Gladys thanked him but said that she enjoyed his company as much as he enjoyed hers. “It was lovely of you to spend so much of your time with me, Bob, but I think we both know it is better this way. We are both happily married, and I am certain neither of us would want to jeopardize that. I am fond of you, Bob, and I hope we shall continue to be friends.”
“I will be your friend for as long as you want, Gladys. If I can ever be of help to you, all you have to do is ask. When you and Eddy are ready to return to New York, simply contact me, and your cabin will be waiting for you.”
They arrived in London on the fifteenth of March. By the time they disembarked, it was too late for them to catch a train to Sandwich. They took a cab to Percy’s flat but found he wasn’t at home. They checked into a hotel instead.
Eddy’s demeanour changed as soon as they arrived in London. Although he wanted to see Dolly and Eliza, he dreaded seeing James again. Gladys tried to convince him that James was sorry for the way he had behaved and would be happy to see him, but the only image Eddy could bring to mind was James’s angry and contorted face as he shook him and slapped his face.
They boarded the train to Sandwich in the morning, and it arrived in the afternoon. Gladys hired a cab to take them out to Four Oaks and made arrangements for their other luggage to be delivered by wagon. When the gateman came to let the cab in, he recognized Gladys and Eddy. He reached up to touch Gladys’s hand. “My heavens, it’s yourself, mum! And there’s Master Edward too. I must say, mum, ‘tis good to have you back. I ‘spect you remember where to go!”
“Yes, Andy, I remember.”
The driver took them to the front entrance, and he left after Gladys paid him. Gladys tried the door and found it open, so they went in instead of waiting for Jenkins to announce them. Everything looked just as it had when she left, only now it seemed twice as grand. She took off her gloves and ran a hand over the smoothness of the big curved banister as she walked past. She could sense Eddy tensing up as they went past James’s library. No one was about, but they could hear Freda moving pots and dishes as they neared the kitchen. When they entered the room, Freda had her head bent over the sink and didn’t see them.
“Is there any chance one could have a cup of tea and one of your Eccles cakes, Freda?” Gladys asked.
Freda stopped what she doing and, without turning around, she answered, “I’ll praise the Lord myself if that’s really you, missus.” Then she turned and saw them. Holding out her arms, she cried, “Come here, you two. You come and give old Freda a big hug.” After they hugged, Freda said, “The good Lord himself must have told you how much you are needed this very day, missus.”
Gladys was almost too afraid to ask the meaning behind the cook’s ominous words, but she had to know. “What is it, Freda? Where is everybody?”
“It’s Miss Dolly, missus. She’s very sick. Blossom’s taken Eliza for a walk, and Sir and Mister Percy, they are up there with the doctor now.”
Gladys wanted to run upstairs immediately, but she managed to keep calm and said, “Eddy, I want you to stay with Freda or go out and see your pony while I go up to be with Dolly.” Then she took off her coat and bonnet and hurried up the stairs.
When she entered Dolly’s suite, Percy was in the sitting room and he jumped up, gave her a quick hug before whispering, “Thank God you are here.”
She entered the room quietly. James was standing with his back to the wall, and Doctor Macdonald was bending over, examining Dolly. The doctor turned when Gladys came up beside him and put a hand on her arm and spoke in low, hushed tones: “The poor lass has pneumonia. It’s the fever that we have to fight, Gladys. Bathing her with cloths dipped in tepid water is all you can do. If the fever breaks in the next twenty-four hours, I think she may recover.” He patted her arm and left.
Gladys told James to have one of the maids bring her a bucket of tepid water and towels, then she knelt down beside the bed and kissed Dolly’s hot forehead. She told James he could leave once she had the water, then she stripped the covers off her daughter and began bathing her.
Dolly was delirious most of that day and part of the night. At one point, Gladys felt a hand on her shoulder, and when she looked up to see who was there, James’s aunt Jean smiled down at her. Jean motioned that she would take over, but Gladys shook her head. Before she left the room, Jean kissed the top of Gladys’s head and whispered that both Eddy and Eliza were sleeping peacefully.
