Read Online The House on Malcolm Street by Leisha Kelly - Free Book Online
Authors: Leisha Kelly
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not to bring up the subject of Scriptures again at all. But as usual, Eliza was overflowing with boundless curiosity.
“Can’t you read it by yourself?” she wanted to know.
“Oh, I used to. Every single morning. But my eyes is dim for that sort of thing now. The print’s too small. Been a godsend for me to have Josiah here reading for me. I started him on it the very first day he came. Been good for both of us.”
Now my curiosity was piqued. “How long has he been here?”
“A little more than a year. But enough about him. Tell me more about yourself. What sorts of things you like to do, that sort of thing.”
“I – I’m afraid I don’t have many real preferences. And I wouldn’t want you to cater to them if I had. I’d like to help you while we’re here. Starting today. If there’s any housework – ”
She smiled. “Actually, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day. I’d much rather spend some time getting a few things done outof-doors if it’s all right with you.” She looked at the food on the table and then at Eliza, who was breaking open a biscuit. “Has anyone asked the blessing?”
“Mr. Josiah did,” Eliza answered cheerfully, and I hoped Marigold wouldn’t think her cheeky.
Apparently she didn’t. “Well enough, then.” She passed me the eggs. “Do help yourself. It’s delightful to have your company. I’m so used to being left alone anymore.”
I took a spoon or two of scrambled eggs and gave Eliza a scoop of them because she wouldn’t eat them if I didn’t set them on her plate. The girl loved biscuits more than anything else, and I’m sure the fun of helping roll them herself just made the appeal that much greater.
Soon I could discern the sound of a train in the distance, and my stomach knotted. I’d heard it in the city sometimes, not quite so close at hand. It helped to know that the tracks were four blocks away at the closest point. The whistle wasn’t terribly jarring, at least not in the house with the windows shut. I was sure it was something I could manage to get used to. I decided to try to make conversation to take my mind off it.
“Aunt Marigold – I appreciate so much you welcoming us here.”
“You told me that last night. And believe me, it’s a pleasure to have you. But I do want you to tell me more about yourself. Do you sew or crochet? Do you like to bake? Or embroider, perhaps?”
“I’m acquainted with all of those. But not terribly good at any of them, I’m afraid.”
“You mentioned that you might seek work in town. Did you learn marketable skills before you married?”
Gracious, she was straight to the point! Maybe she did need a rent payment from me as soon as possible. “I’m afraid the only thing I did before marriage was help with the chores and orchard work.”
“Orchard? Really? Did you grow up on one?”
“Yes, you could say that, but a very small orchard. Father only had two acres of trees not far from town.”
“A person could put a lot of trees on two acres if he was of a mind to. At least I could. Apples?”
“Mostly. A few pear and peach.”
“Wonderful. You are exactly who I need today.”
She took a bite of egg and buttered a biscuit, leaving me wondering what she was talking about. But when she was ready to resume the conversation, she changed the subject entirely. “I realize it might seem a little strange to have Josiah about. But he’s a good fellow. He may be standoffish part of the time, but I know he understands me asking you here. So don’t think nothing of it if he’s not always as friendly as last night.”
I wasn’t sure “friendly” was the term I would use. And there were so many things I wanted to ask, about both of them, but this was probably not the time. “I appreciate you telling me.”
“Now, about this little one.” Marigold abruptly switched subjects again. “Your darling Eliza Rose. Did she already start school in St. Louis?”
“No.” I almost felt as though I needed to
“Can’t you read it by yourself?” she wanted to know.
“Oh, I used to. Every single morning. But my eyes is dim for that sort of thing now. The print’s too small. Been a godsend for me to have Josiah here reading for me. I started him on it the very first day he came. Been good for both of us.”
Now my curiosity was piqued. “How long has he been here?”
“A little more than a year. But enough about him. Tell me more about yourself. What sorts of things you like to do, that sort of thing.”
“I – I’m afraid I don’t have many real preferences. And I wouldn’t want you to cater to them if I had. I’d like to help you while we’re here. Starting today. If there’s any housework – ”
She smiled. “Actually, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day. I’d much rather spend some time getting a few things done outof-doors if it’s all right with you.” She looked at the food on the table and then at Eliza, who was breaking open a biscuit. “Has anyone asked the blessing?”
“Mr. Josiah did,” Eliza answered cheerfully, and I hoped Marigold wouldn’t think her cheeky.
Apparently she didn’t. “Well enough, then.” She passed me the eggs. “Do help yourself. It’s delightful to have your company. I’m so used to being left alone anymore.”
I took a spoon or two of scrambled eggs and gave Eliza a scoop of them because she wouldn’t eat them if I didn’t set them on her plate. The girl loved biscuits more than anything else, and I’m sure the fun of helping roll them herself just made the appeal that much greater.
Soon I could discern the sound of a train in the distance, and my stomach knotted. I’d heard it in the city sometimes, not quite so close at hand. It helped to know that the tracks were four blocks away at the closest point. The whistle wasn’t terribly jarring, at least not in the house with the windows shut. I was sure it was something I could manage to get used to. I decided to try to make conversation to take my mind off it.
“Aunt Marigold – I appreciate so much you welcoming us here.”
“You told me that last night. And believe me, it’s a pleasure to have you. But I do want you to tell me more about yourself. Do you sew or crochet? Do you like to bake? Or embroider, perhaps?”
“I’m acquainted with all of those. But not terribly good at any of them, I’m afraid.”
“You mentioned that you might seek work in town. Did you learn marketable skills before you married?”
Gracious, she was straight to the point! Maybe she did need a rent payment from me as soon as possible. “I’m afraid the only thing I did before marriage was help with the chores and orchard work.”
“Orchard? Really? Did you grow up on one?”
“Yes, you could say that, but a very small orchard. Father only had two acres of trees not far from town.”
“A person could put a lot of trees on two acres if he was of a mind to. At least I could. Apples?”
“Mostly. A few pear and peach.”
“Wonderful. You are exactly who I need today.”
She took a bite of egg and buttered a biscuit, leaving me wondering what she was talking about. But when she was ready to resume the conversation, she changed the subject entirely. “I realize it might seem a little strange to have Josiah about. But he’s a good fellow. He may be standoffish part of the time, but I know he understands me asking you here. So don’t think nothing of it if he’s not always as friendly as last night.”
I wasn’t sure “friendly” was the term I would use. And there were so many things I wanted to ask, about both of them, but this was probably not the time. “I appreciate you telling me.”
“Now, about this little one.” Marigold abruptly switched subjects again. “Your darling Eliza Rose. Did she already start school in St. Louis?”
“No.” I almost felt as though I needed to
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