New Beginnings: Chapter 29
Misunderstood
As soon as Claire sees Ethan ride off, she goes outside to find Rob. He and Joseph seem to be having some kind of glaring contest by the barn. "Rob, I need you to come tighten up the clothesline, I think it's getting loose."
"Alright, I can do that now before we start working with the horses again."
"Rob, you know we aren't allowed to work with the horses if Pa is not home. You were just telling me you wanted to keep me out of trouble so I can't work with the horses! I for one am taking the time to do something fun for a change. I'm going to go up to the hayloft and read about Bat Masterson for awhile!" Joseph says walking off towards the house to get his book
Making sure her younger brothers aren't nearby to hear, Claire whispers to Rob, "We need to have a serious talk when he gets inside the barn. Come with me to the clothesline."
"Alright Claire, what is the big secret. I know the clothesline is fine, since I just tightened it yesterday. What is it that is so serious?" Rob asks feeling exasperated.
"Alex told me something this morning and you need to hear it too. It's about you and Emily. I was really shocked to hear it too." Claire stops, looking around before finishing.
"He said he saw you with Emily down at the pond near their house. You were alone and he said he saw you with your hand in her blouse! Rob! How could you do that?! It's lucky for you, Alex's Da didn't see you or he would have come talked to Pa!"
Before Rob has a chance to answer, Ben and George come running up.
"Can George and I go fishing, Rob? We'll stay out of the water, I promise." Ben asks glancing at George, who nods.
"It's fine with me, but don't stay longer than two hours. You can take my old watch with you so you'll know the time." Rob answers, without thinking of the instructions Ethan gave them.
As the younger boys rush off to gather fishing supplies, Rob turns to Claire and says angrily,
"It's not what you think, Claire. Yes, we were alone and I know I'd be in for it if Pa found that out, but the other isn't what you both think. We were hot sitting in the sun so she unbuttoned her blouse a few buttons. A grasshopper hopped down into her open blouse. I was reaching in to get it out for her, that's all that was!" Rob stops to take several calming breaths before continuing "I'm not the kind of person to do what you suggested Claire! I thought you knew me better than that!"
Before Claire has a chance to answer, Rob has stalked off towards the barn. Watching she sees him bring a horse out and mount up. "Where are you going? You were told to stay here!" Claire calls to him but gets no answer as he gallops out of the yard.
"Well, I guess that means we are in charge now." Joseph tells her coming out of the barn. "He's going to be in trouble if he doesn't get back home before Pa does. He's probably going to see Emily. Emily doesn't live near the ranch so I think that means Rob is going to catch it from Pa."
"It's not funny, so stop grinning about it. Just go read the book or something but YOU better not leave the yard. You are still under restriction to the yard and you know it." Claire snaps at him before walking into the house.
Later that evening after the supper clean up is finished, Rob hears Joseph say "Pa, did you give Rob permission to take a horse off alone while you were away?"
Seeing Ethan giving him a questioning look, Rob speaks up. "Pa, if you will, let's take a walk out to the barn so we can talk privately. I have something I need to say but I would rather tell you in private."
"Alright Rob, I'm listening. What is your reason for deliberately disobeying instructions?" Ethan asks, once they are alone in the barn.
"I did take a horse out, that's true. However I didn't leave the ranch. I just needed to be alone, I was so angry. I needed to cool down so I rode around the back side of the property. There's something else I should say, I let Ben and George go to the fishing hole today."
"Robert! I gave direct instructions that everyone was to stay on the ranch. Don't you EVER countermand my instructions again! Do you hear me, young man? I have good reasons for what I say and you better heed me!" Ethan says sternly.
"Yes Sir, I know and I apologize. I just wasn't thinking straight."
"What is it that is bothering you other than the fact you disobeyed me today?"
"I have something else I need to tell you but first I need you to promise you will listen to everything I say before you get angry. Please?"
"What makes you think I'm going to be angry?" Ethan replies softly.
"I just do. Will you listen to all of my story?"
"Yes, I'll stay quiet and listen while you talk but I can't promise not to be angry. Fair enough?"
"Yes sir. Two days ago when I went to visit Emily, she and I went to the duck pond near her house. It's also close to Alex's house. Mrs. Anderson walked with us but shortly after we arrived, she remembered she'd left a pie in the oven. She went back to check on it but said we could wait for her there." Stopping, Rob looks over at Ethan to check his reaction to this news. Not seeing any anger, he continues.
