LM Montgomery owns Anne of Green Gables. Margaret Mitchell owns some other characters. I own the characters you don't recognize from any stories you have read. And legal disclaimers are for the birds. Tweet Tweet.
Jomishie sat on the chair in Marybeth's bedroom, clutching the seat for dear life as Marybeth brushed the tangles out of the little girl's hair. This was Jomishie's least favorite part of the day because not only did the brushing hurt, but Henry took an unseemly enjoyment in the whole affair and would mimic Jomishie until she got mad and Marybeth would be forced to send him from the room.
Today, however, Jomishie had other things on her mind. Not only was this the day of the Glen Carnival, but also she and Anna had persuaded Marybeth to let them wear their hair down. Usually Marybeth dressed their hair in braids and saved flowing hair for church days, but the girls had begged and Marybeth gave in.
Anna's hair was already done, the front hair pulled back from her face and held with a ribbon. She sat on Marybeth's bed and chattered happily about the Carnival. A troupe of performers was going to be there, and rides, and contests. The whole town would be there and it was going to be an exciting day.
Marybeth had given her older boys enough money for tickets and games and they were gone already. The Carnival wouldn't be open for another hour or so, but they wanted to be there in time to watch the roustabouts set up.
Lanie insisted on going to the Carnival despite being close to her due date, so they had decided that they would all ride to the Carnival, and Marybeth and the younger children would walk back. Dilcey and Marybeth both knew Lanie would tire quickly and be grateful for the opportunity to escape. The children, on the other hand, would want to stay as long as they could.
When they arrived at the main gate and paid for their tickets, the children proceeded to drag Marybeth down the midway, away from Lanie, Bert and Dilcey. She gave them a little wave as she went with the young ones.
"Mama! A merry-go-round!" Anna cried. The four of them, Anna, Marybeth, Jomishie and Henry stood and watched the horses whirling around. A moment later they were in line. When the ride stopped and the previous riders got off, they chose horses and climbed on. Marybeth was a little nervous--she had never ridden one of these before. She had only ridden real horses before, and she wasn't always successful at that. The children looked eager, however, and Marybeth clutched the pole in one hand and the reins in the other and tried to look as dignified as possible, perched sidesaddle.
When the ride started, she realized how silly it was for her to feel nervous. She was safe enough, and the ride was fun. Ahead of her, she could hear Jomishie squealing, and see her hair and ribbons flying behind her. Her hair would be an awful tangled mess before the day was out, but they could worry about that tomorrow.
Too soon for the children, the ride was over, and they had to dismount. They stood outside the little fence that surrounded the carousel and Marybeth tried to peer into one of the mirrors as she readjusted her wide-brimmed hat. More people were arriving every minute, and it was getting crowded.
Watching the carousel move had fascinated Henry. He asked his mother, "How does it work?"
Marybeth didn't know. As she shrugged and shook her head, she heard a familiar voice behind her say, "Steam."
Marybeth whirled around. "Mr. Douglas, how are you?"
He nodded to her before he resumed his explanation, "They use a steam engine to make it run. Most carousels are powered like that. Of course, this carousel is smaller so it can be moved from place to place."
Henry was happy to hear the explanation, but he was ready to move on to the next attraction.
"Mama, games!"
Marybeth wanted to ask her neighbor how his arm was. "Which way are you headed, Mr. Douglas?"
"The livestock exhibition."
"We're going the opposite way, it seems. Perhaps I'll run into you later."
"Perhaps." He grinned at her as she was dragged down the midway through the jostling crowds.
The children found plenty of games to play--ring toss, ball toss, target practice. Anna enjoyed the game where she could shoot water into a clown's mouth and even won a prize--an ugly little rubber doll.
Marybeth saw Mr. Meredith one time, outside the House of Freaks, talking to an older woman and her young daughter. More precisely, the older woman was holding forth and Mr. Meredith was listening. He didn't see Marybeth before she was dragged away to buy some cotton candy.
After cleaning the sticky children with her handkerchief dipped in a cup of water, they met the Blythes at the crafts tent. Anne and Marybeth admired the quilts and preserves, but Gilbert offered to take all the children back to the rides.
After they had seen everything there was to see in the crafts exhibit, the two women went for some lemonade.
"Here, take this," Marybeth said, pushing her parasol at Anne. "You're sure to get burned with only that little hat."
Anne accepted the parasol gratefully. "This is the first time there's ever been a carnival in Glen St. Mary's. It's quite a do, isn't it?"
"I think everybody in the town turned out, and probably some people from other towns. I think I've seen everybody I know today. There was Miss Cornelia here at the crafts, some Drews I know, some MacAllisters, Mr. Meredith was talking to somebody outside the House of Freaks."
