Summary:\u00a0 Ben tries to find some quiet time to get his ranch accounts in order.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (5,650 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Doing the Books<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n B \u2026 ump!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright put his elbow on the desk and rested his head on his hand as he continued to write. He stared at the line of figures in front of him and tried to make sense of them as he blinked a couple of times.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n B\u2026.ump!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up. \u201cJoseph, son \u2026. Please don\u2019t do that,\u201d he said in what he hoped was a reasonable tone. His head had begun to throb and the bumping noise that was emanating from the other side of the large room was not helping it any.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe bumped down yet another stair on his small backside before looking over at his father. B \u2026.ump! \u201cIt\u2019s fun Pa,\u201d he said happily and pushed himself forward down another two stairs. B \u2026ump! B\u2026. ump!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben drew a deep breath and counted to five before trying again. \u201cWell it might be fun Joe, but I\u2019m asking you to stop doing it for now please. It\u2019s distracting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped bumping and thought for a moment. He screwed up his small nose and closed his eyes for a full minute, obviously trying to recall something important. His small index finger found it\u2019s way to his nose and inserted itself in there, as it often did when he was deep in thought. Finally his eyes opened and he put his head on one side. \u201cWhat\u2019s dis \u2026 distrack \u2026 ting mean Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt means that you\u2019re disturbing me when I\u2019m trying to work,\u201d said his father, trying to focus on the figures in the ledger before him. Bookwork was not his favourite occupation at the best of times and right now he felt as if he never wanted to see another ledger again. He had been hours already working at these figures and it had only served to put himself and everyone else in a bad mood because of it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stuck at home for a full day doing the books was his idea of torture, but he knew that if he didn\u2019t keep on top of the ledgers then he\u2019d regret it. As he was constantly telling Adam, who was now old enough to appreciate such things \u2026 a ranch the size of The Ponderosa was only as successful as those who ran it \u2026 and the paperwork was a vital part of that. Trouble was that he just couldn\u2019t abide doing it, and consequently tended to put it towards the bottom of his list of priorities with the result that he sometimes had catch-up days like this at his desk to contend with.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n B \u2026.ump!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up again crossly. \u201cJoseph! I\u2019ve asked you once to stop doing that please!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped bumping, stood up and grabbed hold of the banisters, looking at his father through them as if he were looking out through the bars in a jail cell. \u201cBut I got nothing else to do Pa!\u201d he whined.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlay with your toys,\u201d said Ben absently as he entered a few more numbers into his ledger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe jumped down the remaining stairs and ran noisily over to his father\u2019s desk. He leant his elbows on it and rested his head on his arms as he stared across at his father hopefully. \u201cWill ya come and play with me?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cI told you before Joe, I\u2019m doing the books. Now please go off and play like a good boy.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe scowled. \u201cDon\u2019t do them books Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t like it when you do them books.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed and rubbed his temple where he could feel his headache worsening. \u201cJoseph, please do as I ask,\u201d he said impatiently. \u201cBe a good boy and run along.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stared at his father for another full minute. \u201cCan I go outside?\u201d he asked. \u201cI wanna see the new horses what Adam brought home yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLater,\u201d said Ben absently. \u201cNot now.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sighed and wandered away to find his toy soldiers. He began to set them up all over the floor and was soon engrossed in a full-scale war with them. Ben concentrated on his figures once more, the only sound in the large room being the ticking of the grandfather clock and the occasional battle sound from Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly a loud noise startled Ben and he looked up to see Hop Sing clattering across the room, his arms full of cleaning equipment. \u201cHop Sing,\u201d said Ben wearily. \u201cI\u2019m trying to work. Do you mind being a bit quieter?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing glared at him. \u201cHop Sing have work to do too!\u201d he declared. \u201cNo can stop just because Mr Cartwright decide stay here for whole day.