A Lesson in Vocabulary<\/strong><\/p>\nAdam Cartwright rode straight for the Ponderosa as fast as he thought it safe to ride on the muddy roads.\u00a0 His excitement showed; he was smiling, his eyes were shining and his face lacked the usual strained look that was generally just below the surface for most of his young life.\u00a0 At 16, Adam had experienced a hard life with great losses and responsibilities for the first 11 years.\u00a0 Things had improved considerably about five years ago and their life was much better, but those first years of hardship had left an indelible message on his heart and in his mind.\u00a0 But today was different; today he was happy and carefree, for today he had finally gotten word that Gloria Sterling and her parents had accepted Marie\u2019s invitation for dinner on Monday night.\u00a0 He had been dancing with Gloria at several of the town socials, but she had told him that her parents would not let him call on her until they had met his family.\u00a0 It had taken a lot for him to bring the subject up with his Pa and Marie, but Marie had figured it out right away and had taken responsibility for arranging it.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t wait to get home and give her the news \u2013 it was tomorrow night and she had been planning as if she knew they would accept.\u00a0 He was relieved that she hadn\u2019t gone to all that work for nothing.<\/p>\n
Adam rode into the courtyard of the Ponderosa and saw that his father\u2019s horse was tied to the hitching rail by the house.\u00a0 He decided to go ahead and put Sport up and then he would see if his father wanted him to put Buck away for the night, too.\u00a0 He walked into the barn and began the routine tasks of cooling down and bedding down the horse for the night.\u00a0 He was about halfway finished when he heard the unmistakable laughter and giggles of his little brother.\u00a0 He thought that it sounded like it was coming from the bunkhouse.\u00a0 He grinned, relieved that Little Joe had been preoccupied elsewhere when he came home, because he was able to get Sport put away without answering a thousand questions.\u00a0 Just as he was finishing up and heading out of the barn, he saw his father come out of the house with a worried look on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in the bunkhouse, Pa,\u201d he called to his father before the latter had a chance to call for Little Joe.\u00a0 Ben looked at Adam and smiled, then shook his head in wonder.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe how fast that little brother of yours can move, Adam.\u00a0 One minute he was there and the next he was gone!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben said in a loud voice before he entered the bunkhouse.\u00a0 He did that not so much to call his son, but to let any men who might be in the bunkhouse know that he was coming in.\u00a0 He felt that the men deserved privacy from their boss and he respected that.\u00a0 When he got to the open doorway, he was met with an enthusiastic \u201cHi, Pa\u201d from four-year-old perpetual motion machine, Little Joe.\u00a0 His greeting was just as exuberant as it would have been if it had been 15 days since they had seen each other instead of 15 minutes.\u00a0 Ben reached down and swung his son up; Little Joe straddled his hips and began talking excitedly to his father, telling him about how he was talking to Luther and Luther was \u201cgonna\u201d play checkers with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, Little Joe, slow down,\u201d Ben said, laughing at his son\u2019s rapid-fire conversation.\u00a0 \u201cLuther, how\u2019s that leg of yours?\u201d Ben asked, looking toward the ranch hand sitting on his bunk with his leg propped up on a pillow.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you making out?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s gittin\u2019 better, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Doc Martin said two more weeks oughtta do it.\u00a0 I sure will be glad when I can git up and go, though.\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright, if it hadn\u2019t been for yore boy there comin\u2019 to see me now and then, why I\u2019d be bored outta my head by now.\u00a0 I never did larn to read and they ain\u2019t much fun in playin\u2019 checkers by yoreself.\u00a0 Why, every time I win, I beat myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed loudly at his own humor and Ben and Little Joe laughed with him.\u00a0 \u201cWell you just do what the Doc says and it\u2019ll heal up good as new.\u00a0 Let us know if you need something.\u201d\u00a0 They were still standing there talking with Luther when Ben heard a horse approaching and turned to see his middle son ride into the yard.\u00a0 Little Joe squirmed out of his arms and ran excitedly toward Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss, seven years older than four-year-old Joseph, adored his little brother and the feeling was obviously mutual.\u00a0 Hoss dropped down to the ground so that he and Little Joe were at eye level and they carried on a lively conversation, out of hearing of Ben and Luther.<\/p>\n
Ben stood there, his arms across his chest, and watched the two in satisfaction.\u00a0 He was a man who valued family relationships above all else and it did his heart good to see the natural ease with which the younger members interacted with each other.\u00a0 He knew that all three of his sons cared for each other, but there was just something special between these two.\u00a0 He sighed, realizing that Adam as a youngster had never had the opportunity to be carefree and that was the reason he was not as open or spontaneous with his affection.\u00a0 Though, he thought to himself, he seemed to be downright effervescent when he saw him a few minutes ago.\u00a0 Realizing that it was the residual effects of seeing that pretty young girl he\u2019d been making eyes at, he laughed to himself, \u201cLike father, like son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny and the Cartwrights went through the same routine that they did almost every Sunday.\u00a0 It was one which was probably carried out in countless other homes \u2013 the battle between the people who wanted to get up and go to church and those who wanted to turn back over and sleep late.\u00a0 The only problem was that, in this family, the odds were not distributed fairly.\u00a0 The people who wanted to get up and go to church were the clear majority, leaving just one lone holdout \u2013 a small boy who was four years old, had soft curly hair and big hazel eyes and, if awakened before he was ready, had the disposition of a wounded grizzly bear. Still, the family managed to get everyone up, dressed, fed and into the buggy to head off to church without too many major catastrophes.\u00a0 Little Joe spilled his milk, but Adam had been right behind him and managed to jerk him out of his chair before the milk spilled onto his clothes.\u00a0 Finally, outside and ready to leave, Adam chose to ride astride his own horse while Hoss, Little Joe, Marie and Ben started for Virginia City in the buggy.<\/p>\n
