The traditional children's songs "Skip To My Lou", "B-I-N-G-O", "White Coral Bells" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" are mentioned in this chapter.

Chapter 7

In true Cartwright fashion, the entire family went to Virginia City to welcome Cecille's sister to the Ponderosa the following day. Though it had been many years since he had driven a team of horses, Adam thoroughly enjoyed driving the surrey loaded with his family, Kate, Mary, and Hannah. Ben, Hoss, and Joe rode alongside on their horses. With school letting out about the time Gabrielle was due to arrive, Jamie planned to meet them all at the train station. So excited to see their 'Aunt Gabbie', Benji and Elizabeth were having trouble sitting still. Adam decided a song might help to distract them.

"Skip, skip, skip to my lou. Skip, skip, skip to my lou.." Adam's rich baritone rang out into the cold air.

Soon everyone was singing along, the children singing their little hearts out. To Kate it brought back memories of her childhood. Her family had loved to sing, but with those memories came sadness, wishing it was Molly and Jim that they would be greeting at the station today. Mary noticed that Kate had stopped singing.

"Sing, Aunt Kate! Skip, skip, skip to my lou!" Mary encouraged her aunt, then she continued singing, almost on key.

Mary's enthusiasm made Kate laugh, and she joined them again in the happy tune. Though Mary's orneriness often got her into trouble, the little girl seemed to have a knack for sensing when someone needed some love or good cheer.

"Shall we have another one?" Adam asked the children after they finished the last chorus of 'Skip To My Lou'.

"Yes!" They cried.

"BINGO!" Benji shouted.

"All right then. 'BINGO' it shall be." Adam sang out. "There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name-o! B-I-NGO..."

On the following verses, the youngsters loved clapping for the missing letters in "BINGO's" name, their mittened hands sounding more like muffled thuds.

As soon as one song was finished, he would start another. Finally, having sung through the better part of his repertoire for children, Adam asked for a suggestion from the ladies.

"I'm all out of songs. Cecille, Kate, do you have another song for us?"

The Armands were not a singing family. All the songs that Cecille loved singing with her children, she had learned from Adam.

However, Kate spoke up. "Adam are you familiar with 'White Coral Bells'?"

"I think I have heard it, but you will have to refresh my memory."

Kate sang out in her lovely alto voice. "'White coral bells upon a slender stalk, Lilies of the valley by my garden walk.

Oh don't you wish that you could hear them ring, That will only happen when the fairies sing.'"

Mary and Hannah listened intently while Kate sang. Even Ben gave his full attention, never having heard her sing alone.

Always one to appreciate a good voice, Adam was quick with a compliment. "That was lovely, Kate. I believe it can also be sung as a round."

"Yes, that's how we sang it in my family."

"Let's sing it together twice so everyone can learn it, then we will try a front seat, back seat round." He suggested.

Kate began the song again, and everyone joined in. After singing it through several times as a round, the outskirts of Virginia City came into sight.

"That was wonderful, Adam. We should definitely do this more often. I am sure Gabbie would enjoy some music during her visit." Cecille commented.

Jamie was waiting for them and greeted them with a wave when the surrey rolled up at the train station.

"I did not expect you to beat us to the station." Ben's forehead creased thinking Jamie was skipping out of school.

"Miss Griggs let us out a little early today, so it worked out just right." Jamie was hoping erase his father's frustrated look.

"Very well, then. In that case, glad you were able to join us."

Ben helped Kate down from the surrey and whispered to her. "So why have you not sung for me, Kate. I did not realize you were so talented." There was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

She flashed her eyes at her husband and gave him a coy response. "You never asked me, but I just might sing for you one of these days if you ask me sweetly, with sugar and a cherry."

Ben chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

The whistle announced the train's impending arrival. Benji and Elizabeth kept a watchful eye as the passengers disembarked the train. Soon they spied their aunt and escaped their parents to run to her. "Aunt Gabbie! Aunt Gabbie." They called out to her.

"Benji, Elizabeth. Oh it's wonderful to see you!" Gabrielle Armand showered them with hugs and kisses.