Anne shuddered. "Jem wanted to see inside it. I wouldn't let him. It's too much like exploiting them, to go in and look. I wish it could be outlawed. Gilbert says it's unfortunate, but he says that a lot of them would be plunged into poverty if they weren't allowed to do this kind of work. Most employers don't want to hire somebody with an obvious deformity, but here they can make their own money. Not that Gilbert approves, however."
"No, I understand what he means--like the lesser of two evils. I just remember how grateful I felt when my children were born healthy. It seems indecent to stare."
"Are you still planning to be here tonight for the music? I hear some of the bands are quite talented," Anne said.
"I sure am, if I can still ride home with you afterward--so many strange people in town right now."
Anne nodded.
"My older boys are supposed to meet me at the main gate at 3:00. I want to make sure they haven't gotten themselves in any trouble." Marybeth got up to leave. "Keep the parasol--I'll get it tonight. Besides, it's less for me to carry."
Later that evening, after she had seen her children safely to bed, Marybeth changed her clothes and redressed her hair and returned to the Carnival to hear the musicians. She could hear the music even before she reached the tent, and she sat down on a bench to fan herself and enjoy a moment's peace before she looked for the Blythes. There were strings of Japanese lanterns hung between poles outside and the moon was full, so it was easy to see even though it was fully nightfall. She watched the couples strolling back and forth and sighed. She had always been able to tolerate being alone during the day, but night was when she missed being married. However, the band was playing lively, popular tunes, and it was impossible to feel too sad or lonely for very long.
The tent was little more than a very large canopy spread over a framework that left the sides open. People could come and go from all sides, and the air could circulate if they were lucky enough to get a breeze. The band played on one end; there was an open area where a few people were dancing, a refreshment stand off on one side, and plenty of chairs and tables for people to sit.
Marybeth saw the Blythes right away, sitting with the Marshall Elliots. She picked her way through the tent greeting the people she knew as she went. Halfway to the Blythe's table she spotted Mr. Meredith. Just like this afternoon, he was talking to an older woman, a different one this time. Actually, there were two older women, with their pretty, demure daughters in tow. Marybeth glanced over to him as she walked, but he didn't seem to see her. She greeted the Blythes and the Elliots and exchanged some pleasantries with them before she glanced over at Mr. Meredith again. This time he was looking at her. She smiled and nodded at him and he nodded back to her before turning his attention back to the older woman.
"What are you looking at?" Miss Cornelia had sidled up to Marybeth.
"Mr. Meredith," replied Marybeth simply as she snapped open her fan, refusing to take the bait. It really was quite warm in the tent.
"He's quite besieged, isn't he?" Miss Cornelia said, as Marybeth fanned herself.
"Yes, indeed."
"It's been like that the whole time we've been here. Quite a few mothers in this town would love to arrange a match like that for their daughters," Miss Cornelia had lowered her voice conspiratorially. "He would be quite a catch. For the right woman, that is. A woman who could support him in his work."
Marybeth turned to look at Miss Cornelia. "Indubitably," she said, with her most innocent face.
"Naturally, he won't be dancing tonight, as much as some girls might wish for it, him being a minister and all."
Marybeth hid her surprise at this announcement. "Nope, it just wouldn't be fitting," she agreed, but she turned that little tidbit over in her mind.
"Would you care to dance, Mrs. Hamilton?" Marybeth turned to see Mr. Douglas at her side, with his hand extended to herself and giving an impudent grin to Miss Cornelia.
"I would be honored, Mr. Douglas," Marybeth replied, taking his hand. She gave a wink to Miss Cornelia over her shoulder as she was led to the dance floor. Marybeth was perversely satisfied to see the look of stunned shock on Miss Cornelia's face as she watched them begin the dance.
"Cornelia giving you a hard time?"
"Miss Cornelia happens to be a close personal friend of mine," Marybeth insisted.
"Be that as it may, I've known the old girl a long time, and I know how she gets that look when she's trying to dig up gossip."
"Anyway," Marybeth wanted to change the subject. "How's your arm?"
"Well enough to do this." In a sudden movement that made her gasp, he tightened his hold on her and spun her in two steps.
"Sorry I asked," Marybeth said when she had caught her breath.
"Are you really? I'd hate to think you were sorry..."
"Behave yourself," she laughed.
"What are you talking about? All I'm doing is dancing with my nice, friendly, new neighbor."
"Yes, I suppose you are pretty lucky, at that,"
"And you tell me to behave," he laughed back at her as he whirled her again.
