request, helped me choose one for Mark and me.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have all my furniture and other things shipped from Brisbane, but they probably won\u2019t arrive until sometime in November.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Aunt Matilda, Mama and I are working on curtains for the house and Beth is hooking some rugs for me.\u00a0 This is the overflowing joy I\u2019ve experienced.\u00a0 The sadness centres on Douglas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh, Grandpa, telling Douglas that I am marrying Mark was even more difficult than I had feared.\u00a0 He really loves me and it hurt so much to see the pain I caused him.\u00a0 If I had no feelings for him, I suppose it wouldn\u2019t hurt as much, but I do care for Douglas.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t met Mark, I would have accepted Douglas\u2019 proposal and I believe we would be happily married.\u00a0 But the love I feel for Mark is stronger than what I feel for Douglas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He took my rejection very badly and began drinking to forget his misery.\u00a0 That lasted for nearly two weeks but now he has left Cloncurry.\u00a0 He wrote me a letter and said Melanie had made him see that he was drinking as a way of punishing me, and he realized that was wrong.\u00a0 He said that he couldn\u2019t bear to see me married to Mark, so he is going to find a new life somewhere else.\u00a0 He ended by writing that I was the love of his life, and even if he couldn\u2019t have me, he would try to live so I would be proud of him. Poor Melanie is also heartbroken.\u00a0 I realize that it\u2019s only in plays or novels that everyone finds his or her true-love.\u00a0 Life is much crueller.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ll close by saying I wish you could be here for my wedding, but I know you\u2019ll be here in spirit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love, <\/p>\n September 5, 1898<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Pa,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mail coach won\u2019t be here again for two weeks, but I thought I\u2019d start a letter to you today and then add on to it before it actually goes out in the mail.\u00a0 We had a pleasant voyage home but I know Tad and Mam were glad their journey had come to an end.\u00a0 Llywelyn and Mark were there to meet us and took care of arranging for hackney cabs and having everyone\u2019s luggage delivered to the appropriate place, which was a great help.\u00a0 Mark asked to speak to me privately.\u00a0 (I\u2019m sure you know why, but that is Gwyneth\u2019s news to share so I won\u2019t write anymore on that topic.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When we arrived at Townsville, we were pleasantly surprised to discover Dafydd waiting to greet us.\u00a0 (Rhys told me later that he convinced the rest of Chapel Bethel to persuade Dafydd it was all right for him to be gone for a few weeks so he could be reunited with Beth and the children.)\u00a0 Elen was overjoyed to see her tada again, but at first Huw didn\u2019t seem to recognize him.\u00a0 Dafydd was very patient and he and Huw were as close as ever by the time we reached Cloncurry.\u00a0 Poor Beth was heartily sick of traveling, and frankly, so were Bronwen and I.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n September 10, 1898<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Penny\u2019s death.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to believe that so many years have passed.\u00a0 I know that she would be just a few months from her eighteenth birthday, but I still see the pretty little girl all dressed up for her sister\u2019s wedding, or the little imp wearing her hand-me-down knickerbockers with her hair stuffed under the cap she\u2019d gotten from Llywelyn.\u00a0 I still miss her so much.\u00a0 We all went to visit her yesterday morning.\u00a0 To Elen and Huw she is the auntie who is in heaven with Jesus, and even A.C. knows her more through the stories Bronwen and I tell him than through his own memories.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t stop my tears when Gwyneth told her how much she wished she could be her maid of honor.\u00a0 How Penny would have loved it!\u00a0 But I must stop; it is too painful for me to write and I know it will be painful for you to read.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stopped then, wiping his tears with his handkerchief and then blowing his nose.\u00a0 \u201cWould you rather I read,\u201d Paul asked gently and Ben nodded, not trusting his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n September 14, 1898<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. and I (along with his friend, Robbie) have been working industriously on our scull.\u00a0 It\u2019s coming along; I actually think I could work faster alone but I am trying to be patient even when they don\u2019t listen to my instructions and end up having to redo a task.\u00a0 A.C., in particular, tends to be too impulsive and doesn\u2019t think things through, as he demonstrated by that little escapade at the shivaree.\u00a0 Sometimes I really worry about that boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben interrupted then and said with a frown, \u201cThat\u2019s just the way he used to talk about Joe when he was young, and I remember all the arguments and fights I had to break up between them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut he and Joe are close now,\u201d Paul said gently.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not really surprised since most men want to see themselves in their sons, but in Adam\u2019s case, it\u2019s Miranda who has inherited his logical, analytical mind and his practicality.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhereas A.C. has his mother\u2019s temperament,\u201d Ben finished.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s interesting that the very qualities he finds endearing in her, should irritate him in A.C.\u00a0 You\u2019re right, of course, about Adam and Joe so I know I shouldn\u2019t worry.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled and said, \u201cLet\u2019s get back to Adam\u2019s letter.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth wrote Mark to let him know that she has selected a house for the two of them.\u00a0 (I had arranged to make Mark a loan so he could afford a down payment.)\u00a0 It\u2019s a small house but not as small as our cabin was.\u00a0 It has two bedrooms plus a kitchen and a parlor and a verandah in the front and back.\u00a0 It\u2019s on a quiet little cul-de-sac not too far from either our house or the parsonage.\u00a0 Since the houses on the street are brand new, only one is occupied, by another young couple with a child. I imagine most of their neighbors will be young couples like themselves.\u00a0 We\u2019re arranging for Gwyneth\u2019s belongings to be transported from Brisbane, but it will take time.\u00a0 Still, she can have everything arranged as she likes before they are ready to move in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n September 18<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The mail coach should arrive tomorrow so I wanted to finish my letter.\u00a0 Douglas did not take the news of Gwyneth\u2019s engagement well.\u00a0 Bronwen and I both told Gwyneth that she was not responsible if Douglas chose to drown his sorrow in alcohol, but you know my quiet girl.\u00a0 She does care for him and it grieved her deeply to know he seemed bent on self-destruction.\u00a0 From what I\u2019ve heard, Gwyneth\u2019s friend, Melanie Andrews, apparently went to the pub\/saloon and confronted Douglas.\u00a0 Whatever she said to him had the effect of sobering him up.\u00a0 However, he has left Cloncurry, which has upset his parents since he was their only son.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t say we had been friends, but they are very cold to us now.\u00a0 I can\u2019t find it in my heart to blame them.\u00a0 I can imagine how I would feel if A.C. left Cloncurry because the girl he loved chose someone else.\u00a0 Perhaps in time, Douglas will return, hopefully with a wife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I only have one other bit of news to relate.\u00a0 Gwyneth\u2019s and Mark\u2019s won\u2019t be the only wedding in our family in 1899.\u00a0 Llywelyn confided in me that he plans on proposing to Miranda\u2019s friend Emma and asked if I would design their house.\u00a0 I told him I\u2019d be happy to and that it would be our wedding gift to them.\u00a0 I think they\u2019ll be happy together.\u00a0 Emma is very serious, just like Miranda, and more reserved whereas you know Llywelyn is more outgoing\u2014rather the reverse of me and Bronwen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That\u2019s all the news I can think of for now.\u00a0 Bronwen and A.C. both send their love.\u00a0 (He\u2019s not much of a letter writer, but I\u2019ll see if I can get him to write you the next time the mail coach will be in town.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Affectionately yours, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben refolded Adam\u2019s letter and placed it back in its envelope.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry for the Campbells, but I\u2019m glad this Douglas has left Cloncurry.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure it\u2019s best for him as well as Gwyneth and Mark.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled a little before adding, \u201cNow, let\u2019s return to our game, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 5<\/strong><\/em> <\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t sleep?\u201d he asked through a yawn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I didn\u2019t mean to wake you.\u00a0 This baby is more restless than I remember Elen or Huw being,\u201d Beth replied with a tired smile.\u00a0 \u201cAt least the rain has stopped for now.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been longing for some sunshine.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just dress Elen and Huw in their oldest clothes and let them play in the mud.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They shared a smile and then he said, \u201cSince it\u2019s not raining I really should go pay some calls, but I hate leaving you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, darling.\u00a0 It\u2019s only the end of November and the baby isn\u2019t due until for another week.\u00a0 Besides, if I do go into labor while you\u2019re gone, then I\u2019ll just go next door and tell Jenna Hughnans.\u00a0 She and I have already worked it all out:\u00a0 Since today is Saturday and there isn\u2019t any school, she\u2019ll send Tegen for Dr. Brooke, Elowen will watch Huw and Elen along with her younger brother and sister, and Jenna will come stay with me until Dr. Brooke gets here.\u00a0 As soon as Tegen gets back from fetching Dr. Brooke, then she\u2019ll go tell Mama.\u201d\u00a0 Beth smiled and said, \u201cSee, there\u2019s nothing for you to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHusbands always worry,\u201d he said with a tender smile.\u00a0 \u201cJust ask Tada<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She frowned a little at that, saying, \u201cPoor Daddy.\u00a0 Mama told me that she thought he suffered more than she did with each birth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dafydd put an arm about her shoulders then.\u00a0 \u201cBut your mam<\/em> gave birth to five healthy babies with no complications and I\u2019m praying that you will take after her.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed a little and said, \u201cI\u2019ll make my calls; I probably won\u2019t be back until supper.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth nodded and then said, \u201cSince I can\u2019t sleep anyway, I\u2019ll fix your breakfast and let you get a little more sleep.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cNo, don\u2019t wanna come inside, Mama,\u201d Elen whined while Huw continued to chase the two little terriers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen Penelope!\u00a0 Huw Adda!\u00a0 You come inside this minute or we\u2019ll have a necessary talk!\u201d Beth called firmly and this time the children reluctantly obeyed.\u00a0 Once they were inside, she helped them both take off their muddy frocks and she discovered Huw\u2019s nappy was wet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, both of you into the tub,\u201d she said firmly.\u00a0 Elen stepped in so Beth handed her a bar of Pears\u2019 soap and Huw used that moment to run away as fast as his chubby little legs would take him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHuw!\u201d Beth exclaimed and waddled after him while Elen began to lather the soap on her hands and arms.\u00a0 A few minutes later Beth returned dragging a pouting Huw.\u00a0 As Beth placed her wriggling little boy in the wooden tub, she felt her second contraction.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m done, Mama,\u201d Elen announced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth, who was trying to wash a screaming Huw said, \u201cWait just a minute and then Mama can help you dry off.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m a big girl.\u00a0 I dry myself,\u201d Elen announced.\u00a0 She got out of the tub carefully and then reached for the towel her mama had draped over a chair.\u00a0 Beth tried to keep one eye on Elen and the other plus both hands on her squirming, crying little boy.\u00a0 Elen decided she was dry enough and reached for her cotton drawers and sat on the kitchen floor to put her feet through the legs.\u00a0 Beth lifted the wet, slippery twenty-one-month old out of the tub just as Nani and Colwyn barked at the backdoor to be let in.\u00a0 Beth was concentrating on drying Huw, who\u2019d stopped crying but not wiggling, and didn\u2019t notice Elen, clad only in her cotton drawers, run to open the door for the two muddy little dogs.\u00a0 She heard the dogs\u2019 excited barking and looked up in time to see them tracking mud all over her clean kitchen floor and run toward the front of the house, where they\u2019d track mud all over the rugs and furniture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNani, Colwyn, sit!\u201d she commanded sharply.\u00a0 The two dogs quivered with excited energy but obeyed.\u00a0 \u201cOh Elen, now your legs are muddy again,\u201d Beth scolded and just then she felt another contraction, stronger than the previous two and both children saw her grimace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She managed to get the two dogs back outside, dried Huw off and put a clean nappy on him before the next contraction.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to go over and see Mrs. Hughnan so you both need to put on your shoes and stockings,\u201d she told the children with a big smile.\u00a0 Elen could put hers on, but still needed help fastening the strap and waited impatiently as Beth finished dressing Huw and laced up his boots.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth\u2019s contractions were increasing in frequency and intensity, but she knew it was probably still hours before the baby would be born.\u00a0 However, she thought it best if she took the children next door now and let Jenna know that she\u2019d need to send for Dr. Brooke later.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was the middle Hughnan daughter, Tegen, who answered their knock.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day, Tegen,\u201d Elen said with a big smile and Huw echoed, \u201cG\u2019day.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cG\u2019day,\u201d Tegen replied, adding, \u201cwon\u2019t you come in?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Beth replied, and just then felt a sudden gush that she knew meant her water had broken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tegan saw the expression on her face and asked anxiously, \u201cAre you all right, Mrs. Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth smiled reassuringly and said, \u201cYes, I\u2019m fine.\u00a0 I would like to speak with your mother, but I think I\u2019ll wait on the verandah.\u201d\u00a0 The girl nodded and went to get her mother while Beth slowly eased herself onto one of the wicker chairs.\u00a0 She\u2019d barely sat when the next contraction hit and it was so strong and so painful, she had to bite her lip to keep from groaning in pain and frightening her children.