"Yes, ma'am."
She finished measuring the girl, and then, smiling at her, she said, "All right, you go take over the cooking, so I can measure Kathy."
"Yes, Miss."
Kathy presented herself to Meg, licking her lips from where she'd obviously tasted the chicken. She looked at the woman, and asked, "If this judge fixes it so we can stay here, how are we going to pay for our keep? We were told we would work in a laundry... before... well... you know." Her voice falling lower as she spoke.
"You don’t have to pay anything," Meg answered, firmly. "First, you need to get free of the opium addiction. You are a young woman who's going to have a baby. You owe it to your child to be as healthy as you can, so you're physically prepared to give birth and then care of him.
"And, Lynn is still a child." Then hearing a low, little groan of protest, Meg added, "Although, I'm sure she'll be a help to you.
"Lastly, the front of this building is a workshop. Half is where I conduct my seamstress business. In the other half we have spinning wheels and several looms. So, there's a place for you to learn a skill, when you're ready. Although, if you'd rather learn something else, I'm sure we can find a place for you elsewhere.
"But first, we need to get you healthy. We'll worry about other things later. You don't have to worry about paying your way. So don't worry about it, all right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good! Now, if the food is hot, why don't you both help yourselves to some food?" Then, looking over at Colleen, "And, of course, you are welcome to some, as well."
"No, thank you. I had plenty for lunch. But, I wouldn't mind some tea. Is it all right if I make us all a pot?"
"Tea sounds lovely, Colleen. I'd like some, and I'm sure the girls would, too."
Colleen bustled about the kitchen while Meg redrew and refined the quick sketches she'd made in the mercantile. When Kathy put the cups and saucers on the table, she peered over Margaret's shoulder and asked, "What's that, Miss?"
"Well, when you get ill, you will be very restless and perspire a lot. So, you'll want to change your nightgowns often. But the ones I bought for you this morning, the only ones I could find, are so fussy with plackets of tiny buttons, and ruffles, and even lace.
"So, I'm going to make you some simple gowns. They should be fast and easy to make, and they'll be easy to launder, as well.
"I'm also going to make you each a flannel robe I've designed. It, too, will be very simple and fast to make. And, if they fit you and are comfortable, we'll make you at least one more each."
"You're going to make these things for us?" Lynn asked, in an incredulous voice.
"Yes. And, later, I'll make you some clothes. After all, you can't go around in nightgowns and robes all the time, can you?"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am," Kathy chimed in.
"You are most welcome," Meg told them. "Then, I'll teach you how to do some simple sewing, and perhaps Eva can teach you to knit and crotchet. That baby is going to need clothes as well as blankets and a lot of diapers."
"How am I going to take care of my baby?" Kathy asked, in a distressed voice.
"We'll all help you. We won't turn you out. And then, you can decide what it is you want to do."
Neil reappeared, carrying in the bolts of fabric. Colleen followed him out to the wagon to fetch the socks, slippers, and reel of tape Meg wanted, as he carried in a pile of blankets. Then he told them he would see them out at Miranda's later and left.
*****
Gus drove up soon after, in a closed carriage for the girls. When he came inside, he took one look at Meg and knew something was bothering her.
"Meg," he asked, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she answered, turning away.
"Margaret."
"Oh, all right. I bumped into Mrs. Cleary. They're leaving Manchester Tuesday morning, forever."
"What? You must have misunderstood something she said," he insisted.
"No. There's some problem back wherever they're from. Something about a crisis with his family's business. And, they're leaving. Reverend Cleary won't be able to marry us, next month."
"Well, there are other ministers in town who could perform the ceremony if his replacement hasn't arrived. Or, Judge Preston can marry us."
"As much as I like the judge, I don't want him to marry us."
"All right." He stroked her cheek and said, "We'll figure it out later. I promise. Okay?"
"Yes, I suppose."
"Now, are the girl's ready?"
"Just about. They're wrapping up in blankets. I mean, they didn't really have any clothes. And, Colleen will take some more, to drape around them so they don't freeze. I only hope that Miranda has a good fire going."