Adam and Cecille walked over to join their children in welcoming her.

"Gabbie, I am so glad you are here." Cecille took her sister into her arms.

"Oh Cec. It's s good to see you again." Gabrielle embraced her brother-in-law. "And Adam, good to see you as well."

"Welcome to Virginia City, Gabrielle." Adam made a wide sweep with his arm.

The rest of the family looked intently at the sisters standing side by side on the platform. Cecille Armand Cartwright was the picture of refinement, with dark hair and dark eyes and placid demeanor. Gabrielle Armand had dancing bright blue eyes, golden brown hair that shone in the bright afternoon sun, and she was dressed in the most up-to-date Boston fashion. Her winning smile immediately put Ben and Kate at ease, but Miss Armand was with out a doubt a strikingly beautiful young woman who would definitely be the talk of Virginia City.

Hoss elbowed Joe. "Hey now."

Joe whistled low and pulled down on the waist of his green jacket to smooth out any wrinkles."Brother, that is one good-looking woman." Then he removed his hat and ran his fingers through his grey-brown waves.

Taking his lead from Joe, Jamie dusted off his jacket and pants.

Adam escorted Gabrielle toward his family. "Gabrielle, I would like to introduce you to my step-mother, Kate, and my father, Ben, and Kate's nieces, Mary and Hannah Calhoun."

Ben took Gabrielle by the hand. "We are very pleased that you have come all this way for a visit, Miss Armand."

"Yes, I hope that you will feel very welcome at the Ponderosa." Kate added with a warm smile.

"Thank you. I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, and please, call me Gabrielle." She looked down at Mary and Hannah with a sweet smile. "Nice to meet you girls."

"Very nice to meet you, Miss Armand." Mary said it just exactly the way Kate had told her earlier in the day.

Adam and Cecille looked at each other in surprise, thinking that there might be hope for making Mary into a proper young lady after all.

"And Gabrielle, these are my brothers, Hoss, Joe, and Jamie." Adam gestured toward each one.

"Very nice to meet all of you." She greeted each brother with a sweet smile.

Hoss tipped his hat. "Ma'am."

Jamie looked a bit awkward. "Hi, Miss Armand."

Joe looked directly into her blue eyes. "The pleasure is all mine, Miss Armand." Then placed a light kiss on her gloved hand.

"Thank you, Joe. Please, it's Gabrielle."

"Gabrielle, what a beautiful name." He murmured, still holding her hand.

Cecille gave Adam a wide-eyed look, to which he responded with a roll of his eyes. Ben looked at Adam and frowned, both of them thinking that certain things would never change.

Ben cleared his throat hoping to put a end to the stir Joe was creating. "Well now, boys, would you mind attending to Miss Armand's bags."

"Certainly." Joe replied, struggling to take his eyes off Gabrielle.

Once the luggage was loaded, the women and children were helped into the surrey. For the trip back to the ranch Adam, Kate, Mary and Hannah occupied the front seat of the surrey, with Cecille, Benji, Elizabeth, and Gabrielle in the back. Joe rode much closer to the surrey on the return trip than he had on the way into town, making sure to look his best atop Cochise. Cecille was trying to keep the conversation flowing, but Gabrielle still gave Joe an occasional glance. She had never traveled by train west of Chicago before this trip; so she found the majestic Sierra Nevada terrain and a handsome man on a beautiful paint horse a bit difficult to ignore.

Cecille had not planned it for the trip back, but she suddenly felt it was her sister that needed a song to distract her. "Adam, why don't you lead the children in 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'."

"Oh now, they wouldn't want to sing that old song, would you kids?"

"Yes! 'Row Your Boat'." The children shouted.

Gabrielle laughed at their enthusiastic shouts.

Adam got them started. "Row, row, row your boat..."

Everyone in the surrey joined in the song except Gabrielle, who was thoroughly enjoying listening and looking at the children's happy faces.

Benji was disappointed that his aunt was not singing with them. "Come on Aunt Gabbie! 'Row, row, row your boat'."

