A Mischief in the Snow Part 4

"Magdalene is several years younger than you."

"Thank you for that bit of information. If you found the spoon on the ice there, why did you not take it up to them?"

"I found it when I was about to leave, at sunset."

Hannah considered the travels of the young woman before her, as well as those of the missing spoon, now found. "I've long told you," she said at last, "eerie things happen near that accursed place-probably in the great house, as well. Though no worse than the high times once had there, I'm sure. Another Merry Mount, they used to say it was. Lately, Samuel says, men have seen the strange lights again."

"Lights and colors," Charlotte murmured, recalling the rose mirror she'd seen over the hearth.

"Colors? I don't know about that-but I wonder what Samuel would say to hear of this?" Hannah contemplated the spoon Charlotte had just set down.

"I hope he doesn't hear of it. I'll take it to Rachel when I go back to the pond, to see if it's hers after all."

Still pondering, Charlotte went down the cellar steps, candle in hand. Below, she bent over a barrel of sand and removed a layer of carrots, then chose two papery spheres from a nearby nest of onions, each held from touching the next by wood shavings. She took up a pan of dried cod set to soak the night before, and a small bowl of salt pork she'd cut from a hanging leg. Balancing carefully, she took these things upstairs.

On a further trip to one of the cold bedrooms above, she picked out the most shriveled potatoes in store. Soon after, the kitchen began to fill with the smell of crisping pork and fresh-cut onions. Then, she heard a knock on the back door.

Wiping her hands and face, Charlotte went to see, expecting to find women from the ice coming to visit and warm themselves. Instead, to her embarra.s.sment, she found the answer to her earlier question. There had had been something important, and she'd forgotten all about it- an appointment with the man who had acted as Aaron's attorney. Moses Reed had written earlier in the month from Boston, saying he wished to bring her papers to transfer a small legacy from her late husband's family. been something important, and she'd forgotten all about it- an appointment with the man who had acted as Aaron's attorney. Moses Reed had written earlier in the month from Boston, saying he wished to bring her papers to transfer a small legacy from her late husband's family.

"Mr. Reed!" she exclaimed.

The pleasant-looking man stepped inside, allowing the door to be swiftly shut behind him. He was a few years past forty, but still quite fit; his upper face showed he'd taken the smallpox. His jaw was of greater interest, for it was covered with an amusing beard-soft curls of dark brown hairs a few inches long. Both women stared at this sight, for it was something rarely seen on the face of a gentleman, at least in New England. If beards were the fas.h.i.+on in other lands, here they marked men who had no fear of taunting children, or of more subtle disapproval from their peers.

Charlotte took her visitor's hat and heavy coat, noticing a glint of appreciation for her own appearance in his darting eyes. At the same time she heard Hannah hurry through one of the doors that flanked the hearth.

"Am I too early, Mrs. Willett? I fear I've startled you. Perhaps I've been somewhat forward in coming to your back door," Moses Reed apologized. "But I see your kitchen is warm and snug, as well as busy." He continued to a.s.sess the industry around him with his eyes and nose.

"I'm glad to see you, sir, of course! But I'm afraid, well, the truth is-"

"You had forgotten me! Never mind. There was a good chance the weather would delay my arrival, but I'm glad to say I reached Bracebridge last evening, as planned. I've since been presuming on the kindness of your minister."

"You chose to stay with Reverend Rowe?"

"Less of an expense than the Bracebridge Inn, and more comfortable than the Blue Boar. With a large house at his disposal, I felt sure Mr. Rowe would not object... after I told him I intend to leave a donation."

Charlotte still had to wonder at his choice, and only hoped her expression didn't reveal this fact. Moses Reed smiled, and explained further.

"I thought I might also look over the village records kept there. Lawyers, you know, take pleasure in poking into the past. And since this was my early home, I have decided to follow the example of our lieutenant governor, and write a small history-as he has so admirably done for the whole of Ma.s.sachusetts. I'm sure my work will never be as fine, but it could be useful one day. And, I have time on my hands, since that same gentleman balks at re-opening Boston's courts."

"How well I remember the day you left us, sir!" said Hannah, returning from the front room. "We were nearly young together," she added with a silly smile.

"Yet most would swear, Mrs. Sloan, that you are no older than my daughter," the lawyer countered, "if, indeed, I had one."

Charlotte now smiled as well, noticing that Hannah's ap.r.o.n was straighter than it had been, and her hair tidier.

"Someone with bats' eyes might be fooled," Hannah returned. "I am a few few years older than you, sir, I'll admit." Following Charlotte's example, she lowered her substantial body onto a chair. "We were sorry when you left us to read the law; my husband and I have followed your successes lately in the years older than you, sir, I'll admit." Following Charlotte's example, she lowered her substantial body onto a chair. "We were sorry when you left us to read the law; my husband and I have followed your successes lately in the Gazette. Gazette. But do you recall one winter day twenty years ago, when you and Samuel went out into the west hills together, and came back with a bear? Didn't we grow heartily sick of it, long before the fat ran out!" But do you recall one winter day twenty years ago, when you and Samuel went out into the west hills together, and came back with a bear? Didn't we grow heartily sick of it, long before the fat ran out!"

