Skirting Tradition

by Kay Moser

  “How did you ever thank her?”

  “I never could, at least not to my satisfaction. She never would talk about it directly. I finally gave up trying.”

  “She gives much more than gifts of pretty handkerchiefs and jars of jam, doesn’t she?”

  “She fits her help to the need, honey. She’s the most authentic Christian I ever met.”

  “So that’s why Riverford fell in love with her,” Sarah concluded. “And that’s why Pa adores her.”

  Mama stood. “It sure is. I better get back to work.”

  “But I still don’t understand why she’s content.”

  “Well, someday maybe you can talk to her about that.”

  “I hope so. One thing’s for sure: I’m not as worried about Riverford accepting Miss Victoria now. She’s got Mrs. Boyd on her side.”

  “That’s all she needs, honey. Now, if you make the pies, I’ll finish this bread.”

  “And we’ll move on to the ironing,” Sarah added, “as soon as the clothes are dry.”

  “And you’ll have time for reading this evening.”

  Sarah beamed up at her mother.

  ***

  When Sarah arrived at Hodges House on Monday morning, she had barely latched the gate behind her when she was startled by a tall, powerfully built woman who dashed out of the shrubs. “Aw, there you are at last!” the woman gasped as she continued running in place. “Drop that knapsack of yours, and let’s make a round of the garden together.” The woman dashed off, and when Sarah made no move to follow her, she called back over her shoulder, “Hop to it, I say!”

  Sarah dropped her bag on a garden bench and ran after the woman. “I think there’s been some kind of mistake,” she called out as she tried to catch up. “I am—”

  “Sarah. I know!” The woman circled back, and, jogging in place, she held out her hand. “Maude Lindsay, here, Tory’s cousin.” Dashing off once again, she beckoned Sarah to follow.

  Sarah caught up easily and jogged alongside the stout woman. “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Lindsay, but who is Tory?”

  “Victoria is Tory. Been calling her that since we were little girls. As for ‘Miss Lindsay,’ drop the formalities, Sarah; just call me Maude. No time for social absurdities; leave all that up to Tory. She always was the one who could charm the tail off a dragon. Had to be, I suppose, what with that dragon of a mother God blessed her with.”

  Mystified, Sarah ran around the back corner of the house, where Frances and Delphie stood outside the kitchen door, staring.

  “Pick up your pace, Sarah!” the woman shouted back at her. “Last lap needs to be a good one, you know.”

  Sarah increased her speed and caught up as they rounded the next corner. Maude continued talking as she ran. “Tory was the darling of the nursery set when we were children. You know, all those red curls and dimples. Believe you me, it was not easy being in the same playroom with her. And, of course, she was totally precocious in every imaginable way. Positively disgusting child!”

  “What does ‘precocious’ mean?”

  “Ah, good! Love an eager young mind,” Maude tossed back as she followed a path into the shrubbery. “We’ll do our calisthenics here,” she ordered as she stopped abruptly in a clearing. “Jumping jacks first while the blood is still pumping.”

  Sarah stopped, breathing heavily, and stared as the woman began flinging her hands over her head and jumping up and down. “Come on, Sarah! Don’t just stand there; your heart rate will decrease. Just try ten. You can do it!”

  Skirt flying, Sarah tried her best to imitate the woman’s actions. “What’s ‘calisthenics’?” she managed to ask between jumps.

  “That skirt of yours will have to go next time. You need some bloomers.” Maude continued jumping. “Answers in order are: ‘precocious’ means advanced in abilities, and ‘calisthenics’ are exercises performed in a stationary position. Got all that?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I think so.” Sarah, who felt that her pounding heart would surely escape her chest, was stunned to see the woman drop to the ground. “Are you hurt?” she cried.

  “Certainly not!” Maude laughed as she began sitting straight up, touching her toes, then flinging her arms over her head as she rolled back down. “Just doing my sit-ups. You better not try this. You’ll get your dress dirty, and you haven’t got a change of clothes with you. Preparation is the key to success, Sarah. Remember that!”

  “Yes, ma’am, I will.”

  “‘Veni, vidi, vici’—always remember that and live by it!” Maude sprang up from the ground. “Well, I think that’ll do us for today. We’ll probably be quite active getting that library in tip-top shape. Race you to the porch!”

