The Long Journey. Susan Wright
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smiled, ‘you may wish you had never asked me to marry you when you see how much there is. There is a large scotch chest, several cases and a piano.’
‘You’re telling me that you play the piano?’
‘I play, but not very well.’
‘I am sure you play beautifully, it will be a pleasure to hear you play in the evenings.’
‘Oh, I nearly forgot, I also have a canary, the doctor’s wife gave him to me she thought he might cheer me up. Would you mind if I brought him too?’
He let out such a roar of laughter that it startled her. ‘I’m sorry, if you rather I leave him behind…’
‘No, no that’s not it. I am just trying to imagine what Jeremiah will say about it.’
‘Jeremiah! I thought you lived alone?’
‘Jeremiah is a ginger tom cat, a very ugly tom cat.’
‘You own a cat called Jeremiah.’
‘No I don’t own him he owns me and lets me share the house with him in return I have to feed him and provide him with a fire in the winter.’
She laughed and felt a little less disquieted about marrying him. She knew from experience that people who treated animals well were usually kind to people as well.
‘Lets get going shall we, Too Gum, Moss, Bing, where have you all got to?’
‘We here, we pack up now?’
‘Yes we will pack up now but we have to return to town.’
Thinking that they were going to return the woman Too Gum set about loading the wagon.
‘We may have to stay a few days; Miss Marchant has agreed to marry me.’
Too Gum stopped what he was doing and stared at the ground. Helmut looked at him, and realized that he was about to cry. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Me velly pleased that you have such fine lady for wife but you have no need now of cook and housekeeper.’
‘I have already agreed that you should come with me I haven’t changed my mind,’ he turned and winked at Katherine and continued, ‘I’m sure she can’t cook as good as you.’
He was rewarded with a smile from ear to ear. Then in his usual precise methodical way Too Gum set about loading up. They lapsed into silence on the return trip as if each had suddenly became aware of the enormity of what they were about to embark on. Yet it wasn’t a tense silence, just a companionable silence.
It was noon when they arrived. It had been agreed that they would stop by the river and Too Gum would be left in charge of the cart and animals. Meanwhile Helmut and Katherine would walk the last half mile into town. He left Katherine at the general store with strict instructions to get whatever she needed. He then went and arranged for a marriage license after which he made his way to the bank but was stopped by a voice calling him.
‘Helmut, Helmut.’
He turned to see his friend James coming behind him. ‘James I was about to come and see you shortly. I was just on my way to the bank.’
‘I thought you left yesterday.’
‘I did but there have been certain developments and I had to come back.’ He wasn’t sure how to go about telling him he was going to get married in three days time to a woman he had only met last night. ‘Do you think that I could stay with you and Jean for a couple of nights?’ Katherine had already said she would stay at the doctor’s house. She was sure that they wouldn’t mind.
‘Well of course you can, is something wrong?’
‘No nothing is wrong just the opposite actually. But I would like to tell the both of you at the same time, so I will talk to you both this evening.’
‘Can we expect you for a meal? You know Jean; she loves to cook for you. She thinks you don’t feed yourself properly.’
‘Jean wouldn’t be happy until I was the same size as you.’
‘You are right there.’
Being an astute judge of character James knew that his friend was holding something back.
‘If you need help in any way you only have to ask.’
‘There is one thing you could do for me.’
‘As I said anything at all just name it.’
‘Could you make that invitation to tea for two? I would like to bring someone to meet you both.’
James agreed and Helmut left his friend with a puzzled look on his face. As James was to remark to Jean later it was all very mystifying.
Helmut continued on his way to the bank where he arranged for �500 to be put in account for his wife to be. To say that the bank manager was disconcerted would be an understatement but he agreed not to say anything about him getting married to anyone until he had told the Dooley’s. Being so isolated and far from news of any kind he knew that if the town gossips got word of it then it would be around the town in no time. He didn’t want Jean to hear this from anyone but himself, he owed them both that much. He came out of the bank and almost tripped over the same dog he had seen the two boys playing with the day before. He bent down and fondled its ears. ‘You poor thing, does no one own you then.’ He walked back towards the store to join Katherine followed closely by the dog.
Katherine meantime was busy organizing slates and chalk and numerous other articles she thought would be necessary for starting the school. She also chose a stout pair of boots, a heavy woolen black coat and a bright red scarf. Unbeknown to her Helmut had entered the store and was just sitting quietly waiting. He got a pleasing sense of gratification just observing her. After she had purchased everything she felt she would need she made arrangements to collect everything in the next couple of days and turned to leave the shop then she saw Helmut. ‘I think I have everything I need.’
‘Well if you remember anything else we can get it tomorrow. Right now I am taking you back to the doctor’s house where you are going to rest for the remainder of the day. You look tired.’
‘I would like that I am feeling drained.’
They set off to walk to the other end of town on the way he told her about his friendship with the Dooley’s and that he would like them to be the first to know about their marriage. So it was agreed that he would call for her later that day. The doctor’s wife warmly welcomed her back and being a woman who kept her own counsel she asked no questions but left Katherine alone to rest. Katherine was grateful for that. She felt enough had happened so far this day, explanations would come later. She pulled the curtains and lay down on the bed just thankful to be on her own. Her mind was in turmoil as she drifted into a fitful sleep. What have I done, I must be mad, when he returns I am going to tell him I cannot go through with it? At the same time knowing she had no intention of doing any such thing.
Helmut meanwhile walked back down the long drive and onto the street where the stray dog sat waiting and proceeded to follow him.
Jean was almost beside herself with anticipation about what might be the meaning of it all. She kept bombarding James with endless questions about what Helmut had said and what he thought he meant. ‘Didn’t you think to ask if it was a man or a woman that he was bringing?’
‘He just asked if he could bring a friend.’
‘Honestly, men, what hopeless creatures you all are.’
‘That’s why you love me,’ he said as he gave her ample bottom a friendly smack.
‘Get away outside with you man and leave me in peace to get the meal.’
James and Jean were overjoyed with their news and immediately offered the use of their front parlor in which to be married and Jean insisted on making high tea for them after the ceremony. During the next two days Katherine became fond of this chatty