\u00a0 Jenna Hughnan, a friendly, capable woman ten years Beth\u2019s senior, emerged just in time to see Beth\u2019s grimace of pain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBaby\u2019s on his way, I see,\u201d she commented.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth nodded.\u00a0 \u201cMy water just broke so I think you\u2019d best send Tegen to let Dr. Brooke know I\u2019ll need him later today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you leave Elen and Huw here with Elowen, and I\u2019ll come back to the parsonage with you,\u201d Jenna suggested quietly and Beth agreed with relief.\u00a0 Jenna turned to the two children.\u00a0 \u201cI made pasties today for our dinner.\u00a0 How would you two like to have dinner with Elowen, Jowan and Kerra?\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t that be fun?\u201d\u00a0 Both children nodded eagerly for they\u2019d eaten Mrs. Hughnan\u2019s pasties before and liked them very much.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, you just come with me,\u201d Jenna said cheerily and, smiling at Beth, she shepherded the two little ones inside.\u00a0 In a few minutes she and Tegen returned, just as another powerful contraction brought tears to the young mother\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTegen,\u201d Jenna said quietly, \u201cyou tell Dr. Brooke that I said he should come check on Mrs. Jones now.\u00a0 I think this baby may be coming sooner than she expects.\u201d\u00a0 Tegen nodded and set off for the doctor\u2019s home at a brisk pace.\u00a0 Beth suffered a couple more powerful contractions before they reached the parsonage and Jenna suggested she lie down for a bit, but Beth said that she\u2019d rather walk around the backyard.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That\u2019s how Dr. Brooke found her, and her contractions were now more frequent and more intense.\u00a0 He had her lie down on the bed that Jenna had readied.\u00a0 He took one look and said with a smile, \u201cI can see the baby\u2019s head so I don\u2019t think it will be too much longer.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cI wana see him,\u201d A.C. said excitedly, causing his older sister to roll her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat I need you to do right now,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile, \u201cis go get Elen and Huw.\u00a0 They\u2019re going to stay with us for a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll come with you,\u201d Gwyneth added, seeing the disappointed look on her brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as they were out of earshot, Bronwen turned to Jenna.\u00a0 \u201cThey are both all right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re fine,\u201d Jenna reassured her.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a lovely little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad you were able to be with her,\u201d Bronwen said and Jenna replied, \u201cI\u2019m glad I was, too.\u00a0 This little boy was in a hurry to be born.\u201d\u00a0 She added, \u201cNow that you\u2019re here, I\u2019d better get back home.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cDylan was in a big hurry to be born, just like A.C., except he did at least wait for Dr. Brooke,\u201d Beth said with an answering smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDylan Benjamin Jones.\u00a0 Your grandpa will be so pleased,\u201d Bronwen replied.\u00a0 Just then they heard the front door slam and Elen and Huw could be heard shrieking, \u201cMama!\u201d\u00a0 Dylan screwed up his little face and began to scream.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go quiet them down,\u201d Bronwen said, standing and moving quickly to the door as Beth began rocking her newborn in a soothing motion.\u00a0 A few minutes later after the baby had quieted, Bronwen led Elen and Huw into the room.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s your new baby brother, Dylan,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanted a baby sister,\u201d Elen said petulantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBaby,\u201d Huw said, walking over and staring at the little bundle his mama was holding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Huw bach<\/em>, this is your baby brother,\u201d Beth said with a smile.\u00a0 Just then A.C. and Gwyneth appeared in the doorway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMay we see the baby?\u201d Gwyneth asked quietly and her sister nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStone the crows, he\u2019s awful small,\u201d A.C. said, for once remembering to lower his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s so sweet,\u201d Gwyneth said, putting her finger by his fist and feeling him grip it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth looked at her sister and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThis time next year, you may have a baby of your own,\u201d she said softly and the two sisters shared a tender smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Adam rode up to the stable that evening, he found his two youngest children in the paddock waiting for him, each holding one of his grandchildren.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGuess what, Dad!\u00a0 I got another nephew!\u201d A.C. shouted while at the same time Elen shrieked, \u201cI got a baby brother!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBeth had the baby?\u201d Adam asked in surprise and Gwyneth nodded, putting a wriggling Elen down on the ground and taking her by the hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI knew you\u2019d want to go see them right away, so I went ahead and gave Elen and Huw their dinner.\u201d\u00a0 She added in an undertone, \u201cThey want to sleep with you while Mama\u2019s at Beth\u2019s.\u00a0 Is that all right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He nodded with a grin adding, \u201cJust make sure you put several nappies down for Huw so he doesn\u2019t soak the bed.\u00a0 May I take Artemis?\u201d\u00a0 She nodded so he turned to A.C.\u00a0 \u201cCan you take care of Mercury for me, son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d the boy replied, handing Huw to Adam and taking the reins.\u00a0 Now that the horse was gone, Gwyneth let go of the little girl\u2019s hand and Adam bent down to scoop her up in his arms as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He kissed each in turn and asked \u201cHave you been good for Auntie Gwyneth?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe good,\u201d Huw announced firmly with a big grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was good,\u201d Elen replied, looking at her tall aunt for confirmation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, you were both good,\u201d Gwyneth replied.\u00a0 \u201cNow, let\u2019s go back up to the house.\u00a0 Pa-pa wants to go see your mama and your new brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s my tada<\/em>?\u201d Elen asked anxiously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll come back with me to see you, don\u2019t you worry,\u201d Adam replied, as he set the children down and then headed for the barn to saddle Artemis. <\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to hold him?\u2019 she asked and Adam held out his arms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful, Princess,\u201d he said, smiling at the tiny infant.\u00a0 \u201cYour mama told me Dylan here was in just as big a hurry to arrive as your brother was.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth replied with a smile, \u201cWell, at least he waited for Dr. Brooke.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure if Jenna Hughnan was ready to act as a midwife.\u201d\u00a0 Her father said a silent prayer of thanks that his beloved daughter had survived the ordeal and given him another precious grandson to love.\u00a0 Just then Dafydd burst into the room.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBethan, Anwyld<\/em>,\u201d he said, moving past Adam to sit on the bed and take his wife\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have another son, darling,\u201d she said softly before he leaned over to kiss her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When they broke apart, Adam said, \u201cReverend Dafydd Jones, allow me to present Master Dylan Benjamin Jones,\u201d and he placed the baby into the proud father\u2019s open arms. <\/p>\n \u201cDid we get any mail from Queensland?\u201d Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure did,\u201d Joe replied with a grin as he brought forth with a flourish the package he\u2019d kept hidden from his father\u2019s view.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll bet Adam\u2019s sent some photographs along with a letter,\u201d he added as he handed the package to his pa and leaned forward over the back of his chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben ripped through the paper and then Joe helped him pry open the small wooden crate stuffed with excelsior and extract a fat letter, a framed photograph and a small photograph album.\u00a0 Ben held up the framed photograph first.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGwyneth sure is a beautiful bride,\u201d Joe commented as he gazed at his youngest niece\u2019s tall, slender figure, dressed in white, standing next to her groom in his black morning coat and striped grey trousers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIndeed she is,\u201d Ben said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I could have been there to see her take her vows.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Joe said, putting his hand on his pa\u2019s shoulder and giving it a comforting squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cBut seeing the photograph is the next best thing.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at it again and remarked, \u201cI think Mark is about the happiest bridegroom I\u2019ve ever seen, but he waited a long time for this day.\u00a0 I remember Beth writing us that she thought he was in love with Gwyneth back before her own wedding.\u201d\u00a0 He paused, letting Ben gaze at the photograph of his granddaughter and her new husband before suggesting, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we look at the album?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded and they opened the album to see a photograph of the bride and groom and their parents.\u00a0 \u201cBronwen looks so tiny standing between Gwyneth and Adam,\u201d Joe said with an enormous grin and Ben had to chuckle his agreement.\u00a0 They turned the page and saw Beth and A.C. standing by Adam and Bronwen, and two dark-haired young women standing by Mark\u2019s parents that they assumed must be his sisters.\u00a0 The next photograph was of Dafydd, Beth and their three children.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cElen and Huw have grown so much since we saw them and that\u2019s only been about seven months,\u201d Ben commented wistfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C. has grown, too,\u201d Joe said, turning back to the previous page.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s taller than Beth now.\u201d\u00a0 He wondered how much his own children would have grown when he saw them again in three months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The remainder of the album contained individual photographs.\u00a0 There was one of A.C. standing by the completed scull; Elen was photographed proudly sitting on Sport, for she had received A.C.\u2019s pony for her fourth birthday; and Adam had photographed Huw smiling at his baby brother who was sleeping in his cradle.\u00a0 The final photograph was of Gwyneth in her wedding dress and veil, looking breathtakingly lovely.\u00a0 Ben studied each photograph carefully before turning to his son and saying, \u201cLet\u2019s read what Adam has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe took the letter from his father and began to read aloud.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n February 11, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Pa and Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today has been a bittersweet one because it is the day I gave away the last of my girls.\u00a0 It seems like only yesterday that my four little girls were living here\u2014laughing, fighting and playing.\u00a0 I can so vividly remember the mornings when all four of them would gather in our bed and ask me to tell them a story.\u00a0 Then for three short but wonderful years, all five of our children were with us.\u00a0 Now we only have A.C., and in seven years, he\u2019ll be heading off to school and it will be just Bronwen and me.\u00a0 That will seem very strange.\u00a0 We will be married twenty-five years this May, and yet, except for the first nine months, it\u2019s never been just the two of us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today was a typical one for February.\u00a0 We\u2019ve had heavy rains for the past two days, so Mark, Llywelyn, and the Joneses all brought their wedding finery and dressed here.\u00a0 The other guests arrived wearing mackintoshes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ceremony was private just as Gwyneth and Mark wished.\u00a0 Mark\u2019s parents and his two sisters attended.\u00a0 His older sister (who is younger than Gwyneth) is married and has two stepchildren as well as two of her own, and of course her family was there.\u00a0 His younger sister is engaged and so her finance attended.\u00a0 Emma Lawrence, who is now officially engaged to Llywelyn, was invited and came with Rhys and Matilda.\u00a0 Naturally, we all wished that both of you and Tad and Mam could have been with us, but we knew you were there in spirit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Llywelyn was Mark\u2019s best man and Beth her sister\u2019s matron of honor.\u00a0 Dafydd performed the ceremony and so Bronwen and I were in charge of Elen, Huw and Dylan, who thankfully slept through the entire ceremony; I had nightmares of his waking and the ceremony stopping while Beth nursed him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe started laughing at that mental picture and even Ben couldn\u2019t help chuckling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you can see from the photographs, Gwyneth was a beautiful bride.\u00a0 She and Mark had waited a long time for this day and they were both radiant.\u00a0 Mark actually wept at the sight of Gwyneth in her wedding gown coming down the stairs on my arm.\u00a0 Just as with Dafydd and William, I know he will love and cherish my precious daughter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As bittersweet as the moment has been every time I\u2019ve had to answer the question, \u201cWho giveth this woman to be married to this man?\u201d\u00a0 I still wish I could have answered it one more time.\u00a0 On a special day such as this, Penny is in our thoughts and hearts more than ever.\u00a0 Just as she\u2019d done for Miranda on her wedding day, Bronwen let Gwyneth borrow the locket I gave her that has a lock of Penny\u2019s hair and her picture, so she could feel Penny was with her on her special day.\u00a0 Gwyneth and Penny were always so close and I\u2019m sure Penny would have been Gwyneth\u2019s maid of honor.\u00a0 Bronwen told me afterward she could see how much it meant to Gwyneth to think her baby sister was still part of the happiest day of her life.\u00a0 Bronwen said she and Gwyneth and Beth were crying and only able to stop when Beth told them to imagine how Penny would scold them for making their eyes and noses all red and puffy when they should be looking their very best.\u00a0 (I could picture that scene so vividly myself.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had to stop reading then and blink back the tears that threatened to run down his cheeks at the grief so evident in his brother\u2019s words.\u00a0 He glanced at his pa, and saw he was weeping unashamedly.\u00a0 Ben reached for Joe\u2019s hand and squeezed it.\u00a0 After a moment, Joe looked at his pa, who nodded his head for Joe to continue reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because of the heavy rain, I hadn\u2019t thought many people would come to the reception, but our verandah was covered with mackintoshes and umbrellas.