Chapter 21

"That wasn't my point Vincent! I was trying to tell you that my family is…quite well off." Catherine didn't want to sound like she was bragging by saying 'filthy rich'.

"I see," he said. "In that case…if it wouldn't be too much to ask…the younger children badly need some new readers. The ones we have were not new when I was learning to read, and now are in pretty bad shape."

"I tell you that I have money and that's all you want? A few books?" she gasped.

"Money doesn't have a lot of use here Below Catherine. But on occasion when something needs to be purchased like this, we also find that it is the one thing in short supply."

"All I am saying is that I could do a LOT more for your world than buy a few books."

Vincent thought for a few moments and then said, "I know Mary is always in need of yarn to make scarves and sweaters to keep us warm."

"Surely there has to be something else you need Vincent!" she protested.

"Well we usually have plenty of fruit and vegetables from Helper's that grow extra just for us, but meat is not as abundant because of the cost…" he trailed off afraid of asking too much of her.

"That shouldn't be a problem Vincent, but how would I get it to you? It would look rather odd for me to be carrying meat to the basement of my building."

"Mr. Lee's tea shop has a basement entrance. Any deliveries our Helper's send, he is happy to pass along to us."

"Perfect! I will see what I can do," she said just as they arrived at the dining hall. "If you can write out the names of the books you need for the children, I will be glad to get them as well."

"I will see to it Catherine," he answered and then guided her through the food line. Once their plates were full Vincent led her to the table where Father and Mary were already sitting.

With greetings out of the way Catherine began to pick Mary's brain about what kind of yarn would be the most useful to her.

"Wool is always the best when we can get it. It's thick and warm, but any yarn that is washable would be put to good use," Mary informed her.

Father had listened to the inquiry about yarn and as soon as there was an opening in the conversation, he asked, "Why this interest Ms. Chandler?"

"Vincent told me that you have people Above that are Helper's and I told him I wanted to be one. He said that there was always a need for yarn so warm clothing could be made. He also mentioned the children need new readers."

Mary, with hardly a pause, stated, "That is the greater need, my child. We will manage to get yarn from another source."

"But I want to do both!" she volunteered eagerly.

"One contribution is adequate," Father declared as if creating a verbal dictate.

"It may be, sir, but Vincent told me of both needs," Catherine wasn't about to mention he had also told her about the meat shortage, "and I want to do this to thank him and your entire community for the help you gave me after…my attack." She grew oddly quiet after that because for just a short time during the decision she had forgetting her own problem, however mentioning the attack had brought it back.

Vincent was aware of what had happened and wanted to spare her from talking about it. He could already see the concern on Mary's face and knew that in a moment she would be asking Catherine what was wrong. Quickly getting to his feet he suggested that if they wanted to take a walk before the concert that they had better get started.

Catherine looked down at the unfinished food on her plate and was glad of an excuse to leave it. Ever since she had been little she had always lost her appetite when she was upset about something. She got to her feet and after excusing herself quickly followed Vincent out of the dining hall.

Once they were alone in the passageway Vincent said, "Catherine, I know that you haven't had time to make a choice about what you are going to do yet, but there is something that I would like to show you that might help your thought process."

"Alright Vincent, lead on," she agreed.

To be continued….