"While she was gone, Emily was getting hot in her blouse and unbuttoned the top three buttons by her neck to cool off. Right after she did this, a grasshopper hopped into her blouse. She wanted me to get it out as it was tickling her. I think she was a little scared of it too but she didn't say that." Stopping again, he looks to his Pa and sees Ethan nod for him to continue.
"Well, I put my hand down her shirt to catch the grasshopper. Alex and his Da came by in the wagon about that time and Alex saw me. He told Claire I was alone at the pond with Emily and was misbehaving myself with her. Claire cornered me earlier today and jumped all over me for not being a gentleman and disobeying your rules. I wanted you to know so if someone happens to tell you about it you will know the truth. I'm not making this up, please believe me. Are you angry?"
"That is quite a tale, Rob. Thank you for telling me about it." Ethan replies working to keep the laughter out of his voice.
"Yes sir, you do believe me don't you? Are you angry? Are you going to punish me?" Rob asks searching his Pa's face for the reason he sounds different.
"Of course I believe you, son. No, I'm not angry and you aren't going to be punished. Is this what upset you this afternoon?"
"Yes, it really hurt and made me mad when Claire believed I would act that way. I wouldn't ever act that way, Pa! I respect Emily and you, and I wouldn't!" Rob replies fighting the lump in his throat.
"Come here, Rob." Ethan says quietly.
When the boy reaches him, Ethan puts his arm around his shoulders and gives a tight squeeze. "Sisters want to believe the best in brothers. I think Claire does believe the best in you and was just very upset you might have acted that way. She is fond of Alex so it's natural that she would believe his opinion. I think you should talk to her again and I believe you'll see I'm right."
"Yes sir, that's what I'll do. Thank you for believing me and not questioning me the way she did."
"Rob, I know you well, even if you haven't lived with me as long as the other children. I know your character and there just isn't a doubt in my mind that you would not be a gentleman with a young lady. Especially after our talk about proper behavior and the consequences of improper behavior." Ethan replies smiling.
"Thank you Pa."
"You are welcome. Now someday soon, you'll think back on this and I suspect you'll find the humor in this. It is not funny to you now, I understand that." Ethan replies still chuckling after Rob gives him a scornful look for laughing.
"No sir, it isn't. Joseph will be unhappy that his plot didn't succeed. I think he was trying to get me in trouble because I teased him for being housebound another week."
"Rob! That wasn't very polite."
"I know but we tease each other all the time so I didn't think he would be upset about it. He's touchy lately."
At Ethan's questioning look, he explains "Joseph gets these moods lately. One time he is happy and easy to get along with then he's the opposite, for no reason I can see."
"I see what you mean. Just try not to antagonize him if you can. He's gong through a phase I guess."
"Claire? What do people do at a Social? Why can't Joseph, Ben and I go to it too?" George asks several days later as he watches his sister use an iron rod, heated on the stove, to curl her hair. "Why are you curling your hair instead of wearing it in braids and put up like you used to do?"
"Well, people go to talk and have a place to visit with friends. We'll probably sing some songs after we share supper. Someone will probably read some stories from the Bible. It's only for people who are fourteen or older. I'm wearing my hair differently now George."
"So even if Joseph wasn't housebound he still couldn't go. He thought he'd be going. He told me last week he would be. I'll tell him he wouldn't have been able to go." George says, about to walk out of the room.
"George! No, don't tell him. He's already angry about being punished so you'll just get snapped at if you tell him. He'll find out sometime. Now, I'm going to get dressed so you scoot on out of my room."
"Okay, I'll call you when Alex comes if you aren't ready yet. Rob was dressed but Pa sent him to change his clothes. He told him he couldn't wear dungarees to a Church Social and to put on his best clothes. Rob argued that the pants were new and Emily didn't care what he wore but Pa said either change or stay home."
"Thank you for the report, now out!" Claire answers, lightly pushing him to her door.
"Alex, the next time you see me with Emily alone, ask me why. Don't just assume I'm doing something wrong and go report on me to my sister. You caused me some problems!" Rob tells him, as the three of them ride to town in Alex's Father's buggy.
"I was concerned Rob. Did I get you punished? My Da would have lectured me blue, if I'd been out alone with Claire. I don't even want to think about what he would do if I had my hand down her blouse the way you did Emily's!"
