 Chapter 1 of Clover This is a LibraVox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibraVox.org Recording by Ellie Clover with Susan Coolidge Chapter 1 – A Talk on the Doorsteps It was one of those afternoons in late April which I smiled in Bami's end in June day. The air was full of the chirps and fitters of nest-building birds with sweet, indefinable odours from half-developed leaf buds and cherry and pear blossoms. The visteriors overhead were sickly-starred with pointed pearl-coloured sex, growing purple with each hour, which would be flowers before long. The hedges were quickening into life. The long pencil-billow-boards and the honey-locusts hung in the midst of fine green against the sky. And delicious smells came with every puff of wind from the bed of white violets and the parlour windows. Katie and Clover car, sitting with the soaring on the doorsteps, flew in with every breast a sense of spring. Who does not know the delightfulness of that first sitting out of doors after a long winter's confinement? It seems like flinging the gauntlet down to the powers of cold, hoping renovation are in the air, life is concordless, and to the happy hearts and life is life they have joined the victory. The two sisters talk busily as they suit, but all the time in only half-conscious rapture infund their senses. The sympathy of that which is immortal in human souls is the resurrection of natural things, which is the sure bledge of immortality. It was nearly a year since Katie had come back from the two-brief journey to Europe with Mrs. Ash and Amy, about which some of you are afraid, and many things of interest to the car family had happened during the interval. Then a good dish had truly arrived in New York in October, and presently afterward Bernard was convulsed by the appearance of a tall young fellow in naval uniform and the announcement of Katie's engagement to Lieutenant Washington. It was a piece of news which interested everybody in the little town, for Dr. Carr was a universal friend and favorite. For a time he had been the only physician in the place, and though with the gradual growth of population, two or three younger men had appeared to dispute the grunt with him, they were forced for the most part to content themselves with doctoring the new arrivals, and with such fragments and livings of practice as Dr. Carr chose to entrust to them. None of the old established families who consent to call in anyone else if they could possibly get the old doctor. A skillful practitioner who is at the same time a wise advisor, a helpful friend, and an agreeable man must necessarily command a wide influence. Dr. Carr was, by all odds and far away, as our English cousins would express it, the most popular person in Bernard wanted for all pleasant occasions and doubly wanted for all painful ones. So the news of Katie's engagement was made a matter of personal concern by a great many people, including the general's daughter, partly because she was her father's daughter and partly because she was herself. For Katie had one many friends by her own merit. So long as Ned Washington stayed a sort of tide of congratulation and sympathy seemed to sweep through the house all day long. Tea roses and chrysanthemums and baskets of pears and beautiful burnt grapes flooded the premises, and the double ring so often the clovers threatened to leave the door open, sick-hearted touched. Everybody wanted to see and know Katie's lover and to have him as a guest. Ten tea-drinking a week would scarcely have contented Katie's fall wishes, had the limitations of mortal weeks permitted such a thing, and not the can of oysters would have been left in the place. Flood Ten and Washington's leaf had lasted three days longer. Clover and Eirce loudly complained that they themselves never had a chance to see him, for whenever he was not driving or walking with Katie they never found somewhere or making calls on old ladies whose feelings were bedrightfully heard if he went away without seeing him. Sisters seemed to come off worst of all, protested Johnny, but in spite of the lamentations they all saw enough of their future brother-in-law to grow fond of him, and notwithstanding some natural banks of jealousy having to share Katie with an outsider it was a happy visit, and everyone was sorry when the leaf of absence ended and Ned had to go away. It was still for the Bahamas. It was a six-month cruise only, and on her return she was for a while to make part of the Homesquadron. This furnished a good opportunity for a first lieutenant to marry, so it was agreed that the wedding should take place in June, and Katie said about the preparations in a leisurely and simple fashion which was characteristic of her. She had no ambition for the great or so and desired to save her father expense, so her outfit is compared to that of most modern brides but being planned and mostly made at home it necessarily involved time sort and a good deal of personal exertion. The little clover flung herself into the affair with even more interest than if it had been her own. Many happy mornings that winter did the sisters spend together with the dainty stitches and white seam. Elsie and Johnny were good little women now and could help in many ways. Mrs. Ash often joined them even Amy could contribute aid in the plan of sewing and thread everybody's needles. But the most daring and indefatigable of all was clover, who never swerved in her determination that Katie's things should be as nice and pretty as love and industry combined could make them. Her ideas as to decoration sort far beyond Katie's. She hem stitched, she cat stitched, she feather stitched, she lace stitched, she tucked and frilled and embroidered and generally worked her fingers off. While the bride protested that all this finer was quite unnecessary and that simple hems and the little hem bag edging was just as well, clover merely repeated the words, hem bag edging with an accent of scorn and went straight on in her elected way. As each article reached its last touch and came from the laundry white and immaculate it was folded to perfection tied with a narrow blue and pale rose colored ribbon and laid aside in the sacred receptacle known as the wedding bureau. The handkerchiefs cropped in dozens with thrown with striped violets and rose leaves to make them sweet. Leavened the bags and gadgets of Oris lay among the linen and perfumes is of air abey that is so unable when ever a drawer in the bureau was pulled out. So the winter passed and now spring was come and the two girls on the doorsteps were talking about the wedding which seemed very near now. Tell me just what sort of an affair you wanted to be, said clover. It seems more your wedding than mine, you have worked so hard for it, replied Katie. You might give your ideas first. My ideas are not very distinct, only lately that I've began to think about it all, there has been so much to do. I'd like to have you have a beautiful dress and a great many wedding presents and everything as pretty as can be but not so many prides made so sassy because there's always such a fuss in getting them nicely up the aisle in church and out again. That is as far as I've got, but so long as you are pleased and it goes so far I don't care exactly how it is managed. Then, since you are in such an accommodating frame of mind it seems a good time to break my fuse to you. Don't be shocked, clovey, but do you know I don't want to be married in church at all or have any prides made or anything arranged for beforehand particularly. I should like things to be simple and to just happen. But Katie, you can't do it like that. It will all get into a snarl if there's no planning beforehand or rehearsals. It would be confused and horrid. I don't see why it would be confused if there were nothing to confuse. Please don't be vexed. But I always have hated the ordinary kind of wedding with its fuss and worry and so much of everything. Just like all the other weddings and the pride looking tired to death and nobody enjoying it a bit. I'd like mine to be different and more, more real. I don't want any show or processing about but just to have things nice and pretty and all the people I love and who love me to come to it. Nothing cut and dried and nobody tired. And to make it the sort of dear loving occasion with leisure to realize her deities and what it means. Don't you think it would really be nicer that way? Well, yes, as you put it. And viewed from the higher standard as Miss Inches would say, perhaps it would. Still, bridesmaids and old men are very pretty to look at and forks would be surprised if you don't have them. Never mind forks. Remark the Reverend Katie. I don't care about that argument. Yes, bridesmaids and going up the aisle in long procession all the rest are pretty to look at. Over before they got to be so neat. I can imagine the first bridal procession at the aisle of some early cathedral as having been perfectly beautiful but nowadays when the butcher and baker and candlestick maker and everybody else do it just alike, the custom seems to me to have lost its charm and never did enjoy having things exactly as everyone else has them. All going in the same direction like a flock of sheep. I would like my little wedding to be something especially my own. There was a practical meaning in those old customs but now that the custom has swallowed up so much of the meaning it would please me better to retain the meaning and drop the custom. I see what you mean. The clover not quite condensed, but inclined as usual to admire Katie and think that whatever she meant must be right. But tell me a little more. You mean to have a wedding dress, don't you? Doubtfully? Yes, indeed. Have you thought what it shall be? Do you recollect the beautiful white grape shawl of mamas which Papa gave me two years ago? It has a lovely rest of embroidery around it. And it came to me the other day that it would make a charming gown with a white sewer or something for an underdress. I should like it better than anything new because mamas used to wear it and it would seem as if she were here still helping me get ready, don't you think so? It's a lovely idea, said clover. The ever ready deer steaming her happy blue eyes for a moment. And just like you, yes, that shall be the dress. Dear mamas shawl, it will please Papa too, I think, to have you choose it. I thought perhaps it would, said Katie soberly. Then I have a white white watered sash which Aunt Issy gave me and the mean to have that worked into the dress somehow. I should like to wear something of hers too for she was really good to us when we were little and all that long time that there was air and we were not always good to her, I'm afraid. Poor Aunt Issy, what troublesome little wretches we were, I, most of all, were you? Somehow I never can recollect the time when you were not a born angel. I'm afraid I don't remember Aunt Issy too well. I just have a vague memory of somebody who was pretty strict and cross. Are you never had a back and need to be waited on day and night or you would recollect a great deal more than that? Cousin Helen helped me to appreciate what Aunt Issy really was. By the way, one of the two things I've set my heart on is to have Cousin Helen come to my wedding. It would be lovely if she could. Do you suppose there's any chance? I wrote a week before last, but she hasn't answered yet. Of course it depends on how she is, but the accounts from her have been pretty good this year. What is the other thing you've set your heart on? You said two? The other is that Rose's red shell be here and little Rose. I wrote to her the other day also a coaxed heart. Wouldn't it be two enchanting? You know how you always have long to have her burn it, and if she could come now it would make everything twice as pleasant. Katie, what an enchanting sword! Cried Clover, who had not seen Rose since the old left Hell's over. It would be the greatest luck that ever was to have the roses. When do you suppose she shall hear? I can hardly wait. I'm in such a hurry to have her say yes. But suppose, she says no? I won't think of such a possibility. Now go on. I suppose your principles don't preclude a wedding cake. On the contrary, they include a great deal of wedding cake. I want to send a box to everybody in Burnett, all the poor people I mean, and the old people and the children at the home and those for long reaches at the poor house and all Papa's patients. But Katie, that will cost a lot, checked it this Rifty Clover. I know it. So we must do it in the cheapest way and make the cake ourselves. I have found this recipe, which is a very good one. And if you all take hold, it won't be such an immense piece of work. Debbie has quantities of rice and stone already. She's been doing it in the evenings a few at a time for the last months. Mrs. Elsch knows a factory where you can get little white boxes for $10 a thousand and I've commissioned to send her for $500. $500? What an immense quantity. Yes, but there are all the hills over girls to be remembered and all our kissing kin and everybody at the wedding will want one. I don't think it will be too many. Oh, I have arranged it all in my mind. Johnny will slice the citron as he will wash the currants, Debbie, Meshia and Bake, Alexander mix. You and I will attend to the icing and cut it up. Alexander? Alexander, he's quite pleased with the idea and has constructed an implement, a sort of spade cut out of new pine wood for the purpose. He says it will be a sight easier than digging flower beds. We will set the boat next week for the cake improves by keeping and as it is the heaviest job we have to do it will be well to get it out of the way early. Shouldn't you have a floral bell or a boar to stand in or something of the kind when chopped lower timidly? Indeed I shall not, replied Katie. I particularly dislike floral bells and boars. They are next worse to anchors and hops and floral pillows and all the rest of the dreadful things that they have at funerals. No, we will have plenty of fresh flowers but not in different arrangements. I want it all to seem easy and to be easy. Don't look so disgusting, Chloe. Oh, I'm not disgusted. It's your wedding. I want you to have everything in your own way. It's everybody's wedding, I think. But Katie Tenderly, everybody's so kind about it. Did you see the thing Polly sent this morning? No, it must have come after and out. What was it? Seven yards of beautiful nun's lace which she bought in Florence. She says it is to trim a morning dress but it's really too pretty. How dear Polly