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed. Hop Sing was always very keen to have them all out of the house every day, as he was constantly complaining that they were always underfoot for his cleaning if any of them stayed at the ranch. He was also an expert at making his displeasure known.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, can\u2019t you clean around here later?\u201d asked Ben. \u201cDo upstairs first or something.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cTuesday is day for cleaning downstairs. Always important keep routine.\u201d He began to dust the bookshelves behind Ben\u2019s desk. \u201cMuch to do,\u201d he muttered, glaring at his employer meaningfully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019ve got a lot to do as well,\u201d said Ben. He waited for the housekeeper to move, but Hop Sing kept dusting as if he hadn\u2019t even heard him. \u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said finally. \u201cYou do what you have to and so will I.\u201d He picked up his pen again and dipped it into the inkbottle while Hop Sing glared at him from behind his back and continued to dust.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Pa!\u201d shouted out Little Joe from the other side of the room. \u201cLook at this!\u201d\u00a0 He motioned to his elaborate battle scene set up on the floor with his soldiers and horses all at the ready.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced up. \u201cVery good,\u201d he said absently and then began to write again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou wanna play now Pa?\u201d persisted Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d said Ben, continuing to write. Joe made a face and then lay down on his stomach and began to make battle noises as he moved his soldiers and horses around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing finished the dusting and picked up a broom. \u201cMove feet,\u201d he instructed Ben, prodding him with the end of the broom. Ben obediently moved his feet, while not pausing in his work. \u201cNow move chair,\u201d said Hop Sing, shoving Ben\u2019s feet back again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben tried to hold onto his temper. \u201cCan you please finish up?\u201d he said. \u201cI really need to \u2026\u201d He caught the look on Hop Sing\u2019s face and shook his head as he pushed his chair backwards. \u201cHurry up then,\u201d he said and waited for Hop Sing to finish sweeping before he arranged his chair into the right position again. Hop Sing gave him a satisfied look and began to sweep over near the grandfather clock. Ben counted to ten slowly, trying not to yell at the man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suddenly the front door opened and Adam appeared. \u201cPa?\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOver here son,\u201d replied Ben, putting down his pen with a sigh. It seemed that everyone was determined to stop him from working today. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam walked over and threw his hat down onto his father\u2019s desk before sitting on the edge of it with one leg crossed over the other. \u201cJust wanted to check on something with you,\u201d he said. \u201cDid you want \u2026.\u201d He stopped as Little Joe launched himself towards him with a loud shout. Adam reeled backwards slightly with the force of his small brother landing on his legs and was forced to pick the child up. \u201cHi squirt,\u201d he said casually giving him a smile. \u201cBeen a good boy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wriggled in his brother\u2019s arms. \u201cWill you play soldiers with me Adam?\u201d he asked. \u201cPa won\u2019t cause he has to do them books.\u201d He gave his father an indignant look.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ruffled his brother\u2019s curly hair. \u201cSorry buddy,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wriggled down out of his brother\u2019s arms and stood with his hands on his hips. \u201cEveryone\u2019s always got work to do,\u201d he said indignantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam grinned at him and then turned back to his father. \u201cI needed to check on what you wanted done with the cattle we\u2019ve branded. Did you want them put out to the North pasture?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Ben and Adam discussed the ranch business, Little Joe stood impatiently looking from one to the other. Gradually he walked around his father\u2019s desk until he was standing next to him and looked with interest at the ledger on the desk. \u201cWhat\u2019s all them numbers for Pa?\u201d he asked. There was no answer as Ben continued to speak with his eldest son. \u201cPa?\u201d persisted Joe, pulling at his father\u2019s sleeve.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stopped. \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked with a touch of impatience in his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s them numbers for Pa?\u201d asked Joe again, pointing to the large book on the desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m doing the books,\u201d said Ben before turning back to Adam again. \u201cI think that you\u2019ll need to \u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe made a face at Adam, quite disgruntled that his brother was monopolising their father\u2019s attention in such a way. \u201cBut Pa,\u201d he whined, pulling on his father\u2019s sleeve. \u201cI wanna talk to you.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t respond. \u201cPa!\u201d said Joe again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned to him. \u201cJoseph please!\u201d he said. \u201cGo back and play with your toys. There\u2019s a good boy.