"No, luckily for me, my Pa listened to my explanation and believed me. If he hadn't, I doubt I'd be going tonight. I'm sorry for having to ride along with you but Pa made me the chaperone since I was going to the Social also. I wanted to take our buggy and pick up Emily, but he told me I had to go with the two of you. It wasn't my idea. Arguing with him isn't a good idea either because he just might have made me stay home, so I didn't try."
"I understand. My Da would not have let me come out to get Claire without knowing you would be with us. Like you, I'm under strict rules for what I can and can not do with a young lady. You'd think they'd trust us more since they were our age once." Alex replies irritably.
"That's why they don't trust you two boys. The Pa's remember what they were like at your age." Claire says giggling at the two instant "HMMPHHs" she hears.
Changing the topic of discussion, Claire asks "Rob, did Emily tell you what she's bringing tonight?"
"Me, I hope!" Rob quips.
"I know that silly! I was talking about food. You aren't squashing my cake back there are you?"
"She didn't say, and your cake sure is a good one. I was really hungry since we haven't eaten since lunch!"
"ROBERT! If you touched one bite of my cake you WILL regret it!" Claire replies trying to turn around in the cramped seat to glare at her brother.
"You see, Alex? I told you she wasn't always 'sweet like honey' as you called her! She can turn on you quick as a snake! Watch yourself!" Rob calls out.
"Robert, if you don't stop, I'll... I'm not sure what I'll do, but I do know you will NOT like it! Now stop teasing me!"
"Better stop Rob. When girls get that tone in their voice you are headed for trouble in some way." Alex calls back to Rob.
As the boys are settling in for an after supper checker's game, they hear a horse gallop into the yard. Glancing out, Ethan sees Mitch waving him to come outside.
"Boys, Mitch is here. Stay inside." Ethan tells them as he walks out to greet Mitch.
Suspecting there is some kind of trouble happening, Joseph watches out the window wishing he could hear more of the conversation. All he's been able to make out are the words "saloon" and "Matthew".
"Joseph, if Pa sees you spying, you'll be in trouble!" George whispers.
"He won't catch me. Something is going on and I want to know what it is."
Then seeing Ethan turn to walk back inside, he rushes over to pretend to watch the checkers game.
Coming in, Ethan says "I have to leave for a time. There's trouble in town. You three are to stay inside the house. Joseph, for your sake, you better not let me see you trying to listen in on a private conversation again! You know better!"
"Told you!" George whispers as Ethan goes to his bedroom.
"All right boys, I'm leaving. Remember what I told you. All three of you are to remain inside until I say differently." Ethan says firmly, looking mostly at Joseph.
As they hear the two horses leave, Joseph says "I ought to be able to go with them to help. I'm old enough!"
Busy jumping two of George's checkers, Ben doesn't look up as he answers "You better not try it, Joseph. You run off after Pa and you won't leave the ranch for a month! You won't be able to sit for that long either!"
"I'd have to be caught, first." Joseph replies. Then seeing his younger brothers both staring at him he says "Relax, I'm not going anywhere. I have had all the punishment I want for a long time. Hurry up and finish the game so we can make some popcorn! We might as well have some kind of fun here all alone."
"Did you ask Papa if we could make popcorn?" George asks.
"No, I didn't think of it until now. He lets us make it though, so I don't see where it will be a problem. I'll tell you all about what went on with the stallion up at the canyon while we eat." Joseph tells him.
While Joseph and Ben are in the kitchen area putting the popcorn in the long handled popping basket, George is watching the fire. Joseph added two more logs to make it heat faster. One of the logs is now burning white and looks so pretty George decides to get a closer look. Taking the long metal poker he rakes it out onto the floor just past the hearth.
Smelling something burning, Joseph looks into the front room. Seeing the burning log smoking on the wooden floor, he drops the popcorn basket and runs. Grabbing the log hook from the hearth he hooks the log and throws it back into the fireplace.
"What happened? How did that log roll out?" He asks George.
"I pulled it out. It was really pretty, Joseph. All white and sparkly. I wanted to look at up close."
"YOU PULLED IT OUT? YOU NEARLY CAUGHT THE HOUSE ON FIRE!" Joseph shouts.
"I'm sorry, don't yell at me." George whispers, chin trembling.
"I ought to do more than yell! I ought to spank your butt red!" Joseph fumes.