"If she doesn't, I'll soon have one blazing." Gus looked up and said, "Oh, I forgot to tell Neil to get something. I'll be right back." And before she could protest, he walked out.
He found the reverend packing up books in his office at the back of the church. Knocking on the door frame, he called, "Hello, Reverend Cleary. I hear we're losing you."
"Yes. Unfortunately, my family needs me. And, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to come back for a very long time. So, we're leaving permanently."
"You know I'm very sorry we're losing you," Gus said. "I'm sure everyone will be, but Meg is particularly distraught. Well, perhaps that's a bit of an overstatement, but she is upset."
"I'm sure we'll be missed, but surely..."
"We'll all miss you, but Meg especially, because you won't be here to marry us," Gus blurted out. "It's nearly Christmas. Your replacement won't be here much before our wedding date if then."
"Well, yes. You're probably right."
"I was wondering if you could marry us Sunday after services. No fanfare. I think only your wife and Dr. Thorne and Neil in attendance."
"Is that what Meg wishes?"
"Well," Gus hesitated a moment, before he admitted, "I haven't spoken to her yet. I thought I should make sure you were willing."
"Yes..."
"The thing is... well, you know how different your preaching style is from her father's."
"Ah..." Reverend Cleary sighed, "I think I see. She's afraid that my replacement will be more like her father."
"Yes! That's exactly what I think she's worrying about."
"Well then, if Meg wants to get married Sunday, it won't be a problem. And, I think I can speak for Mrs. Cleary and say she'd be delighted to be included."
"Thank you. I have an errand to take care of. But, as soon as I'm finished with that, I'll speak to her about it."
Gus picked up the three girls and drove them, albeit surreptitiously, to Miranda's. Neil and Jake were there finishing up the second bedstead. He helped them carry the beds upstairs while Miranda showed the girls around. He didn't stay very long, insisting he needed to get his wagon, before Ma filled it even more. But he stopped off at the hotel and asked if the doctor could speak to him a moment after he returned the hired carriage to the livery stable.
When he returned, he found Victoria in the lobby, still looking tired. "I promise I won't keep you but a minute. I need to know if you all can get along without Meg until about this time next week."
"Why? Has something happened? Is she ill?"
"Yes and no. The Clearys are leaving town, for good. And, I know Meg wanted him to perform our marriage ceremony. I've spoken to him, and he is willing to marry us after church on Sunday.
"But I need to know if you can get along without her for a while, since I'd like to take her to Chicago for three or four days, at least. I'd hoped for a longer honeymoon, but I wouldn't ask any of you to do without Meg for more than a few days."
"Gus, there will be five of us, even without Meg or Ma. If you want to stay in Chicago longer, we can make due. I'm not saying we don't want Meg's help it's just that we can make do until she comes back. In fact, it's probably better for you all to get married now, because in another month those girls might still be in a very bad way. And, then we're going
to need all the help we can get."
"Well," Gus answered, "if you are sure, I'll speak to Meg later. Perhaps, if you're feeling up to it, you'd like to join us for dinner?"
"Are you sure? I mean," Victoria asked, "won't you have things to discuss?"
"Yes. But, I'm sure she's going to want to make sure you aren't upset with her going away."
"Ah. I see," the doctor acknowledged. "I'll wait for you to send up for me. That way you all aren't under any time constraints."
Gus rode out to the house and picked up the wagon that Ma was still stuffing things into.
"It will be all right, Ma. It will have to be. The horses will barely be able to pull the wagon as it is. If you've forgotten anything, like a cook stove or dining table, I'll have to take it out tomorrow."
Jake was feeding the stock, but stopped when Gus drove in to help him unload.
"Thanks," Gus said. "Aside from the half dozen mattresses, Ma sent eggs, butter, milk, cream, cheese, and bacon. Also a ham, a couple loaves of fresh bread, a pot of beef stew, and an apple pie. There's probably even more I don't know about."
