Chapter 4- Welcome and Unwelcome Guests
Alex and Mandie woke at the same time to Snowball's loud meows. Alex had only ever been around barn cats, but her cousin's white cat had to be the loudest she had ever heard.
Mandie had also said that Snowball wasn't friendly with just anyone, but the cat had taken turns sleeping with both girls. Now he was meowing loudly and attacking Alex's feet that were covered by quilts and blankets.
Alex giggled as she sat up and rubbed Snowball's head. He nudged her had as if she were Mandie. "I guess Snowball likes you. He couldn't stand Momma or Irene. It was me or Daddy that Snowball came to," Mandie said, sitting up as well.
"Did your Momma or Irene like Snowball?" Alex asked as the cousins dressed. Mandie's dress had been cleaned so she was able to wear it instead of one of Alex's dresses.
"Not really. Momma sneezed every time Snowball came near," Mandie said as Alex buttoned the back of Mandie's dress and Mandie buttoned the back of Alex's dress.
Maybe Snowball is only friendly with people who are friendly to him and like him. My adopted Pa used to say animals know a person; who's friendly and all," Alex said as they left Mandie's room and went to the dining room; Snowball on their heels.
Alex and Mandie sat down as Mr. Bond prayed over the food and they started to eat. "You do know that hot eggs taste better than cold ones don't ya?" Liza asked humorously. Alex nearly choked on her biscuit as she saw her cousin smile and nod as she picked up her juice.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Mr. Bond asked, looking at each girl.
"Yes Sir," Alex said as Mandie nodded.
"Good," Mr. Bond said as Aunt Lou brought more biscuits. It sounded as if Mr. Bond wanted to ask something, but didn't quite know how to ask. Aunt Lou stood there as if she were waiting for him to say something.
"I, uh, was wondering if I could enlist your help," Mr. Bond said nervously.
"He's in a fix. And he really needs both of you and your Shaw way of thinking, but you best hurry," Aunt Lou said, jumping into the conversation.
"Aunt Lou, I wonder if you could bring us some honey for the biscuits," Mr. Bond said, apparently trying to do this conversation without Aunt Lou's help.
"Coming right up," Aunt Lou said, leaving the table.
"Thank you very much. Your Uncle John had a will. I have already told Miss Alexandra about it. Now it's possible, just possible that he left half of what he owned to your Daddy. The rest would go to Miss Alexandra if she was ever found," Mr. Bond said. Aunt Lou hurried over.
"Which would mean your Daddy's half would all pass to you and you would never have to go back to that Momma of yours," Aunt Lou said, to Mr. Bond's annoyance which was written all over his face.
Alex bit back a giggle as Aunt Lou looked at Mr. Bond and left in a hurry. "It's just a possibility, Alexandra, Mandie. Don't get your hopes up," Mr. Bond warned.
"Why would he leave anything to a man he wasn't speaking to? Wouldn't he have left it all to Alex?" Mandie asked, looking at Mr. Bond and then Alex.
"He didn't know if Alex would ever come back. He may have made a provision for her, but we just don't know. And also because the only legitimate relatives, on your grandfather's side, he has are in Virginia. Distant cousins. I don't think he ever met them. So you and your cousin are his only close relatives left," Mr. Bond said. The doorbell rang before Alex or Mandie could say anything.
"Ah, perfect timing," Mr. Bond said as they all stood.
Momma said it wouldn't be polite to come over before ten o'clock. But I couldn't wait a single moment longer to meet my new friends. I apologize," Alex and Mandie heard a young girl's voice say.
"I assure you Miss Mandie and Miss Alex won't mind your neglection of etiquette," Liza said properly.
Mandie and Alex followed Mr. Bond into the foyerand saw a pretty girl in an expensive pink dress with dark hair and dark eyes. She only looked a tiny bit taller than Alex.
She gasped and hugged them both tightly. "I'm Polly Cornwallis and I get to spend the next five nights with you! Momma said this past week has been nothing but rotten and I want you to know that I've got just the cheerful disposition you need to be around," Polly said in a fast, exuberant voice. Alex and Mandie both smiled at each other.
"Why not? We could always do with a new friend," Alex said as Polly scrutinized their clothes.
"Now, the first thing we must do is cajole Aunt Lou into sewing you some new clothes, because those dresses, I apologize are not fit for the trash heap," Polly said in a whisper.
"She already fit me three days ago. Cousin Mandie just hasn't had a chance yet," Alex said, feeling insulted over the dress she was wearing. Mama had worn her fingers out shortening this dress to fit Alex. At least Aunt Lou had said it nicer that Alex needed new clothes and that she had to look as if she were John Shaw's daughter instead of a poor country mouse.
"Aunt Lou can do a fitting right after lunch," Liza said eagerly.
"I love Providential timing!" Polly enthused.
"I've never had a new dress in all my life," Mandie said, an excited look on her face.
"You and Miss Alex be two deprived children. But we gonna enjoy fixing that," Liza said, wrapping her arms around Alex and Mandie. Alex looked over at Mr. Bond. He had his arms folded over his chest and he was laughing.
