Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
Addy wore an apron over her dress as she stood in front of the kitchen range, gently scrambling eggs in a cast-iron pan. The warmth of the stove heated her cheeks. “You don’t want to cook them on the hottest place on the stove,” Mrs.Gleason coached. “The secret to good eggs is ‘low and slow.’ Don’t let the fire get too hot and don’t cook them too fast.”
“Or burn them, right?” Addy chuckled. She had eaten a few of her failed attempts this past week and agreed that scorched eggs tasted terrible.
Mrs. Gleason hovered near her shoulder. “That’s perfect! Quickly, now! Slide them onto the plates.”
Addy dished the eggs onto two plates and served them to Jack and Polly, who were bouncing on their seats at the kitchen table, eagerly awaiting breakfast. “I can’t wait to surprise Howard this weekend,” she told Mrs. Gleason. “He’s been so busy at work that he’s out of the house before I’ve a chance to make tea and toast.”
“Does he like pancakes? I can show you how to make them next week.”
“I think he would love that.” She smiled at Jack and said, “Remember now, it’s a secret. Don’t tell Mr. Forsythe that I’m learning to cook.”
He shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth and said, “We won’t.”
Addy carried the frying pan to the sink where Susannah was washing dishes, then motioned for her and Mrs. Gleason to follow her into the pantry. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Would you mind watching the children for me for a little while, Mrs. Gleason? I want to buy a Christmas present for each of the children and I would like Susannah to come with me.”
“Not at all. You go ahead, dear, and don’t worry about us.”
“I know that caring for two children wasn’t what you signed up to do when you took this job as our cook, but—”
“I’ve grown very fond of the little mites. They’re good helpers, the two of them. I’ll keep them occupied.”
“You’re a wonder, Mrs. Gleason.”
The trolley Addy and Susannah took to the shopping district was so crowded they had to stand the entire time, clinging to the posts for dear life. The streets in the shopping district were also jammed with people, and Addy linked arms with Susannah as they made their way to Dixon’s Department Store as if swimming against a mighty current. Addy hated being bumped and buffeted by so many people and kept her bag tucked close to her side, mindful of Howard’s warnings of pickpockets. She stopped in front of the window display of toys that had so fascinated Jack and Polly, wondering what to choose. Addy could’ve had any toy or trinket her heart desired as a girl, so she found it difficult to imagine what children who’d never owned a toy in their life might like.
“What do you suggest I buy for Jack and Polly?” she asked Susannah. “Do you remember what drew their eye the last time?”
“Well... I think Jack admired that fire engine. And Polly should have a doll, of course.”
“Perfect.” They went inside and took the elevator to the toy department on the third floor. It was decorated like a winter wonderland with twinkling lights and a locomotive that traveled on real tracks around a miniature village. Susannah seemed mesmerized by it.
“Wouldn’t the children love to see this?”
“I think my husband would enjoy seeing it, too,” Addy said, laughing. They selected a cast-iron fire engine for Jack with wheels that really turned, pulled by a team of cast-iron horses. For Polly, Susannah chose a small, soft, baby doll with a frilly white gown and a cherubic porcelain face. Addy smiled to herself as she paid for the purchases, imagining the fun the children would have playing with them. But in the next moment, her smile faded as she wondered what would become of the toys if the children had to return to the orphanage. No doubt, the other children would be envious. The matron may not allow them to even own toys. Somehow, no matter what it took, Addy couldn’t allow that to happen. She sent up a silent prayer for their father to come home safely.
“Will you help me select a small gift for your aunt?” Addy asked when they returned to the main floor with their parcels. “Can you think of something special she might like?”
“Goodness! Everything in the store is so beautiful, Iwouldn’t know what to choose.”
“Does she have a nice vanity set with a comb, brush, and hand mirror? These ebony ones are nice. So is this tortoiseshell set. These leather gloves are lovely, too. Which do you think she’d like?” Susannah was stroking the shining ebony with such reverence that Addy quickly decided. She chose the tortoiseshell vanity set and whispered to the clerk to discretely include a second ebony set as a surprise for Susannah.