Gabrielle found it impossible to resist her nephew's pleading and joined in.

Once the song was finished, Benji spoke up. "Aunt Gabbie, tomorrow is my birthday!"

"Really, tomorrow?" She gave him a look of surprise and acted as if she had forgotten.

"Yep. I'm going to be five."

"My you are getting to be so grown up." Gabrielle patted him on the head.

Mary made a point to turn around and give Benji a hard look. It irked her that Benji was going to turn five before she did.

"We're going to have a party and cake! It will be fun!"

"That sounds wonderful, Benji. I am so happy that I will be here for your party."

When they finally reached the house, Joe was off Cochise and beside the surrey almost before the wheels stopped rolling. Hoss and Ben just shook their heads. Joe offered Gabrielle his hand and she accepted with a gracious nod.

"Come on Aunt Gabbie." Benji grabbed her hand taking over for Joe.

Elizabeth quickly took her aunt's other hand and the children escorted her into the house.

No one would have believed it but the ranch house had reached full capacity. Ben and Kate had previously discussed options with the boys for which bedroom to give their guest. Kate knew how Ben felt about the girls sleeping in the same room with them and the fact was that Mary and Hannah were really just beginning to feel settled; so she did not even suggest moving them. Jamie offered to bunk in with Joe and let Gabrielle have the downstairs bedroom. Kate thanked him for his offer, but noted that it was the least private of all the bedrooms, and probably not the best option for a long term guest. Consistent with his generous nature, Hoss then offered his room for Gabrielle, rather than upset anyone else in the family. He said that the bunkhouse would be fine for him for the duration of Gabrielle's stay.

Gabrielle was surprised by the rustic beauty of the ranch house, having never seen anything quite like it before. "So you designed this house, Adam?"

"Yes I did, Gabbie. Do you like it?"

"Oh, it's marvelous! So much natural beauty with the wood and stone."

"Thank you. I am glad you approve."

"You must be tired after your long journey. I am sure you would like to rest a bit and freshen up before dinner." Kate motioned Gabrielle to the stairs. "Let me show you to your room."

"This way, Aunt Gabbie." Benji took her by the hand again.

Kate instructed the anxious boy. "Benji please show Aunt Gabrielle to Hoss' room."

Benji gave Kate an odd look.

"Hoss is allowing Gabrielle the use of his room while she is staying with us." Kate said answering his unasked question.

Being a normal, inquisitive youngster, Benji asked. "Oh, ok, but where is Hoss sleeping?"

"Son, let's allow your mother and Kate to get Aunt Gabbie settled." Adam motioned for Benji to come to him.

"Don't worry, Benji, We will take good care of your aunt. This way, Gabrielle." Kate gave Adam a grateful look. For the moment, she did not want to explain to Gabrielle that Hoss would be sleeping in the bunkhouse.

Benji looked up sadly at his aunt, dropped his head, and went to his father.

"It's all right Benji. I will see you at supper." Gabrielle tried to console her nephew.

"Mrs. Cartwright, I am sorry to be such an inconvenience to you. I should have realized that with Adam and Cecille staying with you, you would have limited accommodations." Gabrielle offered in apology.

"Nonsense. You are not an inconvenience. We are all very happy you are visiting with us. Please don't think a thing about it. And, by the way, it's Kate." She hoped to smooth things over with her guest.

"Thank you, Kate."

At dinner that evening, Joe made sure to seat himself directly across from Gabrielle. He had little interest in his food, seeming to hang on her every word.

Ben, ever the good host, asked their guest about herself. "So, Gabrielle, tell us about yourself. What kinds of things to do like to do."

"I do enjoy traveling, seeing new places. My father travels extensively for his shipping business and I often go with him since I am single."

"What are some of the places you have seen?" Joe asked, just a little too eagerly.

"Well, just about any seaport along the eastern and south-eastern coast of the United States."

He gave her a big smile. "So you've been to New Orléans, then?"

"Yes, a few times. It's a beautiful city and the food is amazing. Why do you ask?"