is. She sends me something almost every day. I seem to be in her thoughts all the time. It is because she loves Ned so much of course but it is justice kind of her. I think she loves you almost as much as Ned. The Clover. Oh, she couldn't do that. Ned is her only brother. There is Amy at the gate now. It was a much taller Amy than had come from Italy the year before who was walking toward them under the budding local spores. Roman Fever seemed to quicken and stimulate all Amy's powers and she had grown very fast during the past year. Her face was as frank and childlike as ever and her eyes as blue but she was prettier than when she went to Europe. Her cheeks were pink and the main of leaving hair which framed them in was very becoming. The hair was just long enough now to touch her shoulders. It was turning brown as it lengthened but the ends of the locks still shone as childish gold and caught the sun in little shining rings as it fell down through the three branches. She kissed Clover several times and gave Katie a long gloss hug then she produced a parcel lately hidden in a silver paper. Tanta, she said, this was a pet name lately invented for Katie. It is something particular I think for Mama cried when she was writing the note not the heart cry, you know but just two little teeny-weeny tears in her eyes. She kept smiling though and she looked happy so I guess it isn't anything very bad. She said it was to give it to you with her best, best laugh. Katie opened the parcel and beheld a square veil of beautiful old blonde the note said. This was my wedding veil. There is Katie and my mother wore it before me. It has been laid aside all these years with the idea that perhaps Amy might want it someday. But instead I send it to you with our tomb that would be no Amy to wear this or anything else. I think it would please Ned to see it on your head and I know it would make me very happy but if you don't feel like using it don't mind for a moment saying so. You're loving Polly. Katie handed the note silently to Clover and laid her face for a little while among the soft folds of the lace about which a faint odor of roses hung like the press of old-time and forgotten laughs and affections. Shall you, query Clover softly? Why, of course, doesn't it seem too sweet? Both are our mothers. They are, cried Amy. You are going to cry too, Tanta. I thought weddings were nice, funny things. I never supposed to make people feel badly. I shan't ever let Mabel get married, I think. But she'll have to stay a little girl always in that case for I certainly won't have an old maid. What do you know about old maid's midget? Ask Clover. Why, Miss Clover? I've seen lots of them. There was that one of the pension Swiss. Do you remember, Tanta? And the two on the steamer when we came home. And there's Miss Fitz who made me blue frog and Ellen said she was a regular old maid and never meant to let Mabel be like that. I don't think there's the least danger. Remark, Katie. Cleansing at the inseparable Mabel was perched on Amy's arm and who did not look a day older than she had done 80 months previously. Do you want to make wedding cake next week? Heaps and heaps of wedding cake. Don't you want to come and help? Why, of course I do. What fun! Which day may I come? The cake making it really turned out fun. Many hands with light work of what would have been a formidable job for one or two. It was all done gradually. Johnny cut the golden citric water into sin-transparent slices in the sitting room one morning while the others were sewing and reading tennis in a loud. Washing Katie with tapas assistants weighed and measured and the mixture was enthusiastically stirred by Alexander with the spade Chad invented in a large new wash tub. Then came the baking which for two days filled the house with spicy plum pudding orders. Then the great feat of icing the big square loaves. Then the cutting up in which all took part. There was much careful measurement that the slices might be an exact fit and the kitchen rang with bright laughter and Chad's Katie and Clover wielded and the others fitted the portions into their boxes and tied the ribbons in crisp little bows. When in delicious crumbs and odd corners and fragments fell to the share of the younger workers and all together the occasion's dark Katie is so enjoyable that she announced with her mouth full that she had changed her mind and that Mabel might get married as often as she pleased. She would have cake like that every time. A liberty of permission which Mabel listened to with her invariable vex and smile. When all was over and the last ribbons tied the hundreds of little boxes were stacked in careful piles on the shelf of the inner closet of the doctor's office to wait till they were wanted. An arrangement which not the Clover pronounced eminently suitable since there should always be a doctor closed at hand where there was so much of wedding cake. But before all this was accomplished came what Katie in imitation of one of Ms. Edgeworth's heroines called The Day of Happy Letters. End of chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Clover This slip of ox recording is in the public domain recording by Ellie, Clover by Susan Coolidge. Chapter 2 The Day of Happy Letters The arrival of the morning boat with letters and newspapers from the east was the great event of the day in Burnett. It was due at 11 o'clock and everybody consciously or unconsciously was in the lookout for it. The gentleman went to the office bright and early and stood chatting with each other and fingering the keys of the little drawers till the red love sounds the mail was distributed. The wives and daughters at home meanwhile were equally in the state of expectation and whatever they might be doing kept ears and eyes on the alert for the step on the gravel and the click of the latch which be tokened the arrival of the family news bringer. Doctors cannot command their time like other people and Dr. Cow was often detained by his patients and made late for the mail. So it was all a pleasant surprise when on the great day of the cake baking he came in earlier than usual with a white full of letters and parcels. All the girls made a rush for him at once but defended him off as an elbow while with teasing slowness he write the addresses on the envelopes. Ms. Karr, Ms. Karr, Ms. Kessring Karr, Ms. Karr again for for you Katie Dr. P. Karr, the bell and the newspaper are passive. All that an old country doctor was thought about to be married ought to expect I suppose. Ms. Clover E. Karr, one for the confidant Here take it Clover Ms. Karr again, Katie, you have to lie and share Ms. Johanna Karr in their mistakable handwriting of Ms. Inches Ms. Kessring Karr, care Dr. Karr that looks like a wedding present Katie Ms. Elsie Karr says his hand I should say Ms. Karr once more from the conquering hero judging from the postmark Dr. Karr another newspaper and hello one more for Ms. Karr Well children I hope for once the amount of your correspondence my arm fairly aches the weight of it I hope the letters are not so heavy inside is out I'm quite satisfied Papa, thank you say Katie, looking up with a happy smile from next letter which turned open first of all, are you going here? She laid her packages down to help him on with his coat Katie never forgot her father Yes I'm going, time in dramatism wait for no man, you can tell me your news when I come back it is not fair to peep into love letters so I will only say of Nets that it was very long, very entertaining Katie's sort and contained the pleasant information that the coat was to sail four days after it was posted and would reach New York a week sooner than anyone had dared to hope the letter contained several other things as well which show Katie how continually she had been in his sorts a painting on rice paper, dried flour or two, a couple of little pen and ink sketches of the hub of Santa Lucia and the shipping and the small cravat of an auto convent lace folded very flat and smooth, altogether it was a delightful letter and Katie write it as it were in leaps, her eyes catching on the salient points and leaving the details to be twirled upon and she should be alone this time she thrust the letter into her pocket and proceeded to examine the others, the first was in cast and hands clear beautiful handwriting Dear Katie, if anyone had told us ten years ago that in this particular year of grace you would be getting ready to be married and are preparing to come to your wedding I think we should have listened with some incredulity as to an agreeable fairytale which could not possibly come true we didn't look much like it, did we you and your big chair and I am a sofa yet here we are when your letter first reached me it seemed a sort of impossible thing that I should accept your invitation but the more I thought about it the more I felt as if I must and now things seem to be working round marvelously, I have had a good winter but the doctor wishes me to try the experiment of the water cure again which benefited me so much the sum of your accident this brings me into a direction and I don't see why I might not come a little earlier than otherwise I should and have the great flesh of single merit and making a quaint and subtlety and washing that is if you are sure that to have a too busy at home a guest who like the queen of Spain has the disadvantage of being without legs will not be more care than enjoyment since theory are slow at this point and don't send for me unless you are certain meanwhile I am making ready Alex, Emma and little Helen who is a pretty big Helen now are to be my escorts as far as Barfall on the way to Niagara after that is all plain sailing and jank hard and I can manage very well for ourselves it seems like a dream to think that I may see you all so soon but it is such a pleasant one that I would not wake up on any account I have a little gift which I shall bring you myself my Katie, but I have a fancy also that you shall wear some trifling things on your wedding day which comes for me so for fear of being verstored I will say no, please don't buy any stockings for the occasion, but wear the bear which go with this, for the sake of your loving cousin Helen these must be they, guide Elsie pointing on one of the little packages may I cut the string Katie? permission was granted and Elsie cut the string it was indeed a pair of beautiful white silk stockings embroidered in an open pattern and far finer than anything which Katie would have sought of choosing for herself don't you look exactly like cousin Helen she said fondling them her things are always choiceier and prettier than anybody else somehow I can't think how she does it when she never by any chance goes into a shop who can this be from a wonder this was the second little package it proved to contain a small volume bound in white and gold entitled advice to prides when the fly leaf appeared this inscription to Catherine Carr on the occasion of her approaching bridal from her affectionate teacher, Marian Nipson 1, Timothy 2, 11 clovered once ran to fetch a testament that she might verify the quotation and announced to such a shriek of laughter that it was let the woman learn in silence is all subjection while Katie matched the word that read extracts casually selected from the work such as a wife should receive her husband's degree or question remembering that the husband is the head of the wife and that in all matters of dispute his opinion naturally and scripturally outweighs her own or a soft answer turns the way for us if your husband comes home frightened and impatient do not answer him sharply but so seem with gentle words and caresses strict attention to the minor details of domestic management will often avail to secure peace and again keep in mind the epitaph raised in honor of an exemplary wife of the last century she never banged the door, qualify yourself for a similar testimonial Tante never does bang doors remarked Amy who had come in just as this last elegant extract was being read No, that's true, she doesn't say clover, her prevailing wise is to lift him open I like the truth about the good dinner availing a secure place and that wise to carry her bare when his head is crossed Ned, never does issue degree story fancy and on the whole I don't believe Mrs. Nipsons present is going to be any particular comfort in your future trials during something else to take the taste out of our mouths, we will listen in all subjection Katie was already deep in a long pistol from Rose, this is too delicious she said to listen and she began again at the beginning my sweetest of all old sweets come to your wedding, of course a shell it would never seem to me to have any legal sanction whatever if I were not there to add my blessing let me know which day early in June it is to be, that I may make ready the next meal fetches on and by a special piece of good luck a man in Chicago whose name I shall always bless if only I can remember what it is has been instigated by a mutual good angel to want him on business just about that time so that he would have to go west anyway and would rather have me alone than not and is perfectly resigned to his fate I mean to come three days before and stay after the wedding if I may and all together it is going to be a lack of larks little rose can talk quite fluently now and almost read that is she knows six letters of a picture alphabet she composes poems also the other day she suddenly announced mama I've made up a sort of a im may I say it to you I naturally consented and this was the im jump in the parlor jump in the hall God made us all now did you ever hear of anything quite so dear as that for a baby only three years and five months old I tell you she's a wonder you will only door her clover particularly or my dear little clover to think I'm going to see her I met both Ellen Cray and Esther dear born the other day and where do you think it was at Mary Silver's wedding yes she's actually married to the Reverend Charles playfest Russia's and settled in a little passage somewhere in the Hussaric tunnel or near it and already immersed in duties I can't think what argument to use to screw her up to the rash act but there she is it wasn't exactly what one would call a cheerful wedding all the connection took it very seriously and Mary's uncle who married her bridged quite a lengthy funeral discourse to the young couple and got them nicely ready for this burial in the next world before he would consent to unite them for this he was a solemn looking old person who had been a missionary and