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Authors: Elizabeth George Speare
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Holbrook."
CHAPTER 7
W HAT ON EARTH could she think of to say next? Kit wondered in desperation. She sat looking down at her folded hands, reluctant to lift her eyes to the young man who sat on the bench across the wide hearth. She knew that when she looked up she would find William Ashby's gaze fixed steadily upon her. For the last half hour they had sat so. When a young man came to call what did one talk about? Was it all up to the girl? She had tried her best, but William seemed content just to sit, his back stiffly straight, his large capable hands resting squarely on his sturdy wool-clad knees. He looked impressive, in his cinnamon broadcloth coat and the fine linen shirt. His glossy beaver hat and white gloves were laid carefully on a chair near the door. William seemed to feel that merely by coming he had done his share. Apparently it was up to her to provide the conversation.
Aunt Rachel had laid a special fire in the company room and set lighted candles on the table. From the kitchen across the hall Kit could hear the voices of the family as they sat cozily about the fire that was still welcome on these cool May evenings. Tonight she longed to be with them. She would welcome even the Bible reading at this moment. She took a deep breath and tried again.
"Is it always so chilly in New England, even in May?"
William considered this. "I think this spring is a bit warmer than usual," he decided.
As though in answer to her urgent prayer for relief, a knock sounded on the outside door, and as Aunt Rachel went to answer, Kit heard John Holbrook's voice. Her aunt welcomed him cordially, and in a few moments put her head in at the parlor door, her understanding glance taking in the two silent young people.
"Why don't you both come and join us?" she suggested. "John Holbrook has come to call, and we can pop some corn for a treat." Bless Aunt Rachel!
Over a handful of fluffy white kernels William relaxed a trifle. There was something irresistible about popcorn. John, his pale cheeks flushed with the heat, managed the long shaker with a practiced hand. Judith blossomed suddenly in the firelight, and her laughter was infectious. Mercy's eyes were shining with pleasure. Rachel, with a ghost of the charm she must once have possessed, succeeded in drawing William, if not actually into the circle, at least to its warm circumference. Even Matthew unbent enough to ask courteously, "Does your father have all his field sown?"
"Yes, sir," replied William.
"Notice he's cutting some trees up Vexation way."
"Yes, I'm planning to build my house come autumn. We have marked some good white oak for the clapboards."
Kit stared at him. William had not spoken so many words all the evening. Aunt Rachel encouraged him.
"My husband tells me you have been appointed a Viewer of Fences," she smiled. "That is a fine honor for so young a man."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"With all the new land grants I've been hearing of, that will be an important duty," added Mercy helpfully.
"Yes," agreed William. "The Assembly has voted that there should be no unclaimed land left in all Hartford County."
"A wise move," put in Matthew. "Why should we leave land for the King's governor to grant to his favorites?"
William turned to the older man respectfully. "Are you not afraid, sir," he asked, "that we are likely to anger the King the more by such hasty actions?"
"Are you so afraid to anger the King?" scoffed Matthew.
"No, sir, but we cannot hope to hold out against him. If we submit to his governor now, without a struggle, are we not more likely to retain for ourselves some rights and privileges? By provoking his anger we may lose them all."
Kit could scarcely believe her ears. William Ashby was neither speechless nor dim-witted. He even dared to stand up to her uncle! With new respect she moved to pass him the wooden bowl of popcorn, and to it she added a smile that caused him to lapse again into scarlet-faced silence. Matthew Wood did not notice the
CHAPTER 7
W HAT ON EARTH could she think of to say next? Kit wondered in desperation. She sat looking down at her folded hands, reluctant to lift her eyes to the young man who sat on the bench across the wide hearth. She knew that when she looked up she would find William Ashby's gaze fixed steadily upon her. For the last half hour they had sat so. When a young man came to call what did one talk about? Was it all up to the girl? She had tried her best, but William seemed content just to sit, his back stiffly straight, his large capable hands resting squarely on his sturdy wool-clad knees. He looked impressive, in his cinnamon broadcloth coat and the fine linen shirt. His glossy beaver hat and white gloves were laid carefully on a chair near the door. William seemed to feel that merely by coming he had done his share. Apparently it was up to her to provide the conversation.
Aunt Rachel had laid a special fire in the company room and set lighted candles on the table. From the kitchen across the hall Kit could hear the voices of the family as they sat cozily about the fire that was still welcome on these cool May evenings. Tonight she longed to be with them. She would welcome even the Bible reading at this moment. She took a deep breath and tried again.
"Is it always so chilly in New England, even in May?"
William considered this. "I think this spring is a bit warmer than usual," he decided.
As though in answer to her urgent prayer for relief, a knock sounded on the outside door, and as Aunt Rachel went to answer, Kit heard John Holbrook's voice. Her aunt welcomed him cordially, and in a few moments put her head in at the parlor door, her understanding glance taking in the two silent young people.
"Why don't you both come and join us?" she suggested. "John Holbrook has come to call, and we can pop some corn for a treat." Bless Aunt Rachel!
Over a handful of fluffy white kernels William relaxed a trifle. There was something irresistible about popcorn. John, his pale cheeks flushed with the heat, managed the long shaker with a practiced hand. Judith blossomed suddenly in the firelight, and her laughter was infectious. Mercy's eyes were shining with pleasure. Rachel, with a ghost of the charm she must once have possessed, succeeded in drawing William, if not actually into the circle, at least to its warm circumference. Even Matthew unbent enough to ask courteously, "Does your father have all his field sown?"
"Yes, sir," replied William.
"Notice he's cutting some trees up Vexation way."
"Yes, I'm planning to build my house come autumn. We have marked some good white oak for the clapboards."
Kit stared at him. William had not spoken so many words all the evening. Aunt Rachel encouraged him.
"My husband tells me you have been appointed a Viewer of Fences," she smiled. "That is a fine honor for so young a man."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"With all the new land grants I've been hearing of, that will be an important duty," added Mercy helpfully.
"Yes," agreed William. "The Assembly has voted that there should be no unclaimed land left in all Hartford County."
"A wise move," put in Matthew. "Why should we leave land for the King's governor to grant to his favorites?"
William turned to the older man respectfully. "Are you not afraid, sir," he asked, "that we are likely to anger the King the more by such hasty actions?"
"Are you so afraid to anger the King?" scoffed Matthew.
"No, sir, but we cannot hope to hold out against him. If we submit to his governor now, without a struggle, are we not more likely to retain for ourselves some rights and privileges? By provoking his anger we may lose them all."
Kit could scarcely believe her ears. William Ashby was neither speechless nor dim-witted. He even dared to stand up to her uncle! With new respect she moved to pass him the wooden bowl of popcorn, and to it she added a smile that caused him to lapse again into scarlet-faced silence. Matthew Wood did not notice the
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