  Sarah whirled around as the middle-aged woman raced past her and bolted across the grass. Sarah forced her own legs into action, but Maude was already leaning comfortably against one of the porch pillars when Sarah arrived.

  “Veni, vidi, vici!” Maude exclaimed. “I warned you.”

  “What is that?” Sarah asked as she dropped to the brick steps, gasping for air.

  “‘Veni, vidi, vici’ means ‘I came, I saw, I conquered.’ Julius Caesar used these three Latin verbs to sum up his success in his war with the Turks in forty-seven BC.”

  “Oh.”

  “Veni, vidi, and vici are first person perfect forms of the three Latin verbs venire, videre, and vinchere, of course.”

  “Of course.” Sarah’s spirits drooped, and she stared down at her lap.

  Maude reached over, lifted Sarah’s chin, and with a voice laced with kindness, said, “You have to start somewhere, Sarah. Why not with Julius Caesar? Tory says you are quite brilliant and will go far, and believe you me, Tory is never wrong in her judgment of people.”

  “I feel so stupid.”

  “You are only ignorant—not stupid. You have a wonderful opportunity here, and if you apply yourself, you will look back on this year and say with Julius Caesar, ‘Veni, vidi, vici!’”

  “Heaven help you, Sarah!” a male voice boomed from the front doorway. “Maude’s gotten hold of you. Life as you know it is over!”

  “Hush, Hayden Hodges!” Maude retorted. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to this girl ... well ... short of Tory, that is.”

  Sarah sprang to her feet. “Mr. Hayden, I’m sorry I’m late. I was just coming in when—”

  “You were captured by the fanatical Maude Lindsay. I know your story well, Sarah. Did you know that whole classrooms of girls, indeed whole schools of girls, are shaped by this mutation of womanhood?”

  “Mutation indeed!” Maude shook a fist at Mr. Hayden. “I’ll gladly claim that descriptor if it means I’m more than a simpering doormat for a man.”

  Sarah’s pulse began to pound in her ears as she watched Mr. Hayden crouch in the position of a boxer. Maude narrowed her eyes as she raised her own fists, and the two squared off.

  After they faked several punches, he laughed, grabbed Maude, and gave her a hug. “That you are not, dear Maude. No, not a doormat—not for anyone.” He looked at Sarah. “Don’t forget your knapsack, Sarah, and get on in the house. The queen awaits you.”

  “You mean you’ve finally released her from the bedroom?” Maude demanded archly.

  “I have.” Mr. Hayden winked at Sarah. “For a limited time. And furthermore, I’ve been commissioned to tell you that breakfast is now available in the dining room, and the queen awaits you there, so you ladies had better make haste.”

  ***

  “Sit down, Sarah,” Victoria insisted when they reached the dining room, “and have a cup of tea. You’re going to need it. As I expected, Maude has a new, enlarged plan for the library as well as a master plan for your entire education. You’re going to be very busy indeed.”

  “Efficiency!” Maude proclaimed. “That’s what’s needed if we’re going to get this girl ready for exams. And Sarah and I have already begun. We’ve finished our morning exercise, and Sarah has a new life motto. Tell them, Sarah!”


  Sarah’s heart thumped as she struggled to know what was expected of her, but Maude leaned over and whispered, “Julius Caesar.”

  “Oh! I came, I saw, I conquered,” Sarah blurted out.

  “Latin, Sarah!” Maude demanded.

  “Veni ... uh ... veni ...”

  “Vidi, vici.” Miss Victoria finished for her.

  Mr. Hayden laughed. “Maude, you haven’t already inflicted Julius on the poor girl! Isn’t it enough that you’ve been running her all over the garden?”

  Maude drew herself up as if she were miffed. “For your information, Mr. Hodges, all my students have excellent physiques as well as full mastery of their subject matters.”

  “But Julius Caesar before breakfast?”

  “What better place to begin? Besides, some of us had breakfast at dawn, didn’t we, Sarah?” Maude grinned as she stood. “And now we shall leave you sluggards and go forth to pursue heights of intellectuality. Come, Sarah.”

  “I hope you get a few books put up,” Mr. Hayden quipped.