The minister really had \u201cthe spirit\u201d that day and he preached a long and very enthusiastic sermon, punctuated by raised voice and pounding of fists on the pulpit.\u00a0 Joseph, after much squirming and wriggling around and several stern looks from both his father and mother, had finally fallen asleep in his mother\u2019s arms.\u00a0 When her arms became tired, she passed him over to Ben.\u00a0 He looked down at his son, wishing he could get away with taking a quick nap himself.\u00a0 Guiltily, Ben looked up and forced himself to listen to every word the minister said after that.\u00a0 Near the end of the sermon, as the pastor whipped himself into a fervor, Little Joe was awakened by a particularly loud shout and pounding on the pulpit.\u00a0 He watched, fascinated by the reverend, who was moving about and practically yelling and beating his fists on the pulpit, as if the devil himself were there.\u00a0 Little Joe didn\u2019t say anything, but he was enthralled by the performance and it made quite an impression on him.\u00a0 It also reminded him of something that Luther had said yesterday.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t wait to get out of that church. Finally, the minister sat down, as if the zeal had somehow run out.\u00a0 The hymn leader then called out a song and they began to sing.\u00a0 A closing prayer followed and the long, drawn out service was finally over.\u00a0 Ben reached down and picked his youngest son up.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d Adam turned to his father, \u201cI\u2019m going to go over and see Gloria for a minute, then I\u2019ll meet you on the way home.\u00a0 Is that all right?\u201d he asked, smiling and obviously in a rush to do just that.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, son, go ahead, but don\u2019t be late.\u00a0 I want you riding home with us, not after us.\u201d\u00a0 Ben and Marie guarded Sundays as family time and frowned upon any plans that would disrupt that time.\u00a0 Adam was off like a shot.\u00a0 Little Joe was squirming, trying to get down from his father\u2019s arms so that he could get out of there, too.\u00a0 Ben and Marie usually chatted with the people sitting near them briefly after the service.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, can me and Little Joe go on out to the buggy and wait for you?\u201d Hoss asked, eager to get out of the church himself.<\/p>\n
Ben considered this for a moment and said, \u201cHoss, I think Little Joe had best stay here with his mother and me.\u00a0 But do you think you could go get the buggy and bring it around to the front of the church to pick us up?\u201d\u00a0 Ben was pleased to see the excitement Hoss showed when he heard that request.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Pa, I\u2019ll go right now,\u201d he said, turning and moving around people towards the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cPapa, let me go help him, please.\u00a0 Please, please, Papa?\u201d Little Joe pleaded with his most cherubic smile on his face.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben and Marie said in unison, \u201cNo, Joseph.\u00a0 You are staying right here with us.\u201d\u00a0 His father\u2019s face had that look that told Little Joe that nothing good would be gained from arguing with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, can I at least get down, Papa?\u00a0 I can walk, you know,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Ben looked around and decided that the crowds had indeed thinned out enough to make that safe, so he put Joseph down, but held firmly onto his hand.\u00a0 Marie, seeing what Ben had done, grasped the other one.\u00a0 So, hand in hand, the three Cartwrights moved slowly with the flow of the other church members leaving the church and speaking to the minister on the way out.\u00a0 Little Joe was aggravated because his father and mother were talking so much that they were letting too many people get ahead of them.\u00a0 Even old people were getting out before they were.\u00a0 Finally, however, Little Joe realized that they were next in line and there were just the Martins behind them.\u00a0 When the family in front of them moved aside to the left of the church, Little Joe found himself right in front of the preacher, who asked him, \u201cWell young man, what did you think of the sermon today?\u00a0 I hope you were paying attention.\u201d\u00a0 His tone of voice was very patronizing as if a child this young couldn\u2019t possibly understand anything.\u00a0 Little Joe didn\u2019t know what it was about the minister\u2019s question and the way he said it, but he knew he didn\u2019t like it.\u00a0 The words he had heard Luther say yesterday popped into his mind and he answered the reverend\u2019s question in a clear and strong voice, \u201cIt was a helluva sermon, Reverend.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a long second there was no sound as everyone held his or her breath.\u00a0 Little Joe, not sure what was going on, seized the opportunity to reiterate his point.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir, a helluva sermon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben recovered first and immediately grabbed Little Joe and picked him up, pulling him away from the reverend.\u00a0 He looked at Marie for help, but he saw that she was still in shock.\u00a0 The reverend meanwhile had recovered from his initial shock and said loudly, \u201cWell, I never.\u201d\u00a0 Several other people, who had been walking away when the scene had unfolded, had stopped in their tracks to see what would happen.\u00a0 Several of the older children accompanying their parents had started to giggle and Little Joe, glad to see that someone appreciated his new word, started to repeat it.\u00a0 This time his mother deftly circumvented that by firmly placing her own hand over his mouth and giving him a stern look.\u00a0 Paul Martin saved the day by stating loudly, \u201cHey, no problem here, folks.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t we all go on home before our roast beef burns in the ovens?\u201d\u00a0 Most of the people around laughed; roast beef was the typical after church meal because it could be placed in a heavy pan with some vegetables and left to cook in the coals of the cook stove and be ready to eat upon their return.\u00a0 The laughter broke the tension and the others headed on towards their waiting buggies and wagons.\u00a0 Little Joe was confused at what was going on.\u00a0 He had no idea why the grownups were acting the way they were.\u00a0 He decided he would just rest his head on his father\u2019s shoulders and, while Ben and Marie stood there in shock at his language, he nodded peacefully off to sleep on his father\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, did you hear what he said?\u00a0 Did you hear what our baby boy said?\u201d Marie asked, her speech finally returning.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Marie, I sure did hear what he said,\u201d Ben responded tersely.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, who could have taught him those words?\u00a0 He is only four, Ben.\u00a0 Someone had to tell him those words!\u201d Marie said, thinking out loud.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah \u2013 and I am going to find out before bedtime which one of his brothers is responsible for that,\u201d Ben said, jumping to the conclusion that it had to have been either Adam or Hoss.\u00a0 Then Ben turned around and said, \u201cReverend, I am very sorry for what my son said.\u00a0 I can assure you that he will be punished for this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I certainly hope so.\u00a0 I have never heard such talk from a child in my life,\u201d came the reply.<\/p>\n
Paul Martin had been keeping back, not saying much and waiting to see what would happen, but now he felt that he needed to bring some perspective back into the situation.\u00a0 \u201cBen, Marie, I don\u2019t think you should be overly concerned about this.\u00a0 Sometimes children who acquire language skills at an early age do this.\u00a0 It really isn\u2019t so unusual.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot\u00a0unusual<\/em>\u00a0for my four-year-old son to say something I wouldn\u2019t say in front of his mother?\u201d Ben asked incredulously.<\/p>\n\u201cThat\u2019s right, Ben.\u00a0 Little Joe heard the word somewhere and liked the sound of it.\u00a0 I am sure he has no idea what it means.\u00a0 You need to be careful how you approach this.\u00a0 If you make too big a deal out of it, you might inadvertently reinforce the language.\u201d<\/p>\n
The immediate crisis passed, the Cartwrights walked toward their buggy with the Martins right behind them.\u00a0 When they got about halfway, the Martins turned to go in the opposite direction.\u00a0 Paul again reassured Ben and Marie, \u201cHe may do it a few more times, but if you don\u2019t react to it, it will soon lose its appeal and it will stop.\u00a0 Besides, you have to give him credit \u2013 he used the word appropriately.\u201d\u00a0 Laughing, the Martins walked off.\u00a0 As the Cartwrights, somewhat subdued from the morning\u2019s escapade, continued on toward the buggy, Ben started smiling and soon broke into laughter.\u00a0 \u201cBen, now what are you laughing about?\u201d Marie said, looking at him with her eyebrows raised.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Marie, Little Joe was right.\u00a0 It was a helluva sermon!\u201d\u00a0 Marie tried to look disapproving, but she couldn\u2019t manage it and she soon burst out laughing, too.\u00a0 They walked over to where Hoss had the buggy waiting and Adam was waiting with Sport.\u00a0 Hoss gathered up the reins to drive his father, stepmother and little brother home, while Ben and Marie enjoyed the view and a quiet conversation.<\/p>\n