\u00a0 Nearly everyone from Cartwright & Davies was there along with most of our neighbors and the Pentreaths\u2019 neighbors.\u00a0 Fortunately, Bronwen and Mary had prepared plenty of food.\u00a0 The rain stopped about the time the cake was cut, but of course it was wet and muddy outside, so we shoved the drawing room furniture up against the walls to make a small dance floor.\u00a0 Gwyneth and I waltzed about the room but all too soon I had to give her to Mark.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now the newlyweds are in their own little home and tomorrow morning it will just be the three of us gathered around the breakfast table, just like it was when Gwyneth was living in Brisbane.\u00a0 At least tomorrow Beth, Dafydd and the children have promised to have dinner with us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s getting late so I\u2019d better close.\u00a0 Bronwen sends her love.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Affectionately yours, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know what he means about the empty places around the table,\u201d Joe said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cNot just Benj and Sarah and \uf0bc .\u201d\u00a0 He stopped himself from mentioning Annabelle\u2019s name.\u00a0 \u201cI still come down in the morning, expecting to see Adam and Hoss sitting at the table in their old places.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo do I,\u201d Ben said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI think often of the days when all three of my boys were here with me, and of the happy years we all spent in the old cabin when your mother was alive, the days on the trail with Inger, Adam and baby Hoss, and the years I spent traveling with Adam.\u00a0 Finally, I think of those few brief months I had with Liz.\u00a0 So many happy times.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like you say, Pa.\u00a0 Memories are always there when you need them most,\u201d Joe stated softly and the two men shared a loving smile tinged with sadness. <\/p>\n \u201cWill you ride with me, Auntie Gwyneth?\u201d Elen asked, for she loved to ride her pony but her mama and tada<\/em> were usually too busy to ride with her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s all right with your mama,\u201d Gwyneth replied, looking questioningly at her sister.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right with me,\u201d Beth stated with a heartfelt smile, for Elen had been whiny and difficult all morning.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMe ride?\u201d Huw asked, smiling beguilingly at his tall aunt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo right!\u201d she replied, reaching down to tweak his upturned little nose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Auntie Gwyneth and I need to talk first,\u201d Beth said firmly.\u00a0 \u201cYou may each have one ginger biscuit while we talk.\u201d\u00a0 She turned to Gwyneth.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t mind eating in the kitchen do you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019d be eating at my house,\u201d Gwyneth replied, sharing a smile with her oldest sister.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once they were gathered around the nicked and scarred kitchen table and the children were occupied with their biscuits, Beth said, \u201cMama and Daddy\u2019s twenty-fifth anniversary is less than a month away.\u00a0 I know that we all went together to buy them the silver tea service that Miranda and William picked out, but I don\u2019t think that is enough. I think we should plan something special.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d Gwyneth asked, nibbling on a biscuit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I thought about a party where we would invite everyone who works for Daddy and Uncle Rhys and their families and all the neighbors and everyone from church.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of people to feed,\u201d Gwyneth commented apprehensively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know but I wrote Grandpa and told him what kind of party we wanted and asked him how he barbecues a steer and he wrote back with directions.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure that Mr. and Mrs. Dawson would be happy to contribute a steer and I think Mr. Graham would butcher it for us.\u00a0 You and I can make some side dishes and we can make a cake\u2014tiered like Miranda\u2019s wedding cake.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like you\u2019ve been giving this a lot of thought,\u201d Gwyneth said slowly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI have.\u00a0 I think twenty-five years together is something to celebrate.\u00a0 When I first married Dafydd, I never realized how much effort it would take to make our marriage work.\u00a0 The best advice Mama gave me was to make sure we kept some part of the day just for the two of us.\u00a0 It\u2019s not easy now with three children, but I realize why she said it was so important.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As soon as her mama finished speaking, Elen said quickly, \u201cI\u2019m done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll go riding as soon as Huw finishes his biscuit,\u201d Gwyneth agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t eat so fast that you choke, Huw,\u201d Beth cautioned, seeing him start to take a bite that was much too big.\u00a0 Then she turned to her sister and commented, \u201cAccording to what Miranda wrote in her last letter, her in-laws should be visiting them now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gwyneth nodded then said with a slight shudder.\u00a0 \u201cImagine having to be around Mrs. Gordon for a fortnight.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad Mam<\/em> and I get along so well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou are very lucky in your mother-in-law,\u201d Beth replied, \u201cbut I feel sorry for Mrs. Gordon.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMiranda says she keeps asking William if she\u2019s with child yet.\u00a0 I can tell Miranda is worried that she hasn\u2019t conceived, and Mrs. Gordon isn\u2019t helping.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Beth replied.\u00a0 \u201cI wrote her that she shouldn\u2019t worry yet.\u00a0 I was married for eight months before I conceived Elen.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping that the next time she writes, she\u2019ll tell us that she is expecting.\u00a0 However,\u201d and she shook her head slightly, \u201cfrom what she\u2019s written, I\u2019m afraid her mother-in-law problems are only going to get worse once she and William have a child.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Gwyneth agreed.\u00a0 \u201cShe wrote that Mrs. Gordon says that she\u2019ll find them an excellent nursemaid.\u00a0 It sounds as though Miranda won\u2019t be expected to spend much time with her own baby.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just then Huw announced that he was finished.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, let\u2019s go help Elen saddle Sport and then the three of us can go for a ride,\u201d Gwyneth replied, lifting Huw up high as he giggled.\u00a0 She set him on his feet and the two children ran out the door leaving their mother and aunt exchanging grins.\u00a0 \u201cYou can take them for as long a ride as you\u2019d like,\u201d Beth added.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to put Dylan in his crib and get caught up on my ironing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt will be a nice long ride,\u201d Gwyneth promised with a dimpled grin. <\/p>\n \u201cTwenty-five years!\u201d A.C. exclaimed in disbelief.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour sister is twenty-four and your mama and I got married a year earlier.\u00a0 You needn\u2019t make it sound as though we\u2019re as old as Methuselah,\u201d Adam replied, reaching over and lightly punching his son\u2019s arm while Elen and Huw both giggled at the strange-sounding name.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGwyneth and I thought we should have a big party to celebrate,\u201d Beth inserted, \u201cbut we wanted to check with you first.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA big party sounds fine to me,\u201d Adam replied with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you, Sweetheart?\u201d he asked, turning to Bronwen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds lovely, but I don\u2019t want you girls exhausting yourselves,\u201d Bronwen said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t, Mama,\u201d Gwyneth said earnestly and Beth nodded.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me?\u201d\u00a0 A.C. asked.\u00a0 \u201cI want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019ll be plenty for you and Dafydd and Mark to do; don\u2019t worry,\u201d Beth promised with a wink. <\/p>\n The Cartwrights\u2019 yard soon filled with guests.\u00a0 Once everyone had eaten their fill of beef, Dafydd and Mark proudly brought out the four-tier cake that Beth had decorated with pink sugar roses while A.C. and Llywelyn carried out the punch bowl filled with Ben Cartwright\u2019s famous punch.\u00a0 Once Adam could see everyone had a glass of punch, he put one arm around Bronwen, drawing her close, and with the other he lifted his glass and began to speak.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTwenty-five years ago, my ship docked at Sydney\u2019s harbor.\u00a0 I was planning to spend a few weeks visiting this continent before sailing to China and India.\u00a0 My very first day exploring Sydney, I barreled into this delicate little woman, who was carrying a stack of books almost as tall as she was.\u00a0 Little did I know then that that encounter would be the most important one of my entire life.\u00a0 Since I was raised a gentleman, I offered to help her carry her books home, and as we walked together, discussing our favorite authors and books, she stole my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course, being what my younger brother calls a \u2018Yankee Granite head,\u2019 I didn\u2019t immediately realize that, to paraphrase Sir Philip Sydney, \u2018My true-love had my heart and I had hers\u2019.\u00a0 However, once it finally got through my thick skull how much I loved her, I didn\u2019t hesitate to ask her to do me the very great honor of becoming my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThroughout these past twenty-five years, Bronwen and I have shared our joys and our sorrows.\u00a0 I brought her far from the comforts of life in a big city to face the hardships of life in a little mining town in the outback, but she never complained and rose to meet every challenge.\u00a0 She created a warm and loving home for our family and has been a beautiful example to our daughters of a virtuous woman whose price is far above rubies.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He lifted his glass high then, saying, \u201cLadies and gentlemen, family and friends, please join me in raising your glass to toast my lovely bride of twenty-five years, Bronwen Marged Davies Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everyone raised their glasses (Elen and Huw had been given glasses of water so they mimicked the adults) and toasted Bronwen.\u00a0 Then Rhys lifted his glass, saying, \u201cIt was twenty-five years ago, while I was visiting my parents in Sydney, that my mam<\/em> told me we were having a guest for dinner\u2014this American who\u2019d walked into my little sister and then carried her library books home for her.\u00a0 I could tell by my sister\u2019s blushes that this bloke had made quite an impression, and that had me curious, and a bit anxious.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want some foreigner coming along and breaking my sister\u2019s heart.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAlmost as soon as I met Adam Cartwright, I knew he wasn\u2019t that kind of man, and it was easy to see the rapport between him and Bronwen.\u00a0 I liked him, and it was clear to me that my little sister more than liked him\u2014she was head over heels in love with him!\u00a0 He was harder to read, and he was quite firm about his intention to return home to the States, so I was afraid my sister was going to be hurt.\u00a0 I was delighted when I received the news that he\u2019d asked Bronwen to marry him, and honored when he asked me to be his best man.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been business partners and brothers-in-law for twenty-five years now, but, Adam,\u201d Rhys said, speaking to him directly, \u201cI don\u2019t look on you as merely a business partner or brother-in-law.\u00a0 You are my friend and as much my brother as the one my mother bore me.\u201d\u00a0 He lifted his glass high, saying, \u201cA toast to the finest man I\u2019ve ever had the privilege of knowing, Adam Stoddard Cartwright.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cIf I hadn\u2019t met you, I\u2019d be a forlorn spinster wondering why I was never lucky enough to meet my true-love,\u201d she whispered, softly caressing his cheek with the back of her hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They shared a smile and she snuggled closer, resting her head on his chest, as he absently played with her silvery white tresses.\u00a0 After a moment he spoke again.\u00a0 \u201cBut we did find each other and we\u2019ve made a marriage of true minds.\u201d\u00a0 She lifted her face toward his then for one final kiss before they drifted to sleep in each other\u2019s arms. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming,\u201d Miranda called back, trying to keep a tremor of excitement from her voice.\u00a0 Her monthly flux should have begun a week ago, but there was still no sign of it.\u00a0 Maybe, just maybe, her prayers had been answered and she was finally with child.\u00a0 She wouldn\u2019t say anything to William until she was certain because she\u2019d gotten her hopes up before but discovered she was only late.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t wanted to conceive as quickly as her mother and have everyone counting the months, but she never realized that she\u2019d be married for eleven months and still not be with child.\u00a0 And it certainly wasn\u2019t from lack of trying\u2014or at least that was true until William\u2019s parents had come for a visit in April.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mrs. Gordon had made snide remarks about the cleanliness of the house and had poor Nancy in tears, terrified that she\u2019d lose her position; she complained about Mrs. Matthews\u2019 cooking until she had threatened to turn in her notice and it was only with difficulty Miranda had calmed her down and convinced her that she and William were satisfied with her culinary skills.\u00a0 (Miranda had finally trained her not to overcook the meat and she wasn\u2019t convinced she would find a better cook in Hanover so she didn\u2019t want to lose one who was beginning to learn to prepare their favorite dishes.)\u00a0 Moreover, the knowledge that his parents were across the hall had definitely put a damper on William\u2019s ardor.\u00a0 However, once they\u2019d returned to Wilmington, William had been eager to make up for his earlier neglect.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now, she and William were on their way to the Ponderosa to spend the month of July visiting Grandpa and Uncle Joe.\u00a0 Aunt Annabelle had agreed that Benj and Sarah should continue to spend their summer vacation with their father, so it would be family reunion of sorts. <\/p>\n \u201cI can hardly wait to see Miranda, again, Grandpa,\u201d Sarah said as she and Ben sat side by side behind her father and brother in the surrey.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, of course, William.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI feel the same, Sugar,\u201d Ben replied, reaching over and patting her hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping she\u2019d have a baby and she\u2019d let me help take care of it,\u201d Sarah continued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSome people have babies soon after they marry and others are married for some time before they have one,\u201d Ben said calmly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benj had been eavesdropping and now spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cSome people don\u2019t have children.