Chapter Nine #2
“This is plenty between the both of you.”
“No, it isn’t.” She set the mirror back on the dresser. “Unless you mind taking something that was first mine. Is that it?” She stared intently at Kate. “Because I wouldn’t mind taking something that was first yours,” she said slowly, deliberately.
Kate returned the young woman’s stare until Mary’s deeper meaning became apparent.
She could feel her cheeks redden. Edmund wasn’t hers!
“No, that’s not it at all,” Kate replied quickly.
“It’s just that . . .” She faltered, not knowing how to say that she didn’t wish to wear anything that had been a gift from Henry, even a secondhand one.
“Look, let’s talk about the party, shall we?” Mary took both of Kate’s hands in hers. “I assume Edmund is coming?” she asked, her tone suddenly gay.
“Yes, I believe so.”
“He’s very handsome, isn’t he?”
Kate furrowed her brow. “I guess so.”
“He’s just the sort I like, you know. The strong, silent ones.”
While Edmund was certainly strong, Kate did not view him as being particularly silent, but she didn’t argue.
“I wore this just for him,” Mary said brightly, gripping the edges of her skirt. “He told me he liked it when I was out at his farm last week, so I thought I’d wear it again.”
Kate blinked. “You were out at his farm?”
“Yes, last Sunday. I met his mother and everything. She’s such a sweet woman. She seemed to like me. At least I hope she did.”
Kate had met Mrs. Bertram countless times, but she had become more and more of a hermit these past years. She and Edmund rarely entertained. “Did he . . . did he ask you to visit?”
Mary sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her legs. “Well, not exactly.” She smiled demurely. “You know how men are. I suggested it, and he agreed!”
Oh, why was Edmund so blind?
“It’s quite a big farm, isn’t it?” Mary continued. “And as the only child, he’ll inherit the whole thing, won’t he?”
“Yes, I . . . I suppose so.” Kate considered mentioning that the fate of the Bertram farm was up in the air, as Edmund was planning to join the military, a fact which she herself had forgotten of late.
He might have already left had her father not been in such need.
The thought of him going away made her feel slightly sick.
“Listen, Kate. Would you do me a favor?” Mary urged.
“Seeing as you and Edmund are so close—like brother and sister, it seems to me—do you think you might ascertain his feelings for me? I’m fairly certain he cares for me, but I’d like to be sure.
I’ve given him so many hints, but you know how men are. ”
Kate drew in a sharp breath, stunned by Mary’s boldness. “Well, I—” she began hesitantly, but was thankfully interrupted by a call from below.
“Kate!” It was Minnie. “Supper’s ready!”
Kate gave Mary a weak smile. “I guess we’d better go down and get this over with.”
“Get it over with? What a funny creature you are, Kate! You’d spoil your own birthday party if it were up to you. But remember what I said!”
Mary looped her arm through Kate’s as they left the tiny garret. Kate disengaged, however, at the top of the stairs and let Mary descend first.
Gripping the rail, she took a deep breath.
Her heart was fluttering, the usual desire to run upon her.
She wished she could flee back to her room or to the badger hole or anywhere but downstairs where everyone was waiting.
She took several more deep breaths and imagined Edmund beside her, reassuring her, putting his arm around her.
After a few moments, she was able to make her feet move and began to descend slowly.
Mary was already at the bottom of the stairs. Kate gave her an uneven smile before they entered the dining room together.
“Happy birthday!” everyone shouted.
The Kerwyns and their guests were all squeezed around the table, and despite her anxiety, Kate did feel a wave of happiness. Her eyes went briefly to Edmund, who winked, and then to Harriet, beaming beside John.
“Here, Kate, you sit here at the head,” Mr. Kerwyn directed. He had gotten up and was holding the back of his chair for her.
“Oh, no, Dad! That’s your spot.”
“Not for tonight.” He tilted his head. “Go on, then.”
Mary gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then made her way to an open seat further down.
Kate dreaded sitting at the head of the table, but she knew that to continue to protest would cause more of a fuss. “Thanks, Dad,” she murmured and sat down.
He kissed her on the top of the head. “You look real nice tonight, Kate. Like a princess, doesn’t she?” he asked no one in particular.
There were a few nods and murmurs, and Kate looked to Edmund to catch his reaction. He was, however, already whispering something to Mary, who had somehow found a way to squeeze in beside him. Hadn’t Minnie been sitting there?
Just then, Mrs. Kerwyn entered carrying a bowl of mashed potatoes. Louisa followed, carrying a large platter bearing a roast ham. Nettie carried a bowl of green beans. Louisa set the ham in front of Mr. Kerwyn.
“Well, would you look at this?” he said proudly.
“Last of the hams hanging out in the smokehouse. Come fall, we’ll have to butcher more.
