Sunday - Part 1
Adam woke up at 5 am. Years of waking early to eat breakfast so that the wagon train could move on or being on cattle drives, had trained his internal body clock into knowing the correct time to wake. Even when he thought he would like a day where he could stay in bed, he still awoke at the same time every day, winter, spring, summer or fall.
For a moment he lay still, enjoying the quiet, with the faint sounds of birds singing outside the window. His mind wandered to the events of the day before and then settled on the memories of the slow, passionate lovemaking he and Emma had enjoyed to end off the day. Even after 10 years of marriage Adam felt just as much in love with his wife and counted his blessing every day that she was in his life.
With memories of his father's luck with women, Adam had worried that his life with Emma would be cut short by the family curse and had mentioned his worries to his father on more than one occasion. At each occasion Ben had looked sad but had advised his son that there was not any curse and that he had just been unlucky.
Ben had sat with Adam and explained that he missed each of the boy's mothers very much for very different reasons but consoled himself that he had a lasting reminder or each of them. And, that if that was god's plan for him then he had long ago accepted it, but that each man's journey was different.
When Emma had first announced that she and Adam were expecting, Adam had been ecstatic at the news but had very quickly become sorrowful and distant, causing Emma to cry onto the shoulder of her father in law. When Ben had finally managed to get the poor girl to tell him what the problem was, she had told Ben about Adam becoming distant and that she was worried that he wasn't ready to become a father. It was then that Ben made the couple sit down and talk and Adam chokingly admitted that he was scared that his wife would die in childbirth just like his own mother and he would have to spend the rest of his life without her. Thoughts of this very thing happening to him just like his father were all consuming and Adam had no way of dealing with them.
Adam smiled to himself at the memory of that conversation. Ben had been kind but firm when Adam had first refused to sit down and discuss his worries and stubborn as he was, Adam had fought his father all of the way. Stating that he would work things out in his own way and that then he would explain things to Emma. Of course Ben, knowing Adam's nature, had told his son that Emma deserved to know why Adam was worried and that isolating himself was just making her more upset.
Adam had countered that it was his life and that Ben should basically butt out. A huge argument had ensued outside the barn in the courtyard and had actually ended, only when Ben had lost his formidable temper and he had grabbed Adam's collar and dragged him into the barn and threatened to take a strap to him! Ben Cartwright was now an old man of 70, but even that day age 61, Ben had been much stronger than Adam had expected. Ben had been a strong man who had been kept in shape working on the ranch and although Adam was in his early 30's then, Ben's actions had caught him by surprise and it was this, more than Ben's threat to take a strap to him, that had pulled him out of his morose mood.
That day Ben had sat Adam down in the barn and for the first time in years, he stood before his son and wrapped his arms around him and Adam had cried out his worries. When he had recovered enough, Ben gave Adam his handkerchief after wetting it in the water barrel and Adam had cleaned himself up and then the two of them returned to the house to talk.
Rubbing his hands over his face, Adam sighed, what would I have done without Pa that day. I would probably have forced Emma away with my selfish worries by isolating myself from her. Oh well it does no good to drag up old wounds, I suppose I had better get up.
Turning over onto his side, Adam propped himself up onto his elbow and softly stroked Emma's shiny, silky, long light brown hair which was now framing her pretty face. Emma lay oblivious to her husband's ministrations, her face relaxed and looking very angelic in the soft early morning light peeking through the gap in the curtains.
I love you so very very much Emma Lorraine Cartwright. Wanting very much to wake his wife for another session of lovemaking, but knowing that she would refuse it being Sunday, Adam leant forwards and kissed his wife's cheek lightly and then turned over and slowly got out of bed.
Dressed only in his summer cotton under-drawers, Adam crossed the room, washed quickly and then put on his work clothes. He would shave and dress in his Sunday best to go to church after doing the chores. Picking up his boots, Adam tiptoed out of the room and quietly closed the bedroom door.
I think I'll go and do the chores then get Emma that breakfast in bed she was hoping for yesterday. Adam thought as he sat down on the armchair to pull on his boots.
Decision made, he went out to the barn.
In ¾ of an hour, Adam cleaned out the horse stalls and filled them with fresh straw, filled feed and water troughs, fed the chickens, collected the eggs and found a few carrots and a lettuce leaf for George the rabbit.