The sun was shining as they stepped outside again, making Addy feel like skipping down the street—if it weren’t so crowded! “I’ve never gone Christmas shopping before,” she told Susannah. “I never knew it could be so much fun.”
Susannah appeared shocked. “Didn’t you ever have Christmas presents?”
“Oh, yes, my sisters and I would find dozens of nice things beneath the tree. But we never enjoyed the fun of shopping for other people.”
“That’s sad,” Susannah said with a little frown. “We didn’t have money to buy things, so we always made presents for each other, and for our gran and granddad. It was fun to surprise them.”
“I agree, it is sad. I may have had a lot of things, but I think I missed so many special experiences. My grandmother took me to some orphanages with her, sometimes, to deliver Christmas presents, but I still grew up to be selfish and I thought it was boring.” They continued down the street, heading toward a little stationery shop where Addy planned to purchase paper to wrap the gifts. She had shopped at the pretty little store before, which offered personalized engraving on elegant stationery, thank-you notes, and invitations. Her heart beat faster when she saw a sign in the window, advertising for a salesclerk. The opportunity seemed too wonderfully coincidental to pass up. “Susannah, look! They need a salesclerk! You must apply for the job.”
“Me?” Her voice came out in a squeak.
“Yes. This is a wonderful little shop that has been owned by the same family for generations. It would be the perfect place to work for your first job. Let’s go in and tell them you’d like to apply.” Addy pulled open the door, causing a bell to tinkle, but Susannah didn’t move. She stood rooted to the sidewalk as if her feet were encased in concrete. “Come on,” Addy beckoned.
“I-I can’t!”
She went back outside and rested her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “You’re ready, Susannah, I know you are. And even if they don’t hire you, it will be good practice for when you apply for the next job.” Addy took her hand and tried pulling her forward, but the girl didn’t budge. Addy could feel her trembling.
“I can’t! I’m too scared!”
“Life is filled with scary things and first times. But do you really want to be a scrub maid all your life? I know you can do this, Susannah. Trust me.”
“What if I mess up?”
“Then we’ll try again another day, at a different store. Come on, I’ll be right beside you.” She finally managed to pull Susannah into the store, imagining drag marks on the wooden floor from the girl’s feet.
The owner greeted Addy by name, which should have relieved some of Susannah’s fears. “What can I do for you ladies today?” she asked.
“Good morning, Mrs. Duncan. I’ve come for some pretty paper to wrap my Christmas presents. But I also noticed that you’re looking for a salesclerk.”
“Yes. It would be part-time, three days a week, at most.”
“That’s perfect. This is Susannah Marshall, who currently works for me. She’s honest, capable, and very hard-working. She has never worked as a salesclerk before, but I’ve been coaching her, and I can highly recommend her for your lovely store. What must she do to apply?”
“I would be happy to hire her on your recommendation, Mrs. Forsythe. Your family has done business with us for many years, beginning with your grandmother, I believe. I was so sorry to hear of her passing.”
“Thank you. We miss her dearly.” Susannah seemed to relax a bit as they spent the next few minutes exchanging information and outlining what her duties at the shop would be. She looked around at the variety of colorful paper and elegant stationery, the pens and diaries and notebooks, her eyes shining with awe. When Mrs. Duncan told her what her starting salary would be, Addy feared Susannah’s knees might give way. They agreed that Susannah would begin on the Monday morning after Christmas for a trial period. Addy purchased some colorful wrapping paper, and they left the store. Susannah couldn’t stop smiling.
“There. See? Aren’t you glad you went in and applied?”
“I-I can’t believe it! I’m going to be a real shop clerk. And, since it’s only a few days a week, I can still clean for you.”
“That’s true,” Addy said, laughing. “But no more scrubbing. You’ll ruin your hands.”
“I can’t wait to tell my aunt the news. Are we going home, now?”
“Well, I need to stop and see my mother first. It should only take an hour or so. You’re welcome to come with me, or you can go back to my town house by yourself, if you can find your way. It’s up to you.”