The doorbell rang again repeatedly as Liza ran to answer it. "Thank you, Liza," a woman's voice floated in. A woman in a red dress and black hat floated into the room, the distinct smell of perfume wafting in the air.
She stood in front of Jason Bond like an artillery captain. "Jason Bond. A pleasure to finally meet you," She said extending her hand. Before Mr. Bond could kiss it she pulled it back. "I am Miss Gaynelle Snow, John Shaw's niece," Alex and Mandie both looked at each other. Another niece? As far as her father's family went he only had one brother; Mandie's father. Unless Uncle Jim had another daughter somewhere that Mr. Bond or Mandie didn't know about. "I was, I am devastated. But since part of the inheritance will be mine I've come to offer you my assistance in helping you sort through his things," Miss Snow said, not sounding as devastated as she claimed.
"Ah hah!" Mr. Bond said, nodding his head.
"We have a cousin?" Mandie and Alex both asked confused, reminding the adults that they were still in the foyer.
"No," Mr. Bond said sharply.
"Well, I don't believe I know these beautiful young ladies," Miss Snow said as she grabbed Mandie's face and patted Alex's head.
"These beautiful young ladies are John Shaw's daughter and niece, Alexandra and Mandie," Mr. Bond said pointedly.
"Oh my sweet dears. I have always wanted more girls in the family. My mother was John's youngest sister. Grew up in Richmond, Virginia and was sent away at a very young age and died bringing me into this world. Do you think I could have a room next to my long lost cousins?" Miss Snow asked Mr. Bond as she touched each girl's face with a gloved hand.
"You know, Miss Snow, it's a peculiar thing, I don't ever remember John Shaw mentioning a sister," Mr. Bond said ominously. Miss Snow grinned apologetically and the doorbell rang again before she could answer.
"Well, ain't we just the place to be this blessed morning," Liza said sarcastically. "Just come on in." The door opened to reveal a man in his early twenties.
"Hello. My name is Bayne Locke. I am John Shaw's nephew," the man said shaking Mr. Bond's hand.
"Ah," Mr. Bond said.
"Here to claim my part-"Mr. Locke started to say as if Mr. Bond hadn't said anything.
"Of the inheritance," Mr. Bond interrupted knowingly. "Of course, of course. Well, this is just fascinating. They're coming from all over the country to claim your father's property," Mr. Bond said to Alex with false cheer.
"Sir, John Shaw's sister was my mother," Mr. Locke said. Another sister? For some reason Alex's father was suddenly getting sisters.
"Ah," Mr. Bond said.
"She died," Mr. Locke said.
"Oh," Mr. Bond said.
"In childbirth," Mr. Locke said. Apparently women in the Shaw family died in childbirth; Alex's mother included even though she had become a Shaw by marrying Alex's father.
"In what town were you born?" Mr. Bond asked suspiciously.
"Richmond, Virginia," Mr. Locke said.
"Richmond Virginia. Well, this is a coincidence. So was she," Mr. Bond said, indicating Miss Snow.
"Oh!" Miss Snow exclaimed.
"Maybe you two are twins, separated at birth perhaps," Mr. Bond said sarcastically.
"I always wanted a brother," Miss Snow said with an angelic smile.
"Oh, well I have the papers to prove it. How will we be dividing the estate?" Mr. Locke asked, changing the subject.
"Come here," Mr. Bond said. Mr. Lock came forward. "We will be dividing the estate according to the will. Which a bigger portion might go to those two girls since they are closer relations," Mr. Bond whispered.
"Oh. Good. Good, good. May I see it please?" Mr. Locke asked.
"No, no. No. Not now, not ever," Mr. Bond said firmly. A look of angry disappointment crossed Mr. Locke's face.
"Bring in my bag," Mr. Locke ordered, looking at Liza.
"Bring in your own bag. Liza, tell Aunt Lou that we're now running a free hotel. And would you please take our guests up to their rooms?" Mr. Bond asked the maid in a snide tone.
"Yes Sir," Liza said, her voice barely controlled as it shook with laughter.
"Oh and I am famished. Might I bother you to scare up a small bite from the kitchen for me?" Miss Snow asked in a trilling voice. "If it's not too much trouble."
"Yes Ma'am," Liza said.
"And I would like a full breakfast please," Mr. Locke said in an offensive tone as he looked at Mr. Bond. Mr. Bond nodded his head, knowing he had lost this one battle. Liza walked away with a put-upon air.
Mr. Bond wrapped his arms around Mandie and Alex's shoulders. "Take Polly. Go to the third floor. Be quiet," Mr. Bond ordered softly as he walked them to a door.
Alex hoped her father's will was on the third floor and that Mr. Locke and Miss Snow weren't in it. She wondered if their mothers really were her father's sisters. She would ask Mr. Bond later. He would know since it seems he had been there since her father and Mandie's father were boys. There was just something about Mr. Locke and Miss Snow that didn't sound right. Their stories just didn't ring true.