Molly was the maid James had ordered to keep Gladys supplied with water and towels; when she first saw Gladys, tears ran down her cheeks and she couldn’t resist kissing her on the cheek. Molly stayed with Gladys and Dolly all night, fetching water and towels whenever Gladys needed them. When she wasn’t fetching, she sat in the rocking chair and somehow managed to stay awake.
About five in the morning, Dolly’s fever broke. Gladys had blankets warming in front of the fireplace and wrapped them around her as soon as her temperature went down. It must have felt wonderful because Dolly opened her eyes at last. When she saw her mother, she gave her a weak smile and, in an almost inaudible voice, managed to say, “Momma, you came home.”
Gladys finally allowed her emotions to surface and tears ran down her cheeks as she answered, “Yes, my darling, I came home. Now you must sleep. I shall stay right here until you wake up.”
By midday, Gladys was persuaded to leave Dolly and go down to the conservatory to have something to drink and to eat. Before she went to the conservatory, she paid a visit to the nursery to see Eliza. At first Eliza was shy. Although she let Gladys hug her, she didn’t reciprocate. Instead, she said she wanted to see “her Dolly.”
Gladys sat down in a rocking chair and took hold of the little girl’s hand. She explained that although her Dolly had been very sick, she would soon be well again and would need to rest quietly until then.
“I think by tomorrow we shall be able to pick a bouquet of snowdrops for you to take to her. Would you let me help you pick them, darling?” Eliza smiled shyly and nodded just as Eddy came in.
“How is Dolly, mother?” He asked as he went to Gladys and kissed her.
Before Gladys could answer, Eliza climbed up on her knees and said, “My Dolly is much better, Eddy, and my mother and me are going out and pick her some snowdrops tomorrow. You can come too if you like.”
Gladys and Eddy looked at each other and grinned. Neither of them bothered to correct Eliza’s poor grammar. Eliza clung to Gladys’s hand as they made their way to the conservatory.
Freda insisted on waiting on Gladys herself, and she brought enough food to the conservatory to satisfy ten people. As soon as it was known that Gladys was home, all the staff came to say hello and to ask about Miss Dolly. A soon as they left, James, Percy, Aunt Jean, Jenkins, and Blossom arrived. Gladys and Eddy were kept so busy answering questions that they scarcely had a chance to eat any of Freda’s excellent cooking.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Eddy was still apprehensive in James’s company. James addressed him, saying, “My heaven’s, Eddy,”—he had never called him Eddy before and the familiarity of the name surprised Eddy—“what on earth have they been feeding you in America? I think you’ve grown at least a foot taller. I rather think that you are ready for a much bigger horse while you are here rather than that little pony, Chestnut. Perhaps we can go out this afternoon and see if Ruby has a horse more suited to a young man of your stature. What do you say?”
Not sure what to say, Eddy looked at Gladys. She smiled but didn’t offer an opinion, so he stood tall, looked James in the eye, and said, “I might like that, sir.” After they had their tea, James checked to see if Dolly’s health was still improving. He also made sure that Jenkins had one of the footmen set up a cot beside her bed so Gladys could sleep beside her until she was breathing normally again. Then he and Percy took Eddy out to the stable to look at the horses. “Ah,” he said when they came to one of the stalls
. “This young gelding looks to be about the right size. What do you think?”
Eddy was so excited he could hardly keep from jumping on the horse’s back, but he still didn’t trust James and didn’t want to appear too friendly. Looking at Percy, he replied, “He looks like he’s got a good nature, doesn’t he, Uncle Percy?”
Percy laughed and said he thought James could not have chosen a more suitable steed. Eddy knew his mother would have told him to say thank you to James, but he couldn’t make himself say the words. Instead, he said, “What’s his name, sir?”
“His name is Ali Baba, but we just call him Ali. Do you know the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?”
