Chapter 18 #2
Everyone nodded, and Evie gave a girlish giggle. She looked to her father and shrugged. “Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t keeping it from anyone.”
“I’m glad you could join us for dinner, Maxwell,” Max’s stepmother announced from her perch at the end of the table. “It seems strangely quiet in the house without you here.”
Max was surprised to hear her say something that even remotely suggested she missed him. “I’m sure you’ve been enjoying the silence, Duchess.”
“To a degree, I suppose. I was sorry to hear that you were wounded in the fire. Does it cause you much pain?”
“Well, the bone is broken, the burn’s quite tender, and the head wound is on the mend. So there is some pain to be tolerated.”
“I still don’t understand why you felt you had to be there on a Sunday. No one expected anyone to be at the mills on a Sunday,” his father said, cutting into the piece of pork roast on his plate.
“Yes, I would imagine it surprised more than one person.” He really had no desire to discuss the fire with his stepmother present, but his father seemed insistent.
“I’ve seen the newspapers, and it would appear that all questions have been laid to rest regarding the fire’s origin.
The two boys on Nicollet have confessed to their carelessness; however, I doubt anyone will be filing charges.
I spoke with the investigator who went with Chief Runge to look things over on Boom Island.
He has every confidence that the fires there were started by the embers, just as there were several small fires that started on the east shore of the river.
Thankfully, those were easy enough to extinguish. ”
“Yes, it was more difficult to extinguish fires on Boom Island without hydrants to replenish the fire tankers. They did, as I understand, pump some water from the river, but it was tedious and difficult to manage,” Max replied.
“Well, it’s behind us now, and thankfully no one lost their life.” His father’s expression suggested regret. “But I am sorry that you were injured.”
“In a few weeks, I should be right as rain. However, I think it only fair to say that I am going to be focusing on my own industry in the weeks to come. I believe we have discussed the possibility before, and now I feel certain that God is leading me in this direction.”
“Since when have you concerned yourself with God’s leading?” his father asked in surprise.
“Well, that’s yet another change in my life. My experience with the Turner family has given me pause to consider eternity. I must say, I find their approach to the Almighty to be of great comfort. I’ve come to realize that much has been missing from my upbringing.”
His father’s brow knitted. “I suppose you shall be preaching at all of us now.”
Max chuckled. “No, that’s hardly of interest to me. I have, however, agreed to take a position teaching school. At least for a short time.”
The Duchess choked on her wine and began coughing. She managed to regain control as Max’s father put down his fork and shook his head. “What in the world are you talking about?”
After taking a sip of iced tea, Max smiled. “It’s a long story but suffice it to say that I won’t be in town for a few weeks.”
“I don’t understand any of this. You have a position and responsibility to me. We have matters to resolve and projects to oversee.”
“Father, the truth of the matter is that it’s time for me to see to my own future.
More than time. I’ve spent these last dozen years learning from you and my brothers.
I’ve done things your way and helped to benefit you as best I could.
The only real interest I have in the projects I’ve overseen have been the sawmills and logging.
Since your mills were destroyed, I am of a mind to perhaps create my own at some point.
There’s good money in it, especially when you have your own property from which to harvest trees.
“However, I am also giving much thought to teaching as a permanent vocation. I enjoy it, and since I have an inheritance that I can invest and still manage to live a comfortable life, the lower paying job of teacher is entirely possible for me to choose.”
“But there’s no admiration in such a job. You will be looked down upon by our society,” the Duchess declared.
“Then perhaps that society isn’t something I wish to be part of.
Teaching is an admirable service, and without it we would fail as a civilization.
” Max leaned back. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I hope you will at least wish me well.
Dr. Turner and his wife have purchased a couple of farms onto which the poor who were made homeless or jobless by the fires can move and begin to build again.
There will be a need for someone to teach the children of these families, and I volunteered until they could find a permanent teacher.
But who can say? I might enjoy it so much that I’ll volunteer to stay on. ”
“Oh, your head injury must have brought about this nonsense of religion and volunteering your time to the poor.” The Duchess spoke before Max’s father could. “Darling, we must take him to a good doctor, someone more qualified to figure out what is wrong.”
Max shook his head and gazed heavenward. He had known they would resist his plans, but nevertheless he felt even stronger in his convictions. “I assure you, Duchess, there is nothing wrong with me. In fact, maybe for the first time in my life, everything seems very right.”
She looked at him oddly. “You’ve been schooled in the best private institutions available to us. You have known only the best families and been raised to know how to conduct yourself properly. Now you want to throw that all away and teach the poor?”
“I don’t see myself throwing away any solid teachings or valuable lessons.
” Max pitied her. “I believe I will be a better teacher for the experiences I’ve known and the knowledge I’ve been able to take in.
I see nothing demeaning about teaching, however.
I think back on my childhood and realize that those teachers were the ones who had the most influence over what I believed.
Not even you and Father had more impact. ”