"Joseph? Look at the floor. What are we going to do now?" Ben asks quietly.
Looking down, Joseph sees a large, log shaped burned spot.
"Damn it, George! You've burned the floor! What were you thinking?!"
Shocked at Joseph's language, George answers "You swore! Wait til Pa hears about what you said! Besides, I didn't mean to. It was just so pretty to look at."
"You won't be able to tell Pa what I said. If you do, I'll just show him WHY and explain all about you liking the "pretty" log! You just might wind up in the barn over this one, George! If I were you, I'd keep quiet." Joseph replies angrily.
"But what are we going to do to keep him from finding out?" Ben asks apprehensively, wanting to protect George.
"We'll slide the braided rug Claire made, down some until it covers this spot. I'll slide the low table and the bench down so maybe no one will notice we moved the rug some. That's all I can do. I can't repair the floor. Come on, let's move everything off the rug so we can slide it. We'll fix the furniture and then make popcorn." Joseph answers, wondering why these things always happen when he's in charge.
Standing near the back wall, watching the girls get the desserts ready to serve, Rob and Alex are startled when Reverend Davis comes in the side door beside them.
"Well hello boys. I need you two to do me a favor. The ladies have brought several barrels of lemonade to serve but, lemonade does not serve well warm. There are four two gallon buckets outside. I was wondering if you two would go over to the restaurant at the Hotel and get some ice. They have chipped ice in their ice house now. Could you two do that for me?"
"Yes sir, we will go find ice for you." Alex answers as Rob echos "Yes Sir."
"The buckets are by this door. Take two and fill them and then come for the other two."
"We'll have the ice back in just a few minutes, Reverend Davis." Rob says walking out behind Alex.
A few minutes later, the boys are back with two of the buckets filled with pieces of ice. Seeing Rob pick up another bucket, Alex asks "Where are you going? You heard the man at the restaurant same as I did. They have no more chipped ice to lend out. He said he could only spare two bucketfuls."
"Yes, I heard him. Even when I told him it was for the church, he wouldn't give in. Come on, I know where we can get two more bucketfuls maybe more. Just follow me." Rob answers.
"Rob! This is the saloon! You can't just walk in there and say 'I need ice'! We get caught here and I'm in deep trouble! You too probably!" Alex whispers just outside the back door of the saloon.
"No, probably about it. I'll definitely be in trouble but I'm going in anyway. It's for the church and that is different than just coming in any other time. Now, be a man and come with me."
Walking in carrying the buckets, Rob walks straight up to the bar. "Excuse me Sir? We're here from the Church Social and Reverend Davis needs two buckets of chipped ice. Would you be so kind as to fill these for us?"
"Church Social? My sister is helping out there tonight. Yes, I'll get it for you. Wait here and I'll be back." The man behind the long wooden bar answers.
Waiting nervously, Alex begins to fiddle around with a glass on the bar. Rob also picks up a glass left by someone. Just as he begins to set it down he hears "Robert Jordan Cord! Just what are you doing in a saloon?"
Dropping the glass and spinning around Rob comes face to face with a furious Matthew Carroll. The look on his face has Rob struggling to find words.
"Uncle Matt! I, that is, we came on business." Rob replies glancing back hoping the bartender is returning with the ice.
"Both of you boys come with me right now. I know how Ethan feels about his sons and saloons. I imagine your Pa feels the same way, young man. Follow me!" Matthew says walking towards the swinging front doors.
"Wait! Uncle Matt, I can explain!" Rob says hurrying after him as he leads them down to the sheriff's office.
Walking them in he tells Mitch, "These two were in the saloon. I caught them both with whiskey in their hands. Let's let them cool off in the jail."
"Uncle Matt! You can't just put us in jail without listening to the explanation!" Rob tries one more time.
"It's not me that needs to hear any explanation, Rob. Save it for your Fathers." Matthew tells him as he ushers them into the jail cell with Mitch's permission.
"You boys make yourselves comfortable. I'll be back with your Pa's in just a bit." Mitch says as he walks out after Matthew leaves.
"Rob?"
"Yeah?"
"I am not feeling much like a man right now. How about you?"
"No Alex, I'm not either. I'm sorry. I didn't think we'd be in this fix just for asking for ice! I'll do my best to get us out of this. Will your Da listen or just take you out?"