Returning to the house and noticing that the not one of the children were up, even Abraham who was normally the early bird, Adam smiled and took the eggs into the kitchen.
15 minutes later, a tray with a pot of coffee, two cups, a small jug of milk and the sugar pot with a spoon for Emma was prepared. A small pile of toast and a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon completed the tray which Adam carried carefully into his and Emma's bedroom and placed it on the dresser.
"Emma, sweetheart, I've brought you that breakfast in bed you wanted yesterday," he whispered before his lips touched Emma's in a gentle kiss.
Emma Cartwright opened her eyes and looked into her husband's as she opened her lips a little and Adam and she shared a more passionate kiss. Breaking apart before he turned his thoughts to something more passionate, Adam pulled back reluctantly. "Good morning sweetheart."
"Good morning, Adam. That was a wonderful way to wake up; do you think you can greet me that way every morning?" Emma asked playfully.
"Well…. I could but….then I might forget about everything else I have to do," Adam replied, his eyes sparkling in mirth.
"Oh yes, well that would never do would it?" Emma replied chuckling.
"Nope and besides it's much harder to do that with our three children about. Perhaps we should get them to go and live with Pa fulltime instead, then it wouldn't matter so much," said Adam caressing his wife's breasts gently through her nightgown.
"ADAM CARTWRIGHT STOP IT!" Emma retorted playfully slapping his arms away.
"Well it was just a thought," Adam replied smiling.
"Well it's a thought that can get out of your mind, Mr Frisky."
Adam leaned in for another quick soft kiss and then pulled away and stood up before the tingling feeling in his groin turned into something more.
Collecting the tray from the dresser, Adam turned and stood with it near the bedside whilst Emma sat up and propped herself up with some pillows. Draping a teacloth on the bedclothes, Adam lowered the tray, "There you go ma'am, coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon and unburnt toast, just how you like it."
Emma looked at the spread before her and smiled, "It looks lovely darling, but what about the children?"
"I'll sit with them when they get up, it won't hurt for you to have your breakfast in bed for one day."
"Adam Cartwright, what would your father say? He'd be horrified that you didn't make everyone sit at the table together," Emma chided playfully.
"Hmm, well then let's not tell him," replied Adam smirking.
Biting into a slice of toast, Emma nodded, then she swallowed, "I won't tell him if you don't."
Adam chuckled and poured both of them a cup of coffee.
Hearing sounds coming from the main room, Adam rose from the bed and cracked open the bedroom door and poked his head around it. Seeing Abraham dressed in work clothes and heading for the front door he called to him. "Abraham, I've already done the barn chores."
The young boy stopped in his tracks and turned to face his father, "I'm sorry I'm up late Pa." he apologised.
"Don't be son, because you're not. I just got up and felt that you children and your mama could have a rest this morning. All of the chores are done so if you would like you can help me get breakfast ready instead."
Abraham's eyes lit up, "Can we make pancakes?"
Adam smiled, "Sure why not, why don't you go and get started cracking the eggs and I'll be right there." Abraham nodded and started for the kitchen whilst Adam turned back into his room. Crossing over to the bed he leant down and kissed Emma on the cheek, "Abe's up and we're making pancakes. Why don't you enjoy the rest of your breakfast and then come and join us, I'm sure that there will be a spare pancake or two if you want one."
"Thank you for the breakfast in bed. I won't be long."
"It was no trouble at all my dear, anything for my beautiful wife."
"Oh go on, go and help our son, before he tries to make those pancakes himself and sets the kitchen on fire." Emma said smiling.
"Anything you say," replied Adam and winking he left the room.
Adam and Abraham made a pile of pancakes, without burning any of them or getting the mixture stuck to the pan. "Ok son, go and get your brother and sister up and I'll get the table ready," Adam ordered.
"Ok Pa," agreed Abraham and he rushed off to do as he was told.
5 minutes passed and Adam was sitting at the table with a pile of pancakes and the various toppings awaiting his three children.
In a noise that sounded like a herd of buffalo's 3 children came running down the staircase. "No running in the house!" yelled Adam causing all three of the children to stop and look up.
"Sorry Pa. Sorry Papa!" chorused the three chastised children as they much slowly made their way to the table.