\u00a0 Like Mr. and Mrs. Finley.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben added quickly, \u201cI think it would be best that we don\u2019t talk about babies around Miranda and William.\u00a0 All right?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Benj replied and Sarah nodded <\/p>\n After Miranda had hugged and kissed him and William had shaken his hand, Ben looked them both over and said with a broad smile, \u201cMarried life seems to agree with you both.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes indeed,\u201d William replied with a grin, \u201cthe state of matrimony has much to recommend it,\u201d and he put his arm around Miranda\u2019s shoulders and drew her close.\u00a0 Ben smiled at them, rejoicing in their obvious love for one another. <\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to go fishing today,\u201d Benj grumbled while Sarah whined, \u201cI was going to ride to the Lightly place and visit Melissa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll have to think of something else to do,\u201d Joe snapped.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you two put the tack room in order?\u00a0 If you find anything that needs to be mended, bring it to your grandpa and he\u2019ll show you how.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to his niece then and asked, \u201cWould you mind working on the books, Miranda?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll catch up on my correspondence and we can share the desk,\u201d William suggested with a smile so Miranda acquiesced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCould you pass me the last biscuit, please, Dear?\u201d she asked William.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Joe, are there any more scrambled eggs left?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUh, sure, there are a few,\u201d Joe said, looking a bit startled, as he passed the dish to her.\u00a0 Although,<\/em> he thought, her appetite certainly seems to have improved since she\u2019s been married.\u00a0 I remember when she used to only eat tea and toast for breakfast.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThere are some fried potatoes left, too,\u201d Benj said but Miranda said quickly, \u201cNo, thank you,\u201d and then began slathering her biscuit with butter and blackberry jam while her uncle and grandpa exchanged amused glances and William looked a bit puzzled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they walked together to Ben\u2019s massive partner\u2019s desk, he said in a low voice, \u201cYou\u2019re going to get fat if you keep eating so much, Dearest.\u00a0 Of course, you seem to be getting plumper in the right places, so I won\u2019t complain.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d she said an indignant but low voice<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI mean that your breasts seem a little larger since we\u2019ve been here and you\u2019ve been eating larger meals.\u00a0 I liked them fine before, but now there\u2019s just a bit more to like,\u201d he added with a wink and her cheeks grew pink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That\u2019s another of the symptoms Mama and Beth told me about<\/em>, she thought.\u00a0 Oh, I have to find a way for the two of us to be alone so I can tell William the wonderful news.<\/em> <\/p>\n \u201cDancing?\u201d Benj said, sounding horrified.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re what\u2014fifteen now?\u201d Miranda asked, and Benj nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell then, it\u2019s high time you learned to dance.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be escorting young ladies to balls before you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll be happy to teach you, Sarah,\u201d William offered with a smile and she nodded eagerly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut we don\u2019t have any music,\u201d Benj objected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be happy to hum a tune for you to dance to,\u201d Ben said with a big grin.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll just need to move the furniture and the rug out of the way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When that had been accomplished, William suggested they start with a polka.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s very easy to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once Benj got over feeling self-conscious, he proved to be a graceful dancer and Sarah was having a marvelous time whirling around the room in William\u2019s arms.\u00a0 He and Miranda taught the two youngsters the polka and the waltz.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, let Miranda and I demonstrate some more modern dances,\u201d William said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid we\u2019ll have to provide our own music, sir.\u201d\u00a0 He held out his hand to Miranda and said, \u201cShall we start with the Cakewalk?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With Miranda humming a ragtime tune, she and William demonstrated the popular dance.\u00a0 Benj and Sarah enjoyed it while Ben had reservations.\u00a0 However, as the young couple danced a tango, Ben was frankly horrified.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you mean to tell me unmarried men and women dance like that?\u201d he exclaimed in a tone that left no doubt as to the depth of his outrage.\u00a0 \u201cDid you dance that way before you were married?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very popular dance, Grandpa,\u201d Miranda said, adopting what she hoped was a soothing tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo I take it that the answer to my question is, yes, you did dance it before you were married,\u201d Ben stated with a ferocious scowl.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe were always with a group of people, sir,\u201d William added hastily.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we danced the polka and the waltz more often.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head and then looked at his younger granddaughter and said sternly, \u201cI hope you will not dance the tango until you are married.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t if you don\u2019t want me to, Grandpa,\u201d Sarah replied, although privately she thought the dance looked very romantic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we do something less energetic?\u201d William suggested.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe play Hearts?\u201d and the other three quickly agreed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They were having a good time playing cards but as the afternoon wore on, Miranda began to feel nauseous, just as she had for the past several days.\u00a0 Today was different though; the feeling grew so strong that she had to jump up from the table and run out the front door.\u00a0 William found her at the end of the porch, on her knees, retching.\u00a0 He knelt beside her, placing his arm around her trembling shoulders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When she was able to stop, he handed her his handkerchief to wipe her mouth, and said in a worried tone, \u201cI am going to town for Dr. Pascoe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t need to do that,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0 He started to protest but she overrode him saying firmly, \u201cI know what\u2019s wrong.\u201d\u00a0 He looked puzzled so she smiled and said, \u201cThis is not how I planned to tell you, but I\u2019m with child.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She saw his face light up, just as if she had thrown one of the new-fangled electric light switches.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d she replied, throwing her arms about him and hugging him tightly.\u00a0 \u201cI believe the baby should be born around the end of December or beginning of January.\u00a0 I hope January so he or she can be born in a brand-new century,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just then Ben came walking slowly toward them.\u00a0 \u201cAre you all right, Dear?\u201d he asked in an anxious tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she said, smiling radiantly at him, and William, who was grinning from ear to ear, added, \u201cYou can congratulate us, sir; we\u2019re having a baby!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBoth of you?\u201d Ben asked with a twinkle in his eye and William blushed.\u00a0 \u201cI am so happy for you,\u201d he added, hugging Miranda and then thumping William on the back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just then Sarah came to the door.\u00a0 \u201cIs Miranda all right?\u201d she asked apprehensively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Sarah,\u201d Miranda answered.\u00a0 \u201cI just felt a bit ill, but that happens sometimes when a woman is expecting a child.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re going to have a baby!\u201d Sarah squealed.\u00a0 \u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot for some time,\u201d Miranda replied with a laugh.\u00a0 \u201cMy baby will probably be born around Christmas or New Year\u2019s.\u201d\u00a0 Seeing her young cousin\u2019s dejected expression she added, \u201cPerhaps you and your mother could come visit us after the baby is born.\u00a0 After all, it doesn\u2019t take long to travel from Boston to Hanover by train.\u00a0 And we\u2019ll bring the baby here next summer to visit.\u201d\u00a0 Then she looked at William.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t we, Dear?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u00a0 He or she will be half a Cartwright, so he or she should get to know the Ponderosa.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at Ben and then exclaimed, \u201cWe\u2019ve got to write our parents and share the news with them!\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cGot a package here for the Gordons and the Cartwrights,\u201d he said with a wide grin and twinkling brown eyes.\u00a0 \u201cCame all the way from Queensland.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMaybe there\u2019ll be news about Gwyneth,\u201d Miranda said.\u00a0 \u201cWouldn\u2019t it be wonderful if she is also with child?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe won\u2019t know until we open the package,\u201d William said with just a hint of a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they dug through the excelsior, they found two identical framed pictures of Adam and Bronwen surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and sons-in-law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bet this photograph was taken to commemorate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary,\u201d Ben said, and he smiled warmly as he gazed at the happy family, although there was just a touch of wistfulness in his eyes since he would have liked to have been there to share in Adam and Bronwen\u2019s happiness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda dug a little deeper and found another framed photograph and showed it to William.\u00a0 \u201cThis is my cousin, Llywelyn, and his bride, Emma, and that\u2019s my Uncle Rhys and Aunt Matilda.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMay I see it?\u201d Ben asked and Miranda passed it to him.\u00a0 \u201cI was able to meet Rhys, Matilda and Llywelyn when we all traveled to Cloncurry for Beth and Dafydd\u2019s wedding,\u201d he explained to William.\u00a0 \u201cLlywelyn wasn\u2019t much more than a boy then, but I see he\u2019s become a fine young man.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEmma and I were best friends growing up,\u201d Miranda added.\u00a0 \u201cI never would have guessed she and Llywelyn would fall in love and get married, but they look very happy and very much in love in this photograph.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour father wrote Joe and me that he designed a house for Llywelyn and Emma.\u00a0 I think he was touched that your cousin asked him,\u201d Ben commented.\u00a0 Then he asked, \u201cIsn\u2019t there a letter in the crate?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure there is,\u201d Miranda replied and began digging through the excelsior.\u00a0 \u201cHere\u2019s one from Daddy, one from A.C. and one from Gwyneth,\u201d she declared, holding them up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNone from Beth?\u201d Ben asked and his disappointment was obvious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s so busy with three little ones that she\u2019s told me that it\u2019s hard for her to find time to write,\u201d Miranda replied, apologizing for her older sister.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d Ben said, \u201cand I\u2019m sure you\u2019re father will tell us all about Elen, Huw and Dylan.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we read A.C.\u2019s and Gwyneth\u2019s letters now, and then save Daddy\u2019s until tonight when everyone can hear it?\u201d Miranda suggested and Ben nodded his agreement.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll start with A.C.\u2019s,\u201d Miranda said, carefully opening the envelope.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n June 11, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Grandpa, Uncle Joe, Miranda, William, Benj and Sarah,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hope you are all having fun on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I wish I could be there, too, except I\u2019d miss Mama and Dad and Elen and Huw and Dylan and Beth and Dafydd and Gwyneth and Mark and Llywelyn and Lady and Duchess and Bucephalas.\u00a0 Stone the crows!\u00a0 I guess I\u2019d miss lots of people and animals if I was gone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Llywelyn and Emma got married yesterday.\u00a0 Mark was the best man but I stood up with Llywelyn too.\u00a0 (I just asked Dad and he said I was a groomsman.)\u00a0 Gwyneth was Emma\u2019s matrun of honour and Miss Andrews was a bridesmaid.\u00a0 They had fruitcake for their wedding cake.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda stopped then to explain to Ben, \u201cA.C. was very disappointed that William and I had a sponge cake for our wedding cake,\u201d and the three shared a smile before she continued reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \uf0bc Miss Andrews caught Emma\u2019s flowers, but when someone said she\u2019d be the next to get married, she looked like she was going to cry.\u00a0 I heard Mama and Aunt Matilda talking and they said Miss Andrews loves Douglas, but he\u2019s gone and they don\u2019t think he\u2019s coming back since Gwyneth married Mark and that makes Miss Andrews sad.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now Llywelyn and Emma are on their way to Brisbane.\u00a0 They are going to stay there for two weeks and then come back home.\u00a0 I asked Mama and Dad why they went away cause Beth and Dafydd didn\u2019t go away and neither did Gwyneth and Mark.\u00a0 Mama said that she and Dad went to Melbourne for a visit right after they got married.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We had a big party for Mama and Dad because they\u2019ve been married for 25 years.\u00a0 Just about everybody in Cloncurry came.\u00a0 We all gave Mama and Dad a silver tea set because Beth said this is their silver anniversary.\u00a0 Oh, I guess Miranda and William knew about the tea set cause Beth told me you helped to buy it.\u00a0 Mama and Dad really liked it.\u00a0 Mama even cried a little when we gave it to them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dylan can smile now and he crawls.\u00a0 I wish he\u2019d start walking and talking, but Mama and Beth say that he\u2019s too little.\u00a0 It sure takes babies a long time to grow.\u00a0 Elen really likes riding Sport.\u00a0 Huw likes to ride too.\u00a0 I would let him ride with me but Mama and Beth say no.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think that\u2019s fair since Gwyneth can take him for a ride.\u00a0 Mama says I may be almost as tall as Gwyneth, but I am not old enough to be responsible for Huw.\u00a0 Stone the crows!\u00a0 I\u2019m almost twelve.\u00a0 How old do you have to be?\u00a0 I know that Dad got to do lots of things when he was twelve.