Monday morning found the Cartwright household in a rush of activity as they prepared for their guests.\u00a0 Marie was used to entertaining Ben\u2019s business clients, friends, and the occasional overnight visitor that Adam or Hoss brought home, but this was the first time that they had entertained a family to see if they were \u201cgood enough\u201d for Adam to call upon their daughter.\u00a0 Marie had had very little contact with any of the Sterling family, though she had seen Gloria at town socials and at church.\u00a0 She could see why Adam was smitten with her, as she was a very pretty girl.\u00a0 She knew this was important to Adam and she wanted everything to go perfectly.\u00a0 She and Hop Sing had planned the menu carefully, aiming for something uncommon, but not too fancy.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to seem to be trying to put on airs to impress the Sterlings.\u00a0 Marie and Hop Sing had cleaned the house from top to bottom and all that were needed that day were the routine touches that she added: fresh flowers for the vases, crisp red apples in the fruit bowl, a cozy fire laid in the great hearth, a bottle of wine ready to go with dinner and cigars and brandy for the men after dinner.\u00a0 When Ben heard Marie talking about flowers for the table on the front porch, he felt his wisest move was to get out of the house that day.\u00a0 He sneaked up on Marie from behind and said, \u201cGuess who?\u201d with his hands over her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoberto?\u201d Marie guessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoberto!\u201d Ben said in mock anguish, turning her around and looking into her laughing eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s you, Ben.\u00a0 My mistake!\u201d\u00a0 Her laughter was stopped by his kiss, though her eyes were still dancing with merriment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll deal with you later, woman,\u201d Ben said as he grabbed an apple and headed out of the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, I want everyone home by 4p.m. sharp.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, ma\u2019am!\u201d Ben said, bowing to her, then quickly ducking out of the door before she could respond.<\/p>\n
Adam and Hoss went with their father that day, leaving Marie to deal with final preparations.\u00a0 She had her hands full, helping Hop Sing with the meal preparation, doing the household chores and keeping an eye on a very active four-year-old boy.\u00a0 Marie had just put the finishing touches to the great room and walked into the kitchen to get a drink for her and Little Joe.\u00a0 She decided to try to interest Little Joe in something that might keep him occupied so she could make final preparations \u2013 then she would put him down for a nap and get dressed herself.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, would you go out and water the flowers in our garden for me?\u201d\u00a0 She knew that he would get wet and dirty, but she could use the time very wisely and she had to give him a bath anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, Mama.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, Little Joe, you can\u2019t carry the big bucket, so you will have to carry the dipper full and give each plant a dipperful.\u201d \u00a0She figured this would keep him busy for long enough.\u00a0 He enthusiastically ran towards the door to start his new task.\u00a0 Little Joe was halfway finished when the bucket ran out of water.\u00a0 He ran to the door of the house and looked for his mother to come and fill it up, but he didn\u2019t see her.\u00a0 He decided to avoid Hop Sing, who had been mighty touchy this morning, doing lots of grumbling.\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d he said out loud, \u201cI bet Luther can help me,\u201d and he ran to the bunkhouse to see if Luther could help him get the bucket refilled.\u00a0 Luther had moved from his bed to a chair now, but his leg was still propped up.<\/p>\n
\u201cLuther, can you walk yet?\u201d asked the small boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet, Little Joe.\u00a0 Doc says one more week, though, and then I can begin to put some weight on my laig.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little Joe\u2019s face had a temporary frown as he considered his water problem, but then he saw that Luther was smoking a pipe and he became fascinated with it.\u00a0 \u201cHey Luther, can you make those rings of smoke like my Papa can?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuh, well now, let\u2019s jest see, Little Joe.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t done that in a long time.\u00a0 I usta could, though.\u201d\u00a0 With that he began to take some serious puffs on the pipe and worked on perfecting his smoke rings \u2013 to the delight of Little Joe.\u00a0 Little Joe climbed up in the chair next to Luther and watched the smoke rings and began to ask questions of the ranch hand.\u00a0 Before long, Luther was regaling Little Joe with tales from his past as a logger, a sailor and his job before the Ponderosa, a crewman for a traveling circus.\u00a0 The adventures, accent, and colorful vocabulary that Luther knew fascinated little Joe.\u00a0 He was imagining life as a circus worker when he first heard Marie calling him.\u00a0 \u201cUh, oh, Luther, I better get out of here.\u00a0 Mama is calling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome back anytime, Little Joe, I shore could use the company,\u201d Luther called as Little Joe scampered out of the side door of the bunkhouse and around to the flower garden.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, where were you?\u00a0 You haven\u2019t finished watering the flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI ran out of water, Mama, and you told me I couldn\u2019t try to get some from the well and I didn\u2019t see you or Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marie interrupted by saying, \u201cWell, okay.\u00a0 Here, we will fill the bucket together and then we will finish the flowers together.\u201d\u00a0 Marie filled the water bucket and together they quickly finished the watering.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, Joseph.\u00a0 Hold still, we are almost done,\u201d Marie said in exasperation.\u00a0 She had just finished giving him a bath and shampoo and was now trying to comb the still damp mass of brown curls so they wouldn\u2019t be quite so unruly.\u00a0 Finally, she conceded that his curls had a mind of their own and nothing she could do would change that, so she said, \u201cAll done, now.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe pulled his head away and gave her as near an imitation of his father\u2019s \u201clook\u201d as he could.\u00a0 \u201cNow then, young man, it is time for your nap.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,<\/em>\u00a0Mama, I\u2019m not sleepy at all.\u201d\u00a0 His face belied his statement and Marie knew that he would be asleep before she was out of the door.<\/p>\n\u201cBe that as it may, Joseph, you will lie down and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n
He started to argue, but saw the expression on her face and knew he stood no chance, so he conceded as graciously as he could.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, I\u2019ll lay down, but I\u2019m\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0going to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cFine, Little Joe, you just lie down here.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, enjoying the fresh clean scent of his clean skin and hair.\u00a0 At the doorway she turned around and looked at him \u2013 his eyes were already closing.\u00a0 Laughing, she headed towards her room to begin getting her own bath.<\/p>\n