laid away three dear wives in foreign lands as he confided to me afterward over a plate of ice cream he seemed to me to be taking notice as the say of babies and it is purely possible that he mistook me for a single woman for his attentions were rather pronounced till he introduced my husband permanently into conversation after that he seemed more attracted by Ellen Cray Mary cried straight through the ceremony in fact I imagine she cried straight through the engagement for her eyes looked wrapped out skyleth rims and she was as white as her veil in fact white for that was made of a beautiful part of her knees and was just a trifle yellowish everybody cried her mother and sister sobbed aloud so did several maiden aunts and the grand mother too and the few cousins the church resounded with garrison gasps like a great deal of bath water running out of an ill constructed tub Mr. Silver also wept as a businessman made in a series of sniffs into dispersed with silk handkerchief all to get it was the most cheerless affair I seem to be the only person present who was not in tears but I really didn't see anything to cry about so far as I was concerned though I felt very hard hearted I had to go alone for the next one was in New York I got to the church rather early and my new spring bonnet which is a superior one seemed to impress the ashes so they put me in a very distinguished front pew all by myself I bore my honors meekly I found them quite a credible infect you know I always did like to be made much of so you can imagine my disgust when presently three of the startest ladies you ever saw came sailing up the aisle and prepared to invade my pew please move up madam set the fattest of all who wore a wonderful yellow hat but the aisle was not raced it hurts over for nothing and remembering the success of our little horse on the railroad train long ago I stepped out into the aisle and with my sweetest smile perhaps I would better keep the seat next door a murmur to the yellow lady in case an attack should come on an attack she repeated in an accent of alarm she whispered to the others all three eyed me suspiciously while I stood looking as pensive and suffering as I could then after confabulating together for a little they all swept into the seat behind mine and I heard them speculating in load homes as to whether it was epilepsy or catalepsy or convulsions that was subject to I presumed they made signs to all other people who came in to stay clear of the lady with fits for nobody invaded my privacy and I sat in lonely splendor with the pew to myself and was very comfortable indeed Mary's dress was white satin and a great deal of point lace with pearl by cemetery and she wore a pair of diamond earrings which her father gave her and the bouquet almost but not quite as large which was the gift of the bridegroom he has a nice face and I think Mary's silver will be happy with him much happier than with her other dismal family though his salary is only 1500 a year and the pearl by cemetery I believe quite unknown and useless in the Horsaic region she had loads of the most beautiful presence you ever saw all the silvers are holding in riches you know one little thing made me laugh for it was so like her when the clergyman said Mary will take this man to die be wedded husband I distinctly saw her put her fingers over her mouse in the old frightened way it was only for a second and after that I rather think Mr. Stross has held her hand tight for fear she might do it again she sent her love to you Katie what sort of a gown are you going to have by the way I have kept the best news to the last which is that Deniston has the last given way and we are going to move into town in October we have taken a little house in West Cedar street it is quite small and very dingy and I presume inconvenient but already I laugh into distraction as if I shut it up all night for the first months to enjoy the sensation of being no longer the Tory thing a resident of the suburbs I hunt the paper shops and collect samples of odd and occult pattern and compare them with carpets and they all together in my element only longing for the time to come when I may put together my pots and pans and take my costume and them meanwhile Roslyn is living in a state of quarantine she is not permitted to speak with any other children or even look out of the window at one for fear she may contract some kind of contagious disease and spoil our beautiful visit to Burnett she sends you kisses and so do I and mother and Sylvia and Deniston and Kymar ma particularly desire their love you're loving Roslyn oh Grey Clover catching Katie around the waist and working wildly about the room what a delicious letter what fun are we going to have it seems to go to be true Tantiti, Tantiti, keep step Katie for the first time forgetting Merrick I never did before, really and truly Tantiti, I'm so happy I must dance there go my letters said Katie as with the last rapid twirl Roslyn cheated a pistol and the advice to Brides flow right and left there go two of your hairpins Clover or to stop she'll all be in pieces Clover brought her creations to her clothes by landing her unwilling partner suddenly on the sofa then with the last squeeze and a rapid kiss she began to pick up the scattered letters now with the rest she commanded though anything else will sound flat of the roses here this first said Elsie who had taken advantage of the pause to open her own letter it is from Sassy and she says she is coming to spend a month with her mother on purpose of being here for Katie's wedding she sends heaps of love to you Katie and says she only hopes that Mr. Washington will prove her perfectly satisfactory in all respects as her own dear Sylvester my gracious I should hope you would put in Clover who was telling the wildest spirits what the dear old goose says is I never hankered in the least for Sylvester's leg did you Katie certainly not it would be a most improper proceeding if I had replied Katie with a laugh whom do you think this letter is from girls do listen to it it's written by that old nice Mr. Allen Beach whom we met in London don't you recollect my telling you about him my dear Miss Carr our friends in Harley Street have told me a piece of news concerning you which came to them lately in a letter from Mrs. Ash and I hope you will permit me to offer you my most sincere congratulations and good wishes I recollect meeting Lieutenant Washington when he was here two years ago and liking him very much one is always glad in a foreign land to be able to show so good a specimen of one's young countrymen as he efforts not that England need be counted as a foreign country by any American a list of all by myself who have founded a true home for so many years as a little souvenir of our week of sightseeing together of which you retain the most incredible remembrances I have sent you by my friends the Sawyers who sail for America shortly a copy of Heirs, Vox in London which a young protégé of mine has for the past you have been illustrating with photographs of the many curious old buildings described you took so much interest in them well here that I hope you may like to see them again will you please accept with it my most cordial wishes for your future you are a faithful your friend Ellen Beach what a nice letter the clover isn't it replied Katie with shining eyes what the thing it is to be a gentleman and to know how to say and do things in the right way I'm so surprised and pleased at Mr. Beach to remember me and I was opposed to what you see so many people in London all the time and it's quite a long time since we were there nearly two years was your letter from Mrs. Inchish John yes and Mama Mary and since you are love and there is a present coming by express for you some sort of book with a hard name I can scarcely make it out The Who Something something of Omar Kaye anyway it's a book and she hopes you will read Emma's Ession friendship over before you are married because it's a helpful utterance and adjusts the mind to mutual conditions first and one Timothy 211 letter to clover well Katie dear what next what are you loving it this is a letter from Miss Jane and she has made me this pink cushion the pink cushion was a familiar type two circles of pay spot covered with grey silk neatly overhand together and stuck with a row of closely fitting pins Miss Jane's no dryness follows her is over April 21st dear Katie I hear from Mrs. Nipson that you ought to be married shortly and I want to say that you have my best wishes for your future I think a man ought to be happy who has you for a wife I only hope the one you have chosen is worthy of you probably he isn't but perhaps you won't find it out life is not the problem for most of us may your soul be satisfactory to yourself and others I have nothing to send you but my good wishes and a few pins they are not an unlucky present I believe as sisters are said to be remember me to your sister and believe me to be with true regard yours Jane A Banks dear me is that her name right clover I always supposed she was baptized Miss Jane it never occurred to me that she had any other title or the appropriate initials how she was to jail be with us now clovey that's not kind it's a very nice note indeed and I'm touched by it it's a beautiful compliment to say that the man ought to be happy who has got me I think and I was opposed if Miss Jane could pay a compliment I make a joke the touch about the sisters is really too close for Miss Jane Rose Wright will shriek over the letter they are particularly rigid pincushion they are both of them so exactly like her dear me only one letter left who is it from Katie how fast one does it up one's pleasures but you had a letter yourself surely papa said so what was that you haven't read it to us no for it contains a secret which you are not to hear just yet replied clover, brides mustn't ask questions go on with yours mine is from Luisa Egno quite a long one too you heard from her you know I spun April 24th dear Katie, your delightful letter invitation came the day before yesterday and thank you for both there is nothing in the world that would please me better than to come to your wedding if it were possible but it simply isn't if you lived in New York or even Boston Bernard is so dreadfully far off it seems quite inaccessible as you can check out to a person who like myself as a house to keep and to babies to take care of don't look so alarmed the house is the same you saw when you were here and so is one of the babies the other is a new acquisition just two years old and described the darling as Daisy was at the same age my mother has been really better in her since he came but just now she's the sort of rescue in Kentucky and I have my hands full with papa and the children as you can imagine so I can't go off two days journey to a wedding not even yours, my dearest old Katie I should think about you all day long on the day when I know which it is and I imagine just how everything looks and yet I don't find it quite easy for somehow offensive that your wedding will be a little different from the come and run you always were different from other people to me you know, you and clover and I love you so much and always share papa has taken a KitKat portrait of me in alls and the blue dress which he thinks is like and which I'm going to send you as soon as it comes home from the framers I hope you will like it a little for my sake, dear Katie I send so much love with it I've only seen the pages in the streets since they came from Europe but the last piece of news here is that it is engaging to count the nest you can floor he has something to do with the French legation in Washington, I believe and they crossed in the same steamer I saw him driving with her the other day a little man not handsome and very dark I do not know when they are to be married your cousin Clarence is in Colorado this two kiss is a piece and a great hug for you, Katie I'm always your affectionate friend Louisa Dear me, said the insatiable Clover is that the very last I wish we had an other mail and 12 malettes coming in at once what a pleasant institution the post office is End of chapter 2 Recording by Ellie October 2009 Chapter 3 of Clover This little provokes recording is in the public domain Recording by Ellie Clover by Susan Coolidge Chapter 3, the first wedding in the family Chapter 4 of Clover The great job of the cake making over a sense of leisure settled on the house there seemed nothing left to be done which need to put anyone out of his or her way particularly Katie had among her other qualities a great deal of what is called for-handedness to leave things to be attended to at the very last moment in the flurry and the hurry would have been intolerable to her she firmly believed in the doctrine of a certain wise man of her own day that to push your work before you is easy enough but to pull it after you is very hard indeed all that winter without saying much about it for Katie did not do her thinking outside her head she had been gradually making ready for the great event of the spring little by little a touch here and a touch there Metas had been put in drain and the result now appeared in a surprising ease of mind and absence of confusion the house had received its spring cleaning a fortnight earlier than usual and was in fair nice order with freshly beaten carpets and newly washed curtains Katie's dresses were ordered by times and had come home and tried on and folded away ten days before the wedding there were not many in number but all were pretending good taste for the frigate was to be in Bar Harbour and Newport by part of the summer and Katie wanted to do net-credit and look well in his eyes and those of his friends all the arrangements kept studiously simple were beautifully systematized and the very simplicity made them easy to carry out the guest chambers were completely ready one or two extra helpers were engaged that the servants might not be overworked the order of every meal for the three busiest days was settled and written down each of the younger sisters had some special charge committed to her Elsie was to wait on Cousin Helen and to see that she and her nurse said everything they wanted Nova was to care for the two roses Johnny to oversee the table arrangements and to make sure that all was right in that direction their little Amy was indefatigable as a doer of errands and her quick feet read everybody's service to safe steps Cessie arrived and hunted the house all day long anxious to be refused to somebody Mrs. Ash put her