\u00a0 Huw asked Robbie and me to cut his hair, but when we did, Mama and Beth got really angry and Dad and I had a necessary talk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that the rainy season is over, Dad and Robbie and I go sculling every Sunday afternoon.\u00a0 Robbie and I wanted to go after school by ourselves but Mama and Dad and Robbie\u2019s parents all say we are absolutely forbidden and if we do, then we\u2019ll never be able to go sculling again.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think that\u2019s fair either<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mama says I should tell you that I am at the top of my class.\u00a0 Robbie says it\u2019s not fair that he works lots harder and I still make better marks.\u00a0 I guess he\u2019s right.\u00a0 How come there are so many unfair things?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA.C. is quite a philosopher,\u201d William remarked with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo bad we don\u2019t have an answer for him,\u201d Miranda said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see what your sister has to say,\u201d Ben suggested and, with a smile, Miranda opened Gwyneth\u2019s letter and began to read. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Family,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Llywelyn and Emma have left on their honeymoon; Mama, Aunt Matilda and I have finished helping Mrs. Lawrence and Rose clean up after the reception; Daddy, who is minding Dylan, Uncle Rhys, and Mr. Lawrence are sitting on the veranda talking.\u00a0 A.C. and Robbie decided to go for ride.\u00a0 Elen wanted to go as well and that meant Huw wanted to go, so Mark offered to ride Artemis and take Huw with him.\u00a0 With Daddy watching Dylan, Beth and Dafydd have a chance to spend some time together, which Beth says doesn\u2019t happen nearly enough.\u00a0 As eager as I am to have a child, I have to admit I am reluctant to give up this time when Mark and I are alone\u2014we don\u2019t have to divide our time and affection with our children.\u00a0 I love Elen, Huw and Dylan, but I can see how exhausting taking care of them is.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how Mama managed with two babies not even a year apart and then not even two and a half years later I came along, followed three years later by Penny.\u00a0 It must have been almost impossible for Daddy and her to have any time alone together.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In spite of what I just wrote, I will be happy when I know that I am carrying Mark\u2019s child.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As I mentioned, poor Beth has very little free time so I\u2019ll write you about Elen, Huw and Dylan.\u00a0 I\u2019ll start with Dylan.\u00a0 His dark baby hair is all gone now and he is growing curly black hair like Daddy\u2019s and mine.\u00a0 (Beth is pleased, but she wishes it was Elen who\u2019d inherited Daddy\u2019s curls.)\u00a0 Dylan seems smaller than Elen or Huw were at the same age but he\u2019s more active.\u00a0 He\u2019s already crawling everywhere, and Beth said Elen and Huw were both in their seventh month when they began.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Huw is such a sweet little boy, but he has inherited his share of what Mama calls \u201cthe Cartwright stubborn streak.\u201d\u00a0 (Daddy always shakes his head and says she\u2019s mistaken; it\u2019s the \u201cDavies stubborn streak.\u201d)\u00a0 Anyway, now that he\u2019s turned two, his stubborn streak is more in evidence.\u00a0 (Mama said she noticed we all seemed more stubborn at age two.)\u00a0 But back to Huw.\u00a0 His stubborn streak is coming out over how he dresses.\u00a0 He wants to dress like Uncle A.C. and does not want to wear the little smocked frocks Beth sews for him.\u00a0 He talked A.C. and Robbie into cutting his hair. I thought Beth was going to commit fratricide when she saw the results.\u00a0 (Daddy thought it was funny and said he didn\u2019t blame Huw; of course, he didn\u2019t say this in A.C.\u2019s hearing, and A.C. was suitably punished.)\u00a0 Now that Huw\u2019s hair has been cut so short, Beth has told him that if he can learn to go to the outhouse and not have any accidents, then she will make him a pair of knickerbockers like boys wear.\u00a0 The bribe seems to be working although he hasn\u2019t quite earned the knickerbockers yet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miranda interrupted her reading then to exclaim, \u201cI know just what we\u2019ll get Huw for Christmas this year!\u00a0 One of those suits all the little boys in Hanover wear.\u00a0 You know the ones I mean, William: They have a belted tunic and short pants, and the little boys wear them with plain white collars and a big black bow.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled adding, \u201cHuw will look adorable.\u201d\u00a0 She saw her grandpa\u2019s slight frown and resumed her reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elen is proving to be a natural equestrienne.\u00a0 Beth says she\u2019d sleep in the stable if they\u2019d let her and she simply adores Sport. That reminds me.\u00a0\u00a0 I really miss Cath so Mark got me a kitten.\u00a0 She\u2019s ginger with a white chin and one white sock and I\u2019ve named her Athena.\u00a0 Elen loves to pet her when Beth and the children visit.\u00a0 She asked to have a kitten of her own and Beth had to explain that Nani and Colwyn (just like Lady and Duchess) hate cats.\u00a0 Elen loves animals; Beth has decided to keep a goose and gander and raise the goslings to sell at Christmas time and Elen has named each gosling.\u00a0 Something tells me there will be trouble when it\u2019s time to sell them to Mr. Graham, our butcher, and I definitely doubt that we\u2019ll be eating a Christmas goose.\u00a0 I guess Elen is like Uncle Hoss because Daddy told us many stories of all the animals he had.\u00a0 She\u2019s still shy with strangers.\u00a0 She plays with the little girl next door, Kerra Hughnan, who\u2019s a year older.\u00a0 Kerra is already in school so Elen only has Huw to play with during the day and he doesn\u2019t have any interest in playing with dolls or having tea parties so they don\u2019t always play as nicely as their mama would like.\u00a0 Sometimes Auntie Gwyneth comes to the rescue and goes riding with them (with Elen on Sport and Huw riding Artemis with me).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I think that\u2019s all the news I have for now.\u00a0 Mark and I both send you all our love.\u00a0 Maybe the next time I write it will be to tell you that a new little Pentreath is on the way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love, <\/p>\n \u201cA year and six months,\u201d Miranda corrected and Ben hid his grin behind his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI stand corrected, Madame Mathematician,\u201d William said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad we\u2019ll have eighteen months alone before the baby arrives.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am, too,\u201d Miranda said quietly, and reached for his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is nice for a husband and wife to have time to get to know each other and get used to being married before they have to get used to being parents,\u201d Ben commented with a slight smile.\u00a0 \u201cI wonder how easily your parents will adjust to it just being the two of them when A.C. goes to school?\u201d he queried thoughtfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Miranda replied, \u201cit\u2019s going to seem very strange to them.\u201d\u00a0 She yawned and then turned to Ben and said, \u201cI think I\u2019m going to take a little nap.\u00a0 What about you, Grandpa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA nap sounds like an excellent idea.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhile you and Miranda nap, I think I\u2019ll work on my notes about what you and Dad told me about your journey here,\u201d William stated, rising and dropping a kiss on Miranda\u2019s cheek before heading to Ben\u2019s study. <\/p>\n June 15, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Family,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let me begin by saying I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer.\u00a0 I am so happy that Miranda and William were able to visit again this year.\u00a0 I wish William success with his paper on the United States\u2019 westward expansion.\u00a0 I look forward to reading it very much.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m sure A.C. and Gwyneth wrote you that Llywelyn and Emma are now married and on their way to Brisbane where they\u2019ll spend a fortnight.\u00a0 I am overseeing the finishing touches on their house, and before they return, their new furniture will be delivered.\u00a0 (Emma told her mother and Matilda how she wanted the furniture arranged so that the house will be all ready for them when they return.\u00a0 After discussing it with them, I designed a two-story house with a verandah that runs around three-sides of the first-story.\u00a0 There are three bedrooms upstairs (a large master bedroom and two smaller ones) and downstairs there is a kitchen with a bathhouse attached like ours, a dining room, library, and what is being called a living room.\u00a0 They both seem very pleased with the house.\u00a0 It\u2019s built on an empty lot in Gwyneth and Mark\u2019s cul-de-sac so they will be neighbors, and the two couples are looking forward to that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rhys and I expected Llywelyn and Mark to return from the technical college with ideas about how to improve the mine; however, we did not anticipate just how radical some of the changes would be.\u00a0 Yes, Pa, I can see you smiling and remembering how we used to butt heads about some of the changes I suggested when I returned from Harvard.\u00a0 I am beginning to think it is inevitable.\u00a0 Rhys and I have had to admit the changes we have decided to implement have proven very successful, so we\u2019re going back and rethinking some of the others they\u2019ve suggested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n About two weeks ago, A.C. and his friend Robbie decided to try their hand at barbering and cut (or perhaps I should say hacked) Huw\u2019s hair short,\u00a0 The little scamp begged them to do it; he wanted to have short hair like theirs and of course Beth has refused to cut it short until he turns three this coming March.\u00a0 Beth and Bronwen were extremely put out with all three boys and they have been suitably punished.\u00a0 (Just between us, my sympathy is with Huw.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see why he can\u2019t be allowed to have short hair and wear knickerbockers if that\u2019s what he wants.)\u00a0 Mr. Puzo did his best with the hair the two boys left behind but Huw\u2019s hair is now cropped very short.\u00a0 Beth and Dafydd have decided to use his desire to be treated as a \u201cbig boy\u201d to their advantage: if Huw can get to the outhouse for one week without any accidents, then he can wear the little knickerbockers Beth is making him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I can\u2019t close my letter without thanking all of you for your good wishes on our twenty-fifth anniversary.\u00a0 Bronwen and I want to thank Miranda and William (along with Beth and Dafydd, Gwyneth and Mark, and A.C.) for the lovely silver tea set, which we were told the two of you selected.\u00a0 Pa and Joe, we want to thank you both for the silver candlesticks.\u00a0 We know we are blessed to have shared the past twenty-five years.\u00a0 We\u2019d love to celebrate our golden anniversary but I\u2019d have to live to be eighty-eight.\u00a0 Of course, that\u2019s not impossible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen sends her love to all and we hope you have a wonderful summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Affectionately yours, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wish I could be there when they open my letter,\u201d Miranda said wistfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can imagine how happy they all will be for us,\u201d William said, putting his arm about his wife\u2019s shoulders and giving her a comforting squeeze. <\/p>\n \u201cI stopped by the post office and there was a letter from Miranda so I thought I\u2019d bring it over.\u00a0 I notice she wrote on the envelope to share the letter with everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo she did,\u201d Bronwen said with a smile, reading her daughter\u2019s scrawl on the back.\u00a0 \u201cI hope that means she has good news to share with us.\u00a0 Can you and Mark come for supper?\u00a0 We could read the letter afterward.\u201d\u00a0 Gwyneth nodded and then Bronwen asked, \u201cWould you mind stopping at the parsonage and seeing if Beth, Dafydd and the children can come tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019d be happy to stop by,\u201d Gwyneth replied with a smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It looks like Miranda and I both have news to share tonight<\/em>, she thought as she headed down the street.\u00a0 She had shared her wonderful news with Mark that morning and they had decided they would share the news with her family and then with his.\u00a0 She\u2019d already told Mrs. Pentreath that she and Mark would stop by later this evening. <\/p>\n After the meal, everyone gathered in the library.\u00a0 A.C. had brought down his Noah\u2019s Ark for Elen and Huw to play with and luckily Dylan, who was teething and a bit fretful, had fallen asleep in the old cradle.\u00a0 Bronwen gave Adam the letter as he got out his bifocals.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n July 17, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Family,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n William and I have the most wonderful news to share.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you can guess what it is.\u00a0 Sometime in late December or early January, our child will be born.\u00a0 I had planned such a romantic way of telling William.\u00a0 We were going to drive to the lake and I would tell him there.\u00a0 Instead, I told him in the middle of a thunderstorm on the porch after being sick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dafydd laughed aloud as Adam read those words and the other adults all chuckled, causing Elen and Huw to look up from their playing, wondering why the others were laughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He is so happy.\u00a0 I think he had been more concerned about the fact that I hadn\u2019t conceived than he let on to me.\u00a0 We are sitting at grandpa\u2019s desk now.\u00a0 He\u2019s writing to his parents as I am writing to all of you.\u00a0 Mama, I will remember what you told me about treating Mrs. Gordon with respect, but she is not going to raise my child.\u00a0 If she sends us a nursemaid, I intend to send her away.\u00a0 I had a wonderful example in you, Mama, and I intend to raise my children myself just as you raised all of us.\u00a0 Lucy Bronson, Lydia Tompkins and Gertrude Templeton are all raising their children without nursemaids.\u00a0 In fact, I am looking forward to returning to Hanover and sharing my news with them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grandpa is so pleased and William and I have promised to bring the baby to the Ponderosa next summer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ll write more when we return home.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love, <\/p>\n \u201cMark and I also have some news to share,\u201d Gwyneth said quietly, reaching for Mark\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStone the crows!\u201d A.C. exclaimed, \u201care you gonna have a baby, too?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, our baby will be born in the first half of March,\u201d Gwyneth replied quietly, but her face was radiant and Mark\u2019s habitually somber countenance was also transformed by his proud smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful news,\u201d Bronwen said, going to hug her daughter and then her son-in-law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam was right behind her, enfolding his daughter in a warm embrace.\u00a0 \u201cI am so happy for you, Punkin,\u201d he said softly, and kissed her cheek.\u00a0 Then he turned to Mark, who held out his hand, but Adam pulled him into a quick hug.\u00a0 \u201cOf course I\u2019m happy for you, too, Mark,\u201d he said with a proud grin.