  “I assure you, sir, we women are capable of performing mental and physical tasks simultaneously. Your library will be perfection when we have finished. You might consider visiting it someday.”

  “But not next Tuesday!” Victoria exclaimed. “In fact, you should avoid the house at all costs, Hayden. Riverford’s intellectual ladies are gathering here to start a literary society.”

  “Heaven help me! Invaded by bluestockings in my own house. Whatever happened to the sanctity of a man’s home?”

  Victoria leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. “You married me, darling.”

  “Good Lord!” Maude exclaimed in mock horror. “Look away, Sarah. I won’t have your sensibilities tainted by such displays. Better still, follow me. The library is the only safe ground.”

  CHAPTER 10

  The next Tuesday, Sarah topped the hill that separated the farm from the road to town and was greeted by a mature sunrise accompanied by an invigoratingly chilly breeze. The calendar may well have dictated November, and the oranges and deep reds of the deciduous oaks may have agreed, but the sun-drenched air and vibrant blue skies promised anything but winter. Sarah’s senses vibrated with the stimuli of birdsong and the earthy scent of recently plowed soil. Nature seemed determined to put on a thrilling show before the first frost.

  She was young, her step springy, and her dreams called her like the sirens of the Odyssey into the future she longed for. She was studying late, sleeping little, but her hours with books invigorated her, and her workdays in town with Miss Victoria were nothing short of magical. Sarah had never seen life lived the way Victoria Hodges lived it. She had never seen a woman who rose every morning, reviewed the myriad of options open to her, and chose the activities that gave her the most creative outlet. In fact, she had never seen women who had choices at all!

  “Ah, Sarah, good, you’re here early.” Victoria greeted her as she entered the drawing room. “Ten o’clock will be here before we know it, and this room will be full of ladies.”

  “Sounds like I need to disappear,” Hayden said.

  “Indeed you do.” Miss Victoria leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. “But please don’t forget your way home.”

  “Not likely.” He grinned as he rose and playfully pulled her into his arms.

  “I’ve no time for that!” Miss Victoria pushed him away as she called to Sarah over her shoulder. “Go change, Sarah, and then come help me do the same. I’ll never get that confounded corset laced without you.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Hayden pulled her close again, and Sarah left the room with Miss Victoria’s protests ringing in her ears.

  ***

  By nine o’clock, both women were back downstairs “planning the revolutionary elevation of Riverford’s female minds,” as Miss Victoria phrased it. Sarah wore her professional uniform—her navy skirt and lace-trimmed shirtwaist—but Miss Victoria had chosen a more elaborate costume. Her champagne silk dress featured leg-of-mutton sleeves, a high collar, and a bodice adorned with black scrolling embroidery. As she raced around the drawing room, plumping up pillows, she said, “I hope, Sarah, that in time we ladies will be focused on intellectual pursuit and not on fashion, but we better play it smart and begin by giving our potential members an excuse to show off their finery.”

  “You’re going to send all the Riverford ladies straight to their dressmakers right after this meeting.”

  “As long as they also rush to the post office to send in their magazine and book orders, I’ll be happy. In the meantime, we need to be sure everything is ready in the dining room. Mrs. Logan and her daughter, Lavinia, are coming early to plot with us.”

  “I’ve already checked the dining room, and the table is beautiful. I’ve never seen such roses!”

  “Wasn’t it sweet of Hayden to send to Fort Worth for those? They are the most exquisite shade of pink ... almost peach. I must try to paint them before—Oh! There’s someone at the door. Probably the Logans. Run out and let them in, Sarah. Let the conspiracy begin!”

  Laughing, Sarah dashed out and flung open the front door. “Good morning!” she exclaimed. “Come in, please. Mrs. Hodges is—” Her voice froze in her throat when she realized that a man stood before her.

  “Good morning to you too.” A smile flashed across Lee Logan’s handsome face. “This is certainly a pleasant surprise. When Mother commandeered me to carry this stack of books to a literary society meeting, I never dreamed—what I mean is—”

  Sarah’s temper flared. “You didn’t expect to find a mere country girl here.”