\u201d He turned to Adam again. \u201cAnything else?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNope,\u201d said Adam, not moving. He dusted down his trousers. \u201cSure is hot out there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gave him an impatient look. \u201cWell if there\u2019s nothing else, I need to get this finished,\u201d he said, indicating the desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam made a face. \u201cIs that a hint to leave?\u201d he asked with a grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed. \u201cI\u2019m sorry son, but I\u2019m really trying to get this done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam stood up. \u201cI can take a hint,\u201d he said. \u201cSee you at supper.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe sprang forward. \u201cTake me with you!\u201d he shouted. \u201cPlease Adam \u2026 can I come?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam ruffled the little boy\u2019s curls again. \u201cSorry buddy,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve got work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can help!\u201d shouted Joe, running after his brother to the front door. \u201cAdam!\u201d He looked at the door as it closed behind his brother and then gave it a hard kick.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d called Ben. \u201cStop kicking that door!\u201d Joe looked over his shoulder at his father and then gave the door another hard kick. \u201cJoseph!\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cStop that!\u201d He picked up his pen again, determined to get through the distasteful task in front of him.\u00a0 He hid a smile as he saw his son give the door one last small kick and then stomped off to his soldiers again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlenty mud on boots!\u201d complained Hop Sing, sweeping near the front door vigorously. \u201cAlways number one son bring mud into house on boots!\u201d Ben ignored him and continued to work, wishing that he were outside with his eldest son having the chance to also get mud on his boots. \u201cHop Sing get lunch now,\u201d Hop Sing announced gruffly and strode out of the room. He was back within minutes, plonking down a platter full of sandwiches on the table. \u201cLunch!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood up, happy to have an excuse to stop work for a moment. \u201cAdam is eating with the men,\u201d he said. \u201cI suppose he told you that this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded and then disappeared into the kitchen. \u201cWell Joe, I suppose it\u2019s just you and me today then,\u201d said Ben as he sat down at the table. \u201cCome and get something to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t Hoss come home from school fer lunch?\u201d asked Little Joe, not moving.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s too far,\u201d replied his father, helping himself to a sandwich. \u201cNow come and eat.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t I go to that school with him?\u201d asked Joe, still not moving.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou will after summer,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cNow come over here and eat your lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI wanna go now,\u201d said Joe. \u201cI \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d said Ben, losing his temper. \u201cGet over here and eat!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe came over to the table and looked at the sandwiches with distaste. \u201cDon\u2019t wanna eat,\u201d he whined. \u201cI\u2019m not hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEat!\u201d said Ben firmly and pointed to his son\u2019s chair. Joe sighed and sat down, nibbling at a sandwich that Ben placed on his plate.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the next ten minutes Ben ate his lunch and prompted Little Joe to eat his lunch, his eyes on his son and his mind on what he needed to do next with the ledgers. As he listened to the little boy\u2019s chatter he thought about how things used to be just a few months ago when his wife Marie had been there to make lunchtimes fun for both of them and his heart ached to turn back the clock to have things as they used to be before her death.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 can we Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s voice pierced through Ben\u2019s thoughts insistently and he looked in surprise at the child next to him. \u201cCan we what?\u201d he asked vaguely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan we go fishin this afternoon?\u201d Little Joe asked hopefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Little Joe,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I told you before that I have to do the books today.\u201d He winced as the little boy\u2019s face fell. \u201cI\u2019m sorry son,\u201d he continued. \u201cMaybe another day?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe slid off his chair and headed for the soldiers again. \u201cOK,\u201d he said in a small voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned to see Adam standing in the doorway. \u201cI thought you were eating out with the men?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam strode over and picked up a leftover sandwich. \u201cI am,\u201d he said. \u201cWe already ate. I just came back for some more rope.\u201d He picked up another sandwich. \u201cThese are good,\u201d he said through a full mouth.