"Gus," Miranda began, "I have food. Meg sent all sorts of things as well."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll use it all." Then he asked, "How are the girls settling in?"
"Oh, all right, I guess," Miranda said. "At least, I hope they are," she added softly.
"Relax, Miranda," Gus said. "Everything will be just fine."
"I certainly hope so."
"Well, let me carry those mattresses upstairs, because I need to get back to town. Someone will bring Kit out tomorrow afternoon. And, if you find we have forgotten something, make a note and we'll take care of it. All right?"
"All right," Miranda answered.
Meg was not in her living quarters when Gus entered. He found her hard at work at her sewing machine in the workshop. He knocked on the doorframe between the residence and the shop, so as not to startle her.
She turned and smiled. "How was everyone getting along?" she asked.
"I only saw Jake and Miranda. I assume the girls were somewhere with Miss Murphy. They might have even been sleeping again. They have been through a difficult time."
"I'm sure they're only just now realizing they are safe. Oh, Gus. I'm so glad we found them. I only hope that Harding suffers for all his horrible deeds."
"Yes. Well, I'm sure he will. After all, there is no denying he's responsible for four deaths by his own hand, and was a contributing factor in Lisa's, as well."
"Well, I don't even think they've asked about their sisters, yet."
"What are you sewing on?" he asked.
"Night dresses for the girls. I should have at least two made for each of them by tomorrow afternoon. And, robes for each by the day after tomorrow."
"Are you about at a point where you can stop for the night? I told Victoria we'd have dinner with them, and I have something I wish to discuss with you first."
Meg's head snapped up. "What? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Gus insisted. He reached out, covering her hand with his, before he continued, "I know the news of the Clearys leaving hit you hard."
"Well, yes. It's just... just..."
"Yes, I know. You wanted to be married by a minister who preached of a loving God, rather than a vengeful one." Meg looked into Gus' eyes, but said nothing, so he went on. "So, I've spoken to Reverend Cleary, and he'll marry us after church services on Sunday."
"What?"
"If you would like, we can get married this Sunday. However, we won't be able to have an elaborate ceremony. No fancy dress or flowers, or wedding breakfast. Not even a cake. Victoria and Neil will act as witnesses and Mrs. Cleary will be there, but that's all. In fact, I don't think we should tell anyone else. We get married and then we catch the train for Chicago for an abbreviated honeymoon."
"I don't care about the fancy wedding," Meg told him. "However, I'm not sure about not telling anyone, especially Ma. Or, about leaving town right now."
"Well, you might have a point about telling Ma, at least. She can ride out to Miranda's and tell everyone else as soon as we catch the train," he assured her. "I've already asked Victoria if you could be spared for several days. And, she assures me you can."
"But, of course, she'd say that whether or not it was all right."
"Actually, she said it was better for us to be away now, as opposed to a month from now. So, you see, everything will work out fine."
"I suppose."
"We can have a party with a wedding cake later, after the girls are well, so they can come too," he added.
"All right," Meg said, standing up and stretching. "Come on."
"We have plenty of time before we need to meet Victoria and Neil," Gus told her. "Finish what you're doing."
"I'm finished. And we're not going to the hotel. We're going out to talk to Ma."
Gus grimaced, but remained quiet. He'd probably need his voice fully rested when they told Ma.
Chapter Five
"You're doing what?" Ma asked, in a voice of shock and disbelief.
"We're getting married after church on Sunday and leaving on the afternoon train to Chicago," Gus repeated. While Meg stood beside him, silent, wearing a shy smile.
"But what about a wedding ceremony? I won't have time to plan things."
"That's fine. We won't have time for any of that before we catch the train."
"But what about the wedding breakfast? Or the cake?"
"We'll do all that later, when the girls are better," Gus told her.
"But, why?"
"Because Meg wants to be married by Reverend Cleary, and the Clearys are leaving Manchester on Tuesday."
"Oh..." the older woman said. Then she made a face and said, "One of the hands came in earlier and said Loki had a small cut on his hind quarter. He didn't think it was anything serious, but you might want to check on him."