\u00a0 \u201cHave you told your parents?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re going there next,\u201d Mark replied and Gwyneth added, \u201cI\u2019m afraid we need to go now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you and Mama come to the parsonage tomorrow morning so we can talk more,\u201d Beth suggested, and the others readily agreed. <\/p>\n \u201cIndeed it is,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 Neither voiced the hidden grief they felt at the realization that they would never really get to know their American grandchild.\u00a0 Oh, Pa<\/em>, Adam thought as he held Bronwen close to him, now I\u2019ll really know what it was like for you, only knowing my grandchild through letters and photographs.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chapter 6<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n He had dozed off in the warmth of the fire when he was startled awake by a draft of cold air, although Joe closed the door as quickly as he could before removing his hat and coat.\u00a0 \u201cNothing from Queensland this time, but I did see a letter from Hanover,\u201d he answered his pa\u2019s unspoken query as he sat on the settee.\u00a0 He\u2019d already placed that envelope at the top of the pile and now he carefully opened it and pulled out the expensive, cream-colored stationary engraved with the logo of the Wheelock Hotel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n November 29, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Grandpa and Uncle Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am writing you from the Wheelock Hotel because I\u2019ve left William.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dropped the letter and said in astonishment, \u201cHer baby is due in a month or less, and she\u2019s left her husband!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFinish the letter, Joseph!\u201d Ben barked, his anxiety making him short-tempered.\u00a0 Joe understood and he was worried about his niece as well so he quickly resumed reading.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A week ago William\u2019s mother arrived for an unannounced visit, bringing a nursemaid with her in spite of the fact I have written her repeatedly that I intend to raise my own child without a nursemaid just as my mother raised her five children.\u00a0 William always led me to believe that he supported me, but last night when we were alone, he told me that he\u2019d been giving it a great deal of thought and had decided that perhaps his mother is right.\u00a0 After all, he informed me, I don\u2019t really have any experience raising children so it would be better for the baby to have someone knowledgeable looking after him or her.\u00a0 I was so angry that I slept in one of the spare bedrooms last night and this morning as soon as I knew he\u2019d gone to teach his first class, I packed a valise and took a cab to the Wheelock.\u00a0 I want to come stay with you on the Ponderosa, but I\u2019ll have to wait until after the baby is born.\u00a0 I\u2019m staying at the hotel so Dr. Newby will still be able to deliver my baby.\u00a0 As soon as he says the baby is old enough to travel, we will come stay with you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I can\u2019t believe William would take his mother\u2019s side over mine.\u00a0 I thought he loved me!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just can\u2019t take it in,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cShe and William seemed so much in love.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s that mother of his,\u201d Joe said with a scowl.\u00a0 \u201cI could see she was going to be trouble just like Annabelle\u2019s brother.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Miranda is thinking too clearly though.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t seem like her to go off half-cocked like this.\u00a0 Of course, women do seem to be more emotional when they\u2019re with child, but for the baby\u2019s sake, she and William need to try and work things out.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf William is the man I think he is,\u201d Ben said, \u201che\u2019ll make things right.\u00a0 I wish there was something we could do,\u201d he added, and his anxiety was obvious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut there isn\u2019t.\u00a0 All we can do is wait,\u201d Joe said soothingly, trying to calm Ben.\u00a0 He shuffled through the remaining envelopes and then said, \u201cWait, here\u2019s another letter from Hanover and the postmark is more recent.\u201d\u00a0 He tore open the letter, not even noticing that this one was written on Miranda\u2019s own engraved stationary, and began to read.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n November 30, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Grandpa and Uncle Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If there was some way that I could take back my earlier letter, I would.\u00a0 William and I have reconciled.\u00a0 He came to the hotel to fetch me home, but I told him that I refused to go with him if he intended to have our baby raised by a stranger.\u00a0 At first, he told me that I was being foolish and emotional and he stormed off.\u00a0 He returned with the key, which the hotel manager had given him, and walked brazenly into my room and began to pack my valise.\u00a0 I was so angry and upset that I began to cry.\u00a0 He told me afterward that made him feel like an ogre.\u00a0 He stopped packing and he tried to hold me but I pushed him away.\u00a0 He told me that if it was going to upset me this much, he would tell Miss Evans that she wasn\u2019t needed and he would send his mother back to Wilmington.\u00a0 He said he was sorry he had taken his mother\u2019s side over mine.\u00a0 Finally, he told me that he loved me and he had been out of his mind with worry when he came home and I was gone.\u00a0 Then, I let him hold me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After I was able to stop crying, we had a long talk.\u00a0 Since he\u2019d admitted that he had been wrong to take his mother\u2019s side over mine, I admitted I had been wrong to leave him and I told him that I didn\u2019t expect him to tell his mother to go.\u00a0 I just wanted him to make her understand that we did not want a nursemaid and our decision was final.\u00a0 As it happened, Mrs. Gordon did leave in a huff after William made it clear that we would not accept Miss Evans\u2019 services.\u00a0 (William paid Miss Evans a month\u2019s wages for her trouble and she took it and seemed happy to return to Wilmington.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everything is back to normal except that now I feel guilty about coming between William and his mother.\u00a0 He tells me not to worry and that it isn\u2019t the first time he and his mother have disagreed and it won\u2019t be the last.\u00a0 Our extended family is so close that it is difficult for me to understand William\u2019s family.\u00a0 He\u2019s told me that he wants to be the same kind of father to our children that Daddy was to all of us and Grandpa was to Daddy, Uncle Hoss and you, Uncle Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019ve been working hard on the baby\u2019s nursery, getting everything just right.\u00a0 I sew dreadfully, but I can knit so I\u2019ve made some little sweaters, bonnets, and booties for the baby.\u00a0 We made a trip to Boston back in September and bought lots of gowns for the baby and lots of nappies\u2014I suppose I should refer to them as diapers.\u00a0 They are all put away neatly in the chest of drawers in the nursery.\u00a0 We also bought a lovely rocking chair I can sit in and rock the baby to sleep.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I am very sorry for worrying you both.\u00a0 The next letter you receive should be announcing the birth of our baby. <\/p>\n November 30, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Mr. Cartwright and Uncle Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I just want to reassure both of you that I will be a better husband to my Miranda than I have been these past few days.\u00a0 I think you can imagine how I felt when I came home from the college yesterday and found her gone and our maid informed me that Miranda had instructed her to pack her trunk and have it delivered to the Wheelock Hotel.\u00a0 I promise you that I had no idea how upset she\u2019d be at my mentioning that having a nursemaid might be a good idea.\u00a0 She has always been so calm and logical, but ever since she\u2019s been with child, she\u2019s become very emotional.\u00a0 I mentioned that to a friend and he assured me that his wife was the same way when she was with child.\u00a0 He said I just have to be patient and understanding, and I will be.\u00a0 I will be so glad when the baby is born.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With affection, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPoor William,\u201d Joe said with a giggle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI remember how emotional your mother was when she was carrying you,\u201d Ben added with a smile, \u201cand Liz was the same when she was carrying Adam.\u00a0 Only Inger remained as serene as ever.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see what\u2019s in the letter,\u201d Joe said with a smile as he stood the card up on the rough-hewn table in front of the massive fireplace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n November 17, 1899<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Pa and Joe,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I hope this letter finds both of you well and Pa recovered from the chest cold you wrote about in your last letter.\u00a0 We are all well, but I am saddened to tell you that our family has suffered a loss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped reading and he and Ben exchanged uneasy glances before Joe continued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A week ago, Mark\u2019s father collapsed and died at the mine.\u00a0 Just before he collapsed, he complained of terrible pain in his chest and shoulder.\u00a0 His death was almost instantaneous and Dr. Brooke says it was his heart.\u00a0 Dafydd and I helped Mark make the final arrangements.\u00a0 Mrs. Pentreath will receive a pension from Cartwright & Davies.\u00a0 I wish it were larger but she should be able to manage.\u00a0 (Mark refused any offers of financial assistance from me or Rhys.\u00a0 For the time being Mrs. Pentreath will continue to live in the house she and her husband were renting.\u00a0 She refused an offer from the elder of Mark\u2019s two sisters to come live with them but the rent is reasonable, and Bronwen and I can understand her reluctance to give up her own home and live in her daughter\u2019s.)\u00a0 Jory Pentreath was at least ten years my junior and his death has certainly made me more aware of my own mortality.\u00a0 I grieve that he never had a chance to know Mark and Gwyneth\u2019s child.\u00a0 If they have a son, he will be named Jory Allun for his grandfather.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe should write a letter of sympathy to Mark,\u201d Ben said and Joe nodded, knowing the grief he would be suffering when the time came he lost his beloved pa.\u00a0 At least Mark had Gwyneth and the child she was carrying, and Adam would have Bronwen and his children to share in his grief while he\u2014\u00a0 Joe resolutely forced his thoughts back to the letter.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are anxiously awaiting news from Miranda and William about their child.\u00a0 By the time you receive this card, Miranda\u2019s due date should only be a couple of weeks away.\u00a0 And speaking of grandchildren, Elen is so proud of being a big girl of five.\u00a0 She adores the doll the two of you sent her and named her Jane.\u00a0 Huw is looking very grownup in his little knickerbockers and his short hair.\u00a0 At eleven months, Dylan\u2019s thick black curls remind us of Gwyneth at the same age.\u00a0 (I suppose he would remind Pa of me at that age.)\u00a0 A.C. continues to grow and he is now five feet, six inches, which makes him taller than his two eldest sisters (and his mother, of course)!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Returning to the subject of expectant mothers, Gwyneth and Emma are both doing well.\u00a0 They are busy sewing little gowns for their babies.\u00a0 (Beth is loaning some of her old baby clothes to Gwyneth and Matilda is happy to be sewing little gowns and bonnets for her future grandchild.\u00a0 Bronwen hates to sew but she is crocheting comforters for the babies.)\u00a0 I find it an amazing coincidence that Miranda, Gwyneth and Emma are all due to give birth between the end of December and the middle of March.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I think that is all my news for now.\u00a0 Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Affectionately yours, <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is a pretty amazing coincidence,\u201d Joe said with a grin as he handed the letter to his father, who took it with a smile.\u00a0 Joe picked up the Christmas card and examining it remarked, \u201cI can hardly believe little Elen can already write.\u00a0 You can tell she\u2019s Adam\u2019s granddaughter.\u00a0 I bet she can hardly wait to start attending school.\u201d <\/p>\n The Sunday before school was to start, the Joneses dined with the Cartwrights.\u00a0 Elen was sitting at Adam\u2019s right on one of the little blocks he had made to fit in their dining room chairs so the children could eat at the table.\u00a0 He turned to his little granddaughter and said with a smile, \u201cSo, tomorrow is your first day of school.\u00a0 I bet you\u2019re excited.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elen\u2019s lower lip came out in a pout and she shook her head vigorously.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u00a0 I don\u2019t wanna go to school!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyebrow arched and he looked at his firstborn.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s only five, Daddy, and she doesn\u2019t want to go so Dafydd and I thought she could wait until next year when she\u2019s six.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dafydd added, \u201cI\u2019ve tried to tell her that she\u2019ll have fun at school, but she\u2019ll have none of it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut you already know the alphabet and you can count to twenty,\u201d A.C. interjected.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s more than most of the little kids know when they start school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t wanna go!\u201d Elen repeated, her pout becoming more pronounced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you want to go, Elen?\u201d Bronwen asked quietly.\u00a0 \u201cYour friend Kerra goes to school, and you could play with her at recess.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo! I don\u2019t wanna go!\u201d Elen reiterated mulishly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI went to school the first time when I was five,\u201d Adam said gently.\u00a0 \u201cYour great-grandma Inger walked to school with me and I had a wonderful time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bronwen remembered that Beth and Miranda had been eleven and ten respectively when Cloncurry\u2019s school was built.\u00a0 They had scorned the idea of their mother accompanying them their first day.\u00a0 Eight-year-old Gwyneth was anxious, but since she was going with her two big sisters, she hadn\u2019t asked for Bronwen either.\u00a0 Five-year-old Penny had been thrilled to be considered old enough to attend school with her older sisters.\u00a0 It had been Bronwen and Adam who had found it difficult to accept that their baby (as she had been then) was grown up enough for school.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A.C. was the only one of their children who had been reluctant to begin school, and that was because of Penny\u2019s death three months earlier, which made him fearful of being separated from his mama.\u00a0 The teacher had understood the circumstances and allowed Bronwen to remain until the frightened little boy felt secure and reassured by Gwyneth\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elen had always been a mama\u2019s girl and Bronwen suspected that was the reason why she didn\u2019t want to begin school, and why Beth was happy to wait another year.\u00a0 However, Elen was a very bright little girl and, as A.C. had pointed out, her tada<\/em> and her pa-pa had already taught her the alphabet and numbers, so she really belonged in school.\u00a0 Besides, being around other children might help her overcome her shyness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI could walk you to school, just like great-grandma Inger walked Pa-pa,\u201d Bronwen suggested.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019d come with you and Me-ma,\u201d Adam added, for his reasoning was similar to Bronwen\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beth frowned a little at her parents but Dafydd said encouragingly, \u201cIsn\u2019t it nice of Pa-pa and Me-ma to walk you to school, Elen fach<\/em>?\u00a0 And Tada<\/em> will come too.\u00a0 What do you say?\u00a0 Will you go to school with all of us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMy True Love Hath My Heart – Part 2