The Sterlings arrived promptly at seven o\u2019clock and Ben, Marie, and Adam met their guests at the door.\u00a0 The Sterlings, John, Sheila and Gloria, were dressed in their Sunday best.\u00a0 Ben welcomed them into the great room and Hop Sing was there right away to offer them drinks.\u00a0 Ben and John enjoyed a glass of sherry, while the ladies settled for iced tea.\u00a0 Adam and Gloria also had iced tea, while they sat a little apart from the others talking quietly.\u00a0 Ben and John chatted about business, each asking about the other\u2019s field.\u00a0 Conversation for the women centered on their children, their homes, and their committees.\u00a0 Gloria was an only child and it was obvious to Marie that no one was good enough for her, according to her mother.\u00a0 After spending a lot of time outlining all Gloria\u2019s wonderful talents and traits, Mrs. Sterling was interrupted by her daughter.\u00a0 \u201cMother, please stop talking about me.\u00a0 You\u2019re embarrassing me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marie thought to herself that she didn\u2019t appear to be at all embarrassed.\u00a0 However, Mrs. Sterling said, \u201cOh, I apologize, I do go on sometimes about our Gloria.\u00a0 Now tell me about your three sons.\u00a0 I am surprised that someone of your age could have a son as old as Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam is my stepson, Sheila.\u00a0 Ben and I have only been married five years.\u201d\u00a0 She noted a slight frown on Mrs. Sterling\u2019s face, so she added, \u201cThough he is as fine a son as any woman could ever wish for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just at that moment, Hoss and Little Joe came bounding down the stairs.\u00a0 Hoss looked clearly out of his element in his white starched shirt and string tie.\u00a0 Little Joe also had on a white shirt and an untied string tie.\u00a0 Unlike Hoss, Little Joe didn\u2019t appear to be nervous at all.\u00a0 He bounded down the stairs, ran to his mother and said, \u201cMama, Hoss was choking me with this thing.\u00a0 Can you fix it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Marie put one arm around Little Joe and motioned for Hoss to come over.\u00a0 \u201cSheila, these are my other two sons.\u00a0 This is Erik, though we call him Hoss.\u00a0 And this is Joseph, whom we generally call Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Mrs. Sterling made the usual niceties towards Hoss, but she seemed to be captivated by Little Joe.\u00a0 Soon, Hop Sing came and announced that dinner was ready.\u00a0 Mrs. Sterling asked specifically if she could sit near Little Joe and she devoted much attention on him early on.\u00a0 As the meal progressed, the talk passed through the awkward, getting-to-know-each-other small talk, and settled into a fairly comfortable conversation.\u00a0 The meal that had been selected with such care was perfect.\u00a0 Hop Sing served the courses flawlessly and made sure that the glasses remained filled throughout the meal.\u00a0 Mr. and Mrs. Sterling asked questions about the Cartwrights that were designed to determine whether or not Adam would make a suitable caller for their Gloria.\u00a0 During this part of the meal, the tension in the room was just a little higher and Adam and Gloria both were listening intently to what was being said.\u00a0 Hoss was paying attention to his meal and paying no attention to the conversation.\u00a0 Little Joe had enjoyed the attention of Mrs. Sterling at first, but now found her to be an unacceptable dining companion.\u00a0 Left to his own devices, he was eating more than usual, but the problem was \u2013 he needed a roll.\u00a0 Hop Sing had made warm yeast rolls and he loved them.<\/p>\n
He politely asked no one in particular, \u201cPlease may I have another roll, please?\u201d\u00a0 But the grownups and Adam and Gloria paid him no attention, as they were deeply involved with the question and answer session taking place.\u00a0 A little more loudly he asked again, not quite so politely this time, but not rudely either, \u201cCan I please have another roll?\u201d\u00a0 He looked at the roll basket; it was way on the other end of the table.\u00a0 Even if he got up and walked around there, he wouldn\u2019t be able to reach it.\u00a0 He tried to get Hoss\u2019s attention, but Hoss, seated at the opposite side of the table too, had tuned out all conversation so he could enjoy the meal.\u00a0 Little Joe looked around at everyone sitting at the table; only Hoss was actually eating \u2013 everyone else was watching Mr. Sterling talk.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s mouth watered as he looked at the basket of soft, warm rolls and the butter he already had ready to put on one.\u00a0 He was at a loss as to what to do and then he remembered something Luther had told him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHell\u2019s bells!\u00a0 What do I hafta do to get a roll?\u201d he said in a very loud and quite audible voice.<\/p>\n
You could have heard a pin drop as everyone present held his or her breath for a few seconds.\u00a0 This time Marie was the first to recover.\u00a0 She jumped up from her chair, went around and grabbed Little Joe out of his chair and rushed towards the living room.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s face was a mixture of surprise, alarm and confusion.\u00a0 When they got to the living room, she put him on the floor and said, \u201cJoseph, go directly to your room right now and do not make another sound.\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u201d\u00a0 He looked at her and started to say something, but that look stopped him.\u00a0 Instead he turned around and, crying, ran toward the stairs, entered his room and slammed the door.\u00a0 Marie took a deep breath and tried to assume a calm countenance that she didn\u2019t feel.\u00a0 She walked back over to the table and said, \u201cI don\u2019t know what got into that boy.\u00a0 Please finish your meal.\u201d\u00a0 Ben tried to pick up the conversation, but it was soon apparent to everyone there that the meal was finished, as was Adam\u2019s future with Gloria Sterling.\u00a0 The Sterlings were polite and didn\u2019t say anything specific, but they hurriedly finished their meal, declined after dinner drinks and dessert and said they had to get back into town right away.\u00a0 The Cartwrights kept up the semblance of gracious hosts until their guests were out of the door, then Marie looked at Adam and said, \u201cOh, Adam, I am so sorry.\u201d\u00a0 This said, she collapsed into a chair.<\/p>\n
Adam was so angry and upset that he could hardly contain himself.\u00a0 He was pacing up and down, muttering and reciting what he was going to do to \u201cthat little brat.\u201d\u00a0 Ben let him go on for a few minutes, then said, \u201cAll right, Adam.\u00a0 That\u2019s enough.\u00a0 Marie and I are both sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he could continue, Marie said, \u201cAdam, he\u2019s just a little boy.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t do it on purpose.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss was unsure what to do.\u00a0 He knew what the dinner had meant to Adam, but he could also hear the wails of his little brother upstairs.\u00a0 About this time, Hop Sing came into the great room, fussing about the company leaving without dessert, while the family strove to the best of their ability to understand what he was saying, half in English and half in Chinese.<\/p>\n