"We did. We've faced lean years together, it's true. But I've also heard your good husband has since prospered- and, that more than the family purse has grown!"

"I have seven children now, including unmarried daughters. I take it, sir, that you have not yet married?"

"That is so. Might I come and meet the family a little later, Mrs. Sloan?"

"You would be most welcome! But you once called me Hannah."

"Then Hannah it shall be again."

"And I must see to the baking," Hannah reminded herself, rising. "Or would you like me to leave you here?" she asked Charlotte.

"I'd better take Mr. Reed to my study, where there's sunlight."

With the matter settled, Charlotte and Moses Reed spent the next hour warming the blue room with a fire, while examining his papers. These concerned a profit lately realized from the sale of land, a portion of which, Aaron's family had decided, must go to his widow. Since they continued a warm correspondence, Charlotte had been pleased but hardly surprised by their generosity.

"Now," she said, after he'd explained everything to her satisfaction, and she had signed the necessary papers, "have you seen what goes on in the village today?"

"Yes, on my way here..."

"Would you consider walking back with me, by way of Mr. Longfellow's ice pond?"

"I should like that!"

"If you'll enjoy our fire here a little longer, I'll see if the baking is done."

Moses Reed got up to examine shelves full of volumes while Charlotte left the study. She pa.s.sed through the front room, then re-entered the kitchen.

"I could hardly restrain myself," Hannah confessed moments later, "after I'd mentioned that bear! I'm sure I thought of it after taking a good look at the stuff all over his face. Why ever did he grow such a thing, do you suppose?"

"I asked him that question myself."

"You didn't!"

"Oh, I did." Charlotte's eyes were bright with amus.e.m.e.nt. "After all, he sat there stroking it as if he wanted to explain."

"He answered you, then?"

"He told me it's considered impressive by the juries he addresses, and he's found it a help when he attempts to worry witnesses. He also told me that while few have yet emulated him in Boston, he hopes to set a new style, to save importing razors."

"Politics," Hannah intoned darkly.

"I wonder if I should ask Richard if he'd consider joining Mr. Reed in a more natural state... to disappoint London's merchants?"

"Far too natural, if you ask me! Would it be any different, I wonder, from kissing a puppy?" Hannah covered a basket by now filled with rolls, each well drizzled with sugar frosting. "Here, take these off while they're hot. And tell my children, if you see any of them still out, they should be home doing their ch.o.r.es!"

"Of course," Charlotte said, planning to do no such thing. "Oh-I nearly forgot the spoon!" She took up the s.h.i.+ning object, and nestled it gently in a corner of the basket. Then, she went back to fetch Moses Reed.

Chapter 8.

QUITE A GATHERING!" the lawyer exclaimed as they left the main road and walked onto a white expanse of field, along a track increasingly muddied and marked by horses. the lawyer exclaimed as they left the main road and walked onto a white expanse of field, along a track increasingly muddied and marked by horses.

"The ice harvest has become a favorite day for us," Charlotte agreed.

"Please tell me something of the village. I rarely have time to visit, and it's been too long since I saw many of my acquaintance. Hannah mentioned unmarried daughters at home. What of her sons? Are they married?"

"One of three lives in Concord now-he's expected to wed soon. The eldest brother is in Lexington, learning a trade with a cousin. Martha seems to have made her choice, but the others are still waiting."

"Mr. Rowe tells me you've taken one of Cyrus Wainwright's children into your own home."

"Lem is a great help-especially in the work of the dairy."

"A promising boy, is he?"

"Interested in scientific studies, as well as husbandry."

"Your brother's farm seems well cared for, while he's abroad."

"I hope so."

"Where is Jeremy now?"

"In Geneva. He's become secretary to a banker. He managed to visit us this spring, and said he approved of what we've done-but with only two mouths to feed, it's not difficult."

"No?" Moses Reed replied with a squint. "A good many I come upon these days seem to find it hard to survive. But let me see... what has become of my old neighbors, the Bigelows?"

"Jonah suffers from a permanent congestion of the lungs, as you'll probably remember. But it hasn't yet proven to be consumptive."

"He lost a fine wife some years ago. Nabby Bigelow would often give a good boy a ginger snap," he smiled. "But then, Jonah was left alone with a young child in his care."

"Ned is eighteen now, and takes care of his grandfather."

"The way of the world. Born to a young sister of Mrs. Bigelow who lived to the west, I recall, and died in childbirth."

"You know more of the family's history than I."

"Possibly. We realize we're growing old when we discover we're founts of information, much of it unimportant, most unasked for," he replied with a chuckle. "Tell me, what kind of employment supports them? Even before I left Bracebridge, Jonah could do little more than sit in the sun."

"It's said Ned follows in Jonah's footsteps. I've even heard some remark that he resembles the gra.s.shopper in the fable, while he should emulate the ant. But he pleases us with his violin," she added, now that they had begun to hear the fiddle's strains. "And he's read a great deal. They say, too, the stories he often tells at the Blue Boar are well received."

"It sounds as if he might come to Boston, and take up the law."