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood up. \u201cWell, get your rope and get back to work,\u201d he said shortly. \u201cI\u2019ve got to finish these books.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI thought maybe you\u2019d like to come on out and see how much we\u2019ve got through,\u201d said Adam, trying to sound casual. \u201cWe\u2019re nearly done,\u201d he added with pride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s good,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I really can\u2019t leave these accounts unfinished son. I\u2019ll check it out perhaps tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure thing Pa,\u201d Adam said, his face falling at his father\u2019s words. He picked up the last sandwich and waved at Little Joe who sat despondently with his soldiers near the coffee table. \u201cBye squirt!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben waved absently to his son as the young man headed out of the door. How was it that every time he had a lot of work to do people just seemed to naturally want to drag him away from it? Of course he\u2019d like nothing better than to go out and view the branding, but surely Adam realised that the work he was doing here was vital? He knew that his eldest son needed to prove to his father that he was doing a good job and hence the reason Adam kept wanting Ben to see the work he was doing for himself, but still \u2026 a man had priorities when he was running a ranch this large. He would go and reassure the boy tomorrow that what he was doing was right.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had lately taken over as boss in a minor capacity and jobs such as the branding were ways in which he was beginning to assert himself with the men. Ben took great pride in noting that he was handling it very well too and he knew the importance of showing the boy just how proud he was of him. Tomorrow he would make the effort to go out to the branding, view what had been done and tell him so.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He picked up his pen again with a sigh as Hop Sing began to clear the empty plates from the table. All was silent in the room and he glanced over to see that Little Joe had fallen asleep on the floor, one small hand clasping a soldier and the other hand\u2019s fingers twirled around a couple of small curls at the back of his hair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He smiled as he stood up, crossed the room and picked up the child, depositing him on the settee where he snuggled into a cushion and murmured softly in his sleep. Ben patted the little boy\u2019s curls before returning to his work again and all was once again quiet in the large room. In the kitchen he could hear Hop Sing rustling around with the pots and pans and outside he could hear the soft whinnying of the new horses that Adam had brought in yesterday. All was peaceful as he gave his attention back to the books in front of him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Several sheets of accounts and several pages later, he looked up and stretched his stiff neck. Little Joe was still asleep, Hop Sing was nowhere to be seen or heard and Ben was suddenly acutely aware of just how large and empty the house seemed. There was a time when it always seemed full of laughter and noise, but that was when Marie \u2026. He shook his head, not allowing his mind to go along a path that would only lead him to self-pity and he glanced at the clock before resolutely picked up another sheet of accounts again. At this rate he would be finished by supper time and be free to get out again tomorrow and do some of the chores that were more agreeable to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A noise outside made him glance up and he stood up and twitched back the curtains to see Paul Martin driving his buggy into the front yard. Ben gave a half-smile, not sure whether he welcomed the interruption or not. The doctor was a close friend and he usually looked forward to chatting with him, but these accounts wouldn\u2019t get themselves done and he really couldn\u2019t afford the time today.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing!\u201d he shouted, and then instantly regretted it as Little Joe murmured on the settee. \u201cHop Sing,\u201d he said in a softer voice, going over to the dining room and looking into the kitchen. \u201cDoctor Martin is here. Please get some coffee for him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Glancing at Little Joe to ensure that he was still asleep, Ben then strode over to the front door and opened. \u201cPaul!\u201d he said, shaking the man\u2019s hand. \u201cNice to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was out at the Henderson place,\u201d said the doctor as he came into the room. \u201cJust thought I might drop by on my way back to town and see how you were going.\u201d He glanced across at the desk laden with papers. \u201cI hope I\u2019m not interrupting.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shrugged. \u201cI can take a few minutes off,\u201d he said. \u201cHave some coffee.\u201d He motioned to the chairs near the fireplace. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about this one,\u201d he said as they sat down, indicating Little Joe fast asleep on the settee. \u201cHe can sleep through most things.