Later that evening, alone at last, Ben and Marie sat next to each other by the fire without saying anything for several minutes, each reliving over and over the words that they would never forget, \u201cHell\u2019s bells!\u00a0 What do I hafta do to get a roll?\u201d\u00a0 The sobs from upstairs had slowly ebbed, as either Little Joe\u2019s tears had dried up or, more likely, he had fallen asleep.\u00a0 Finally, Marie looked at Ben and said, \u201cWell.\u00a0 That went well, didn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 Then they both laughed at the absurdity of the situation.\u00a0 \u201cAll he wanted was a roll, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, he sure picked a fine way to ask for it,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, we weren\u2019t paying attention to him.\u00a0 I bet he had asked politely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNevertheless, Marie, I will not tolerate that behavior.\u00a0 Regardless of what Paul Martin says, we have to do something,\u201d he added with a determined look.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, Ben, I know.\u00a0 Besides, I think I scared him to death anyway.\u00a0 I guess it\u2019s a little late to not overreact.\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned and looked at her with a smile and said, \u201cYou know, Marie, I haven\u2019t seen you move that fast since you chased me down to the altar.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBenjamin Cartwright!\u00a0 I didn\u2019t chase you to the altar!\u201d she said in a mocking, wounded voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think we had better go check on the little miscreant now,\u201d he said, pulling her to her feet.\u00a0 They walked arm in arm up the stairs and turned into the first door on the right of the hallway.\u00a0 Marie\u2019s breath caught in her throat when she saw Little Joe.\u00a0 He was sleeping on his bed on his side, still dressed in the white shirt, though he had taken off the tie and probably flung it off.\u00a0 His boots, too, had apparently been flung off, as one was near the window and one was by the door.\u00a0 His left thumb was in his mouth and with his right hand he was twisting his hair.\u00a0 He had visible tear tracks down his face and his eyes were slightly puffy from crying.\u00a0 Marie pointed out to Ben that he had turned the silver-framed picture of the two of them towards the wall.<\/p>\n
Ben pulled her close to him and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, he\u2019ll be fine tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 Gently, so as not to awaken her son, she got him into his nightshirt and then tucked him under the covers.\u00a0 While she was doing this, Ben picked up the tie and the boots and put them away and returned the picture to its original position.\u00a0 Both finished, they stood for a moment and looked down upon their son.\u00a0 Then, by unspoken agreement, they each leaned over and kissed him softly, then turned and left the room.<\/p>\n
Hoss came in from the barn to breakfast the next morning and noted that everyone was there but Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go get Little Joe,\u201d he said, heading towards the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, wait, Hoss, come on over here,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Hoss came over, looking around at Adam and Marie to see if he could get a clue about what was going on.\u00a0 Adam shrugged his shoulders and made a slight movement with his eyes to indicate he had no idea.\u00a0 Marie gave him a tiny half-smile which made him feel a little better.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoys, I want to ask each of you if you are responsible for your younger brother\u2019s new vocabulary,\u201d Ben said, staring at both Adam and Hoss.\u00a0 Hoss blushed and said, \u201cNo, Pa.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even say them words!\u201d\u00a0 The expression on his face and the vehemence of the denial was sufficient for both Ben and Marie to know that Hoss couldn\u2019t have been responsible.<\/p>\n
Ben then turned his sole attention toward Adam.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what about you?\u00a0 Do you say those words?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, I may have said those words now and then.\u00a0 But I didn\u2019t say them to Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan you be so sure that he didn\u2019t hear you, though, Adam?\u201d Ben asked, still looking at his eldest son.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what they say, Adam.\u00a0 \u2018Little pitchers have big ears,\u2019\u201d Marie added softly.<\/p>\n
Adam thought for a minute and then said, \u201cPa, I don\u2019t think Little Joe could have heard me swear.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t something I do often.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, at this point, the most important thing to remember is to not let it happen anymore.\u00a0 It is too late for the minister and too late for the Sterlings.\u00a0 And it\u2019s too late for your little brother, too.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to have to be punished and, I don\u2019t mind telling you, boys, I\u2019m not looking forward to that,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam both looked slightly uncomfortable.\u00a0 Marie looked devastated.\u00a0 \u201cNow then, you boys go and have your breakfast and get on with your chores.\u00a0 I have to go talk to your little brother.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face showed his displeasure at his own task.\u00a0 When Ben entered Little Joe\u2019s room, Little Joe was still asleep; his covers were on the floor and he was turned sideways on his bed.\u00a0 Ben rolled his eyes and went over to wake him up.\u00a0 He shook him on the shoulder and said, \u201cLittle Joe, it\u2019s time to get up.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s only response was to turn his head in the other direction.\u00a0 Ben shook him again, only harder this time, and called his name louder and more insistently.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph.\u00a0 Get up now, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little Joe finally opened his eyes and groggily said, \u201cHi, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben smiled and said, \u201cWell, it\u2019s about time, young man.\u00a0 Come on and get up now.\u00a0 We have to get you ready for breakfast and then we have to have a talk about last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little Joe looked puzzled at first, unsure what his father was talking about, then he remembered.\u00a0 Ben could see his facial muscles tense.\u00a0 Little Joe remembered all right \u2013 everybody ignoring him and getting mad at him just for asking for a roll!\u00a0 Oh, he remembered all right, and he was as angry as his four-year-old little heart had ever been.\u00a0 He looked at his Papa with a defiant look on his face, but he didn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, your behavior last night was not acceptable.\u00a0 You insulted our guests and embarrassed your family.\u00a0 That will not be tolerated.\u201d\u00a0 Ben was clearly confused by the lack of remorse Little Joe was showing.\u00a0 Usually, when he had to discipline Little Joe, the boy was contrite and apologizing or crying by now.\u00a0 Instead, he was acting like his father was mad.\u00a0 Ben tried again to get the point across to Little Joe and to get the appropriate reaction from him.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, do you hear me?\u00a0 Don\u2019t you have something to say?\u201d\u00a0 Ben stopped talking and stood looking at his son, waiting for a response.\u00a0 For just a second, Little Joe looked at him as if he were going to say something, then shook his head defiantly.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph.\u00a0 I see that you intend to be contrary today and I do not have time to do battle with you.\u00a0 We will talk about this later.\u00a0 But you had better understand that if another episode occurs like last night, you\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0get a spanking, is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\nLittle Joe stared at his father, his anger still bubbling; but he was also confused.\u00a0 It was not like his Papa to get so mad at him for interrupting \u2013 especially to ask for more food.\u00a0 He hesitated, trying to decide what to do or say.\u00a0 \u201cDo you hear me, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, that was easier for Little Joe \u2013 at least he knew the answer to that, and unconsciously his face relaxed a little.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I hear you, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well, then.\u00a0 Let\u2019s have no more of this nonsense.\u00a0 Hurry up and get dressed and go eat your breakfast.\u201d\u00a0 Ben was relieved to have that over with and to get out of his son\u2019s room, although he was still surprised at Little Joe\u2019s reluctance to apologize and his stubbornness.