“I would like to go back.” They agreed that Susannah would carry the toys and hide them from the children, and then they went their separate ways. The line of people at the trolley stop was so long, and the winter day so cold, that Addy was tempted to hire a carriage for the trip to her mother’s mansion. But she remembered her vow to stay within Howard’s budget, and climbed onto the crowded car for the endless ride. She found Mother in the mansion’s study, working on business for the Stanhope Foundation.
“Addy! How wonderful to see you.” She rose to embrace her and Addy inhaled the wonderful, familiar scent of her perfume. “What brings you here on such a cold day?”
“I’ve been shopping for Christmas gifts, and I thought I’d better pick up Howard’s present, since you’ll be leaving for Boston, soon. Are you excited about spending the holiday with Cordelia?”
“And my grandchildren, yes, of course.”
“Be sure to give them my love.”
Addy followed her mother to the library and to the piles of books she had set aside for Howard when Mother had moved to this smaller mansion. “I bought him a new pair of leather gloves, too, but I think he’ll be surprised and pleased with these books. He always admired Grandfather’s library.” And being conscious of his limited budget and his wish for her not to spend her inheritance, Addy knew her frugality would make them both happy. A servant brought a tray of tea, and she and Mother sat drinking it together while the servants boxed up the books. Addy told her about Susannah’s new job, and her idea for a school where young girls could learn useful skills.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. When the time comes, be sure to submit a proposal for the school to me. It sounds like something the Stanhope Foundation would be happy to support.”
By the time they finished their tea, the fickle sun had vanished and it had begun to snow—large, soggy flakes that fell from a blanket of thick clouds. “I’d better go home,” Addy said. “Mrs. Gleason has been caring for the children all morning.”
“Before you do, there’s something I want you to have. Call it an early Christmas present.” She led Addy into the grand living room and pointed to the creche on the console table.
“I remember this!” The holy family, shepherds, and wise men were delicately carved and exquisitely hand-painted in fine detail. “You bought this set in Italy, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Take it home with you. I’ll have the servants wrap it up.”
“I couldn’t! It’s too costly and delicate! I mean, with two small children in the house, they might break it!”
“You always admired it when you were a child, more so than Ernestine or Cordelia ever did. I think it was because your grandmother used to tell you so many Bible stories. I remember warning you never to touch it, that it might break. And I regret that, now.”
“Mother, are you sure?”
“Jesus was born in a stable. His first visitors were poor shepherds. He’s a savior for the everyday people.”
“And for the wealthy. The three kings bowed down to Him, too.”
“Take it with you, Addy. Enjoy it. And use it.” Addy hugged her mother tightly.
The servants carefully wrapped and packed the creche and brought Addy’s coat. Wet snowflakes continued to fall from the afternoon sky, and even if Addy could have carried all the boxes, she and the books would have been soaked before she’d even walked to the trolley stop. Mother’s carriage driver took her home.
The driver carried the boxes into the town house for her, and Addy hid the books in the spare bedroom closet. She would wait until Howard was home to show the creche to him and the children. She had just finished changing her clothes when someone knocked on her bedroom door. She was surprised to see Mrs. Gleason, who rarely ventured upstairs from her kingdom in the kitchen.
“May I speak with you about something, Mrs. Forsythe?” she said in a near whisper.
“Yes, of course. Come in.” The cook stepped across the threshold but would go no farther into the room, as if she’d encountered a wall of glass. The look of concern on her usually cheerful face made Addy’s heart speed up. It suddenly occurred to her that she had never asked for Mrs. Gleason’s permission to train Susannah to be a salesclerk—let alone to apply for a job in the busy shopping district. She braced herself, prepared to apologize for being too presumptuous.
“Susannah told me about the job, and what you’ve been doing for her, teaching her things, and all. I never would have imagined such a possibility, and I’m not sure I would have encouraged her to step out in such a way. She’s just a farm girl, after all. And a very young one, at that.”
“Mrs. Gleason, I’m so sorry if I—”
“There’s no need to apologize, dear. Susannah is very excited, and I’m grateful for all your encouragement.”
Addy’s shoulders sagged with relief. “She’s a bright girl. I’m glad she’ll have a better future than scrubbing my floors.”
