THAT MARY SMELL

Reckness Cardew tapped along the hallway towards the front porch of the School. Hearing some distant voices in one of the offices, he paused.

Ah, the tiresome voice of preachy Adam Kendall.

"I wish you came more often to see the kids. We are so proud of your Clementine. She won the spelling bee. Clemmie wanted to let you know this. Are you sure you don't want to see them while you are here?"

A gruff tone."No, for God's sake don't tell 'em I'm here. Don't be offended, son, but blind children have always given me the willies. That's probably why the Devil put this curse on me and my poor wife."

"Well, they always ask about their folks, especially their Pa. Little John Foster idolizes his Pa."

"Don't tell John Foster this, but if I can finally have a healthy, seein' son, I want to give that boy my name. We can call J.F. William or something."

Adam's tone was surprised. "Mr. Clairdyce, are you having another child?"

"That's right, I've not been here in a bit. We have a boy, he is about a year and a half old. Can't see anything as far as we know. He has to listen for a ball if I throw it to him. I'm afraid if there's no improvement, I'll

have to bring him here soon."

Reckness laughed to himself. These idiots have no concept of genetic theory. There are already five Clairdyce children clogging up the school. Good thing old Clairdyce can afford to pay

the bill.

"I have one other boy, Josiah. I've not brought him here as he can get around a little. His eyes are terrible, though. I may have to teach him to shine shoes."

"Yes. I'm surprised you've not dropped him off here like the rest." Adam's tone was dry.

"I get the hint, boy. You've counseled us not to have any more children. But I want one, fully seeing. I can't leave my tanyard to Josiah. My brother says possibly he can shine shoes in our dad's barbershop, as I said."

A sigh from Adam. Reckness bit his lip to keep from laughing as he paused in the hall. This old idiot would probably have thirty blinks before he died. What a waste!

"As I said, little Walden can't talk yet. I brought him to the city to see a doc, but the damned medico says there' s no sight in his eyes. He's out in my wagon. I tied him

down."

"So you actually came here to give us your eighteen month old child?"

"Yep. A little young, but I can give you some money."

A sigh. "I am sure we can take him, although we've never had a baby before. Mr. Clairdyce, I am almost sure you will never have a child who can see."

"Don't disrespect me, Kendall. I'm from a long line of Clairdyces with good eyes."

"But it might be Mrs. Clairdyce's genes-"

Reckness shook his head, grinning.

"Kendall, there's a young rapscallion standin' just outside the open door laughin' at us."

Oh drat.

"Who is out there?"

"I'm just going out on the porch, Mr. Kendall. I stopped to tie my shoe."

"He was standin there for-"

"Reckness, it's very rude to eavesdrop. Move on, please."

"Reckness? Maeve wrote us a letter-dictated it to the cook here, I suppose-and said she had a boyfriend called Reckness."

Adam sighed again.

Reckness chuckled to himself and tapped out to the porch.

This was the time that the industrial courses were held-mattress and broom making, and ugh, carpet weaving. Reckness, of course disdained

that sort of nonsense.

As he stepped outside, he smelled her hair. Mary's hair had been described to Reckness as blonde and beautiful, and although Reckness had no

concept of blonde, he could imagine it was goddess like.

"Who is there?"

"It's Reckness, Mary. Am I bothering you?"

"No, of course not. I'm reading Sense and Sensibility."

"What?" Reckness generally purchased penny dreadfuls and paid the school

porter, who enjoyed them also, to read them to him.

"I loved Jane Austen when I could see, and I am so happy there are Braille editions.

No chance that "Slimy Garrison, Chicago Road Agent." would make the Braille library any time soon.

"I love Jane Austen too." Reckness's mother read them, he thought.

Reckness walked towards Mary's voice.

"Sit on the swing with me, Reck."

Reckness felt his way along the porch rail until he heard the raspy whine of the swing.

"There you are. Yes, sit down."

"I hope I'm not bothering you."

"No. Of course not. You're one of my best friends here at the School. You make me laugh."

"I feel closer than a friend, Mary. I enjoy the kissing we've done."

A musical laugh. "Yes, but you're the biggest Romeo in this school. Adam has warned me about you several times."

"I'm not a Romeo, Mary. I've never really spent that much time with girls. Some of the girls here at the school who I've tried to

befriend, as a Christian, have had odd ideas about me."

You really do try to help people. Sometimes, though you get your information wrong."

"What?"

"I went walking with Luther Davies, and you told me I should avoid him because he lost his eyesight due to syphilis."

"I was concerned about you."

"Luther is a preacher's son. He was born blind. What on earth made you think-"

Reckness kissed Mary. Too much debate and talk could really ruin a nice experience.