\n<\/a>My True Love Hath My Heart – Part 3<\/a>
\nFamily Reunion<\/a>
\nCartwright is the Name<\/a>
\nA Son and Heir<\/a>
\nThe Country of the Heart<\/a>
\nTo Bloom in Another Man’s Garden – Part 1<\/a>
\nTo Bloom in Another Man’s Garden – Part 2<\/a>
\nIn Memoriam<\/a>
\nThe Marriage of True Minds – Part 1<\/a>
\nThe Marriage of True Minds – Part 2<\/a>
\nThe Marriage of True Minds – Part 3<\/a>
\nThe Joys of Parents<\/a>
\nGrow Old Along with Me<\/a>
\nThe Best is Yet to Be<\/a><\/p>\n
\nO’Tannenbaum<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBen Cartwright felt his firstborn\u2019s arms embrace him and his normally imperturbable son\u2019s voice was choked with emotion as he said, \u201cIt\u2019s so good to see you again, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Just then, the impatient voice of Ben\u2019s ten-year-old grandson could be heard distinctly.<\/p>\n
\nThat week was one Ben knew he would relive in his memories.\u00a0 To be reunited with his firstborn and his family was a precious gift, doubly precious because he was able to hold his great-granddaughter and great-grandson on his lap, to hug them and kiss them.\u00a0 His heart ached for Joe but he rejoiced at the love Adam and Bronwen still shared after all these years.\u00a0 Seeing them with their children and grandchildren was a joy.\u00a0 He dreaded the days he would be alone while all of them were in Boston for Miranda\u2019s graduation but he joyfully anticipated Miranda\u2019s wedding.\u00a0 She was so like her grandmother that seeing her that day would bring back so many poignant memories.<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning while Adam and Joe saw to the luggage everyone else said goodbye to Ben.<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nWith his advantage in height, Adam was the first to spot Miranda and a slim, bearded man as the train pulled into the station.\u00a0 \u201cI see her,\u201d he said and looking in the same direction Joe grinned and said, \u201cYeah, there they are,\u201d as he noticed the slim, bearded man at his niece\u2019s side\u00a0 The brothers waved their arms and the couple spotted them and hurried their way.<\/p>\n
\nAs soon as Adam and Bronwen reached their suite, he took off his necktie and undid the top two buttons on his shirt before removing his frock coat and hanging it in the wardrobe.\u00a0 She removed the jacket to her tailor-made suit and hung it by the frock coat before removing her shoes and stockings.<\/p>\n
\nMeanwhile, the rest of the Cartwright family strolled through the Boston Common.\u00a0 A.C. and Huw went ahead, Huw holding his uncle\u2019s hand and trotting along to keep up with his uncle\u2019s much longer stride.\u00a0 Elen clung to her mama\u2019s hand and stared at the two strangers.\u00a0 \u201cElen, I\u2019d like you to go with your brother and Uncle A.C.\u201d\u00a0 Elen pouted and shook her head so Beth said more firmly, \u201cElen.\u201d\u00a0 With a pout, Elen stomped after the others, causing her mama to shake her head while the others hid their smiles.<\/p>\n
\nThe next afternoon the Cartwrights, Joneses, Davies and William arrived early at the auditorium of Fay House to ensure they would get seats toward the front.\u00a0 A.C. kept looking at the door so he was the first to spot Joe when he arrived.<\/p>\n
\nTwo days after Miranda\u2019s graduation Joe, Annabelle and their children left Boston for the Ponderosa while everyone else prepared for the visit to Hanover.\u00a0 Adam and Bronwen went to see Joe and his family off, leaving A.C. in his grandparents\u2019 charge.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s and Bronwen\u2019s faces showed their pleasure at Joe and Annabelle\u2019s apparently happy reconciliation and they could see the joy reflected in their niece\u2019s and nephew\u2019s countenances.\u00a0 After waving a final goodbye, they returned to the hotel to complete their packing for the relatively \u201cshort\u201d trip to Hanover. They were excited at the opportunity to see where Miranda and William would live.\u00a0 The previous day Adam, William and A.C. had all gotten sunburned when they went sculling since William and A.C. hadn\u2019t worn hats and they had all rolled up their shirtsleeves.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t mind the sunburn so much, but even though Bronwen had given him a backrub and he\u2019d soaked in a hot bath, he was still stiff and sore.\u00a0\u00a0 Obviously I\u2019m not in as a good a physical shape as I believed<\/em>, he thought, wincing as he moved to find a more comfortable position.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad A.C. enjoyed sculling because I clearly need more exercise.\u00a0 Once we return home, I\u2019ll order some lumber and begin working on our scull.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAdam examined the house carefully for any problems and was relieved that he only found a few minor items that he brought to William\u2019s attention.\u00a0 William listened thoughtfully and then asked Adam for advice since he had experience in construction and architecture.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThis is a lovely town,\u201d Mrs. Davies said that afternoon as the women and the younger children, after reconnecting at the hotel, left the business district and strolled along the banks of the Connecticut River.\u00a0 \u201cSo many beautiful trees.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhile the women were shopping and playing with the children, Adam, William and A.C. were visiting a stud farm for Saddlebreds.\u00a0 The trio had accompanied Dr. Davies to the hospital, where he was greeted by the chief resident, for a tour of the facility, which William had arranged.<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning the family again separated into two groups, though this time, they would not see each other again until they were reunited at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 William, Miranda, Adam and Bronwen were going to spend a few days visiting William\u2019s parents in Wilmington while everyone else was headed west later in the day.\u00a0 (William had taken care of the new travel arrangements for everyone traveling to the Ponderosa while they were still in Boston.)\u00a0 Gwyneth and A.C. rode with their parents in a hackney cab to the station to say goodbye.<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\n\u201cMrs. Gordon asks that you join her in the drawing room when it\u2019s convenient.\u00a0 She\u2019s put you in the same room as last time, Miss Cartwright,\u201d the parlor maid said when the three Cartwrights and William arrived at the Gordon\u2019s townhouse.<\/p>\n
\nAdam ran his fingers around his neck and scowled at the high collar the salesman at Bloomingdale\u2019s had insisted was de rigueur for formal attire.\u00a0 Then with a sigh, he attempted to tie the strip of black cambric into an acceptable bow.\u00a0 \u201cSweetheart,\u201d he called from the bedroom the Gordons had assigned to him, which he had decided to use as a dressing room, \u201cCould you come tie this confounded tie for me?\u00a0 I seem to be all thumbs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe previous evening, Mrs. Gordon had announced that they were expecting several callers who were anxious to meet the Cartwrights so Bronwen was very glad she\u2019d taken Miranda\u2019s advice and bought a tea-gown at Bloomingdale\u2019s.\u00a0 The pale green cashmere gown had a close-fitting bodice and bell-shaped skirt.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d she asked Adam as she did a slow pirouette.<\/p>\n
\nThe first callers that morning were Mr. Gordon\u2019s sisters, Mrs. Logan and Mrs. McKean.\u00a0 As they entered the room and Adam stood, they exchanged quick glances.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t expected that their nephew\u2019s future father-in-law would be such an imposing man, or such an attractive one.\u00a0 They\u2019d actually expected a crude lout\u2014not this elegant and courtly gentleman.\u00a0 Mrs. Cartwright, too, was different than they had imagined.\u00a0 They\u2019d had a mental picture of a large woman with coarse features dressed in clothing that would have been fashionable a decade earlier.\u00a0 Instead, they saw a delicate little woman who appeared somewhat spinsterish behind her spectacles but whose clothing was \u00e0 la page<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nBronc drove the surrey and Jacob drove the buckboard to meet the Cartwrights and the Davies when their train arrived in Carson City.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m shore lookin\u2019 forward to seein\u2019 Miss Sarah,\u201d Bronc commented to Jacob.\u00a0 \u201cAnd of course, Benj,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\nBen was able to hide his surprise much better than Bronc and Jacob had and made his daughter-in-law welcome.\u00a0 Like Jacob, however, he hoped she was back to stay.\u00a0 He could see that was what Joseph was hoping for as well.<\/p>\n
\nA couple of days later when they were all gathered around the table eating breakfast, Joe asked A.C. if he wanted to come with him to meet his parents, Miranda and William at the depot.<\/p>\n
\nThe first thing Adam and Bronwen heard as they stepped off the train onto the platform was Huw\u2019s high-pitched voice shrieking, \u201cMe-ma!\u00a0 Pa-pa!\u201d\u00a0 Adam could see his younger brother struggling to keep hold of a wriggling Huw so, taking Bronwen\u2019s arm, he guided her toward their grandson as quickly as he could.\u00a0 He plucked Huw out of Joe\u2019s arms and tossed him overhead.\u00a0 \u201cDid you miss Me-ma and Pa-pa?\u201d he asked the giggling toddler while A.C. hugged his mama and Joe stood by beaming.\u00a0 William and Miranda caught up then, a bit breathless.<\/p>\n
\nThe next three days literally seemed to fly by.\u00a0 The men just tried to stay away from the house while the women cleaned, and Adam was put in charge of keeping Elen and Huw occupied.\u00a0 Even Buckshot kept out of the way.\u00a0 He was furious at being banned from his own kitchen while Bronwen, Beth and Gwyneth baked and then iced the tiered cake.\u00a0 The evening before the wedding, the immaculate house gleamed from the application of beeswax and the beautiful cake, painstakingly decorated by Beth with sugar roses, was carefully stored in the pantry.\u00a0 Gwyneth had taken her father\u2019s old guitar and gone off to practice her solo while Bronwen, Annabelle and Beth had carefully pressed everyone\u2019s wedding finery.\u00a0 Buckshot prepared beef stew for the evening meal, and they decided to eat on the porch.<\/p>\n
\nEarly the next morning, Virginia McKaren arrived with roses from her garden that she\u2019d made into a bouquet for Miranda.<\/p>\n
\nReverend Newton said with a beaming smile, \u201cWilliam, you may kiss your bride,\u201d and William took Miranda in his arms.\u00a0 When they broke apart, and faced their families and guests, Ben was almost overwhelmed by his emotions.\u00a0 Oh Elizabeth, my love, she is the image of you on our wedding day.\u00a0 I see the same joy and hope on her face and William\u2019s that we felt.\u00a0 I pray that their love will not be cut tragically short as ours was.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cI think he likes Aunt Bronwen,\u201d Sarah said and the adults all exchanged apprehensive glances.<\/p>\n
\nBen then said, \u201cIf you all will excuse me, I think I\u2019ll retire.\u201d
\n\u201cYes, that sounds like an excellent suggestion,\u201d Dr. Davies said and Mrs. Davies nodded her agreement.<\/p>\n
\nAs they rode back, Joe suddenly asked, \u201cHow did the two of you get out of the house without anyone stopping you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhen they got back to the ranch house, they found everyone had gone to bed, but Gwyneth had left a lamp burning low in the great room.\u00a0 \u201cYou two get on upstairs, and do it without waking anyone.\u00a0 A.C.\u2019s dad and I will deal with you both tomorrow,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n
\nThe two children slept very poorly that night, dreading the upcoming \u2018necessary\u2019 discussions with their fathers.\u00a0 They woke up without being called, and they were the first ones downstairs.\u00a0 Beth and her little ones were next.\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019day, Unca A.C.!\u201d Huw greeted his uncle enthusiastically.\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019day, Sarah!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJoe, Annabelle and Sarah went upstairs to her room.\u00a0 As soon as Joe closed the door, he turned to his daughter and said, \u201cAll right, Sarah Marie, I want you to tell your mother why you are being punished.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhen Gwyneth and Benj returned, with a fine string of trout, they found Beth and Bronwen playing catch with Elen in the yard, Ben and Dr. Davies playing chess on the porch and Adam giving Huw a piggyback ride.\u00a0 They all saw William and Miranda riding up from the direction of the cabin.<\/p>\n
\nAfter a moment, A.C. nodded reluctantly.\u00a0 Just then Bronwen walked over.<\/p>\n
\nIt was an odd dinner.\u00a0 Sarah was confined to her room and A.C., usually a chatterbox, was very subdued.\u00a0 William and Miranda were so wrapped up in each other they seemed barely aware of the others gathered round the table.\u00a0 Their happiness made Joe and Annabelle painfully aware of their estrangement but reminded the happily married couples of their honeymoons.\u00a0 Ben was lost in memories of his Liz while Beth was missing Dafydd and Gwyneth was dreaming of the time when she and Mark would be husband and wife.\u00a0 Benj and Elen concentrated on their dinner while Huw chewed on the tiny, tender pieces of trout his mama gave him and smeared his mashed potatoes over his face and in his hair before she could stop him.<\/p>\n
\nWhen everyone woke up from their naps, Ben suggested they sit on the porch and sing.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re only going to be here for another day, and this is probably the last time we will all be together again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning after making love, William gently smoothed back Miranda\u2019s curls and said softly, \u201cI thought we\u2019d spend today with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdam and William soundly defeated Joe and Benj, to Joe\u2019s utter amazement.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you have been practicing,\u201d he muttered, disbelief written all over his face.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAs much as I enjoyed seeing your native land and being with your family again, Adam bach<\/em>,\u201d Mrs. Davies stated as their ship approached Sydney\u2019s harbor, \u201cI have to say it will be so good to be home again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nGwyneth was the first to spot the two young men, and waved her arm to get their attention.\u00a0 They saw her and hurried toward the group.\u00a0 Their eyes nearly popped out when they saw Beth.\u00a0 In all the excitement of the graduation and wedding, no one had remembered to write them that Beth was enceinte.<\/p>\n
\nWhen Mark arrived at their suite at the hotel, Adam suggested they go for a walk so they could have some privacy.\u00a0 He knew what the young man wanted to discuss with him, but waited patiently for him to speak.<\/p>\n