"By staying here with his grandfather, I think he may well have added years to Jonah's life. I sometimes suppose we give too little praise to those who make joyful noises."

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise," the lawyer quoted in ringing tones. "Yet for pleasure, I doubt I would choose to watch an ant for any length of time, myself. A fiddle brings us all far better amus.e.m.e.nt." the lawyer quoted in ringing tones. "Yet for pleasure, I doubt I would choose to watch an ant for any length of time, myself. A fiddle brings us all far better amus.e.m.e.nt."

They began to encounter a number of villagers, and as they neared the ice, Charlotte was glad to see Diana among the crowd. Greetings were exchanged between the lawyer and Richard Longfellow, who'd earlier become acquainted in Boston; Mr. Reed bowed to Mrs. Montagu, who had heard of him. As soon as her brief smile faded, Longfellow led Reed into a discussion of town matters, which somewhat excluded the ladies.

Charlotte held out the basket she'd brought and encouraged Diana to take a maple roll, noting that she appeared wan when compared to those around them. Diana nibbled, giving only a small indication of her approval.

Moses Reed went to speak with his old friend Jonah Bigelow who sat by the fire, warming himself inside and out. Then Longfellow turned to give his attention back to his sister, but saw that she'd moved off to stand alone. In spite of his determined efforts to enjoy the day, he found himself glowering.

A year ago, Diana would have found words to describe any situation in which she found herself. Now, it seemed, she cared little for what others around her said or did. Was that the fault of her marriage? More and more, it was a thing he considered to have been ill-advised. Yet how could anyone have stopped her from accepting the captain, the year before? A brother, surely, could hope to do no more than guide a determined young heiress of nearly twenty, especially when her own mother, his stepmother, was pleased with Diana's choice. And what further trouble might Diana have found for herself, had she not not married? Edmund Montagu did have much to recommend him, Longfellow had to admit. And they had been quite happy together, all in all, until this tragic business with the child. But he would like to know where the devil the man was now, when his wife had need of him! married? Edmund Montagu did have much to recommend him, Longfellow had to admit. And they had been quite happy together, all in all, until this tragic business with the child. But he would like to know where the devil the man was now, when his wife had need of him!

"Richard?" Charlotte asked quietly.

"Hmm? Oh, thank you, Carlotta. I could use something sweet."

"Your thoughts have soured you?"

"Once again," he sighed.

"I'd hoped to speak with Rachel Dudley. Is she about, do you know?"

"I suppose she is. John is sitting there by the fire, next to his jug."

Charlotte's plan was further delayed, for she'd been seen by someone else.

"Mrs. Willett! I'm pleased to find you at last," crowed Christian Rowe, slipping beside her. "I myself have been here for hours, to make sure the day's festivities do not become too too merry. We all know men tend to exceed propriety when they gather together, especially when they are without ecclesiastic guidance. In fact, I've heard your young charge became involved in some form of violence earlier in the day... but what have you there?" merry. We all know men tend to exceed propriety when they gather together, especially when they are without ecclesiastic guidance. In fact, I've heard your young charge became involved in some form of violence earlier in the day... but what have you there?"

"Maple rolls."

"Oh, quite wholesome! There is reason to suspect the motives of those who prepare more elegant fare-trifles, French jelly tarts, or rum b.a.l.l.s. Those should never, I think, be served in public. I much prefer the plain delights born of our own countryside to the contrivances of more fas.h.i.+onable society."

While speaking, the minister had removed a pair of dog-skin gloves. He then gave a thin smile, and blew on his exposed fingers. Taking a chance, he patted Charlotte's cheek. She stood stoically while he took his time choosing from her offered basket.

"I believe," Rowe went on, once he held his selection between crooked digits, "that Lemuel would behave with more decorum, if he saw daily the example of an older and wiser man. Someone close by, who could instruct him in the responsibilities of manhood."

"Closer than I, sir?" Longfellow asked sharply. It was known in the village that he'd taken Lem under his protection, if not his roof. And his situation as Mrs. Willett's nearest neighbor did give him a natural interest in the boy's welfare, as well as her own. His irritation caused him to shove his hands into his pockets; in one, he felt the s.h.i.+lling he'd picked up earlier. Peevishly, he decided against handing it over to the cleric.

"Yes, even closer than you, Mr. Longfellow," Rowe returned solemnly, while he continued to watch the selectman. His stained teeth bit into the roll he held, and came up sporting small pieces of walnut.

"Have you another another suggestion, sir?" asked Longfellow. suggestion, sir?" asked Longfellow.

"I believe a husband would be more efficacious than a neighbor, for a number of reasons. If only this lady would put her mind to accepting one, I am quite sure-"

"That is something she must decide for herself, when she is ready."

"There's another thing I wish to accomplish at the moment, gentlemen," Charlotte interrupted. "I will go and speak with Mrs. Dudley, as I was about to do when you first joined us, sir. Though I am honored at having my future discussed by such notable persons, at tea time. Please feel free to continue, once I've gone."

Laughing silently, Longfellow admired her determined eyes. He also knew they had trouble with distances, so he a.s.sisted her by pointing.

"Rachel is over there with young Anne."

"Then you'll excuse me," she said as she walked away.