"I'm praying he will listen first. It may not help me though. If it doesn't, I'll not see you or Claire for a time over this."
"I'm in the same fix, Alex. I do want to say to you, I enjoyed knowing you. I may never see you again over this." Rob replies quietly.
Back at the ranch, Joseph has just sent the younger boys to bed when he hears noise coming from the barn. Walking out on the side porch, he hears whinnying, a painful whinnying. Opening the door, he calls to Ben "I'm going to go check the horses. Something isn't right out there. I'll be back." Then thinking better of going unarmed he goes in and gets the shotgun off the rack above the fireplace. Ethan's lectures on safety running through his mind.
Remembering the last time he heard horses whinnying in the night, Joseph looks for smoke and feels the barn doors before pulling them open. Walking carefully into the dimly lit barn, he sees Daisy lying down in the stall. Just as he approaches the stall she expels a large amount of water. Realizing she is about to foal, he goes to the barn door shouting for Ben and George. Both of the younger boys come running in, all out of breath with their rush to the barn.
"What is it, Joseph? What's wrong?" Ben asks panting.
"Daisy is about to give birth and if we're really quiet we can watch. Come on over to the stall door and I'll open it. We can't go in, but if we stand in the door we can see. Here, let me light two lanterns and we'll hang them on the hooks so we'll see better. The moonlight isn't bright enough to see well."
Ten minutes later the boys see a clear sack like material coming from the horse. "Look! There's a muzzle and I think a leg in it." Ben whispers. In awe they see the rest of the delivery.
"Gosh, she had a baby in a pouch! How's it going to get out? Shouldn't we go cut it off? We need to help it or it can't breathe!" George whispers.
"We can't touch the baby, George. I don't know how, but it will get out, just watch." Joseph whispers back.
"Oh Yuck! She's licking it's bottom! If it pushed the sack off it's head by itself, it can get the rest of it off by itself too." Ben states firmly, a few minutes later.
"That's what Mamas do, Ben. They clean up their babies. She's cleaning him up." Joseph tells him.
"With her tongue? That's just disgusting!" Ben answers, making a disgusted face.
"Ben, she's giving her baby kisses. Horse kisses. Don't you like horse kisses, Ben?" George asks giggling at Ben's look.
"How do you know the horse is a boy, Joseph? It could be a girl baby." Ben asks ignoring his brother's kissing sounds for a moment.
"I can just tell by looking. It's definitely not a girl, Ben." Joseph answers with a grin.
"But how do you know? How can you tell it's a boy, Joseph?" George asks.
"Well guys, just look under his stomach right by it's back legs. Don't you see what makes him a boy? A girl horse wouldn't have one of those."
"What do girl horses have?" George asks curiously.
"Not one of those. You'll have to ask Pa about it, George. He can tell you all about the difference in girls and boys." Joseph tells his inquisitive youngest brother, smirking at the thought of his Pa having to explain this concept.
"Why does Daisy keep walking around and lying down again?" Ben asks.
"You two are full of questions tonight. I'm not sure, Ben. I've never seen this before either." Joseph whispers back.
"Oh YUCK, she just pooped part of a bag again. This one is all bloody. Joseph! Daisy's hurt! We should go get Uncle Mitch to help her!" George tells him.
"No, George. We can't leave the ranch and besides that, Daisy isn't sick. We don't need Mitch because this is part of having a baby."
"How do you know, Joseph? You said you haven't seen this before either." George responds somewhat sulkily, feeling tired of always being told no or laughed at for his comments.
"I know a little about what was to happen because Pa told me and Rob what to look for. He knew Daisy was getting ready to foal soon so, he explained some of what would happen. That's why her tail is wrapped in strips of cloth. He was getting her tail out of the way so she could have the baby. Just think guys, we are going to have a little horse to care for and watch grow up!" Joseph tells them.
"Do you think we can keep him, Joseph?" Ben asks eagerly.
"Well, we will for at least a year because he has to grow up. After that, I don't know. Why would we need three Shetland Ponies? Pa might sell him but that's a long time from now so let's don't worry about that."
"Hey, look! The pony is trying to stand up." George whispers.
Watching, the boys see the foal pushing with it's front legs and falling back into the hay several times. Daisy comes over and licks her baby encouraging him to keep trying. After several tries, the foal is able to push up with it's front legs and stand halfway up before falling.