  An awkward silence fell between them until Lee Logan quietly asked, “May I come in, Miss Novak? Mother and Lavinia are walking over so they can enjoy the weather.”

  “Of course.” Sarah stood aside and refused to meet his eyes as he passed. “You may put the books down on the table over there. I’ll take care of them.”

  Lee did so, then quietly confronted Sarah. “Miss Novak, I feel I must speak plainly to you. We met under most unfortunate circumstances, for which I shall never forgive myself. Not only did I cause you physical suffering, but my brother’s callous remarks caused you emotional pain, I’m sure, and I—”

  “Please excuse me, Mr. Logan.” Sarah turned away. “I have pressing work to do.”

  “Is there no way we can start over?” Lee called after her. “I’m not as superficial as you believe me to be. Where you reside is of no importance to me, I assure you.”

  “Good day, Mr. Logan. How nice to see you!” Extending her hand, Miss Victoria made her presence known. “I’m afraid you are going to be very disappointed if you are here to plead for membership in the Ladies Literary Society. You were disqualified at birth.”

  Lee tried to laugh at her wit as he forced his eyes from Sarah. “Yes,” he agreed. “I had no false hopes, I assure you. I am merely acting as my mother’s beast of burden.” He motioned to the books. “But it is most pleasant to find Miss Novak here.”

  Miss Victoria put her arm around Sarah’s shoulders and turned her around to face Lee. “Miss Novak has been a joy as a companion and most helpful in my attempts to settle in. I simply could not have survived without her.”

  “I’m sure,” he murmured. “Mother speaks very highly of her—and of you too, of course, Mrs. Hodges.”

  “I wonder, Mr. Logan, if you would mind carrying the books into the drawing room and placing them on the round table on the far side of the room. They do look weighty in pounds as well as knowledge.”

  “I’d be delighted to help, ma’am.” Lee picked up the stack again, and, endeavoring to catch Sarah’s eye as he passed her, he left the hall.

  “Sarah!” Miss Victoria hissed. “You will drop your concept of yourself as a ‘mere country girl’ this instant. You are my personal secretary, my protégée, and when Mr. Logan returns, you will be the educated lady you are becoming and graciously usher him to the door.”

  Startled, Sarah s
tudied Miss Victoria’s eyes and found annoyance and determination there. She barely had time to nod before Lee returned, but when she felt the pressure of Miss Victoria’s hand against the small of her back, she stepped forward and extended her hand to Lee. “Thank you, Mr. Logan,” she stammered, but her voice grew stronger as she struggled to emulate Mrs. Boyd’s poise. “We are most grateful for your support in our literary endeavor.”

  His brown eyes shone with renewed hope, and when he took her hand in his, a strange flash of joy flew through Sarah.

  “It is my pleasure, Miss Novak, to be of service to you at any opportunity.”

  She bowed her head at him as she had often seen Miss Victoria do, then silently prayed she had not bobbed it too quickly.

  “I’m afraid we must dismiss you now,” Miss Victoria announced with a light laugh. “We ladies are plotting revolution.”

  “Please allow me to show you to the door,” Sarah murmured, once again consciously imitating Mrs. Boyd.

  “Good day, Mrs. Hodges.” Lee bowed to Miss Victoria as he passed her.

  “Do come see us again, Mr. Logan. You are always welcome.”

  At the door, Lee paused and leaned slightly closer to Sarah’s face. “I hope your meeting is most successful, Miss Novak. Indeed, I hope all your endeavors are successful.”

  “You are most kind.” Once again, Sarah consciously used a phrase of Mrs. Boyd’s. “Most kind indeed. Good day, Mr. Logan.” She nodded her head slightly, turned, closed the door, and collapsed against it as her heart thumped wildly.

  “Very good.” Miss Victoria laughed as she applauded softly. “Riverford can use another Christine Boyd.” She moved to Sarah’s side. “Now, let’s face facts. Mr. Logan is interested in you.”

  “But—”

  “Exactly. You have your heart set on education and a teaching career. Nevertheless, the time may come when you will welcome Mr. Logan’s attentions. But even if you don’t, Sarah, you must learn how to manage men. You are a beautiful young woman, and you are going to attract suitors. You must learn to manage—and perhaps even enjoy—their attentions without committing yourself.”