What To Keep. Mary Schramski
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for husbands.”
CHAPTER 5
Magnolia Hall
April 1861
Mama made the trip out to visit day before yesterday. She fawned over the new house and my husband, claimed he is perfect for her daughter, then raised her eyebrow in that way she has, and I knew what she really meant. That I was spoiled and might not deserve the things I have.
She went on about the brightness of the rooms, the nice, new furniture. And, oh, she talked about the china, the silver tea set and the green brocade for settees James has brought back from Raleigh and Charleston. On and on she trilled!
“My daughter is so blessed to have all these possessions.”
Mama loves pretty things. She always says that beautiful possessions make a house a home. She buys even though Father lectures her about spending so much money on furnishings. It is the one thing she does not listen to.
As she roamed the house, she talked about how impressed her friends were going to be when they saw the lovely home her daughter’s husband had provided.
I asked when her friends would be arriving and Mama just smiled and informed me I should ready myself for them to call any day.
A married woman must be prepared for visitors any time, day or evening. Then she went on to tell me how fortunate I am. We stood in the hallway by the stairs, and she stopped for a moment, looked at me a long time then took my hand in hers. She bit her bottom lip until all the color was gone, then whispered,
“Do you love your husband, Charlotte? Tell Mama you are happy.”
Her brown eyes looked so serious, I could not hurt her so I nodded, just once. The small lie seemed to make her feel better.
“I knew you would. Father always makes the right decisions. Now when my friends come to visit, show them everything, and be sure to act as happy as you are.”
I’m not looking forward to visitors, yet I kept this a secret from Mama, too.
Suddenly Mama laughed and announced that soon, if I am a good wife, we will fill our home with babies and Mr. Alexander and I would be considered old married folk.
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