time at their disposal there was such a superabundance of helpers in fact that no one could feel over-texted Katie was still serving as main spring to the whole had plenty of time to write her notes open her wedding presents and enjoy her friends at a leisurely unfitigued fashion which was a standing wonderment to Cessie whose own wedding had been of a one or a sort and had won her to skin and bone I'm only just beginning to recover from it now she remarked plaintively and there you sit Katie looking as fresh as a rose not tired a bit and never seem to have anything on your mind think how you do it and never was at the wedding before where everybody was not perfectly worn out you never were at such a simple wedding before explained Katie I'm not ambitious you see I want to keep things pretty much as they are every day only with a little more of everything because there are being more people to provide for if I were attempting to make it a beautiful picturesque wedding we should get as tired as anybody I have no doubt Katie's gifts were numerous enough to satisfy even Glover and compromised all manner of things from a silver tray which came with a rather stiff note from Mrs. Page and Lily to Mary's new flower scoop there be sifter in a bottle of homemade hair tonic from an old woman in the country home each of the brothers and sisters had made her something Katie having expressed a preference for presence of home manufacture Mrs. Esch gave her a beautiful sapphire ring and Cessie Hall as they still called her inadvertently half the time in a elaborate sofa pillow embroidered by herself Katie liked all her gifts both large and small both of what they were and for what they meant and took a good healthy, hearty satisfaction effect that so many people cared for her and had worked to give her a pleasure Cousin Helen was the first guest to arrive five days before the wedding when Dr. Carr had gone to Buffalo to meet and escort her down lifting her from the carriage and carried her indoors all of them could easily have fenced it that it was the first visit happening over again for she looked exactly as she did then and scarcely a day older she happened to have on a soft grey traveling dress too much like that which she wore on the previous occasion which made the illusion more complete but there was no illusion to Cousin Helen herself everything to her seemed changed and quite different the ten years which had passed so lightly over her head had made a vast alteration in the Cousins which are remembered as children the older ones were grown up the younger ones in a fair way to be so even Phil who had been in white frocks with curls falling over his shoulders at the time of her former visit to Burnett was now fifteen and as tall as his father he was very slight in build and looked delicate, she thought but Katie assured her that he was perfectly well and seen only because he had outgrown his strengths it was one of the delightful results of Katie's forheadedness that she could command time during those two days to thoroughly enjoy Cousin Helen she sat beside her sofa for hours at the time holding her hand and talking with the freedom of confidence such as she could have shown to no one else except perhaps Clover she had the feeling that in so doing she was rendering a count to a sort of visible conscience of all the events, the mistakes the successes, the cladding the story of the long interval that had passed since they met it was a blushing relief to her that Cousin Helen the recital was of equal interest for though she knew the main facts by letter there was a satisfaction in collecting the little details which seldom get fully put into letters one subject only Katie touched rather casually and that was not, she was so desirous that her cousin showed a proof of him and so anxious not to raise her expectations and have her disappointed that she would not half say how very nice herself she sought him to be but Cousin Helen could read between the lines and out of Katie's very reserve she constructed an idea of Ned which satisfied her pretty well so the two happy days passed and on the third arrived the other anxiously expected guests Rose Red and Little Rose they came early in the morning when no one was particularly looking for them which made it all the pleasenter Clover was on the porch twisting the honey-suckled handrails upon the trellis and the carriage drove up to the gate and Rose's sunny face popped out of the window Clover recognized her at once and with a shriek which brought all the others downstairs fled down the path and had Little Rose in her arms before anyone else could get there you see before you a deserted wife was Rose's first salutation Deniston has just dumped us on the valve and gone on to Chicago in that abdominal boat leaving me to your tender mercies or business or business what crimes are committed in Thai name as Madame Rowland would say Kate Clover, with a rapturous squeeze let us play that it doesn't exist for a while we have got you now and we mean to keep you how pleasant you look, said Rose glancing up the locus walk toward the house which were the most inviting and hospitable air with doors and windows wide open and the soft wind fluttering the vines and white curtains ah, there comes Katie now she ran forward to meet her while Clover followed with Little Rose let me the down-piece, said the young lady the first remark she had made I can walk all by myself I am not a baby anymore will you hear her talk, cried Katie, catching her up isn't it wonderful Rosebud, who am I, do you think Aunt Teddy, I guess because you are so big, is you married yet? no, indeed did you think you would get married without you I have been waiting for you and Mama to come and help me well, he is here in a tone of immense satisfaction now you ten the larger Rose, meanwhile, was making acquaintance with the others she needed no instructions but seemed to know the instinct which was each boy and each girl and to fit the right names to them all in five minutes, she seemed as much as home as though she had spent her life in Burnett they brought her into the house in a sort of triumph and upstairs to the blue bedroom which Katie and Clover advocated for her and such a hubbub of talk and laughter presently issued therefrom that cousin Helen on the other side of the entry asked Jane to set her door open that she might enjoy the sounds they were so merry Rose's bright rather high pitched voice was easily distinguishable above the rest she was evidently relating some experience of her journey with an occasional splash by way of accompaniment which suggested that she might be washing her hands yes, she really has grown awfully pretty and she had on the loveliest dark brown suit you ever saw with the phone-colored head and was altogether dazzling to you know, I was really quite glad to see her I can't imagine why, but I was I didn't stay glad long however why not, what did she do? this in Clover's voice well, she didn't do anything but she was distant and disagreeable as Kerslop served it at first I was so pleased to see one of the old hills over girls and I went to be in very courteous then Lily tried to put me down by running over a list of her fine acquaintances Lady Dis and the Marquis of Death people whom she and her mother had known abroad it made me think of my old autograph book with Antonio Valonbrosa and the rest, do you remember? of course we do, well go on at last she said something about Count Ernesto Conflore I had heard of him perhaps he crossed in a steamer with Mama and me it seems, and we have seen a great deal of him disappeared a good opportunity to show that I too have relations with nobility so I said yes I had met him in Boston and my sister had seen a good deal of him in the winter and what did she think of him demanded Lily Valon said I she didn't seem to think a great deal about him she says all the young men of the French legation seem more than usually foolish but Count Ernesto is the worst of the lot he really does look like an absolute fool, you know I added pleasantly now girls what was there in Death to make her angry can you tell? she grew scarlet and cleared as if she wanted to bite off my head and then she turned her back and would scarcely speak to me again does she always behave that way when Ernesto Chrissie is slightly spoken of? oh rose, oh rose red clover and fits of laughter did you really tell her that? I really did why shouldn't I? is there any reason in particular? only that she's engaged to him replied Katie in an extinguished voice good gracious no wonder she's scarred this is really dreadful but then why did she look so black when she asked where you were going and I said to your wedding but it didn't seem to please her anymore then my little remarks about the nobility I don't pretend to understand Lily said Katie temporarily she's an odd girl I suppose an odd girl can be expected to have an even temper remarked Rose, apparently speaking is a herpin in her mouth well, I've done for myself that is evident I'd never expect any notice in future from the contest to conflore Cousin Helen heard no more but presently steps sounded outside her door and Katie looked in to ask if she would rest and if she might bring Rose in a request which was clearly granted it was a pretty sight to see Rose with Cousin Helen she knew all about her already from Glover and Katie and fell at once on the gentle spell which seemed always to surround the invalid sofa begged leave to see Cousin Helen as the others did and was altogether the best and sweetest when with her, full of merriment but full too of a deference and sympathy which made her particularly charming I never did anything so lovely in all my life before she told Glover in confidence to watch her lying there looking so radiant and so peaceful and so interested in Katie's affairs I'd never once seeming to remember that except for that accident she too would have been a bride and had a wedding it is perfectly wonderful do you suppose she's ever sorry for herself she seems the merriest of us all I don't think she remembers herself often enough to be sorry she's always thinking of someone else it seems to me well I'm glad to have seen her and it rose in a more serious tone than was usual to her she and my grandmother are of a different order of beings from the rest of the world I don't wonder, you and Katie always were so good you ought to be with such a Cousin Helen I don't think we were as good as you make us out but Cousin Helen has really been one of the strong influences of our lives she was the making of Katie and she had that long illness and Katie has made the rest of us little Rose from the first moment became the light of the household and especially of Amy Ash who could not do enough for her and took her off her mother's hand so entirely that Rose complained that she seemed to have lost her child as well as her husband she was a sedate little maiden and wonderfully wise for her years already in some ways she seemed older than her erratic little mother of whom in a troll fashion she assumed a sort of charge she was a born housewife Mama, you have forgotten your wings Glover heard her saying Mama, you have a whip on your sleeve you must mend it Mama, don't forget that your teeth is on the top drawer all these reminders and advices being made particularly comical by the baby pronunciation Rose's theory was that little Rose was a messenger from heaven sent to buffet her and correct her mistakes the pain and the antidote she would say think of my having a child with powers of rejuvenation Rose came down the night of her arrival after a long freshening nap looking rested in bunny in a pretty blue dress and saying that as little Rose too had taken a good sleep she might sit up to tea if the family liked the family were only to pleased to have her do so after tea, Rose carried her off ostensibly to go to bed but Glover had a great deal of confabulating and giggling in the hall and on the stairs and some after, Rose returned the doorbell rang loudly and there entered an astonishing vision little Rose costumed as a cupid or a carrier pigeon no one knew exactly which with a pair of large wide wings fastened on her shoulders and trekking behind her by a loop of ribbon a sizable basket full of parcels straight toward Katie's event and with her small hands behind her back and her blue eyes fixed full on Katie's face repeated with the utmost solemnity the following poem I'm a messenger you see from human's expert's tympani all these little bundles are my auntie Katie Tarr if she knows what stood for her she will kiss the messenger you sweet thing, right Katie teasing the messenger with all my heart you never heard such a dear little poem did you write it yourself? no, Mama wrote it but she teached it to me so I could say it the bundles of course contained wedding gifts Rose seemed to have brought her trunk full of them there were a pretty pair of sword sellers for Mrs. Redding a charming paper knife of Selva a antique coin set in a handle from Selvia a hand mirror mounted in brass from Asta Diobron a long towel with fringed and embroidered ends from Ellen Gray and from dear old Mrs. Redding a beautiful lace pin set with a moonstone next came a little riposee picture marked with love from Mary Selba then a parcel tied with pink ribbons containing a card case of Japanese leather which was little Rose's gift last of all Rose's own present a small case full of ivory brushes and chromes all together never was such a satisfactory faddle brought by hymns or any other express company before and in opening the packages reading the notes that came with them and exclaiming and admiring time flew so fast that Rose quite forgot the hour that little Rose growing sleepy reminded her of it by saying Mama, I guess I'd better go to bed now because if I don't I shall be too sleepy Dear me, cried Rose, catching the child up this is simply dreadful what the mother am things are come to pass indeed if babes and sucklings have to ask to be put to bed baby, you ought to have been Christian nascent device she disappeared with Rosalind's drowsy eyes looking over her shoulder next afternoon came net and with him to Kate the surprise and blesher appeared the good old Commodore who had played such a kind part in their affairs in Italy the year before it was a great compliment that he should think it worthwhile to come so far to see one of his junior officers married and it showed so much real regard for net that everybody was delighted these guests were quartered with Mrs. Ash but they