“Yes, sir, I do. I think it’s a pretty good name.” When Percy suggested they go for a short ride to see how Ali behaved, Eddy said he didn’t have any riding clothing. “But now that I wear long pants, I really don’t need them. When we go to visit Auntie Theresa and Uncle Peter, sometimes we ride on Auntie’s old mare, and we don’t even use a saddle.” Eddy directed his words to Percy, and now that he had begun talking, he had so much to say that James had to interrupt him.
“I want to hear all about your cousins in America, Eddy, but if we are going riding today, we had better do it soon or it will be too late. I took the liberty of purchasing some riding clothes for you, but I did not think you would have grown so tall. I hope they fit. Shall we go and get dressed?”
Eddy was having trouble keeping from smiling, “Yes, sir.”
The suit fit well enough, and Eddy was ready and waiting in the stable when James arrived. “Where’s Uncle Percy?” he asked while looking around nervously.
“He remembered that he had to take care of some business in town so it will be just you and me, I’m afraid.” Eddy wasn’t happy to hear that, but he wanted to ride Ali so badly that he didn’t object. Once Ruby helped him mount, James suggested he ride around in the corral until he felt comfortable on the horse. It had been a year since Eddy had sat in a saddle, but it didn’t take long for him to feel at home. The horse was well trained and easy to handle, so they left the corral and went down the trail toward the open fields.
At first, they walked the horses. Then they trotted them for a few minutes before James asked, “Would you like to try a gallop?”
This time Eddy could not keep his eagerness from showing and answered with an enthusiastic sounding, “Yes, sir!”
“Very well, but only to the end of this field. We do not want you having an accident the very first day you are here.” They galloped to the end of the field and then James motioned for Eddy to slow to a trot. As they were riding back to the stable, James said, “Eddy, I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. When Eliza told me what you had done for her, I felt so ashamed. I admire you very much, Eddy, and I only hope Eliza turns out to be as honest and kind as you. I would like very much to have you as a friend. What do you say?”
Eddy could still remember that day in James’s library, and although James had shown him nothing but kindness since he arrived back at Four Oaks, he couldn’t erase the memory from his mind. Not knowing what to do and feeling embarrassed, he just nodded his head.
Later, after they had dismounted and were brushing the horses, Eddy felt more at ease. It was almost as though he was brushing away the bad memories with each stroke. Because he didn’t have to look at him, he felt comfortable enough to speak to James directly. “Sir?”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to be your friend. And, sir?”
“Yes, Eddy?”
“Thanks for letting me ride Ali and for the clothes.”
James grinned. Although he noticed that Eddy’s diction had regressed, he found the boy’s directness refreshing. “You are very welcome, Eddy, and you may call me Uncle James if you like. I know it is difficult to change what you call a person, but I am rather envious of Percy when you call him uncle.”
There was no response, and James, suddenly realizing that he had been so anxious for the boy to forgive him that he had probably overplayed his hand, regretted his words. He waited a few minutes more than he thought, To hell with it, and called out, “Come on, it is time we went to see if Freda has any of that chocolate cake left.” As he passed by Eddy, he didn’t look at him, but he added, “If I were not so old and crotchety, I’d race you.”
James hadn’t left the stable when Eddy came running past laughing, and James heard him say, “Poor old uncle!”
James grinned and shouted back at him, “I take back all those nice things I said about you. You are truly a rascal.”
Gladys slept beside Dolly for three nights before she thought Dolly was well enough to be on her own. In between hugs, Gladys and Dolly talked about their life in Dover and the people that they had loved and lost. Gladys was surprised when Dolly wanted to know more about Gladys’s life in Old Nichol. This time, she was ready to understand what a difficult time it had been for both Gladys and Toughie, and why they loved each other as they did.
“I wish I could have met him, Momma. I think I would have liked him.”
“I am certain you would, darling. I hope he will be able to come with us next time. I hope that James will allow me to take you both back to America for a visit one of these times as well.”