Abraham was still in his work clothes and boots; Zach was still in his night shirt but with his brown dressing down around him and slippers on his feet. Whilst Annabel had clearly tried to dress herself again, she was wearing a blue and white chequered dress, with red woollen tights and her shoes seemed to be on the wrong foot.
"Sit down please!" ordered Adam softly.
The children did as they were told and each of them looked down at their hands.
Adam saw the sad faces and felt a little guilty for yelling. "Look at me please," he ordered. The two boys looked up at their father but Annabel continued looking at her hands and the tears started to run down her face. "Oh sweetie there's no need to cry," Adam said as he rose from the table and rounded it to his little girl's chair. Bending down Adam lifted the little girls chin with his finger and turned it so that he could look into her eyes. "Papa's sorry for yelling, but you all know that you are not supposed to run in the house. In fact I remember reminding you all yesterday didn't I?" he asked softly.
"Yes sir," replied Abraham and Zach together.
"Annabel?"
The young girl sniffed, "Yes, Papa," she said quietly.
Adam pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and dried the tears from his little girl's eyes, "Sweetie, Papa doesn't like having to repeat himself, so you must not run in the house OK?" he said gently.
Sniff, "Yes, Papa," sniff replied the young girl.
"Good girl. And that applies to you boys too. I do not want to have to remind you again. I know that Abraham probably told you to hurry, Zach and that the pancakes would be getting cold, but if I have to remind you children about running in the house again in the near future then it will be early bedtimes. Am I being clear?"
"Yes Pa," "Yes Papa".
Adam wiped the last of the stray tears from Annabel's face and then quickly hugged her and kissed her cheek, "It's OK sweetie, Papa forgives you." Standing up Adam ruffled the little girl's curls and then reached out and did the same to Abraham and Zach. "All's forgiven boys, now let's not have to talk about running in the house again. "
Returning to his seat Adam sat down. "How is your arm this morning Zach?"
Zach flexed his arm slowly, "It's a little sore, Papa but it's not bad."
"Did you sleep OK, son? You were out cold when I came up in the middle of the night."
"Yes, Papa, the doctor's medicine and the salve you put on helped a lot. Do I need to have the bandage changing again?"
"Yes but it can wait until after we come back from grandpa's. If you need some medicine to help with the pain, then you may have some. We will take the medicine with us to church and then to grandpa's"
"Pa! The pancakes are getting cold!" Abraham whined.
Adam rolled his eyes, "Sorry Abe, you don't mind if I check your brother is ok do you?" Adam responded sarcastically.
Realising that he had been rude and that his father was actually being lenient with him compared to normal, the young boy blushed, "No sir, I'm sorry for being rude. Sorry Zach."
"Apology accepted. OK children serve yourself some pancakes. Zach, Abraham will cut yours up if you need help, won't you, son?" Adam said feeling his good mood dissipate.
Just then Emma emerged from her bedroom, dressed in her night shirt and a red dressing gown. Seeing Adam frowning she approached the table. "Adam?" she asked.
"Yes Pa, Here, Zach I'll help you," said Abraham and he put two pancakes on his brother's plate for him and then passed his brother the maple syrup, and raspberry preserve.
"Adam?" Emma asked again.
Adam pulled his wife towards him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "It's nothing Em, the children and I just had a few words that's all."
"Words?" Emma asked "What words?" she continued as she looked down at Adam.
Adam sighed, "The children were running down the staircase so I reminded them of the rules again! And then I was just asking after Zach's arm but I forgot about the pancakes getting cold and Abraham was KIND enough to remind me of that."
Realising Adam was being sarcastic and that his mood had changed dramatically from earlier Emma decide to take charge. "Well I think that everyone needs to remember their manners," she said, looking at Adam as she did so.
Adam winced realising that Emma had actually heard his words. I'll speak to Abe before we leave and apologise.
Emma sat down in her normal chair and poured herself a coffee, she helped her youngest with the pancakes and toppings then sat back and watched Adam and the children eat. Apart from the occasional request to pass something, the breakfast table was quiet.
Breakfast complete, Adam ordered the children to go and change into their church clothes and Emma followed them up the stairs to help Annabel wash and dress. When they got to the top of the steps, Emma stopped the children, "Zach, can you manage by yourself or do you want me to help you?"
"I think I'll be OK Mama, I can put my arm in a shirt. Abe can help me with my pants, you will won't you Abe?" Zach asked his older brother.