Gus looked at Meg and said, "I'll be right back. Just let me run out. I promise I won't be long." Then he rushed out.
Ma looked over at Meg and sighed. Then she asked, "Is there anything you would like to talk about? I mean, I know your mother died when you were still fairly young."
"About what?" the younger girl asked.
"About marriage. About being married," Ma said.
"Oh..." Meg said. "No, I don't think so." Then after a brief, but rather pregnant pause, added, "My father made sure all of that was very clear to me before I left North Brookfield. A husband holds absolute dominion over his wife. And a wife must submit to her husband's will in all things."
"Yes, I see." Ma Swenson stood up and began gathering cups and saucers and things. After several moments, she began, "You know, I envy you. Being a young bride is such a wonderful and exciting time.
"I remember when I was first married. My Benjamin and I didn't have much. His father gave us a very small plot of land. We only had four fields, but we loved it. We had a little cabin at the edge, with a small barn and chicken coop. And I had a kitchen garden with herbs, and a border of flowers."
"It sounds wonderful," Meg said.
"I would pack up our lunch and take it and the quilt I was stitching on to near where he would be working. We'd spread a blanket out under a tree and talk and eat and then lie down and look up through the branches and leaves at the sky." She laughed and ended with, "Not a lot of work got done those afternoons. But it was a special time."
*****
"What were you and Ma talking about while I went to the stable?" Gus asked.
"Oh, she was telling me about when she and Benjamin were first married. You know, about her vegetable and herb garden, and their cabin. How she would take him his lunch and they'd spend much of the afternoon talking and daydreaming."
"Really?" he asked, pivoting to look at her.
"Yes. Why?" Meg answered.
"No reason," he replied. "No reason, at all."
"I hope we aren't late," Gus said, as they approached the table where Victoria and Neil were
sitting.
"No, not at all," Neil said, as he stood up. Once everyone was seated, he continued, "I was anxious to spend time with Victoria, since I have a feeling she won't have much time for me for a while."
"Neil," the doctor said, scowling, "I told you you were being silly. I'll still need to be in town for normal doctoring." Neil frowned, but only nodded in agreement.
"Are you sure..." Meg began.
But before she got further, Victoria assured her, "We will be able to manage without you until you get back." And, then when Meg's face fell, she added, "At least, for a few days."
"See," Gus said, hugging her, "I told you so. Now, let's order dinner. I'm starving."
Ann appeared at that moment and the next several minutes were spent ordering food. But before she left their table, the doctor asked, "Have the girls—Kit and Eva—eaten anything?"
When Ann shook her head, the doctor added, "Take them up a tea tray when you have a moment, please. And then ask them what they'd like for dinner. I don't suppose we can order them to stay upstairs.
"But encourage them to stay where they are and relax. They worked so hard, they deserve this little treat. You can tell them we want them to enjoy their afternoon and evening of leisure. Because tomorrow they will be very busy."
"Yes, ma'am. I will."
Once she was gone, Gus said, "Now, we've told Ma about the wedding, but that's the only other person we are telling. You can pass the information on to Miranda later that afternoon," he told them. "I'm sure Ma will take care of informing the rest of the town," he ended with a laugh.
"We've promised her she can plan a huge celebration with a wedding cake and everything later, in the spring, when the girls have recovered," Meg added.
Victoria let out a little laugh and said, "I understand. I haven't told Neil yet, but I'd like to wait until then." She turned to him and continued, "I know you’ve been married before, but I think I'd like a ceremony. And, I thought it would be good for the girls to be included. You know, make them feel a part of things, normal things." Neil reached over and enclosed the doctor's hand in his, and told her, "If that's what you want, Rose."
Gus turned away, probably because he found their moment of intimacy embarrassing and also suddenly concerned he and Meg might have been guilty of such blatant displays of affection. He hoped not, but he didn't know for sure. Besides, Meg was speaking to them.
Miranda Takes a Stand Page 4