"My mother was from New Orléans. I am always interested in hearing about it."

"I see. Well, I would be happy to tell you about my visits sometime."

Cecille grew tired of feeling that the rest of the family was eaves-dropping on Gabrielle and Joe's private conversation."Please share with the family about your work in the clinic."

Gabrielle turned to her sister in surprise. "Yes, uh, I have been volunteering as an aide for a physician in Boston for about a year now. It gets me out of the house, and allows me to do something productive."

Gabrielle did not want to get into the real reason she had started doing this work. The family mansion seemed more like a prison, knowing that her only true hope of escape was to marry. She was tired of being under her father's thumb. Mr. Armand had not approved of her working outside of their home even as a volunteer, but she insisted, knowing that it would make little difference to their already strained relationship. She abruptly changed the subject.

"I understand there is going to be a party for a young man who is turning five tomorrow." She gave Benji a wink.

"Yea! Birthday party!" The children responded.

Adam joined into the conversation. "It's hard to believe that Benji will be five. Pa, I remember you telling me that our childhood seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. I am beginning to understand now what you meant. Although, I think there was the occasional day that lasted a little too long for you." Adam gave his father a quirky smile.

"Never, Adam. You, Hoss and Joe were always perfect gentlemen." There was a very distinct clearing of Ben's throat and a wry smile.

Hoss let loose with one of his guffaws. "Sorry, Miss Armand." He was embarrassed to have carried on so in her presence.

"Yes, well, we will spare Cecille, Gabrielle, and especially the children any of your escapades." Ben tried to close the subject before things got out of hand.

Gabrielle looked around the table at each of the older Cartwright sons with a twinkle in her eye. "That's unfortunate. It all sounds extremely interesting." She found the easy banter of the Cartwright family so refreshing. Conversations in the Armand household had always been a bit stilted and usually very one-sided.

Trying to help her husband's cause, though she, too, would have loved to hear some of the tales about the boys younger days, Kate rose and suggested that they move to the living room. Joe was quickly at Gabrielle's side, leading her to the blue chair, then perching himself beside her on the base of the fireplace. This left Hoss to bring over the chair from beside the desk. He had no problem with her sitting in that chair, that was as it should be for a female guest. However, it did gall him that somehow Joe always managed to position himself in just the right place when it came to having a woman's full attention. Elizabeth went to shelf and pulled a picture book down and then crawled into her aunt's lap. Benji was put out that his sister had managed to occupy Gabrielle before he got the chance to do so. He kept reaching in and naming the animals before Elizabeth could.

"No, Benji! My turn!" Elizabeth pushed his arm away.

"Oh now, I will have time for both of you, please don't argue, children." Gabrielle looked primarily at Benji.

Adam tapped his son on the shoulder. "How about some checkers?" Benji shook his head no. "My aren't we a bit sulky for an almost five-year old young man."

With his head down, Benji walked over and retrieved the checker board off the shelf, continuing to sulk. Meanwhile, Elizabeth went on with the book. As the little girl pointed to the pictures and named the animals on the pages, Joe inserted humorous comments and sounds that made both Elizabeth and Gabrielle smile. Hoss watched them for a moment and debated whether he should just go check on the animals in the barn for something to do, but he did not want to appear rude to their guest. Then Mary came up and wanted on his lap. Both were feeling a bit neglected and somewhat out of place; so she snuggled her head into his shoulder. Hoss wrapped his big arms around Mary, and focused his attention on the checker game. Gabrielle turned to look at the big man cuddling the little girl, and the sight melted her heart. She found it odd that this giant of a man could be so tender. She had longed as a child for the comfort of her father's arms. Hoss suddenly felt Gabrielle's eyes on him, and turned her way. A blush came quickly on his face. Not knowing what else to do, he tucked his head down beside Mary's, causing the girl to relax even more into his large chest. Suddenly aware that she was staring at Hoss, Gabrielle turned to find Joe watching her. Then it was her turn to blush. For the moment, her visit to the Ponderosa was much different from what she had expected it to be.