took most of the meals with the cars and it was arranged that they, with Polly and Amy should come to an early breakfast on the marriage morning after net's arrival things did seem to grow a little fuller and busier for he naturally wanted Katey to himself and she was too preoccupied to keep her calm grasp on events still all went smoothly and rostiglert that there never was such a wedding since the world was made no tears, no worries, nobody looking tired, nothing disagreeable Clover's one great subject of concern was the fear that it might rain and there was little haste before the sun set the night before and she expressed her intention to cousin Helen of lying awake all night to see her things looked I really feel as if I could not bear it if it should storm she said after all this fine weather too I know I shall not sleep a wink anyway I think we can trust God to take care of the weather even on Katey's wedding day replied cousin Helen gently and after all it was she who lay awake pain had made her restless sleep and as the bed commanded a great arch of western sky she saw the moon a sharp curved silver shape descendant disappear a little before midnight she roused again when all was still solemn darkness except for a sprinkle of stars and later opened her eyes in time to catch the faint rose flash of dawn reflect from the east she raced herself on her elbow to watch the light grow it is a fair day for the child she whispered to herself how good God is and then she slept again for a long restful space and woke refreshed so that Katey's secret fear that cousin Helen might be ill from excitement and not able to come to her wedding was not realized clover meantime had slept soundly all night she and Katey shared the same home and waked almost at the same moment it was early there but the sisters felt bright and rested and ready for work so they rose at once they dressed in silence after a little whispered rejoicing over the beautiful morning and in silence took their bibles and sat down side by side to read the daily portion which was their habit then hand in hand they stole downstairs disturbing nobody softly opened doors and windows carried bowls and jars out on the porch and proceeded to arrange a great basket full of roses which had been brought the night before and sat in the two cool shade of the villas to keep fresh before breakfast all the house had put on festal airs summer had come early to burn at the deer every garden was in button blossom and everyone who had flowers had sent their best to grace Katey's wedding the whole world seemed full of delicious smells each table and chimney piece by fragrant load the bowl of Jack Vimont's stood in the middle of the breakfast table and two large jars of the same on the porch where Glover had arranged various seats and cushions that it might serve as a sort of autopilot nobody who came to that early breakfast ever forgot its peace and pleasantness and the sweet atmosphere of affection which seemed to pervade everything about it after breakfast came family prayers as usual Dr. Carr reading the chapter and the dear old Commodore joining with a hearty nautical voice in Awake my soul and with the sun which was a favorite hymn with all of them Ned check Katey's book and his face and hers alone would have been breakfast enough for the company if everything else had failed as Rosary Mark took Glover in a whisper though nobody found any fault with more substantial fear which Debbie had sent him previously somehow its little mutual service of prayer and praise seemed to fit in with the spirit of the day and give it its keynote just the sweetest wedding Mrs. Ash told her brother and the wonderful thing is that everything comes so naturally Katey is precisely her usual self only a little more so I am under great obligations to Amy for having that fever was Ned's somewhat indiscreet answer but his sister understood what he meant breakfast over the guests discreetly removed themselves and the whole family joined in resettling the table for the luncheon which was to be at two Katey and Ned departing in the boat at four was a simple but abundantly past with plenty of delicious home cooked food oysters and salads and cold chicken fresh salmon from Lake Superior a big Virginia ham baked to perfection red and translucent to its savory center hot coffee and quantities of Debbie's perfect rolls there were strawberries also and ice cream and the best homemade cake and jellies and everywhere was a bunch of fresh roses to perfume the feast when all was arranged there was still time for Katey to make her some hair on a visit and then go to her room for a quiet rest before dressing and still on the same unherried air pervaded the house there had been a little discussion the night before as to just how the bride should make her appearance at a decisive moment but Katey had settled it by saying simply that she should come downstairs and Ned would meet her at the foot of the staircase it is the simplest way she said and you know I don't want any fuss I will just come down I dare say she is right remarked rose but it seems to me to require a great deal of courage and after all it didn't the simple and natural way of doing a thing generally turns out the easiest Clover helped Katey put on the wedding gown of soft crepe and creamy silk it was trimmed with old lace and knots of ribbon and Katey wore a visit to a three white roses which Ned had brought her and the pearl pendant which was his gift then Clover had to go downstairs to receive the guests and see that Carson Heron's sofa was put in the right place and Rose who remained behind had the pleasure of arranging Katey's veil the yellow white of the old blonde was very becoming and all together the effect donut-stylish was very sweet Katey was a little pale but otherwise exactly like a usual self with no tremors or self-consciousness presently little Rose came up with a message Auntie Tova says that Dr. Tone has thumb everything is ready and you'd better thumb down she announced she kissed and went down to her hole but little Rose was so fascinated by the appearance of the white dress and the veil that she kept fast hold of Katey's hand disregarding her mother's suggestion that she should slip down the back staircase as she herself proposed to do no, I want to do this aunt Teddy she persisted so it turned that Katey came downstairs with pretty little Rose clinging to her like a sort of impromptu bridesmaid and meeting Ned's eyes as she stood at the foot waiting for her, she forgot herself lost the sense of shyness which was creeping over her and responded to his look with a tender, brilliant smile the light from the whole door caught her face and figure just then the color flashed into her cheeks and she looked like a beautiful happy picture of a bride and all by accident which was the best thing about it the pre-arranged effects are not always effective and I had to betray the pre-arrangement then Katey took Ned's arm little Rose let go of her hand and they went into the parlor and were married Dr. Stone had an old-fashioned and very solemn wedding service which he was accustomed to use on such occasions he generally spoke of the bride as Thai handmaiden which was a fond and claw particularly deprecated he had also been known to advert to the world that there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage a secret improvement on this which seemed to say the least an unfortunate illusion under the circumstances at upon these occasions his feelings were wound and touched and he called Katey my dear child which was much better than Thai handmaiden and the ceremony was over Ned kissed Katey and her father kissed her and the girls and Dorian fell and then, without waiting for anyone else she left her place and went straight to the cousin Helen lay on her sofa watching the scene with those clear tender eyes in which no shadow of past regrets could be detected Katey nailed down beside her and they exchanged a long silent embrace there was no need for words between hearts which knew each other so well after that for a little while all was congratulation and good wishes I think no bride ever carried more hearty goodwill into her new life than did my Katey all sorts of people took Ned off into corners to tell him privately what the fortunate person he was in winning such a wife each fresh confidence of this sword was a fresh delight to him he so thoroughly agreed with it she's a prize sir, she's a prize all Mr. Warrett kept repeating his hand with each repetition Mrs. Warrett had not been able to come she never left home now on account of the prevailing weakness of carry-alls but she sent Katey her best love and the gorgeous broom made of the tails of her own beacocks aren't you sorry, you are not going to stay and have a nice time with us all and help it up the rest of the cake demanded Glover as she put her head in the carriage for a last kiss two hours later where is it Katey but she didn't look sorry at all it was one comfort, Glover remarked valiantly as she walked back to the house with her arm around Rose's waist she is coming back in December and the ship sails and as likely as not she will stay a year perhaps too that's what I like about the navy you can eat your cake and have it too husbands go off for good long times and leave their wives behind them I think it's delightful I wonder if Katey will think it quite delightful remarked Rose, girls are not always anxious to ship their husbands off for all good long times I think she ought, it seems to me perfectly unnatural that anyone should want to leave her own family and go away for always I like not dearly but except for this blessed arrangement about going to sea, I don't see how Katey could Glover, you are a goose you will be wise of one of these days see if you aren't was Rose's only reply End of Chapter 3 Recording by Ellie August 2009 Chapter 4 of Glover This li'l provokes recording is in the public domain Recording by Ellie Glover vs Susan Coolidge Chapter 4 Two long years in one short chapter Katey's absence left a sad blank in the household Everyone missed her but nobody so much as Glover who all her life long had been around with a confidant and intimate friend It was a great help that Rose was there for the first three lonely days dialing the sadness when possible with that vivacious little person at hand and so long as she stayed Glover had small leisure to be mournful Rose was so bright and merry and affectionate that Elsie and John were almost as much in love with her as Glover herself and sat and sat themselves in her warmth so to speak all day long while Phil and Dory fairly quarreled as to which she would have the pleasure of doing little services for her and baby Rose If she could have remained the summer's room all would have seemed easy but of course it was impossible Mr. Brown appeared with a provoking punctuality on the morning of the first day prepared to carry his family away with him He spent one night at Dr. Carr's and they all liked him very much No one could help it He was so cordial and friendly and pleasant Still, for all her liking Glover could have found it in her heart to quite detest him as the final moment on ear Let him go home without you she urged coaxingly Stay with us all summer, you and little Rose He can come back in September to fetch you and it would be so delightful to us My dear, I couldn't live without Dennis until September since it is a point in Rose I may not show it self to the casual observer but I am really quite foolish about Dennis I shouldn't be happy away from him at all he is the only husband I've got a poor thing but mine own as the immortal William puts it Oh dear, Grand Clover that is the way that Katie is going to talk about not I suppose Metrimony is the most aggravating condition of things for outsiders that was ever invented which nobody had invented it here it would be so nice for us to have you stay and the moment the provoking husband of yours appears you can't think of anyone else too true, much too true now, Clover, don't embed our last moments with reproaches it's hard enough to leave you as it is when I've just found you again after all these years I've had the most beautiful visit that ever was and you have all been awfully dear and nice kiss me quick and let me go as the song says I only wish Bernard was next door to the west side of the street next day Mr. Brown's heiled away with his handful of roses as else is sentimentally termed them and indeed Rose by herself would have been a handful for almost any man and Clover like Lord Allian was left lamenting Cousin Helen remained however and it was not till she too departed a week later that Clover fully recognized what it meant to have Katie married then indeed she could have found it in her heart to emulate all she needed of her own and shed tears over all the little inanimate objects which assisted left behind the worn-out gloves the old dressing slippers in the shoe bag but dear me we get used to everything and it is fudge knitted we do life is too full and hearts too flexible and Riley said things too sad for the survival of sentimental regrets of our changes which do not involve real loss and the wide separation of death in time Clover learned to live without Katie and to be cheerful still her cheerfulness was greatly helped by the letters which came regularly and showed how contented Katie herself was she and Ned were having a beautiful time first in New York and making visits near then in Portsmouth and Portland and the frigate moved on to these harbors and the new port which was full again amusing to the last degree later in August the letters came from Bahaba where Katie had followed in company with the Commodore's wife who seemed as nice as her husband and Clover heard of all men of delightful doings sales excursions, receptions on board of the ship and long moonlit paddlers was Ned who was an expert canuist everybody was so wonderfully kind Katie said but Ned wrote to his sister that Katie was a great favorite everyone liked her and his particular friends were all raging wildly around in quest of girls just like her to marry but it's no use for as I tell them he added the dirt isn't made in batches there is only one Katie and happily she belongs to me and the other fellows must get along as they can this was all satisfactory and comforting and Clover couldn't do a little loneliness herself so long as her beloved Katie seemed so happy she was very busy besides and there were compensations as she admitted to herself she liked the consequence of being at the