Read Online Beginning Again by Mary Beacock Fryer - Free Book Online Page A

forehead and shuddered. “Not that pitiful hovel?”
    That made my blood boil, but I remembered one of Papa's sayings, “least said soonest mended.” Let Mama handle her bad mannered brother. How dare he be so insulting? At that moment Papa came out of the shop, waved, and ran into the house. By the time we had helped Uncle William climb down from the cart, the whole family had come pouring outside, except for baby Margaret. For the first time Uncle's face lit up.
    â€œMartha,” he murmured softly to Mama. “You haven't changed a bit.”
    Mama laughed up at him. “Such flattery! After all these years I know I look older. And you can put away that famous Jackson charm. It doesn't cut any ice with me.”
    â€œAll the same I'd have known you anywhere,” Uncle insisted. “You, too, Caleb,” he added.
    When he turned to shake Papa's hand, he became cool and distant. Cade and Sam took Uncle's bags into the new bedroom while I put the stallion in the stable and gave him a quick rubdown. When I returned to the house, Mama and Uncle William were seated in the parlour. Papa had served our visitor some rum, and Elizabeth was bustling about making tea and setting cakes on a plate. Papa looked woebegone, and Mama's face was set in stubborn lines. I knew my parents were being treated to the same recital Elizabeth and I had already endured.
    Uncle glared at Papa. “How could you bring Martha here?”
    At that Mama sprang to his defence. “This is a new country, William. We came with next to nothing. Caleb has worked his heart out to give us what we now enjoy. Elizabeth and the three eldest boys, too. Do you think the frontiers of New York or Vermont are any more civilized?”
    â€œPerhaps not,” Uncle argued. “But if only Caleb had never joined the Loyalists. You wouldn't have become penniless refugees.”
    Mama held her head high and glared back at him. “Money isn't everything! I'm a contented woman. In fact, I've been happy ever since Caleb and I were married. Make no mistake, William, I have no regrets! You're welcome here, but please, let's have no more criticism of my husband, or our way of life!”
    Uncle looked utterly taken aback. The rest of us stood about, very ill at ease, wondering what would happen next. Would Mama try to smooth things over, or order her brother to leave? Eventually Uncle managed a wan smile.
    â€œA truce, Martha. You were right to scold me. I should have minded my own business under your roof. Caleb,” he turned to face Papa. “I apologize.”
    â€œLet's just forget anything unpleasant was every said,” Papa murmured, practicing what he preached. “Now, please give us news of Long Island.”
    They chatted for some time about brothers, sisters, cousins and so forth while we tried not to fidget. Since we had never met any of these relatives, their names meant little to us. Later, when the talk became general, we were able to ask Uncle about things that interested us.
    â€œWhat do you do for a living, sir?” Sam wanted to know.
    â€œI don't have a trade like your Papa,” he replied.
    We all looked confused, and Mama helped out. “You have your estate to manage, William. And business interests.”
    â€œYes, but they don't take up much time,” came the reply. “Good shares in two banks and more in a schooner fleet keep me comfortable.”
    â€œWhat do you do all day?” Sam pressed him
    â€œWell, I sometimes go to my club in New York. And at home we have plenty of parties and balls to attend. And I do a lot of foxhunting.”
    That struck a sympathetic chord in Sam. “Foxes are a nuisance here, too,” he said. “If they ever bother our new chickens, I'll sit up through the night with a loaded rifle till I get them.”
    Our guest was looking haughty again, and Mama jumped in. “Uncle means riding to hounds, dear.”
    Sam looked scornful. “You