Mrs. Gleason managed a half-smile. “Although I have to say, when I saw her prancing around with a book on her head and smiling at herself in the mirror—well, it seemed very odd to me.”
“She’ll make your family proud, Mrs. Gleason.”
She nodded, then her smile faded, replaced by the look of concern once again. “There’s something else I need to tell you about.”
“Yes?”
“For the past few days, I’ve noticed some food going missing. A couple of apples, some carrots, a few slices of bread. It has disappeared at odd times of the day, so I didn’t think you or Mr. Forsythe had taken them.”
“No, we haven’t.”
“I sat Jack down and told him that if he or Polly was hungry, he only needed to ask. He was welcome to almost anything. But he didn’t reply. He just looked past me. And food is still disappearing.” She drew a breath, then sighed. Her entire body seemed to deflate. “Now some money has gone missing, too. I keep very careful accounts of all the money you give me for groceries and such, and I always put the loose change in a little jar where it’s handy for paying deliverymen, and so on. But I noticed that some dimes and nickels have disappeared from that jar. I asked Jack if he’d taken them, but again, he wouldn’t answer me. He didn’t deny it, but he didn’t admit it, either. I’m very fond of Jack and I thought he trusted me in return. But he wouldn’t talk to me about it. It was as if he was as deaf as little Polly.”
Addy struggled for a reply. “I’m so sorry to hear it. I-I have no idea how to handle this, Mrs. Gleason.”
“Neither do I. But I thought you should know. I talked to him about how it was wrong to steal but it didn’t seem to faze him. All I could do was put the jar of change out of temptation’s reach.”
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll talk it over with Mr. Forsythe and let you know what he thinks we should do.”
Mrs. Gleason nodded sadly and hurried away. Addy knew how fond she was of Jack, and could easily imagine how hurt and disappointed she must be that he’d broken her trust. Addy felt hurt, too. She and Howard had done so much for the children. She remembered the orphanage director’s warning that the orphans could be very manipulative, and felt sick inside. She hoped Howard would know what to do about the situation because she certainly didn’t.
She told him about Susannah’s new job as they ate their dinner in the kitchen late that evening. Once again, the children already had gone to bed. “That’s wonderful, Addy! I’m happy for her. And for you. It sounds like you taught her well and gave her the confidence she needed.” He smiled, raising one eyebrow, and added, “It also sounds like you’re going to need a new housekeeper.”
“Susannah will still work for us a few days a week. And I’m learning to do some things around the house—”
“Addy, no.” His smile vanished. “I don’t want you doing the work of a maidservant. You have so many other gifts that should be used. A maid can be replaced, but you can’t.”
She didn’t want to spoil their dinner with bad news, so she waited to tell Howard about Jack’s thefts until later that night as they prepared for bed. She remembered the sadness in Mrs. Gleason’s eyes as she’d stood in their bedroom doorway, and felt the pain of Jack’s deception all over again. “What do you think we should we do about it, Howard?”
He sank down on the edge of the bed and stared at the quilt as if deep in thought. Then he looked up at her and said, “Nothing. I don’t think there’s anything we can do.”
“Nothing?”
“Mrs. Gleason tried talking to him, right? And Jack is closer to her than to either of us. He knows he’s done something wrong, so the next step is up to him.”
“Why do you suppose he’s stealing? We’ve given him everything he needs, haven’t we?”
“Maybe.” He closed his eyes for a long moment before looking up at her again. “Except for assurance about his future. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen to him and Polly if his father doesn’t come home.”
“But we’re not sure about that ourselves, are we?”
“No. So, if I had to guess, I’d say that Jack might be stockpiling food and money so he can take care of Polly himself. He’s a good kid, Addy, and very bright. I don’t think he would steal unless he felt he had no other choice.”
She went to Howard and sat beside him, wrapping her arms around him. She rested her head against his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. “I think you’re right. Maybe you can have a talk with him tomorrow.”
“I will, if I see an opening. But if he asks about the future, I don’t have any answers for him. That’s probably why he’s praying so hard for his father to come home.”
“I’ve been praying, too.” She lifted her face to kiss him. “My faith is being tested to the limit, Howard. I think it’s time I prayed a little harder.”