head of domestic affairs and succeeding to Katie's position as Papa's special daughter a person to whom he came for all he wanted and to whom he told his little secrets she and Elsie became more intimate than they had ever been before and Elsie and Todd enjoyed being Clover's lieutenant as Clover had been Katie's so the summer didn't seem long to any of them and when September was once past they could begin to see months after next and the times went much faster Mrs. Hall asked me this morning when the Washington's were coming said Johnny one day it seems so funny to have Katie spoken of as the Washington's I only wished the Washington's would write an event remark Clover it's been more than a week since we heard from them the next day I brought the wish for letter the good news that Ned had a fortnight's leave and meant to bring Katie home the middle of November and stay for Thanksgiving after that the good wish was to sail for an 18 months cruise to China and Japan and then Ned would probably have two years ashore at the torpedo station Naval Academy or somewhere and they could start a little home for themselves meantime, wrote Katie I'm coming to spend a year and a half with you if urged, don't all speak at once and don't mind saying so if you don't want me they bit the drop in this pleasant intelligence that generally is when you know was that the fortnight of Ned's day was to be spent at Mrs. Ash's it's her only chance to see Ned, said Katie so I know you won't mind for after that you will have him for such a long visit but they didn't mind very much I don't think it's fair, write Johnny Hotley, where Clover and Elsie exchanged disgusted looks Katie belongs to us Katie belongs to her husband on the contrary said Dr. Carr over hearing her you must learn that lesson once for all children there is no escape from the melancholy effect and it's quite right and natural that Ned should wish to go to his sister and she should want to have him Ned, yes, but Katie my dear, Katie is Ned answered Dr. Carr with a twinkle then noticing the extremely unconvinced expression of Johnny's face he added more seriously don't begrudge children and spoil all Katie's blushing coming home with your foolish jealousies Clover, I trust you to take this young idiotineus in hand and make them listen to reason Tassie peeled too Clover rallied her powers and while laboring to bring Elsie and Johnny to a proper frame of mind schooled herself as well so as to treat Mrs. Ash amiable when they met Dear unconscious poly mean while was devising all sorts of pleasant and hospitable blends designed to make Ned stay a sort of continuous fit for everybody she put on no airs over the prevarian John her and was all together so kind and friendly and sweet that no one quarreled with her and Johnny herself had to forgive her and be contented with a little whisper crumbled to Dory now and then over the inconvenience of possessing people in law and then Katie came, the same Katie only as Clover saw it nice and brighter dearer and certainly better looking than ever see, he had tend her a little, but the brown was becoming and she had gained an easy polish of men which her sisters admired very much and after all it seemed to make little difference at which house they stayed for they were in and out both all day long and Mrs. Ash threw her doors open to the cast and wanted summer all of them for every meal so that except for the name of this thing it was almost a satisfactory to have Katie over the way is occupying her old quarters the fortnight sped only too rapidly Ned departed and Katie settled herself in the familiar corner to wait till she should come back again Navy wives have to learn the hard lesson of patience in their long separations entailed by their husbands profession Katie missed Ned's she was too unselfish to mope or to let the others know how hard to be lost seemed to her she never told anyone how she lay awake in stormy nights when the wind blew and it seemed to blow often at unusual at winter imagining the frigate in a gale and whispering little prayers for Ned's safety then he got sent to come back and her mind had that wind and burn it didn't necessarily mean wind in Jakai or Yokohama or whoever then a good dish might be and she would put herself to sleep with the hostess evening him left out the most of the collections which was particularly dear to her Taorula of the light and dark guides for the tempestine on arc amid the howling wintery sea we are important if we have tea so the winter passed and the spring and another summer came and went with little change to the quiet burn at household and Katie's brief life with her husband began to seem dreamy and unreal it lay so far behind and then with the beginning of the anxiety Phil as we said in the last chapter had grown to first be very strong and was the most delicate of the family in lux and health though full of spirit and fun going out to sleep with some other boys the week before Christmas on a pond which was not so securely frozen as it looked the ice gave way and though no one was drowned the whole party had a drenching in the sorrow it shared none of the others minded it much but the exposure had a serious effect on Phil caught a bad cold which rapidly increased into pneumonia. In Christmas day usually such a bright one in the car household was overshadowed by anxious forebodings for Phil was seriously ill and the doctor felt by no means sure her things would turn with him the sisters nursed him devotedly and by March he was out again but he did not get well or lose the persistent little cough which kept him seen in the week. Dr. Carter had this remedy and that but nursing seemed to do much good and Katie thought that her father looked graver and more anxious every time he tested first temperature or listened at his chest. It's not serious yet he told her in private but I don't like the look of things the boy is at the turning point any little thing might set him one way or the other I wish I could send him away from this template climate but sending a half sick boy away is not such an easy thing nor was it quite clear where he ought to go so matters drifted along for another month and then Phil settled the question for himself behaving a slight hemorrhage it was evident that something must be done in speedily but what? Dr. Cow wrote to various medical acquaintances and in reply pamphlets and letters put in each designed to prove to the particular part of the country to which the pamphlet or letter referred was the only one which it was at all worst to consign an involuntary delicate lungs. One recommended Florida and other Georgia a third south California a fourth and fifths recommended cold instead of heat and an open air life with mercury at zero. It was hard to decide what was best. He ought not to go off alone either, said the puzzled father. He is neither old nor wise enough to manage by himself but who to send with him is the puzzle it doubles the expense too. Perhaps I began Katie but her father cut her short with a gesture No Katie, I couldn't permit that your husband is due in a few weeks now you must be free to go to him wherever he is not hampered with the care of his sick brother besides whoever takes charge of Phil must be prepared for a long absence at least a year it must be either Clover or myself and as it seems out of question that I shall drop my practice for a year Clover is the person Phil is 17 now, such as did Katie that is not so very young No, not if we were in full health plenty of boys no older than he have gone out west by themselves and fared perfectly well but in Phil's condition that would never answer he has a tendency to be low spirited about himself too and needs incessant care and watchfulness Out west, repeated Katie have you decided then? Yes, the letter I had yesterday from Hope makes me pretty sure that St. Helens is the best place we heard of St. Helens? Where is that? It is one of the new health resorts in Colorado which has lately come into notice for consumptives it is very high up nearly or quite 6000 feet and the air is said to be something remarkable Clover will manage beautifully I think she is such a sensible little thing the Katie she seems to me and he too about as fit to go off 2000 miles by themselves as the babes in the wood remarked Dr. Carr who like many other fathers found it hard to realize that his children had all gone their childhood however there is no help for it if I don't stay and grind away the mirror there is no one to pay for this long journey Clover will do her best and the very good best it will be you will see the Katie consolingly does Dr. Hope tell you anything about the place she added turning over the letter or he says the scenery is fine and the mean rainfall is this and the mean precipitation that and the boarding places can be had that is pretty much all so far as the climate goes it is the right place they presume the accommodations are poor enough the children must go prepare to rough it the town was only settled 10 or 11 years ago there hasn't been time to make things comfortable remarked Dr. Carr with a truly eastern ignorance of the rapid way in which things match out in the far west Clover's feelings when the decision was announced to her it would be hard to explain in full she was both confused and exhilarated by the sudden weight of responsibility laid upon her to leave everybody and everything she had always been used to and go away to such a distance alone with Phil meet her guest with a sense of dismay while at the same time the idea for the first time in her life she was trusted with something really important lost her energies and made her feel priced and valiant like a soldier to whom some difficult enterprise is interested on the day of battle many consultations followed as to what the travelers should carry with them and by what route they would best go and how to prepare the journey a great deal of contradictory advice was offered as is usually the case when people are starting on a voyage or on a long railway ride one friend wrote to recommend that they should provide themselves with the weeks provisions in advance and enclosed a list of characters jam, body, meats, tea, food and hardware which would have made a heavy load for a down cure in Yule to carry with them the next day a group of people global and felt to transport such a weight of things another advised against umbrella and waterproof cloaks what was the use of such things where it never rained while a second letter received the same day showed them that sand and hail storms were things for which travelers in Colorado must live in a state of continual preparation who shall decide when doctors disagree in the end global concluded that it was best to follow the leadings and leave the rest undone and she found that this worked very well as the news was so little of the resources of St. Helens and there was such a strong impression prevailing in the family as to its being a rough sort of newly settled place Clover and Katie judged advice to pack a large box of stores took out by fright old mill and arrowroot and beef extract and all their biscuits things which really ought to have and which in a wild region might be hard to come by they befilled all the corners with home made dainties of various sorts and Clover besides the spirit lamp in the teapot put in her trunks various small decorations Japanese fans and pictures photographs, a vase or two books and a sofa pillow things which took little home and which she thought would make her quarters look more comfortable in case they were very bare and unfurnished people felt sorry for the probable hardships the brother insisted were to undergo and they had as many little gifts and notes of sympathy and counsel as Katie herself when she was starting for Europe but I am anticipating before the trunks were packed Dr. Carson said he's about his babes in the water greatly late by a visit from Mrs. Hall she came to tell him that she had heard of a possible matron for Clover I'm not acquainted with the lady myself she said but my cousin who writes about her knows her quite well and says she's a highly respectable person and belongs to nice people her sister or someone married the Phillips of Boston and I've always heard that that family was one of the best there she's had some malaria and all trouble she's the best now on account of it staying with a friend in Omaha but wants to spend the summer at St. Helens and as I know you have fought a good deal over having Clover and Phil go off by themselves I thought it might be a comfort to you to hear of this Mrs. Watson you are very good if she proves to be the right sort of person it will be an immense comfort do you know when she wants to start about the end of May just the right time you see she could join Clover and Philip as they go through well this is quite the relief please write to your cousin Mrs. Hall and make the arrangement I don't want Mrs. Watson to be burdened with any real care of the children of course but if she can arrange to go along with them and give Clover a word of advice now and then should she need it I shall be easier in mind about them Clover was only doubtfully grateful when she heard of this arrangement Papa always will persist in thinking that I'm still a baby she said to Katie drawing a little figure up in 1922 I would have him remember how do we know what this Mrs. Watson is like she may be the most disagreeable person in the world for all Papa can tell I really can't find it in my heart to be certain that this happened Papa looks so much relieved by it Katie rejoined but all the satisfactions and worries and misgivings took wings and flew away when just 10 days before the travelers were to start and you and the delightful change was made in the program Ned telecrafted the ship was ordered to send Francisco to refit and he wanted Katie to join him there early in June prepared to spend the summer when almost simultaneously came a letter from Mrs. Ash who with Amy had been staying a couple of months in New York to say that hearing of Ned's plan decided her also to take a trip to California with some friends who he previously asked her to join them these friends were, it seemed, the datans of Albany Mr. Dayton was a railroad magnet and had the control of a private car in which the party were to travel and Mrs. Ash was also raced to invite Katie and Chloe and Phil also to go along with them the former all the way to California and the others as far as Denver where the road separated this was truly delightful such an offer was