“You mean you are going back to New York?’
“I cannot stay here, Dolly. I am married to Angelo now, and that is where we live. I’m so sorry, my dear. Did you really think I could come back and live here?”
“I guess I did. How long are you going to spend with us then?”
“I don’t know, but let us not think about it now. I have only just arrived. I do not want to think about leaving.”
“I don’t want you to ever leave. When do you think James will allow Eliza to go to New York?’
“I don’t know, but we may have to wait until she no longer needs a nanny. Perhaps in two years. She will be six then, and if she is anything like you and Eddy, she will be quite independent. I know he won’t allow her to live in America forever, but if you both can come for half a year at a time, it would be wonderful.”
Evidently, no one had told the staff why Gladys had left. Now that she had returned, they all thought she and James had settled their differences and she would be home for good. Gladys knew she would have to tell them the truth sooner or later. Since she had bought them all small gifts, she used that as an excuse to call them all together.
She gave Jenkins, John, and Abdul watch fobs made of soft, braided deerskin. Freda received a lovely beaded, leather purse. The other girls received soft beaded, leather necklaces. Everyone was delighted with their gifts, as they had never seen any Native American crafts before. They thanked Gladys profusely.
Earlier, Gladys had consulted with Dolly and James about the staff. They had decided that the staff deserved to know the truth since she and Eddy planned to visit quite often. With that in mind, Gladys told them she had something to say after she had passed out the gifts. She informed them that James and she had divorced and that she was now married to another man. They didn’t take the news well. There were some expressions of disapproval as she went on to explain what led to her marriage to James and their separation.
It was difficult for the servants to believe that a woman they had believed to be a member of aristocracy—a woman they had looked up to and revered for years—was just as common as they were. They didn’t dare voice their thoughts, but she could tell they were in disbelief as they offered another thank you and took their leave.
Gladys took over the housekeeper’s duties until Dolly was up and about. Although the girls did as they were told, they did it in a begrudging manner. After one week of putting up with their denunciating behaviour, Gladys called them all together again, except Freda, who had remained as fond of Gladys as she always was.
“I know you are all disappointed in me, but I shan’t apologize. I have worked as har
d, and probably harder, during my life as you have. When I was fortunate enough to earn the position of housekeeper, and even after I married Mr Hornsby, I continued to treat you with kindness and empathy. Is that not right?” she asked them.
Molly was the first to talk. “I’m sorry, mum. I remember how you saved me from going to prison and from that other thing too.”
Little Ines was the next to speak. “You are right, mum. You gave us new uniforms and time off to bathe and do our washin’. I guess you could say you even gave us our respect, mum. And you must have been thinking of us, because you brought us presents all the way from America.” They all had something nice to say before they left, and there were no problems. However, it didn’t stop the gossip that went on in the privacy of their quarters.
Once Dolly was well and returned to her duties, Gladys had a chance to go riding with James, Percy, and Eddy. It was wonderful to ride Tig once more. She hadn’t realized how much she missed the countryside. It now appeared to be twice as green and lush as she remembered. She was also relieved to see how well Eddy and James got along.
Eddy was very kind to Eliza and spent a lot of time playing and reading to her. As a result, she soon worshipped him as much as she had before they had left. She loved the stories he told about his twin cousins and the games they played on the streets of New York.
Gladys overheard him one day as he was telling her about his cousins teaching him how to stop a bully like the one who lived near his apartment. “If you run, they know you’re afraid, and then they’re sure to pound you. But if you stay and look ‘em in the eye, they don’t know what to do. That’s when you kick ‘em in the tallywags. That makes them cry like a baby, and they don’t usually bother you after that,” he said.
Gladys interrupted just in time to keep him from answering when Eliza asked, “What are tallywags, Eddy?” She decided that as soon as she arrived home she would have to talk to Lottie and Angelo. It was time they found out where the twins and Eddy went to play.
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