\nMark chose an unassuming restaurant on a quiet street not too far from the Cartwrights\u2019 hotel.\u00a0 As they waited for their food to be served, he said, \u201cSo what do you think of Miranda\u2019s professor?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d she replied with a shy smile.<\/p>\n
\nBefore he headed back to his grandparents\u2019 house, Llywelyn managed to take Adam aside.\u00a0 \u201cUncle Adam, I have a proposition to make you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said nothing but arched an eyebrow, so Llywelyn continued.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I return to Cloncurry, I\u2019m going to speak with Mr. Lawrence and then I intend to ask Emma to marry me.\u00a0 If I get the answer I expect, then I wanted to ask you to design a house for us.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been saving for some time so I\u2019m sure I can buy a small piece of land and I know my dad will help pay for the construction cost as a wedding present.\u00a0 It will have to be a small house, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAll too soon for Bronwen, it was time for the Cartwright family to head back to Cloncurry.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Mam<\/em>,\u201d she said tearfully as she kissed and hugged her mother goodbye.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been so wonderful to be with you and Tada<\/em> for these last months.\u00a0 I almost feel like I did when I married Adam and moved away from you both.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAs the train pulled into the Townsville station, Gwyneth suddenly announced excitedly, \u201cThere\u2019s Dafydd!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn the cab on the way to the hotel, Dafydd, who held Elen on his lap, placed his arm around Beth and she leaned her head against his broad shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so glad to see you, darling, but surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDinner with the Edgertons was very pleasant and as they were leaving, Bronwen said, \u201cElen and Huw, I have a surprise for you.\u00a0 You are going to sleep with me and Pa-pa tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBy the time they reached Cloncurry, Dafydd had re-forged his bond with Huw.\u00a0 Poor Beth was in her sixth month and heartily sick of traveling.\u00a0 Everyone was happy to be returning home, except Gwyneth.\u00a0 She dreaded having to tell Douglas that she was going to marry Mark, for she knew she was going to hurt him badly.\u00a0 The sun was going down as they approached the town.\u00a0 Both the little ones were sleeping as Adam pulled the surrey in front of the parsonage.\u00a0 He let A.C. hold the reins while he carried a sleeping Elen, and Dafydd held his son in one arm and offered the other to his wife.<\/p>\n
\nLady and Duchess were patrolling their territory, spotted their family immediately, and began running alongside the surrey, barking hysterically.\u00a0 As soon as Adam brought the surrey to a halt, A.C. and Gwyneth jumped out.\u00a0 She picked up Lady and he picked up Duchess, and both dogs began covering their faces in kisses.\u00a0 Adam shook his head in bemusement and then helped Bronwen down while Mary, hearing the dogs barking, had come out to see the cause.\u00a0 Rhys\u00a0 and Matilda had just sat down to supper, but hearing the commotion next door, stepped onto their verandah and were now hurrying over to welcome the Cartwrights home.<\/p>\n
\nThe next morning as the four Cartwrights gathered in the dining room for breakfast, Bronwen asked, \u201cDo you mind if I come with you and Daddy this morning?\u00a0 Not to offer my opinion, but just for company.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdam entered the room silently a short time later, and found his daughter huddled on the settee, sobbing uncontrollably.\u00a0 He sat beside her, putting his arm around her heaving shoulders, and she turned to bury her face on his chest, soaking his shirt.\u00a0 When she had no more tears left, he wordlessly handed her his handkerchief so she could clean her spectacles and then blow her streaming nose.<\/p>\n
\nCloncurry was a typical small town and soon everyone knew that Gwyneth Cartwright was engaged to Mark Pentreath and Douglas Campbell was drowning his sorrows in whiskey at the Prince of Wales, brawling with anyone who gave him the slightest excuse.\u00a0 Just about everyone kept out of his way, and every evening he would sit in a back corner and drink himself senseless.\u00a0 At closing time, the owner would persuade a couple of men to haul Douglas\u2019 six foot, five inch, sixteen stone body to a room to sleep it off.<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nIt was a glorious autumn morning: the sky was that intense cerulean only seen on a sunny October day, and the air was crisp enough that Ben was wearing the wool cardigan Miranda had given him the previous year as a Christmas gift.\u00a0 He and Paul were sitting on the front porch enjoying the sunshine and playing a game of chess when Buckshot returned from a trip to town for supplies.<\/p>\n
\nDear Grandpa,<\/p>\n
\nI see I forgot to mention that after I had my talk with Mrs. Matthews and before we went riding, I had to have a talk with Nancy.\u00a0 She apologized for the confusion about our arrival date.\u00a0 (I think she was afraid she\u2019d lose her position.)\u00a0 She seems pleasant and hardworking, if perhaps a bit slow.<\/p>\n
\nMiranda<\/p>\n
\nGwyneth
\nBen shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPoor Gwyneth.\u00a0 In many ways, she is so like her father, but her tenderheartedness reminds me of Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at little at his old friend and said, \u201cNow, let\u2019s see what Adam has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\nFor the first time in four days, it wasn\u2019t the sound of pouring rain beating against the roof and windowpanes that woke Dafydd; it was the restless movements of his very pregnant wife.<\/p>\n
\nThe parsonage\u2019s kitchen had a window that overlooked the backyard, so right after breakfast, Beth let the children play while she watched them as she washed the dishes.\u00a0 Elen and Huw were ecstatic at the thought of playing in the mud.\u00a0 Huw in particular loved the feeling of the mud oozing up between his bare toes.\u00a0 Elen enjoyed making mud pies for her dolly and Wiggles, her stuffed rabbit.\u00a0 Soon Nani and Colwyn, the puppy they had decided to keep, came to join the fun.\u00a0 Watching, Beth realized with dismay that not only would her two little ones need a bath, but the two dogs as well. Just then she felt a contraction.\u00a0 She was surprised but not alarmed.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want the children covered in mud if they did have to go to the neighbors so she filled the round wooden wash tub with water and then stepped to the backdoor and called for Elen and Huw.<\/p>\n
\nTegen, meanwhile, had hurried to the Cartwrights\u2019 house only to discover Bronwen and Gwyneth were both at Gwyneth and Mark\u2019s house since Gwyneth\u2019s furniture had arrived from Brisbane just that morning.\u00a0 By the time all the Cartwrights converged on the parsonage, a smiling Jenna told them Beth had given birth to a healthy baby boy.<\/p>\n
\nBronwen found Beth propped up against some pillows looking tired but radiant, and holding a small bundle.\u00a0 \u201cSo, I understand I have a new grandson,\u201d she said with a happy smile as she sat down on the side of the bed and Beth adjusted the blanket so her mama could see the baby\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\nBeth had just finished nursing Dylan when Adam entered the room.\u00a0 \u201cWhere\u2019s this new grandson of mine?\u201d he queried with a smile.<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\n\u201cIt is raining cats and dogs!\u201d Joe said as he walked through the front door of the ranch house, his mackintosh dripping puddles on the hardwood floor until he kicked the braided rug beneath it.\u00a0 He smiled at his pa, who was happily sitting near the great room\u2019s mammoth stone fireplace with a warm blanket covering his legs and his wool cardigan buttoned up over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cWettest March I can remember,\u201d Joe added, hanging his tan Stetson on its hook beside the door.<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nIt was a sunny fall day in mid April when Gwyneth knocked on the parsonage door and saw Elen and Huw both running down the hallway.\u00a0 They caught sight of her and Elen shouted, \u201cG\u2019day, Auntie Gwyneth!\u201d while Huw yelled, \u201cG\u2019day, Tee-tee Genth!\u201d\u00a0 With a smile, Gwyneth pushed open the door just as Beth appeared in the hallway carrying four-month-old Dylan.\u00a0 The sight of her baby nephew made Gwyneth wonder if she might have conceived because she\u2019d been married for over two months.\u00a0 Of course, Miranda had been married for nine months and she hadn\u2019t written to say she was expecting a child yet.\u00a0 And Beth had been married nearly a year and a half before Elen had been born.<\/p>\n
\nThat Sunday afternoon as the Cartwrights, Joneses and Pentreaths gathered in the Cartwrights\u2019 dining room, Beth brought up the subject of her parents\u2019 upcoming anniversary.<\/p>\n
\nMay 14, 1899, was as lovely as it had been on the same date in 1874.\u00a0 Beth and Gwyneth (with help from Matilda and Llywelyn\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, Emma) had arranged everything for the celebration.\u00a0 The Dawsons had been happy to donate a steer and Mr. Graham to butcher it for them.\u00a0 Dafydd, Mark, Llywelyn, and A.C. were charge of the barbecue while the four women made a variety of side dishes and the cake.\u00a0 Bronwen\u2019s involvement was restricted to watching her grandchildren while their mother was busy cooking and baking.<\/p>\n
\nThat night, as Adam and Bronwen lay curled together after a private celebration of their twenty-five years together, he dropped butterfly kisses on each eyelid before saying softly, \u201cI am so blessed to have found you.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t run into you that day, I would be a lonely, bitter man.\u00a0 But you have brought me so much love, so much joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n* *\u00a0 *
\n\u201cDearest,\u201d William called up the stairs from the foyer, \u201cwe\u2019re going to miss the train if we don\u2019t hurry!\u201d<\/p>\n
\n* * *<\/p>\n
\nBen had agreed to wait in the surrey since he couldn\u2019t stand for any length of time, but Joe had timed their arrival carefully and Ben only had to wait a few minutes before his older granddaughter and her husband were hurrying toward him.<\/p>\n
\nOver the next several days, Miranda managed to find excuses not to go riding, usually by saying she wanted to spend time with Ben.\u00a0 She was becoming more convinced that she was with child.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t experienced any nausea in the morning the way Beth and her mother both said they had, but she had begun feeling queasy just about every afternoon since they\u2019d arrived.\u00a0 She\u2019d also noted that she\u2019d had to visit the outhouse more frequently and she found herself taking a nap in the afternoons when her grandpa did because she felt so tired.\u00a0 Her monthly flux was due in a few days, and if she missed again, then she would tell William they were having a baby.\u00a0 She had it all planned out.\u00a0 They would take a buggy ride to the lake, just the two of them, and there in that beautiful environment, she would share her wonderful news.
\nThat special morning began with a thunderstorm and heavy rain, putting an end to a visit to the lake.\u00a0 As the six of them gathered around the breakfast table, Benj and Sarah were both out of sorts.<\/p>\n
\nShe and William worked quietly all morning as the rain continued to pour and the stillness of the great room was punctuated by loud claps of thunder.\u00a0 Buckshot had made vegetable soup and roast beef sandwiches for the noonday meal and William and Ben both noticed that Miranda had two bowls of soup.\u00a0 Benj and Sarah hadn\u2019t totally finished putting the tack room in shape, but Ben felt they\u2019d worked hard enough and suggested they all play charades.\u00a0 They even convinced Buckshot to join in so they\u2019d have an even number since Joe had gone to check the cattle in the south pasture.\u00a0 After an hour, William said, \u201cWe need to do something more active than playing charades.\u00a0 How about some dancing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\nAbout a week later, Jacob came back from town with a small crate and brought it to Ben, Miranda and William, who were sitting on the porch drinking lemonade and chatting.<\/p>\n
\nJune 10, 1899<\/p>\n
\nGwyneth
\nAs Miranda carefully folded her sister\u2019s letter, William commented thoughtfully, \u201cI understand what Gwyneth means about not wanting to have a baby too soon.\u00a0 I\u2019m actually glad that Miranda and I will have an entire year\u2014<\/p>\n
\nThat night after supper the four Cartwrights and the Gordons all gathered on the front porch, where it was cooler, to hear Miranda read her father\u2019s letter<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nBronwen heard a knock at the front door and quickly untied her apron and flung it over a kitchen chair before going to answer the door.\u00a0 She smiled at the sight of her third daughter.<\/p>\n
\nThe Cartwrights and Pentreaths were sitting on the verandah as the Joneses came up the street, Huw wearing his little knickerbockers and a shirt.\u00a0 His hair had grown back some in the past two months but was still very short.\u00a0 As soon as they got close enough, Elen and Huw ran toward the house hollering, \u201cG\u2019day, Pa-pa!\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019day, Me-ma!\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019day, Auntie Gwyneth! G\u2019day Uncle A.C. and Uncle Mark!\u201d\u00a0 Lady and Duchess ran toward the gate barking a joyous greeting and Dylan\u2019s excited squeals could be heard in the background.\u00a0 A.C. jumped up and ran down the path to open the gate for the younger children.<\/p>\n
\nMiranda
\n\u201cThat is such wonderful news,\u201d Beth said, her face glowing with happiness for her sister and brother-in-law.<\/p>\n
\nThat night as Adam and Bronwen curled together, she said happily, \u201cTwo more grandchildren!\u00a0 Our family is certainly growing in leaps and bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThough it was early December, the air was frigid and Ben\u2019s chair was close to the fire.\u00a0 He felt the cold now more than he had in years past, so in addition to his wool cardigan, he had a thick Indian blanket draped over his legs to keep them warm.\u00a0 He was waiting impatiently for Joe to return from town with the mail.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t heard from Miranda in a few weeks and it had been over a month since his last letter from Adam so he was hoping to receive a letter from one or both of them.<\/p>\n
\nMiranda<\/p>\n
\nLove,
\nMiranda
\n\u201cOh, there\u2019s another letter enclosed,\u201d Joe said.\u00a0 \u201cI think\u2014yes, this one is from William.\u00a0 Shall I read it?\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded so Joe began.<\/p>\n
\nWilliam<\/p>\n
\nAbout a week later, Ben and Joe received a large envelope that was postmarked Cloncurry, Queensland.\u00a0 Joe was gone when one of the hands brought the mail so Ben waited impatiently to open what he was sure must be a Christmas card.\u00a0 Joe let Pa open the large envelope and pull out a piece of paper folded in half so it would open like a book.\u00a0 On the front was a Christmas tree cut out of colored paper and someone had drawn tiny decorations on it.\u00a0 Another, less expert hand, had drawn a mound of gaily wrapped gifts under the tree.\u00a0 A very childish hand had printed in large, uneven letters: Merry Christmas.\u00a0 When they opened the card, they found a letter and inside was written \u201cMerry Christmas to everyone on the Ponderosa from all of us in Cloncurry\u201d in Adam\u2019s neat handwriting.\u00a0 Underneath were the signatures of the three Cartwrights, Gwyneth and Mark, Beth and Dafydd and a wobbly printed Elen that matched the \u201cMerry Christmas\u201d on the front.<\/p>\n
\nAdam<\/p>\n
\n* * *
\nJoe would have been astonished to learn just how wrong his prediction was.<\/p>\n