” He picked up the carving knife and began to slice while the women carried in several more dishes, including hot rolls, gravy, corn, and a sweet onion relish, Mrs. Kerwyn’s specialty, which had won several awards at the county fair.
In addition, there were two bottles of cider Harriet brought from the Merc.
Normally, the Kerwyns drank milk with supper, so the cider was a welcome change.
Kate’s plate was filled first, and there was now a happy buzz of chatter as the food was passed around.
“Mrs. Kerwyn, this is delicious!” Henry exclaimed after taking several bites.
He was dressed as elegantly as his sister, much more so than her father and Edmund, who had arrived in his usual wool jacket, a plaid shirt underneath.
Henry, on the other hand, had on a tailored charcoal-gray suit with a plaid shirtwaist that matched his sister’s skirt.
Even his tie, held in place by a silver tie pin, was plaid.
Did they always dress alike? Kate wondered, slightly amused.
“Oh.” Mrs. Kerwyn patted her hair as she took the seat next to Kate. “It’s nothing fancy.”
“But it really is very, very good!”
Mrs. Kerwyn smiled to herself.
“It is delicious, Mom. Thank you,” Kate added.
Mrs. Kerwyn turned the smile to her. “We should have done this a long time ago. Oh!” she exclaimed as her eyes caught sight of her new necklace. “Where’d you get that, Kate?”
Kate blushed and touched the chain with her fingertips. “It was a gift from Mary. She just gave it to me upstairs.”
“Well!” Mrs. Kerwyn exclaimed again, looking at Mary. “That’s mighty nice of you, Mary!”
“It’s just a small thing. It looks nice on her, don’t you think?”
“Indeed, it does.” Mrs. Kerwyn took a bite of her mashed potatoes and sighed. “I just wish Ray could have come,” she said wistfully, causing Kate’s stomach to instantly churn.
“Now, Caroline, let’s not get into all that. Don’t spoil the party by mentioning that good-for-nothing—”
“Mr. K, did I tell you I saw Mel Dalsing in town the other day?” Edmund smoothly interrupted. “He told me he’s selling off his dairy cows. Moving to beef only.”
“What?” Mr. Kerwyn paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. He lowered it. “I don’t believe that. Why?
“Says it’s less work. More profitable.”
“That don’t make sense. You need a lot of pasture for that.”
“That’s what I was thinking. Might sell him a few acres of ours. Maybe the back forty?”
Mr. Kerwyn took a thoughtful sip of cider. “I don’t know, Ed. Why do you want to break up the farm? It’s not my place to say, but I don’t think that’s what yer dad woulda wanted. I know you’ve been workin’ too much over here. I’m sorry about that. I mean to hire someone to help.”
“Thanks, Mr. K. I appreciate that. But selling some of the farm off would reduce the amount of maintenance needed, and it would give my mom a little nest egg to live on while I’m gone.”
“Gone?” Mary perked up. “Where are you going?”
“I’m joining up.” He turned to her. “I thought you knew that.”
“Joining up?” she exclaimed. “As in the army?”
Edmund laughed. “Yes, as in the army.”
“But why? Mary’s previously jolly face melted into dismay. “There isn’t any need.”
“There will be if things keep going the way they are. I mean to beat the Nazis to the punch. I’m going to enlist before I get called up.”
“But . . . but why?” she repeated.
“Because it’s my duty,” Edmund said, suddenly more serious.
“Duty?” Mary scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”
Edmund shifted uncomfortably, and any stray chatter around the dinner table was suddenly halted. “I don’t think serving your country is ridiculous. Especially if there’s to be a war.”
“War?” Mary said prettily, obviously trying to lighten the disquiet. “There isn’t going to be a war!” She looked around the table for encouragement but found little. Only Nettie smiled back.
“He’s right, you know,” Henry finally responded, leaning back. “I don’t think it’s a matter of if, but when, by the way things are going in Europe.”
“But there are other ways to serve, you know,” Mary urged. “We need you here to . . . to plant food. Isn’t that your duty?”
“Perhaps for some.” Edward glanced nervously at Mr. Kerwyn, who was listening intently, his thick, calloused fingers steepled under his nose. “But this is something I need to do.”
“I think you’ll make a fine soldier, Edmund,” Kate said quietly, suddenly very proud of him. “Edmund’s father was killed in the last war, you see. So—”
“But what if you were to be killed as well!” Mary exclaimed, cutting her off. “There would be no one to carry on the Bertram name! Henry, tell him.”
“Well, a man must do what a man must do. Seems his mind is made up, dear sister.”
Mary placed a hand on Edmund’s arm. “Well, I’m not giving up! I have all spring to try to persuade you!”