Abraham nodded, "I can help Zach, Ma."
"Thank you Abraham, go on then please make sure that you put clean underclothes on. And wash behind your ears boys, we are going to grandpa's for lunch after church and I do not want Mai Ling to see dirty collars." Emma winked at her boys and then led her little girl into her room to get her ready.
15 minutes later Annabel and her mother emerged from the bedroom and made their way down the stairs hand in hand to find Adam sitting in his armchair, in his Sunday best. During the time his wife had been upstairs helping his little girl, Adam had washed the breakfast things, washed himself, shaved and dressed in his white church shirt, black tie, black pants and beige jacket.
Emma had dressed Annabel in a pale blue cotton dress with 2 cotton petticoats. The little girl also wore white tights and some shiny black leather shoes. Emma had also brushed and plaited the young girl's pigtails.
"Princess you look very pretty, why don't you come and sit with Papa whilst we wait for the boys and Mama to get ready?" Adam said sitting forwards and opening his arms.
Annabel let go of her mother's hand and ran into her father's open arms. Adam hugged his little girl and then lifted her onto his lap. "I'll do the washing up and then get ready Adam," Emma started.
"The breakfast things are already washed up, sweetheart and I've cleaned the kitchen up, don't worry. Just go and get dressed, darling and wear that pretty blue dress I like."
"The one with the ruffled sleeves?"
"Yes, that one. It sets off your fine figure and I love admiring you in it," Adam replied winking at his young daughter and tickling her at the same time. Annabel giggled and squirmed and Emma shook her head laughing and went off to get herself ready.
"Pa, I've helped Zach with his jacket but I can't seem to get his tie right," complained Abraham as the two boys walked down the staircase.
Dressed almost identically to their father with exception of their jackets which were black, both boys descended the last of the stairs.
"Here let me do it for you," replied Adam slowly lowering his little girl down to the ground.
Annabel sat herself down on the sofa and Abraham joined her, whilst Zach went to his father. Holding up the tie he said, "Pa, my arm hurts in this jacket, do I have to wear it?"
Adam quickly tied the tie around his son's neck, "No son not if it's hurting. I suppose the bandage is making the sleeve at little tight for you. Abe, go and get your old jacket please, the dark one that you grew out of last year."
Abraham started for the stair and holding the bannister he started to run before he heard the cough behind him. Stopping still he waited for the scolding but when nothing came he slowly walked up the stairs. Returning a few minutes later her stood at the top of the staircase, "This one pa?" he asked showing his father the coat.
"Yes, that one will do. Zach Abe's old coat may be a bit big for you but it will be loser on the sleeve. If it looks OK then I don't want you complaining about it being too big. You will be able to take it off after church, OK?"
"Yes sir."
"Good boy." Adam accepted the coat from his oldest and then helped Zach remove his coat and try his brother's on. "Hmm…" he said standing back, "It's a little big on the arm's length, how does it feel?"
"It doesn't hurt my arm, Papa but I can't see my hands."
Adam turned the arm sleeves up on the inside, "There, what about that? Does it feel OK?"
"It looks fine, Adam," replied Emma who has come up behind them.
"Zach, do you need some medicine before we leave?"
"Uhm… no, I don't think so mama, but Papa said we were taking the medicine and the salve with us. Can I ask for it if it starts hurting more?"
"Yes of course you can, baby," said Emma planting a kiss on his cheek. "Well then it seems everyone is ready is the buggy ready too?"
"No, not yet but Abe and I can do that right now, we'll be ready in a few minutes," replied Adam who strode off towards the door with his eldest in tow.
Whilst Adam and Abraham got the team hitched to the buggy, Adam took the opportunity to have a few words with his eldest. "Abe, I am sorry I was a little sharp with you at breakfast. You were right, the pancakes were getting cold and we had put a lot of effort into making them."
"No sir, you were right to scold me, I was a little rude. I didn't mean to be Pa. I know you only wanted to check on Zach and I should know better than to interrupt you."
"You should," Adam acknowledged, "but this time you were right and even if you weren't I was sarcastic towards you and that was not fair."
"What's sarcastic mean, Pa?"