After the set was over, he took her back to her table before heading towards his own friends. The tent was quite crowded now, with dancers and onlookers, and it was quite impossible to see across to the other side. Marybeth felt exhilarated. She loved to dance and it had been a long time since she had had anything other than courtesy dances. Mr. Douglas didn't ask her again that night, although she did see him on the dance floor once or twice before losing sight of him altogether in the crowd. But, she had several partners of her own, and was thoroughly enjoying herself as the evening wore on.
Despite the late hour, the air in the tent was becoming quite oppressive from the crush of people, but Anne and Gilbert were still enjoying themselves and hadn't made any movement to leave. Marybeth excused herself and went out of the tent in the hopes of finding some fresh, cool air.
She rambled in the direction of the cluster of trees, where picnic tables had been set up, fanning herself, and avoiding the couples that milled around looking for a private place to talk. She found a quiet place to sit for a few minutes and stare at nothing in particular.
She was headed back to the tent when she saw Mr. Meredith leaning against one of the trees on the far side of the grove, looking up at the moon. Apparently, he was enjoying his solitude, too. Hoping she wasn't being too intrusive, Marybeth headed slowly towards him, making noise as she went so she wouldn't startle him.
"Boys and girls, come out to play, the moon does shine as bright as day," she crooned, reminded of a song she had learned once.
Mr. Meredith turned around and smiled at her, "Leave your supper and leave your sleep and meet your playfellows in the street," he spoke in response. "That's how the next line goes, isn't it? I remember that song from when I was a little boy. I had an aunt who sang it to me. But how is it that you're out here?"
"I'm afraid the tent is just too hot. All the people milling around and the dancing--I mean if dancing is something you like to do-- not everybody likes to --or approves--or--" she stammered, remembering what Miss Cornelia said and not wanting to offend him.
Mr. Meredith smiled gently at her discomfiture. "It's all right, Mrs. Hamilton. Dancing is not considered seemly for ministers of my denomination." He lowered his voice a little. "I think, a little like your people would not consider eating meat on Friday."
Marybeth looked at him squarely. "You're right, Mr. Meredith. I wouldn't."
It had come, as a bit of a shock to Mr. Meredith to learn that Marybeth was Catholic. He simply hadn't noticed that she didn't attend his church until he saw her at Zachariah Drew's funeral. But when he saw her sitting in the back, following along in the prayer book, he realized that she hadn't been there all along.
Then later, he'd had to meet with the canvassing committee about their progress in their latest project. Mrs. Blythe had reported on her area and mentioned off-handedly that the Hamiltons belonged to Stella Maris.
Our Lady Stella Maris was the Catholic church at Lowbridge. Mr. Meredith didn't know much about either its pastor or congregation other than that they were largely French speaking. Not that it mattered when they prayed in Latin.
Mr. Meredith had been surprised at the sense of let-down he felt when he learned the news. A lady close to his age, with a scholarly bent and an interest in spiritual matters was hard to find. Yet at the same time he realized--she was now safe. He could enjoy her company without any fear of gossip or any risk that she would throw herself at his head.
"You know, for some reason," Marybeth said, "our family just never had a chance to go to a carnival before. We moved three times, and the carnivals never seemed to be in the same place we were, or we were out of town, or always something."
"Cecilia and I took the two older children once when they were small. Faith screamed at the sight of the clowns. Then we moved a few times and never took them to one again. Just like you. We never were in the right place at the right time."
"So, what part did you like best today?"
"Just the fact that it was like a holiday--a break from the everyday life."
Marybeth couldn't help smiling at that abstract answer. "And here I was thinking that you'd give me an answer like 'the food' or 'the music'. Personally, I rather liked the acrobats. It was fun to watch them do all those tricks. I better get back and catch up with the Blythes. They're taking me home."
"I'll walk you back to the tent."
Marybeth fell silent as they walked, thinking about ministers not being allowed to dance. She was sure she must have heard that rule at one time, but it never had any practical meaning for her.
"Why so quiet?" He asked her.
She startled out of her reverie. "I was just thinking--how when a person decides to act against public opinion--what most people are doing--it sets them apart, marks them in a way..." She threw her hands up in frustration. "I started thinking about it because of how we were talking about you're not allowed to dance, but I don't even know what conclusion I was trying to draw." She broke off, embarrassed at being caught in the middle of some half-baked philosophic musing.
Mr. Meredith realized he had broken into her uncensored thoughts and budding ideas and didn't want to make her too uncomfortable. "Maybe," he said mildly, "it's just too late at night to try to think out such deep thoughts."
"Maybe," she agreed, but she knew she would be thinking about all this for quite a while.