surely worth a few days delay the plan seemed to settle itself all in one minute Mrs. Watson, whom everyone now regretted as a complication was the only difficulty but a couple of telegrams settled the perplexity and it was arranged that she should join them on the same train during a different car to have Katie as a fellow traveler and Mrs. Ash and Amy made a differencing of the long journey and Chloe proceeded with the preparations in jubilant spirits end of chapter 4, recording by Ellie February 2010 Chapter 5 of Chloe this lip-revox recording is in the public domain recording by Ellie Chloe by Susan Coolidge Chapter 5 car 47 it is day who stay behind was half a most from leaf takings those who go have to continual change of scenes and impressions to help them to forget those who remain must be as best they may the dull heavy sense of loss and separation the parting at Burnett was not a cheerful one Chloe was oppressed with the nearness of unrighted responsibilities and though she kept up a brave face she was inwardly homesick Phil slept badly the night before the start and looked so well and sin assisted on the streamer's deck beside his sisters waving goodbye to the party on the wharf that the new and sharp thrill of anxiety shot through his father's heart the boy looked so young and helpless to present the way ill among strangers and round-faced little clover seemed such a fragile support there was no help for it the scene was decided on and decided for the best as they all hoped but Dr. Carr was not at all happy in his mind as he watched the steamer become a continually lessening speck in the distance and he sighed heavily when at last he turned away as they echoed the sigh she too had noticed Phil's looks and Papa's gravity and her heart felt heavy within her the house when they reached it seemed lonely and empty Papa went at once to his office and they heard him lock the door this was such an unusual proceeding in the middle of the morning that she and Johnny opened wide eyes did you suppose this was John? No, I don't think it can be that Papa never does cry but I'm afraid he's feeling badly responded Ersy in the same hushed tone oh dear, how horrid it is not even to have clover at home what are we going to do with Otter and Katie? I don't know I'm sure you can't think how queer I feel Ersy just as if my heart had slipped out of its place and was going down down into my boots I think it must be the way people feel when they are homesick I had it once before when I was at Inchesmer's but never since then how I wish Philly had never gone to skate on that nasty pond and John pursed into a passion of tears oh don't, don't for Johnny's sobs were infectious and she felt an ominous lump coming into her own throat don't behave so Johnny think if Papa came out and found us crying we must make the house bright for him I'm going to sow the Minionette seeds come help me the troll is on the peg porch and you might get Doris' check knife and cut some little sticks to mark the places this expedient was successful Johnny, who loved to wittle above all things tried her tears and ran for her shade head and by the time the tiny brown seeds were sprinkled into the brown earth of the borders both the girls were themselves again Dr. Carr appeared from his retirement an hour later a note had come for him meanwhile but somehow no one had quite liked to knock at the door and deliver it Elsie handed to him now with a timid anxious look whose import seemed to strike him for he laughed a little and pinched her cheek as he read I have been writing to Dr. Hope about the children he said, that's all don't wait dinner for me chicks I'm off to the corners to see a boy who's had a fall and I'll get the bite there and afterward we'll have a game of cribbage if I'm not cold out we must be as jolly as we can or Glover will scold us when she comes back meanwhile the three travelers were faring through the first stage of their journey very comfortably the fresh air and change brightened Phil he ate the good dinner and afterward took quite a long nap on his sofa Glover sitting by him to keep him covered and see that he did not get cold late in the evening they changed to the express train and there again after being tucked up behind the curtains of his section went to sleep and passed the satisfactory night so that he reached Chicago looking so much better than when they left Burnett that his father's heart would have been lightened could he have seen him Mrs. Ash came down to the station to meet them together with Mr. Dayton a kind friendly man with a tired but particularly pleasant face all the necessary transfer of package etc was made easy and they were carried off at once to the hotel where Holmes had been secured there they were rapturously received by Amy and introduced to Mrs. Dayton a sweet, spirited little matron with a face as kind as her husband's but not so worn Mr. Dayton looked as if for years he had been bearing the whole weight of a railroad on his shoulders as in one sense it may be said that he had we have been here almost the whole day said Amy who had taken possession as a matter of course to educate Disney Chicago is the biggest place you ever thought Hunter but it isn't so pretty as Burnett and oh don't you think car 47 is nice the one we are going out west in you know and this morning Mr. Dayton took us to see it it is the cunningest little place that ever was there's a dear little drawer in the wall that Mrs. Dayton says I may have to keep Mabel's things in I never saw a drawer in a car before there's a lovely little bedroom too and such a nice washing basin and a kitchen and all sorts of things I can hardly wait till I show them to you don't you think the traveling is the most delightful thing in the world Ms. Clover yes if only people don't get too tired said Clover with an anxious glance at Phil as he lay back in an easy chair she did not dare say if Phil doesn't get too tired for she had already discovered that nothing annoyed him so much as being talked about as an invalid and that he was very apt to revenge himself by doing something imprudent immediately afterward to disguise from an observant world the fact that he couldn't do it without running a risk like most boys he resented being fast over a fact which made the care for him more difficult than it would otherwise have been the room which had been taken for Clover and Katie looked out on the lake which was not far away and the ridge of blue water would have made a pretty few if trains of cars had not continually streamed between it and the hotel staining the sky and blurring the prospect with the smokes Katie wondered how it happened that the early settlers who laid out Chicago had not besought themselves to secure this fine water frontage as an ornament to the future city but Mr. Dayton explained that in the rapid course of western towns things arranged themselves rather than were arranged for and that the first pioneers had other things to think about than what the new Englander would call and Katie could easily believe this to be true Car 47 wasn't a track when they drove to the station at noon the next day it was the end car of a long express train which Mr. Dayton had told them was considered the place of honour and generally assigned to private cars it was an old fashioned pattern and did not compare as they were informed with the palaces on wheels built nowadays for the use of railroad presidents and directors and though Katie heard of cars with French beds, planned spas open fireplaces and other incredible luxuries Car 47 still seemed to have inexperienced eyes and clovers a marble of comfort and convenience a small kitchen, a store closet and a baggage room fitted with spurs for two servants occupied the end of the car nearest the engine then came a dressing closet with ample marble basins where hot water as well as cold was always on tap the night stay drum is a bed on either side then a large compartment occupying the middle of the car where by day four nice little dining tables could be set with a seat on either side and by night six sleeping sections made up the rest of the car was arranged as a sitting room glassed all around and furnished with comfortable seats of various kinds a writing desk two or three tables of different sizes and various small lockers and receptacles fitted into the partitions to serve as catch-alls for loose articles of all sorts bunches of lovely roses and baskets of strawberries stood on the tables and quite a number of the dating's friends had come down to see them off each bringing some sort of goodbye gift for the travelers flowers, hot-house crepes early cherries and homemade cake they were also cordial and pleasant and so interested in fill that Katie and Clover lost their hearts to each and turn and forever after what we're ready to stand up for Chicago is the kindest place that ever was seen then amid fervor and good wishes the train moved slowly out of the station and the inmates of Cire 57 proceeded to go to housekeeping as Mrs. Dayton expressed it and to settle themselves and their belongings in these quarters Mrs. Ashen Amy it was decided should occupy the stateroom and the other ladies were to dress there when it was convenient and so assigned to everybody Clover's opposite first so that she might hear him if he needed anything in the night and Mr. Dayton called for all the bonnets and hats and amid much laughter proceeded to pin them up each in sick folds of newspaper and to fasten it on a hook not to be taken down till the end of the journey Mabel's feathered turban took it's turn with the rest and Amy's particular request thus was the main thing to be guarded against and Katie, having been purely for one had gone out in the morning and bought for herself in Clover's soft hats a white decree felt in the walls of the same colour like those which Mrs. Dayton and Polly had provided for the journey and which had the advantage of being light as well as unspoiled label but there was no dust at first morning as the train ran smoothly across the fertile prairies of Illinois first then of Arva between fields dazzling a fresh green of wheat and rye ways had started with such wild flowers is none of them had ever seen or dreamed before pink spikes and whites and vivid blue spikes messes of brown and orange cups like low-growing tulips ranks of beautiful wedges and purple lupines ascholesias like immense sweeps of golden sunlight wild sweet peas trumpet shaped blossoms whose name no one knew all flung broadcast over the face of the land and in such stintless quantities that it dazzled the mind to think of the eyes to behold them the low-lying horizons looked indefinitely far off the sense of space was confusing here and there appeared a homestead baked with the breakwind of sickly planted trees but the general impression was of vast still distance endless ridges of sky and uncounted flowers growing for their own and with no regard for human observation when studying Car 47 Katie was much impressed by the soreness of Mrs. Dayton's preparations for the comfort of her party everything that could possibly be needed seemed to have been sort of pins, cologne, sewing materials all sorts of softening washes for the skin to be used on the alkaline planes sponges to wet and fasten to the crown of heads other sponges to breeze through made sense of various kinds sticking blaster with chasel and anaker, whisk brooms, piles of mega-sins and nobles, telegraph planks and stationery and forgotten, Clover said that it reminded her of the mother of the Swiss family Robinson and that wonderful bag out of which everything was produced that could be sort of from a grand piano to a bottle of pickles and after that, Mrs. Robinson became Mrs. Dayton's pet name among her fellow travelers she adopted it cheerfully and her wonderful bag providing quite as unfailingly and trustworthy a state of her prototype that titles him justified pretty soon after starting came the first dinner on the car such a nice one soup, roast chicken and lamb cream peas, sweet potatoes stewed tomato, all as hot and as perfectly served as if it had been on dry land as Amy faced it there was fresh lettuce too with milder stressing and a desert of strawberries and ice cream the latter made and frozen on the car whose resources seemed inexhaustible the cook had been attached to car 57 for some years and had a celebrity on his own road for the preparation of certain dishes which no one else could do as well however many markets and refrigerators and kitchen ranges might be at command one of these dishes was a peculiar form of cracked wheat made crisp and savory after some mysterious fashion and eaten with sick cream like most chefs, the cook liked to do things in which he excelled and finding that it was admired he gave the pat this delicious wheat every morning the car seems to pave the spottles of Apollinaire and with lemons rotated to her father there seems no limit to the supply just as surely as it grows warm and dusty it will begin to remember that we were thirsty a tingle is heard and Bernard appears with the tray ice lemonade if you please made with Apollinaire's water with strawberries floating on top what do you think of that at 30 miles an hour Bernard is the colored butler of Poland we have a fine flavor of pears and pellets in the mangas you perceive the first day out was cool and delicious and we had no dust at 6 o'clock we stopped at the junction and our car was detached and run off on a siding this was because Mr Dayton had business in the place and we were to wait and be taken on by the next express train soon after midnight at first the renners downed a pretty place by the side of the river where it was cool and we could look on the water in the green bank opposite and we thought we were going to have such a nice night but the authorities changed their minds and presently to our deep disgust a locomotive came puffing down the road clawed us up in renner's back and finally let us in the middle of innumerable tracks and switches just where the freight trains came in and met all night long they were arriving and going out cars loaded with cattle, cars loaded with sheep with pigs moaning and crunching I never heard in all my life before I could think of nothing but that verse in the Psalms strong bulls of basham have beset me round and could only hope that the poor animals did not feel half as badly as they sounded then long before light as we listened this lamentable roar and crunch and quite unable to sleep for heat and noise came the blessed express and presently