"Well, son it's like being rude or disrespectful, to be sarcastic, one is saying something in a mean or hurtful way. If your mama was at the table then she would have been very upset with me for saying what I did to you and your grandpa…..well let's just say that if I was your age, it would have meant a trip to the barn for a discussion on manners."
"OH. Was grandpa very strict with you Pa?"
"Yep, very strict but always fair. You ask your uncles. You children get away with a lot at grandpa's that your uncles and I wouldn't have." Adam laughed, "your Uncle Joe now….. he was always finding new ways to see if he could get out of a punishment but it never worked.
"Pa, will you tell me some stories about what it was like when you were little?"
"Yes I will Abe, but not right now, we need to get this buggy hitched and get to church." Adam said cinching the last strap. "There that should do it, go and tell you mama we're ready will you please." Adam said patting his eldest softly on the back.
"OK Pa," said the young boy running back to the house.
Emma made sure that everyone visited the outhouse prior to getting into the buggy.
After settling the children into the back of the buggy on the long leather bench seat, Adam helped Emma into the front and then climbed up beside her. "Everyone ready?" he asked and when he received a chorus of yes's he released the brake, clicked the reigns and led the team out of the courtyard and onto the trail to town.
"Grandpa, Uncle Joe!" cried out three children as Adam pulled the buggy up outside the church. Ben, Little Joe, Amelia, Hoss and Caroline, Hoss' wife were all standing on the church porch talking and they all waved when they saw the buggy come into the church yard.
Hoss and Little Joe helped the children and Emma down from the buggy as soon as Adam set the brake.
"Emma, you sure do look pretty in that there dress, doesn't she Joe?" said Hoss lowering his sister-in-law down to the ground.
"Yep, she sure does," agreed Little Joe, helping first Annabel then the boys from the buggy.
There was a small tug at Joe's leg and he looked down, "And me, Uncle Joe am I pretty?"
"And you my little niece, why you as pretty as a princess," he said lifting the young girl up into his arms.
"Does that mean a knight will want to come rescue me? Like in the stories, Uncle Joe?" replied Annabel, throwing her arms around her Uncle's neck and kissing his cheek.
Little Joe laughed and then the two of them rubbed noses, "Yes sweetie, when you are older I'm sure many knights will come to court you, but I'm not sure that you need rescuing, just yet" Joe chuckled before he lowered the little girl to the ground again where she immediately set off towards her grandfather. "Grandpa!"
Ben bent down and put his hand out and took the little girls hand in his, "Well now, who is this fine pretty lady I see before me?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Grandpa! It's me Annabel," replied the 5 year old.
Ben squinted at the child and then leant a little nearer, before leaning back, "Why so it is, now I see the resemblance. My you've grown, almost a young lady now aren't you?"
The little girl stood straighter at her grandfather's words and both Emma and Adam looked at each other and chuckled.
"So young lady, do you have a hug for your grandpa?" Ben asked.
"Uh huh," replied the young girl and she wrapped her arms around him. Ben hugged the child to him but then feeling his knees seizing up he started tickling. Annabel quickly released her grandfather and he stood up slowly. Gently ruffling the little girl's hair he held out his hand and she grabbed it and held on tight.
"Abraham, Zach, and how are you boys?" Ben asked at the two of them standing beside him.
"I'm fine grandpa, are your knees hurting you this morning?" replied Abraham.
"Yes a little, but not too much that I can't give you a hug, now come here young man."
Abraham gratefully walked into the one armed hug and then smiled up at his grandfather who smiled down in return. "No need to feel ashamed about getting a hug from your grandpa in public son."
"And what about you, Zach? How are you? You look at little pale. What's wrong? Do you feel ill?"
"I'm OK, grandpa, just a little sore." Zach replied.
"Sore? Why what has happened."
"I hurt my arm."
"How?" asked Ben.
Zach looked down at his feet and mumbled something Ben couldn't hear.
"Zach, I can't hear you, come closer and tell grandpa what happened?"
Zach shook his head and remained where he was, causing Ben to frown. "Adam? What is going on? How did Zach….. " Ben asked sternly turning to his eldest.
"I'll tell you after church, Pa. Now we better get inside. I see the reverend has already gone in." Ben frowned at his son's evasive answer but nodded and with his granddaughter in one hand and his eldest grandson in the other he turned to go into the church. Adam put his arms around the shoulders of his middle son and the rest of extended Cartwright family all filed into the church.