\u00a0 He thought to himself, Oh well, he has just turned four years old and he\u00a0does<\/em>\u00a0have his mother\u2019s temper! Marie was waiting for him anxiously when he came down the stairs.\u00a0 She seemed relieved to have heard no sounds of spanking or crying.<\/p>\nBen said, \u201cThat boy has a stubborn streak a mile wide.\u00a0 Now I wonder where that came from?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, it\u2019s a well-known fact that a boy\u2019s temperament comes from his father,\u201d Marie replied, laughing.\u00a0 Then, seriously, \u201cDid it go all right, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think I made my point, though I have to tell you, he was being awfully stubborn about the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you find out where he heard the words?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I decided to leave that for another day.\u00a0 I wanted time to go over my figures for that lumber contract this morning.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t forget that Harrison and Ford are coming by here this morning, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Ben, I didn\u2019t forget.\u00a0 Hop Sing will serve cold cuts, pastries, and coffee, if you want it.\u00a0 I will try to keep Little Joe busy with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, sweetheart.\u00a0 This is an important timber contract; it means a lot to the Ponderosa.\u201d\u00a0 He gave her a hug.\u00a0 She gave him a quick peck on his mouth and then said, \u201cThen get your figures in order and let a lady get on with her work.\u00a0 I better go get Little Joe to come eat before he really turns into a bear.\u201d \u00a0 With that, Marie headed upstairs and Ben turned his attention to business.<\/p>\n
Little Joe was sullen when Marie went in to hurry him for breakfast.\u00a0 He was dressed except for buttoning his shirt and she attempted to help him, but he said, \u201cI\u2019ll do it myself.\u201d\u00a0 She sighed and let him finish, noting that the buttons were not aligned properly and his shirt was going to be crooked all day, but she let it go.\u00a0 Four-year-olds, she thought.\u00a0 She hurried him along as best she could and, since Hop Sing had already cleared the breakfast table, he fixed Joe a plate in the kitchen.\u00a0 Although Joe wasn\u2019t talking to his mother, he did seem to be ready for breakfast, giving her a tinge of guilt that perhaps he had still been hungry when she sent him to his room last night.\u00a0 Marie noticed that Little Joe didn\u2019t seem to be in a bad humor with Hop Sing \u2013 just with her and Ben.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing, would you mind keeping an eye on Little Joe while I do the upstairs cleaning?\u201d she asked, as she never wanted to take Hop Sing for granted.\u00a0 She wanted to get the upstairs finished quickly so she would be on hand when the men from the timber company arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou leave little boy with Hop Sing .\u00a0 Little Joe can help Hop Sing . Is okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Marie passed through the living room she saw her husband engrossed in paperwork; she smiled and hurried upstairs.\u00a0 She started work in her and Ben\u2019s bedroom, making the bed and straightening and dusting.\u00a0 She moved quickly onto the older boys\u2019 rooms and removed the dirty clothing.\u00a0 Ben insisted that they straighten their own rooms.\u00a0 She knew that soon he would say Little Joe was old enough to begin to do his own straightening, but truthfully she enjoyed doing it \u2013 it seemed like he was growing up too fast.\u00a0 When she had finished upstairs she headed downstairs and was alarmed to see that Ben\u2019s guests had already arrived.\u00a0 She straightened her hair and her dress as she descended the stairs and went over to greet the visitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Harrison, Mr. Ford, this is my wife, Marie.\u00a0 Marie, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Ford.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you do, gentlemen?\u00a0 May I offer you some coffee?\u201d Marie asked.<\/p>\n
Mr. Harrison was tall and very stout and Mr. Ford was tall and thin.\u00a0 Marie thought that they both looked very grim and unsociable and she was glad she didn\u2019t have to be present at this meeting.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, yes,\u201d was all the reply she received and she was relieved to get out of there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing do you have\u2026?\u201d\u00a0 Marie cut her question short as she entered the empty kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cHmm.\u00a0 That\u2019s odd.\u00a0 I wonder where Hop Sing is?\u201d she said to herself, but she didn\u2019t think anything else of it and began to get a tray ready for the coffee service.\u00a0 She reached for the silver coffee urn, but then decided that the porcelain one might be more appropriate for those two men \u2013 they didn\u2019t look the \u201cfancy\u201d types.\u00a0 She put the pot of freshly brewed coffee and homemade pastries, together with cups, cutlery, napkins, cream and sugar, on the tray.\u00a0 Just as she was preparing to take it into the study, Hop Sing entered with Little Joe right behind him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing go get fresh eggs, Missy.\u00a0 Thought Little Joe right behind but he slow.\u00a0 Hop Sing find in bunkhouse.\u00a0 Sorry Hop Sing late.\u00a0 Want me to take tray?\u201d<\/p>\n
She could tell Hop Sing had probably been frantically looking for Little Joe \u2013 he was known to wander off if you took your eyes off him for one second.\u00a0 She smiled at Hop Sing and said, \u201cNo, Hop Sing , I\u2019ll take the tray; you sit down and rest.\u201d\u00a0 She looked over at Little Joe, who seemed to have lost his earlier bad disposition and said, \u201cLittle Joe, would you like to go say \u2018hello\u2019 to our guests?\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked at his Mama smiling at him and smiled back and said, \u201cSure, Mama.\u00a0 Can I help?\u201d<\/p>\n
She laughed and said, \u201cNo thanks, son, better let me carry this one.\u201d\u00a0 So together they headed into the study, Marie first with the tray, Little Joe confidently beside her.\u00a0 When Ben looked up and saw Marie and Little Joe coming in, he smiled and was rewarded with a return smile from them both.\u00a0 Marie set the tray down on Ben\u2019s desk and, as she prepared to pour the coffee, Ben made the introductions.\u00a0 \u201cGentlemen, this is my youngest son, Joseph.\u00a0 Little Joe, this is Mr. Harrison and Mr. Ford.\u00a0 Say \u2018hello.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 The men were clearly not interested in Little Joe, but they both stuck out a hand in a semblance of a handshake.\u00a0 Little Joe, glad that he knew what was expected of him, walked over to Mr. Harrison and said, \u201cHow the hell are you?\u201d\u00a0 Then he went right on to Mr. Ford and said, \u201cDamned hot day, ain\u2019t it?\u201d with a smile.<\/p>\n