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing brought in coffee and Ben spent the next half hour catching up on all that the doctor had to tell him about the goings-on in town. He tried not to glance at the time, but after his third attempt to keep his eyes off the grandfather clock near the front door, Paul laughed and stood up. \u201cWell I can see that you\u2019ve got things to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben made a face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Paul,\u201d he said. \u201cOnly I put today aside to get these books done and \u2026\u201d he shrugged. \u201cYou know what it\u2019s like.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI certainly do,\u201d replied the doctor. \u201cWe\u2019ll catch up another time. Thanks for the coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As Ben closed the front door behind the man, he thought how nice it would have been to spend some more time in just idle chatter. Somehow, though, there never seemed to be enough hours in the day for such things. He glanced at the clock again, noting how he\u2019d have to work at full speed now to catch up. As he made his way back to his desk, a small curly head appeared from behind the back of the settee.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m awake,\u201d announced Little Joe happily, as if the world could now begin again since he was ready to rejoin it. He rubbed his eyes with his knuckles and gave a large yawn. \u201cAre we goin fishing now Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot now son,\u201d said Ben. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you go and get some milk from Hop Sing in the kitchen?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t want no milk,\u201d said Joe easily as he slid down from the settee. He came and stood next to his father and watched for a moment as he wrote in the ledger. \u201cI can do them numbers too,\u201d he announced. \u201cAdam teached me how.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know,\u201d said Ben absently as he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I do some numbers Pa?\u201d asked the little boy. Ben slid a piece of paper over towards him and handed him a pencil. \u201cI wanna use a pen like you,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben opened his mouth to reply, but before he could do so the front door opened and he looked across to see his middle son Hoss standing in the doorway. \u201cHoss?\u201d he said in surprise. \u201cWhat on earth are you doing home so early son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss took his hat off and placed it on the credenza before walking slowly over to his father\u2019s desk. Little Joe gave a whoop of delight at his brother\u2019s unexpected appearance and ran around the desk to greet him. \u201cHi Hoss!\u201d he shouted. \u201cCome and play soldiers with me, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cSorry Joe,\u201d he said mournfully. \u201cI can\u2019t.\u201d He held out a piece of paper to his father while giving the man a shameful glance. \u201cThis is for you Pa,\u201d he said in a low voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put down his pen and took the paper, giving his son a suspicious look before opening it. He had seen that look before on Hoss\u2019 face before and he knew that it almost certainly meant trouble at school. Sure enough, the letter in his hand confirmed it. \u201cThis says that you\u2019ve been in a fight at school,\u201d he said sternly. \u201cWould you care to tell me about it?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss bit his lip. \u201cWell \u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome and play, Hoss!\u201d interrupted Little Joe, pulling on his brother\u2019s sleeve. \u201cI got the soldiers all ready for a war!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss ignored his brother as he gave his father a mournful look. \u201cI couldn\u2019t help it Pa,\u201d he said defensively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben put the letter on the desk and gave his son a stern look. \u201cWe can always help things Hoss,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s called making a choice son. Now tell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss drew a deep breath. \u201cWell \u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on Hoss!\u201d Little Joe shouted again. \u201cWe can do a war!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d said Ben. \u201cLeave your brother alone while I\u2019m talking to him!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe let go of Hoss\u2019 sleeve and a pout appeared on his face. He looked from Hoss to his father, but when neither of them paid him any attention he walked back to the other side of the desk and picked up his pencil again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d prompted Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked at the floor as he related how he\u2019d become involved in the fight at lunchtime. Ben listened in silence until the boy had finished. \u201cLook at me Hoss,\u201d he said finally. Hoss looked up. \u201cYou know that you did the wrong thing, don\u2019t you son?\u201d asked his father. \u201cNo matter what those boys said to you, it is important that you never lose your temper. How many times have I told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLots,\u201d Hoss admitted dolefully. \u201cBut Pa \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben held up his hand. \u201cBut Pa<\/em> nothing,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is no excuse Hoss. You know that as well as I do. What you did was wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes Pa,\u201d replied his son, still not looking convinced. \u201cBut \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut nothing,\u201d interrupted Ben. \u201cI will write a letter to your teacher explaining that you will be punished and you\u2019ll take it back to school tomorrow. There\u2019s no point in you going back there today. Now go and get your chores done.