After thanking the reverend for the service the members of the congregation filed out and Ben shook hands with a few of his friend and other prominent town's people. Walking outside he put on his hat and looked around to find his eldest son. Spotting Adam standing talking to friends from town with Emma, whilst Hoss, Caroline, Little Joe and Amelia stood talking to the children, Ben made his way over to them.
"May I talk to you son?" Ben asked tapping Adam on the back in the middle of a break in conversation.
Excusing himself, Adam followed Ben to the edge of the church yard. Under some trees there had been a bench put in and Ben gestured to the bench. Both men sat and turned to face each other. "OK son, now what is going on with Zach?"
"He got burnt yesterday morning at breakfast."
"How did it happen? Is it a bad burn? Have you seen the doctor?" Ben questioned quickly.
Adam raised his hand to stop his father in his tracks. "It was an accident at the table Pa. He has burnt his forearm. Yes it is quite a bad burn but Doctor Martin has taken a look and it will heal just fine, probably without any scar at all. Doctor Martin has given us some salve made to one of Hop Sing's old recipes and some medicine for the pain which also helps Zach sleep. You probably noticed the jacket he's wearing today is a little too big, well that's because it's Abe's one that he's just grown out of. Zach's jacket was a little too tight to wear today due to the bandage."
"This accident at the table, what exactly happened?"
"Ah, Pa, come on, that's not important, what is important is that Zach will be sore for a week or so but he will be fine." Adam went to stand but was stopped by Ben's firm grip on his arm.
"Adam, it is important, my grandchild has been hurt and I want to know how. Now tell me what happened , please, or are you avoiding something?"
Adam glared at his father, "No Pa."
Ben glared back at Adam, "Well then why are you being so evasive, Adam?"
Adam sighed; Ben was in one of those moods that meant that Adam was not going to be able to distract him from constantly asking questions. "Look Pa, it was coffee that burnt his arm, freshly brewed coffee. I lost control of the coffee cup in my hand and it hit the table and splashed all over Zach's arm. Are you happy now?" he asked angrily.
Ben shook his head, "No not really. Look Adam I'm sorry, I was just so concerned and you were avoiding answering me. You know I always thought being a father was hard work but I feel even more protective of my grandchildren."
Adam sank back against the bench and rubbed his head with his right hand, "I'm sorry too, Pa. I overreacted and I should have just told you. The truth is that I was a little embarrassed about it all, I know I couldn't have donw anything to stop it happening but that doesn't make me feel better and I was a little worried that people would think I'm a bad father."
"Adam, no one I know would think of you as a bad father, or are you thinking that I or your brothers would see you that way?" Ben asked carefully looking at his son.
"Truthfully, yeah Pa, I was worried that you might think I am too lenient with my children compared to how you raised us. And, that well if I had been more of a disciplinarian then the children would have learnt things much earlier." Adam sighed and Ben frowned.
"Adam, you are doing the best you can in raising your children. I understand that everyone's methods are different just as every child is different. If I have given you the impression I don't approve of the way you handle your children's discipline then I'm sorry if I've caused offence and you must tell me when I do so. Now, what did happen?"
"Annabel threw her toast at me in temper, knocking the cup from my hand. She's been terribly upset about it as her brother got hurt and although I spanked her….." Adam held up his hand, "Not for hurting her brother, that was an unintentional accident. I spanked her for losing her temper after explaining that I did not blame her for Zach getting hurt. Well, Pa even though I spanked her and she apologised to Zach and received his forgiveness, I think she still feels guilty and I know you, you will want you to also tell her off. The fact is that she has been punished enough and I think seeing her brother in pain will be a better teacher than the adults around her reminding her of what happened."
Ben placed his hand on Adam's shoulder, "Thank you for telling me the complete story son. You handled the situation perfectly. And I promise I won't scold her, but if she tells me about it all, are you Ok with me reminding her that sometimes the consequences of our actions are not always what we think that are or something along those lines?"
Adam turned his head to face his father, "Yeah Pa, I'd happy for you to do that, thanks for asking."
"You're welcome son. Adam, you really are a good father and I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Pa. That really means a lot you saying that," Ben smiled and patted Adam on the thigh. "Right then, I suppose we better get back to the others, before they start to get worried" and then both men stood up and returned to the rest of the family.