The adults were not smiling \u2013 the color drained out of both Ben\u2019s and Marie\u2019s faces.\u00a0 The two guests were so taken aback, they merely spluttered.\u00a0 Marie felt faint and had to sit down for a moment.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s frustration with his son superseded his concern for the business deal.\u00a0 He stood up from his desk, grabbed Little Joe\u2019s hand, and headed upstairs.\u00a0 He stopped midway and said, \u201cGentlemen, you must excuse me.\u201d\u00a0 Then he continued upstairs, practically dragging the shocked and terrified little boy to his room.\u00a0 When he got upstairs he realized that he was too angry to discipline Joseph now.\u00a0 He took several deep breaths with his eyes closed, then he opened them and looked at the stricken face of his son.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you will wait in this room for me.\u00a0 You will be punished, but I will have to wait until I am calmer.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed toward the rocking chair by the window and said, \u201cI want you to sit in that chair and do not move until I return.\u201d\u00a0 With that, he strode out of the room, nearly slamming the door as he left.\u00a0\u00a0 When he came downstairs he saw that Mr. Harrison and Mr. Ford had gone.\u00a0 Marie was still sitting where he had left her.\u00a0 She looked at him, without moving, and raised her eyebrows, as if she couldn\u2019t find words to ask her question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t punish him yet, Marie.\u00a0 I am far too angry now.\u00a0 But I told him to sit in the rocking chair to wait for me and he better hope for a miracle, because that is what it is going to take to calm me down,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cOur guests?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, I am so sorry.\u00a0 I tried to get them to stay, but they wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 They said to tell you they would make other arrangements.\u201d\u00a0 Marie gave him the bad news.\u00a0 \u201cThey said they had an offer from Fred Hancock and that they had decided to accept it.\u201d\u00a0 She watched her husband\u2019s face as he heard this news and noticed a tightening of his jaw line.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarie, I am going into\u00a0Virginia City\u00a0to see if I can catch them or, if all else fails, at least I need to notify our agent in\u00a0San Francisco to shop the lumber deal again.\u00a0 Leave Joseph to me.\u00a0 I will handle this when I return.\u201d\u00a0 With that, he gave her shoulder a squeeze and said, \u201cIt\u2019ll be all right.\u201d And then he was gone.\u00a0\u00a0When he reached Virginia City, Ben went directly to the International House to see if he could reason with Mr. Harrison and Mr. Ford.\u00a0 He was not surprised to find that they had already checked out of the hotel and had been picked up by Mr. Hancock.\u00a0 \u201cHmph.\u00a0 He sure works fast,\u201d Ben said out loud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know about that, Mr. Cartwright, but he\u2019s been here every night dining with the two gentlemen.\u00a0 Why, last night they even had champagne sent up to their room, said it was a celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA celebration?\u201d Ben prompted.<\/p>\n
The desk clerk was only too happy to continue, following Ben\u2019s subtle lead.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 Said they had just signed a big timber contract.\u00a0 Funny thing is, though, one of them men, that Mr. Harrison, he told that other one \u2013 Mr. Ford \u2013 that they had really suckered that Mr. Hancock.\u00a0 Said they\u2019s practically stealin\u2019 those trees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben considered this information thoughtfully for a second, then turned and said, \u201cWell, thanks for the information.\u201d\u00a0 He then hurried over to the telegraph office to send a telegram to his business agent in San Francisco to instruct him regarding the failed timber deal.\u00a0 When he walked into the telegraph office, George Kirby was dozing in his chair.\u00a0 Ben cleared his throat and said, \u201cGeorge?\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Kirby sprang up, almost falling out of his chair in the process.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d like to send a telegram to my agent,\u201d Ben told him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure thing, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Oh, that reminds me \u2013 we have a wire for you, just came in this morning.\u201d\u00a0 He reached behind him, pulled a telegram out and handed it to Ben.\u00a0 Ben unfolded the yellow slip of paper and read:<\/p>\n
DO NOT SIGN DEAL WITH HARRISON AND FORD STOP CANNOT MEET FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS STOP HAVE NEW BUYER LINED UP STOP GUARANTEED BACKING STOP DETAILS TO FOLLOW STOP J DANIELS STOP<\/p>\n
Ben read it through twice and then looked at George, who was waiting to send his telegram.\u00a0 \u201cNever mind, George.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be needing to send that telegram.\u00a0 The next time a telegram comes to me, would you please see that it gets delivered right away?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben walked out of the telegraph office with a much lighter step than when he had gone in.\u00a0 He mounted Buck and headed for home.<\/p>\n
When he was rounding the final bend in the road before reaching the road to the Ponderosa, he met Adam riding up on Sport.\u00a0 \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d the boy greeted his father as he pulled up along side him.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d the meeting go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Adam, you could have gone all day without asking me that,\u201d Ben said with a roll of his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened\u2026?\u201d Adam started to ask and then had a terrible thought.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, son, I\u2019m afraid so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam just looked at his father, not sure what to say.<\/p>\n
A thought struck Ben and he looked closely at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t seem to be too upset over the ruined dinner last evening and the end of your romance with Gloria Sterling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam gave a snort.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s an understatement, Pa.\u00a0 I ran into Jimmy Miller at the mill today and you know what he told me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGloria Sterling has been seeing Seth Thomas from Carson City.\u00a0 She\u2019d already told him she would go to the next social with him.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t going to go with me, anyway.\u00a0 Any girl that would go out with that conceited Seth Thomas\u2026well, I don\u2019t want to go out with her.\u00a0 I guess you could say Little Joe did me a favor actually.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s interesting, Adam.\u00a0 As it turns out, it seems that that deal I was about to sign was a bad business decision and we\u2019re better off not signing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben and Adam looked at each other, then Adam slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, maybe it wasn\u2019t Little Joe\u2019s fault, after all.\u00a0 Maybe it was a miracle or divine intervention or something,\u201d Adam said, grinning.<\/p>\n
Ben looked at him and rolled his eyes just as they were nearing the Ponderosa ranch house.\u00a0 The sight of the house always gave him a good, warm feeling inside, no matter how many times he made the trip.\u00a0 As they rode on in companionable silence, Ben thought about what Adam had just said in jest \u2013 a miracle or divine intervention.\u00a0 He remembered his words to Marie earlier, that Little Joe had better hope for a miracle.\u00a0 Well, he didn\u2019t know if it were a miracle or not, but he certainly was in a much better frame of mind to deal with his son\u2019s new vocabulary than he was earlier.\u00a0 Ben and Adam rode into the yard and dismounted.\u00a0 Adam reached over and took the reins to Ben\u2019s horse and said, \u201cI\u2019ll stable Buck for you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Adam,\u201d Ben replied and turned to go to the house.\u00a0 He was halfway to the door when Marie came out, obviously relieved to see him.<\/p>\n
He put his arm around her shoulder and she asked, \u201cHow did it go, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n
He laughed and said, \u201cEverything is fine, but it\u2019s a long story that I would rather tell you later.\u00a0 Right now, I\u2019m anxious to have a talk with our youngest.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, before you talk to Little Joe you need to talk to Hoss,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
He raised his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not implying that Hoss is responsible for Joe\u2019s new language are you, Marie?\u201d<\/p>\n