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa \u2026\u201d said Hoss. \u201cI wanna tell you bout \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI said to get your chores done,\u201d Ben repeated sternly. \u201cWe\u2019ll talk about this later when I\u2019ve got more time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked downcast. \u201cYes sir,\u201d he said, turning to the door. Ben\u2019s heart constricted as he watched his son leave the room. These fights were becoming more and more frequent and he resolved to talk to the boy about it later when he had more time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He stared into space for a moment, his mind a jumble of emotions for his second son who found it so hard at times to get on with other children. The problem was that the boy was so big for his age and was often the brunt of other children\u2019s jokes because of it. Ben had tried over and over again to instil in the boy that his strength brought with it a certain responsibility towards others, but there were times when he wondered if he\u2019d really been able to get that through to him. Incidents like this fight at school were a sign that the boy was unhappy and it was Ben\u2019s job as his father to try and help him to work through it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk to him later,\u201d he said out loud and then caught his breath as he felt a trickling of liquid on his trousers. \u201cJoseph!\u201d he shouted to the small boy next to him. \u201cWhat have you done?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Father and son looked down in dismay at the man\u2019s trousers where a trickle of ink was running. Ben\u2019s eyes travelled up to the desk and his eyes widened at the sight of the spilt inkbottle and the large stain of ink over the opened ledger from where it was dripping onto his trousers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe took a step backwards, his face dissolving in dismay. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to!\u201d he declared, his small hands going instinctively behind his back to cover his small behind. \u201cI was trying to do them numbers for you Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben cursed himself for not watching the child. \u201cYou\u2019re a naughty boy!\u201d he shouted, trying to mop up the ink from the ruined pages with his handkerchief. \u201cYou had no right to touch my pen and that ink!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut I was trying to help!\u201d declared Little Joe as he began to sob. \u201cI thought you would play with me when you finished them books and I was trying to help ya finish Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed in exasperation, pulled the child towards him and gave him two quick swats on his small backside. \u201cDon\u2019t you ever try anything like that again!\u201d he shouted. \u201cNow get up to your room and stay there, young man!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe ran sobbing across the room and then turned as he reached the bottom of the stairs. \u201cI hate them old books!\u201d he shouted facing his father defensively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet to your room!\u201d shouted Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe made a face at his father. \u201cThem old books is dumb!\u201d he shouted, unabashed. \u201cI hate them and I hate you!\u201d He turned and ran up the stairs as fast as his small legs would carry him, leaving his father staring after him in shock. Never before had one of his sons told him that he hated him, and although he knew the words to be merely the child\u2019s way of expressing his exasperation with the situation, they still came as quite a blow to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat and mopped up the rest of the spilt ink, noting with dismay that a good few hours\u2019 worth of work would have to be done again due to the ink-blotted pages. He sighed as he sat and stared at the ledger, not feeling in the least inclined to begin again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It seemed that everything had been against him today in getting this work done. First there was Hop Sing making it difficult to concentrate and Paul Martin\u2019s visit interrupting his train of thought. Adam had constantly wanted his attention outside and Hoss\u2019 situation niggled at the back of his mind as he felt guilt at not taking the time to talk to the boy properly about where he\u2019d gone wrong. And Joseph. The child had demanded his attention all day and Lord knows that he\u2019d given him very little of it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben felt a number of regrets as he thought back through his day. It seemed that everyone had needed him and rather than give them his time, all he\u2019d done was turn his back on them to get a chore done that hadn\u2019t been finished after all. Instead of helping his three boys and taking some time for himself with Paul Martin, he\u2019d ended up accomplishing nothing and upsetting everyone into the bargain.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One son was out there somewhere on the ranch trying desperately to prove himself a man without his father\u2019s support. One son was in the barn needing his father\u2019s guidance about how to deal with his problems. One son was sobbing in his room because his father hadn\u2019t bothered to give him the attention he\u2019d needed and had yelled at him when he\u2019d only been trying to help.