"Oh Joseph! Why can't we go in and help him? We could push him up from the back and help him stand up." George asks nearly whining.
"George, stop whining about going into the stall. It is not going to happen! We are not to touch the baby! Just be quiet and watch or go inside the house!" Joseph answers crossly, his patience about run out for one night.
Sitting side by side on the narrow bed in the jail cell, Rob and Alex wait uncomfortably for someone to come let them out.
"Rob, does your Pa believe in using a whipping to punish you?" Alex finally gets up enough courage to ask.
"Oh Yes! In the two and a half years I've known him, I've gotten it with a belt or leather strap a few times, a switch, and the razor strop twice! One time I nearly got a whipping with a set of reins!"
"Horse reins? Why would he use them?" Alex asks, snickering a little.
"We were in the pasture working with wild horses. He was angry at me because I got too rough with a horse. The horse wouldn't let me put a bit in it's mouth and nipped me. I slapped it hard on the rump with a set of reins. Pa took them off of me and told me if he ever saw me hit an animal again, he would do the same to me. I really thought he was going to whip me with them right there!"
"I think that would really sting! My Da still whips me sometimes too. I think sixteen is too old for spankings but he doesn't agree. I haven't had a whipping in a long time but I have this feeling I'm going to get one for this." Alex replies with a sigh.
"But we really didn't do anything that wrong tonight. Why would he whip you for it?"
"Why do you think? We were IN A SALOON! It won't matter why. I am forbidden to go near a saloon and to touch whiskey. We did both tonight."
"We didn't drink! You know that, Alex. Yes, we went in but we weren't there to drink. Won't that make a difference?"
"Well Rob, will it make a difference to Sheriff Cord? You were in a saloon and are now in jail. What do you think he'll say about that?" Alex asks somewhat angrily.
"We are about to find out. I hear someone coming and I would guess it's our Pa's. Stay strong and agree with me when I do the explaining. Don't volunteer anything. Hear?" Rob whispers.
"I hear."
Just one look at Ethan's face tells Rob he is not at all happy to be springing his eldest son from jail again. Mr. Hale has about the same look on his face which makes Alex squirm on the cot beside him.
"All right boys, we are letting you out. We will discuss all of this privately in our own homes later, but first I have one question: What were you thinking going into a saloon?" Ethan asks his eyes boring into Rob's.
"We were only there to get some ice for Reverend Davis." Rob answers quietly.
"I know why you were there, Robert! What I asked is what were you thinking?"
"I guess I wasn't, Pa. We didn't mean anything by it. Honest." Rob answers mentally scolding himself for sounding like an eight year old.
"Let's go, Rob. We are borrowing the Hale's buggy to get Claire and Emily home. Thank you Pat and I am sorry for all of the trouble Rob caused Alex. It won't happen again, you can believe me on that."
"Mr. Cord, I don't believe all of the blame needs to go to Rob. I'm pretty confident that Alex can think for himself and knows what he did was wrong. You are welcome to use the buggy. We won't be needing it for quite some time as Alex is the one who uses it." Mr. Hale answers with a firm stare at his son.
After driving Emily home, Ethan turns the buggy towards the ranch. Midway there, Claire, who has been sitting staring straight ahead, turns to Rob.
"Rob, how could you? Because of you Alex is going to be punished and we won't get to see each other for a long time. This was so stupid! All you were asked to do was go to get ice! Couldn't you even do that without causing a town uproar?" she asks glaring at her brother behind her.
"CLAIRE! There is no need for you to be so rude to your brother. He didn't intentionally set out to cause you trouble. Apologize!" Ethan scolds fiercely.
"I apologize." Claire responds but Rob can tell she doesn't mean it. Apparently his Pa can also as he says "Claire Lucille! I haven't turned you over my knee in some time but if you don't repeat that and mean it this time, I'll stop and do that right here!"
"I am sixteen now, not twelve. I'm too old for that, Pa." Claire answers, sounding flippant.
"Would you like to test that theory, young lady?" Ethan all but growls.
"No Sir! I am very sorry Rob, for being rude to you. Please accept my apology."
"I accept and I'm sorry too." Rob answers quietly, knowing she will understand what he means.