we were away out of all the din with the fresh air of the prairie blowing in and in no time at all we were so sound asleep that it seemed but a minute before morning first slumber lasted so long that we had to breakfast without him for Mrs. Dayton would not let us wake him up you can't think how can she is and miss the Dayton too and this way of travelling is so easy and delightful that it scarcely seems to tire one at all Phil has born the journey wonderfully very so far at Omaha on the evening of the second day, Clover's future matron and advisor, Mrs. Watson was to train them she had been telegraphed too from Chicago and had replied so that they knew she was expecting them Clover's thoughts was occupied with curiosity as to what she would turn out to be that she scarcely realised that she was crossing the Mississippi for the first time and she gave scant attention to the low bluffs which bound the river on which the Indians used to hold their counters in those dim days where there was still an undiscovered west set down in geographies and atlases as soon as they reached Omaha's side of the river she and Katie jumped down from the car and immediately found themselves face to face with an anxious looking little old lady with white hair frizzled and banged over a buckered forehead and a pair of watery blue eyes peering from beneath evidently in search of somebody her hands were quite full of bags and parcels and a little heap of similar articles lay on the platform near her of which she seemed afraid to lose sight for a moment oh is it Miss Carr was her first salutation I am Mrs. Watson I thought it might be you from the fact that you got out of that car and it seems rather different I am quite relieved to see you I didn't know about something my daughter she said to me as I was coming away no mother don't lose yourself whatever you do it seems quite wild to think of you in Kenny and this and Kenny and that in the Garden of the Gods I am one to keep an eye on you I will shall never hear of you again Yule it's quite the comfort that you got here I supposed you would but then certainly oh dear that man is carrying off my trunks please run after him and tell him to bring them back it's alright he's the porter explained Mr. Dayton did you get your cheques for Denver or St. Terence oh I haven't any cheques yet I didn't know which it ought to be so I waited till Miss Carr and her brother said to it for me anew and hold my daughter my friend Mrs. Peters I have been staying with her you know was sick and bad and I wouldn't let dear me what has the gentleman gone off for in such a hurry he has gone to get your cheques said Clover divided between the version and this mate at this specimen of a future matron we only stay here for a few minutes I believe do you know exactly when the train starts Mrs. Watson no dear I don't I never knew anything about trains and things like that somebody always has to tell me and put me on the cars I shall trust to you and your brother to do that now it's a great comfort to have a gentleman to see those things for you a gentleman poor filly Mr. Dayton now came back to them it was lucky that he knew the station and was used to the ways of railroads for it appeared that Mrs. Watson had made no arrangement whatever for her journey but had blindly devoted the care of herself and her belongings on her young friends as she called Clover and fell she had no sleeping section secured and no tickets and they had to be procured at the last moment and in such a scramble that the last of her parcels was handed on to the platform by a porter at full run after the train was in motion she was not at all flurried by the commotion though others were and blindly repeated that she knew from the beginning that all would be right as soon as Miss Car and her brother arrived and had sent the courteous invitation to the old lady to come to Car 4740 but Mrs. Watson did not at all like being left alone meantime and held fast to Clover when the others moved to go I am used to being a good deal looked after she explained all the family knows my ways and they never do let me be much alone I am taken faint sometimes and the doctor says it's my heart or something that's the cause of it so my daughter she you ain't going mad here are you I must look after my brother said poor Clover he has been ill you know and this is the time for his medicine dear me is he ill? said Mrs. Watson in a grieve tone I wasn't prepared for that you'll have your hands pretty full with him and me both won't you for though I am well enough just now there is no knowing what that they may bring for us and you are all I have to depend upon you are sure you must go it seems as if your sister Mrs. Watson is that her name might see to the medicine and give you a little freedom don't let your brother be too exacting dear it is the worst thing for a young man I'll sit here for a while and then I'll the conductor will help me I suppose or perhaps the gentleman might I hate to be left by myself these were the last words which Clover heard as she escaped she entered car 57 with such a rueful and disgusted countenance that everybody burst out loving what is the matter Mrs. Clover ask Mr. Dayton has your old lady left something after all don't call him an old lady I'm supposed to be her young lady under her charge said Clover trying to smile but the moment she got Katie to herself she burst out with my dear what I'm going to do it is too dreadful instead of someone to help me she saw Papa meant Mrs. Watson seems to depend on me to take all the care of her and she says she is fainting fits how can I take care of her Phil needs me all the time in the great deal more than she does I don't see how I can you can't of course and it is out of the question that you should have another person to look after but I think you must mistake Mrs. Watson Clover I know that Mrs. Hall wrote plainly about Phil's illness for she showed me the letter just wait till you hear her talk cried the exasperated Clover you will find that I didn't make a mistake at all why did Mrs. Hall interfere it would all seem so easy in comparison so perfectly easy if only Philly and I were alone together Katie thought Clover was frightened and disposed to exaggerate but after Mrs. Watson joined them a little later she changed her opinion the old lady was an inveterate talker and her habit of half finishing her sentences made it difficult to follow the meanderings of her emblem discourse it turned largely on her daughter Mrs. Phillips her husband Children House furniture habits tastes and the Philips connection generally she's the only one I've got she informed Mrs. Dayton so of course she's all important to me she and Philips that's Henry's youngest sister often says that rarely of all the women she ever knew Ellen is the most and there's plenty to do always of course with three children and such a large elegant house and company coming all day it's that there's plenty to do with Henry's very liberal he likes to have things nice so orangey why when I was picking up to come away he brought me reposee fruit knife there in my bag oh it's in my other bag never mind I'll show it to you some other time solid silver you know big glue and canard that's things always good to do expensive and my son-in-law he said you're going to a fruit country and Mrs. Peters doesn't think there's so much fruit though all sent from California as a road and I guess Ellen and Henry were surprised to hear it Katie held serious counsel with herself that night as to what she should do about this extraordinary guide philosopher and friend from the faiths it provided for Clover she saw that her father from very over anxiety had made a mistake and complicated Clover's inevitable cares is the most undesirable companion who would add to rather than relieve them she could not decide what was best to do and in fact the time was short for doing anything for the next evening would bring them to Denver and poor Clover must be left to face the situation by herself as best she might. Katie finally concluded to write to her father plainly how things stood and to back him to set Clover's mind quite at rest as to any responsibility for Mrs. Watson and also to have a talk with that lady herself and explain matters as clearly as she could it seemed that all was in her power the next day the party woke to a wonderful sense of lightness and acceleration which no one could account for until the contactor told them that the apparently level plane over which they were now speeding was more than 4,000 feet above the sea it seemed impossible to be lifted hour by hour they climbed but the climb was imperceptible now 4,600 feet of elevation was reported now 4,800 and at last above 5,000 and still they seemed about them nothing but the vast expense of flat levels the table lens of Nebraska there was little that was beautiful in the landscape which was principally made up of wide reaches of sand dotted with cactus and crazewood and with the troll cone shaped boroughs of prairie dogs who could be seen gravely sitting on the roofs of their houses and turning sudden summer salts in at the holes on top as the train wasn't by the past and re-past long links of a broad shallow river which the maps showed to be the blood and which seemed to be made up of two-thirds of sand and one-third water now and again mounted horsemen appeared in the distance from Mr. Dayton said the cowboys but no cows were visible and they rapidly moving figures when either as picturesque or as formidable as they had expected them to be flowers were still abundant and their splendid messes gave the charm of color to the rather arid landscape soon after noon dim blue outlines came into view which could rapidly bold and more distinct and revealed themselves as the Rocky Mountains the backbone of the American continent of which we all heard so much in geographies and newspapers it was delightful in spite of dust and clear so sit with the sweep of magnificent air rushing into their lungs and watch the great ranges go and go in deep menu there they seemed close at hand to Katie they were like enchanted land somewhere on the other side of them on the thin Pacific coast her husband was waiting for her to come and the will seemed to revolve with a regular rhythmic beat to the kindness of the old scotch song and will I see his face again and will I hear him speak but to glow what the will sang something less jubilant and she started the mountains on her little traveling map and measured the distance from Bernard with a sigh there were the walls of what seemed to her sort of present and she realized that presently she should be left alone among them Katie and Polygon these new friends whom she had learned to like so much left alone with Phil and what was worse was Mrs. Watson there was a comic side on the latter situation undoubtedly but at the moment she couldn't enjoy it Katie carried out her intention she made a long call on Mrs. Watson in her section and listened patiently to her bemoanings over the noise of the car which kept her from sleeping and the lady inquiry over there who had taken such a long time to dress morning that she, Mrs. Watson could not get into the toilet room at the precise moment that she wished the newspaper boy would not let her just glance over the Denver Republican unless she bought and paid for it and they only wanted to see the Washington News media and something about the tin wedding in East Deadham my mother came from there and recognized one of the names and but she took it away quite rudely and then I complained the conductor wouldn't attend to what I and the bad piece of beef steak which had been brought for her breakfast at the eating station Katie soothed and comforted to the best of her ability and then blanched in per subject explaining first very delicate quotation the necessity for constant watchfulness on the part of clover and saying most distinctly in the plainest of English that Mrs. Watson must not expect clover to take care of her too the old lady was not in the least offended but her replies were so incoherent Katie was not sure that she understood the matter any better for the explanation certainly my dear certainly your brother doesn't appear so very sick but he must be looked after of course boys always ought to be I'll remind your sister if she seems to be forgetting anything I hope I shall keep well myself so as not to be any worried to her and we can take little excursions together at the assay girls always like to go and of course an older person oh no your brother won't need her so much as you think he seems pretty strong to me and you mustn't worry about them Mrs. Watson we shall all get on very well I'm sure provided I don't break down and I guess I shan't though they say almost everyone does in this air while we shall be as high up as the top of Mount Washington Katie went back to 47 in despair to comfort herself is a long confidential chat with clover in which she exerted her not to let herself be imposed upon be good to her and make her as happy as you can but don't feel bound to wait on her and run her errands I'm sure Papa wouldn't wish it and it will half kill you if you attempt it feel till he gets stronger is all you can manage you not only have to nurse him you know but to keep him happy it is so bad for him to mope you want all your time to read with him and take walks and drives that is if there are any carriages at St. Helens don't let Mrs. Watson sees upon you clover I'm awfully afraid that she means to and I can see that she's a real old woman of the sea once she gets on your back you'll never be able to throw her off she shall not get on my back said clover straightening her small figure but doesn't it seem unnecessary that I should have an old woman of the sea to grapple with as well as fear provoking things I have to seem a necessary offensive you mustn't let yourself get worried dear clovey the old lady means kindly enough I think only she's naturally tiresome and has become helpless from habit be nice to her but hold your own self-preservation is the first law of nature just at dusk the train reached Denver and the dreaded moment of parting came there were kisses and tearful goodbyes but not much time was allowed for either the last glimpse that clover head of Katie was as the train moved away when she put her head far out of the window of 47 to kiss her hand once more and call back in a tone a regular and solemn enough to suit King Charles the first in his own admonitory word remember end of chapter 5 recording Pellie September 2009