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood up and walked over to the grandfather clock, looking at his reflection in the glass casing as he stared at the hands ticking slowly around. \u201cNot a very clever day\u2019s work Ben,\u201d he said to his reflection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat you say?\u201d demanded Hop Sing from behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cJust realising how stupid I\u2019ve been today is all, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded as if he agreed and then flounced out of the room again, muttering something about getting ready for supper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked at the hands of the clock again and sighed, realising that with all the work he had to redo, there\u2019d be no way he\u2019d get those books finished by suppertime. Suddenly he felt as if there was no point in trying anyway, for they would still be there when he had time for them, whereas the people who mattered in his life needed him now. After all, what was more important? The books or his boys? Ben smiled at his reflection and realised that it was probably the first time he\u2019d smiled all day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo contest,\u201d he said firmly, knowing that his boys should win every time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou say something Pa?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben started as he realised that his eldest son was standing next to the credenza in the entryway, looking at him strangely. \u201cYou back already?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d replied Adam. \u201cWe finished early,\u201d he added with a touch of pride in his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben walked over and put his hand on the young man\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m proud of you son,\u201d he said sincerely. \u201cThat\u2019s a job well done.\u201d He smiled as he noted the pleased look that came on his eldest boy\u2019s face at his words. \u201cI\u2019m riding out with you first thing in the morning to take a look at that cattle,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to see for myself what you\u2019ve accomplished today.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face lit up. \u201cOK,\u201d he said happily. \u201cYou finish the books then?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cBut they can wait. There are some things that are more important. Speaking of which \u2026 did you happen to see Hoss on your way in?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the front door. \u201cHe\u2019s in the barn doing his chores,\u201d he said. \u201cDoesn\u2019t look too happy if you ask me though. I asked him what was the matter, but he wouldn\u2019t talk to me about it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cHe\u2019s had problems at school again. Please go and ask him to come inside son,\u201d he said. \u201cI need to talk to him and it can\u2019t wait.\u201d He waited until Adam had nodded and left the room before turning towards the living room again, smiling as he caught sight of a small figure sitting at the top of the stairs, sobbing quietly. \u201cCome down here Little Joe,\u201d he said, motioning to his youngest son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe needed no second bidding, but stood up and practically ran down the stairs, flinging himself into his father\u2019s arms with a loud sob. \u201cI don\u2019t really hate ya Pa!\u201d he sobbed into Ben\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d said Ben soothingly, rubbing the little boy\u2019s back. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sorry that I yelled at you like I did.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe leant back in his father\u2019s arms and stared at the man sadly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean ta make that book all messy,\u201d he said contritely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben ruffled his curly hair. \u201cI know,\u201d he said. \u201cNow how about you go and set up those soldiers of yours again? We can have a game before supper if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The little boy\u2019s face lit up immediately and Ben thought about how mercurial this third boy of his was, going from one emotion to another in the blink of an eye. \u201cYa mean it?\u201d Joe asked excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded as he placed the boy on his feet and gave him a small swat on his backside to head him in the direction of the fireplace where the soldiers lay in disarray. \u201cI sure do,\u201d he said. \u201cI need to have a talk with your brother Hoss and then I <\/p>\n He laughed as his youngest son ran towards his toys and then smiled at Hoss as he came into the room. \u201cAdam said ya wanted to see me Pa,\u201d the boy said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOver here son,\u201d Ben said, sitting down and motioning the boy towards him. \u201cWe need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss gave his father a thoughtful look. \u201cYou sure you got the time right now Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cI sure do,\u201d he said sincerely. \u201cI\u2019ve got all the time in the world for things that matter son. All the time in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nam all yours until supper time.\u201d<\/p>\nThe End<\/h1>\n