She smiled at the thought of gentle Hoss even using such language.\u00a0 \u201cBen, I doubt it, but he wants to tell you first.\u00a0 He\u2019s inside, go get it straight from him \u2013 before you talk to Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, Marie, I sure want to hear this,\u201d he said, holding the door open for her to enter.\u00a0 She put her hand on his arm and said, \u201cBen, you need to hurry \u2013 Little Joe has been in that chair all day long.\u00a0 Even when I told him he could get on his bed and take a nap, he wouldn\u2019t budge and he wouldn\u2019t eat any lunch either.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, your mother says you have something to tell me,\u201d Ben said, taking a seat across from his son.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, Pa.\u00a0 I know where Little Joe has been learning those words from.\u00a0 I found out today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Hoss, out with it.\u00a0 Don\u2019t keep us in suspense,\u201d Ben said as he noticed Marie had now joined them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s Luther, Pa.\u00a0 I was talkin\u2019 to him today and he asked how come Little Joe hadn\u2019t been out to talk to him today and I told him he was being punished and he asked what for and I tol\u2019 him, then he said it was his fault on account of he\u2019s been telling Little Joe tall tales and now he\u2019s \u2018fraid you\u2019re gonna fire him and he really didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, son, take a breath,\u201d Ben said, holding up a hand.<\/p>\n
Hoss paused a second then said, \u201cPa, Little Joe was just repeatin\u2019 words he heard Luther sayin\u2019 in his stories and Luther has just been so lonesome while his leg was broke that he liked to have Little Joe visit him, but he said he promises he won\u2019t use them words no more.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, you can assure Luther that he won\u2019t be fired, but we would appreciate a little more discretion, er, caution when talking around Little Joe, please,\u201d Ben said, relieved to at least have the mystery of where Little Joe heard the words solved.<\/p>\n
He looked at Marie over Hoss\u2019s head and sighed, \u201cNow, I will go talk to Little Joe and get this family back to normal.\u00a0 How about seeing if we can have supper early tonight?\u00a0 I suspect our youngest son may be hungry.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at him in return, knowing now that Ben would make everything right again.\u00a0 Ben walked straight up to Little Joe\u2019s room and opened the door.\u00a0 Little Joe was still sitting in the chair; indeed, it looked like he hadn\u2019t moved all day.\u00a0 His eyes jerked up to look at his father when the door opened.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s heart constricted when he saw the panic in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHi, son, guess it\u2019s been a very long day for you.\u201d\u00a0 He walked over and picked Little Joe up, noting the stiffening of his body at his father\u2019s touch.\u00a0 Ben then sat down in the chair himself and positioned Little Joe on his lap.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, I don\u2019t think you and I have been understanding each other too well the past few days.\u00a0 And I want to get that fixed right now, don\u2019t you?\u201d he asked, watching his son\u2019s face carefully.\u00a0 He saw the relief in his eyes and he hugged him to him; this time Little Joe didn\u2019t resist the embrace.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow then, son, you have been saying some words that are not good words to say.\u00a0 Do you know the ones I mean, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe shook his head, \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
A thought struck Ben and he asked, \u201cJoe, what do you think you got in trouble about last night with the Sterlings?\u201d\u00a0 He could see Joe was thinking and reluctant to speak, so he prompted, \u201cIt\u2019s all right, Little Joe.\u00a0 Just tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe looked up at Ben and gushed out, \u201cI don\u2019t know, Papa.\u00a0 I just wanted a roll and nobody would give me one.\u201d\u00a0 Ben could see his eyes were brimming with tears and knew that his son was telling the truth.\u00a0 He hugged him even tighter and Little Joe let the tears fall and Ben rocked him for a few minutes, soothing him with comforting words.\u00a0 Finally, the tears slowed down and there was just an occasional half sob escaping involuntarily.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoe, the reason we got angry last night and this morning \u2013 and at church on Sunday \u2013 was because of some of the words you used.\u00a0 They\u2019re words that men shouldn\u2019t say around ladies or children and that children should never say at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe reflected on this for a minute and then said, \u201cYou mean \u2018helluva,\u2019 Papa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Joe, that is one of them.\u00a0 \u2018Hell\u2019s bells\u2019 is another.\u00a0 So are \u2018damned\u2019 and \u2018hell.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben could tell that Joe really was thinking, so he said, \u201cJoseph, what does \u2018helluva\u2019 mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, Papa, it means \u2018loud.\u2019\u201d Joe said confidently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see.\u00a0 What about \u2018damned,\u2019 Joe?\u00a0 What does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat means \u2018very,\u2019 Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, that is not what those words mean.\u00a0 Most of the words don\u2019t really mean anything.\u00a0 They are what are known as swear words.\u00a0 And a gentleman never uses those words around ladies or in meetings.\u00a0 In fact some people never use them at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little Joe\u2019s eyes grew wide as he tried to process all this information.\u00a0 Then he said, \u201cWell, Papa, when Luther says \u2019em, they sound funny; they don\u2019t sound like bad words.\u00a0 They sound fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, sometimes men say words like that, but it isn\u2019t something that children can do \u2013 without getting in\u00a0lots<\/em>\u00a0of trouble.\u201d\u00a0 He emphasized the \u201clots\u201d to make sure his son got the message.\u00a0 \u201cDo you now understand why you got in trouble, Joseph?\u201d Ben asked his son, his hand holding the child\u2019s chin up so that he was looking directly into his eyes.<\/p>\n\u201cYes, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd do you promise not to use them again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Papa, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, how will I know if a word is a bad word or a good word?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n
Ben laughed, thinking that was a very reasonable question that deserved a reasonable answer.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, if you hear a word and you are not completely sure of what it means, you just come ask me.\u00a0 How about that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou promise, Little Joe?\u201d Ben asked for reassurance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise, Papa.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben pulled Little Joe closer to him and hugged him tightly.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I hope we never have this kind of problem again, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe too, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPapa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m awful hungry, Papa.\u00a0 Can we go eat?\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughing, Ben got out of the chair, swung his son onto his shoulders and said, \u201cYou bet we can, Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 And as they approached the top of the stairs, Ben Cartwright bellowed out, \u201cSomebody better get some food ready in a hurry because me and Little Joe are hungry enough to eat a horse, aren\u2019t we, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
But Little Joe couldn\u2019t answer because he was giggling too much to speak.<\/p>\n
***The End***<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Published in the Bonanza 40th Convention Anthology<\/p>\n
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