Deciding this might be a good time to tell his Pa what happened, he says "I didn't mean to cause trouble in town. Reverend Davis asked Alex and me to go get bucketfuls of ice. We went to the restaurant and the man in the kitchen said he wouldn't give us more than the two bucketfuls we had then. Reverend Davis wanted four so I thought of the saloon. I was only going to wait out back but no one would come to the back door so we decided to go inside. We only went in to get some ice chips. That's all we did."
"We will discuss this at home, Robert. We will not discuss it in front of your sister." Ethan replies after what seems to Rob, a very long wait.
"Yes sir." Rob answers thinking If he won't even talk about it, then I'm as good as dead. Might as well tell Claire to sew me a burial shirt.
"You know Rob, the correct way to say it is Alex and I, not Alex and me. You do know correct grammar. You need to use it." Claire tells him teasingly.
"I'm not thinking much on my grammar right now, Claire. My mind is not on how I speak."
"It should always be on how you speak, act and present yourself to the world. Isn't that right Pa?" Claire asks as they drive into the yard.
"Hmmm? Oh, yes, that is correct Claire. It should be Alex and I." Ethan answers, distracted by the light coming from under the barn doors.
"You two stay right here in the buggy while I check to see who is in the barn." Ethan tells his older children as he steps down from the seat.
Walking quietly, he reaches the doors and stops to listen. Hearing his younger son's voices, he motions for Rob and Claire to join him. When they reach him, he pulls the doors open.
"Just what are you doing in the barn at this hour? It's nearly nine thirty at night! You should be in bed by now, not out in the barn, especially when I told you boys to stay in the house!" Ethan says sternly causing all three younger boys to jump at the sound of his voice.
"Oh Papa! We watched a baby being born! Joseph called us to come watch it!" George answers so excited his words are running together.
"Joseph did what?"
"Daisy had her foal tonight, Pa. We were able to watch it being born. It's something we've never seen before." Joseph says quietly.
"Yes, she had her baby and it was covered in a bloody sack and she nearly had it in a pile of horse shit." George pipes up again.
"GEORGE, that's an unacceptable word!" Claire scolds as Ethan says "Young man, you better not let me hear you use the word 'shit' again! Where did you hear that word?"
"That's what Aaron calls horse poop. If he can say it why can't I?" George complains crossing his arms.
"You can say it only you have to be ready to accept the consequences when you do. The consequences for swearing, and that is a swear word to me, is a whipping. Are you ready to take the consequences young man?" Ethan asks his belligerent youngest.
"No sir."
"Then you will not be using swear words. That goes for all five of you, not just George." Ethan replies looking at each child.
"Yes Sir." They all respond.
"Now let's look at this foal. Well now Daisy, you did a fine job. That's a pretty baby you have there." Ethan says softly as he strokes the mare's nose.
"Pa? Can I come in and pet the foal?" Ben asks.
"No son, the foal is too young to be touched. We need to wait a week or more before we touch him." Ethan answers.
"Hmmph! That's what Joseph said too. I want to pet him. I know he'd like it."
"Stay out of the stall, Ben. That's an order! We need to give Daisy time to get used to being a Mama."
"Papa, Joseph says the baby is a boy. Is that true?" George asks.
"Yes, Joseph's right. This is a colt, a boy horse."
"Joseph says to ask you how to tell when it's a boy and when it's a girl. He wouldn't tell me how to figure it out." George complains huffily with a yawn.
"We will talk about that another time, George. Right now, it's time for baths and bed. You go on in with Claire, Joseph and Ben now. I want to talk to Rob alone."
Nodding, George follows his sister and brothers. Stopping at the barn door, he calls back to the foal "Happy Birthday lucky one. You have a nice Mama."
Rob can't help but chuckle at that as Ethan says "Go on inside, George. We'll be there in just a few minutes."
"Tomorrow, you and I will have a long discussion on what went on in town. I do not want to get into that tonight. Tomorrow, we will also need to knock out a few walls in the stalls to make one large stall. I plan to keep Daisy and the colt inside the barn for at least a week. You and Joseph will take turns caring for her as well as myself. The younger boys may watch but not get close. I will tell Joseph this also."
"Yes sir. Pa? I know you are angry with me. I'm sorry. As I said, I didn't mean to cause trouble. I was only trying to help Reverend Davis." Rob answers almost pleading for some sign of forgiveness.
"We will discuss this in the morning. I am too tired to get into it tonight. This has been a rough week even without what went on tonight. You go on in to bed."
"Yes sir." Rob answers turning to leave the barn.
