New Beginnings
ch. 17
Mischief and Misunderstandings
"Alright Aaron, let's have that talk." Ethan says leading the child to a hay bale. Expecting the boy to sit beside him, he is shocked when Aaron begins sobbing and begging.
"Please sir. I am very sorry for what I did. I'm so sorry. I won't ever do it again. Please sir. Please!" Aaron manages to say before breaking down completely.
Trying to comfort the sobbing child, Ethan reaches for him only to have the boy step backwards. "Please don't sir. I'm so sorry. Please sir!"
Standing and taking the boy's arm, Ethan sees Rob come running into the barn.
"Pa, NO! Don't do it. Please don't. He's been so mistreated by his own Pa. It was an accident!" Rob gets out between gasps for breath.
"Rob! This is none of your business. You are to leave us be. I don't know what you think is going on here but I am attempting to talk with Aaron privately. You are overstepping your bounds here son. Go inside and wait there."
When Rob continues to stand and wait, Ethan sternly warns "Robert! You'd best do as I say!"
As Rob leaves, Ethan pulls Aaron to the bale and sits down still holding his arm.
"Alrigh Aaron, let's talk. I want you to stay right here beside me and listen before you speak. I'm not going to let you up so you may as well settle down." At the boy's nod, he says "You seem extremely upset son. Can you tell me what it is that you are so upset about?"
Aaron looks up at him with a surprised look. "I ... I...I' m scared you'll whip me sir! I don't want a whipping!" he says starting to cry again.
"I understand, you are scared. What is it you think you have done to receive a whipping?"
"I'm not sure Sir. But you were so mad out by the corral, I must have done something really wrong. You brought me inside to whip me! I'm so sorry for whatever I did. Please sir, don't whip me!" Aaron says brushing the tears off his face. His eyes scanning the posts for a buggy whip or razor strop. Not seeing any he relaxes a little.
"Son, I'm afraid we have a misunderstanding. You didn't know what it is you did and I was harsh with you thinking you knew. I owe you an apology. Aaron, in this family, you must obey the rules we set down. You were told not to go around the wild horses or the stallions. You deliberately disobeyed me. You also put yourself in danger. That horse is dangerous and that is why I told you NOT to get around him. Do you remember me telling you this?"
"Yes sir. Do you want me over the hay bale for a whipping? Maybe I'm just to stand by a post?" Aaron asks tears dripping off his chin.
"I am not going to whip you so relax. Will you tell me why you disobeyed? Why did you take the stallion to the corral?"
"I thought I was helping Rob with his work. Ben told me to move the horse to the outside corral. He said Rob wanted him moved and to take him out the back door. I'm really sorry for causing problems. I won't do it again sir."
"Ben told you to move that horse for Rob?"
"Yes Sir. I asked him if I was allowed because I know you said not to go around the stallions. He said you only meant the wild ones."
"Aaron, the only two people on this ranch that have anything to do with ANY of the stallions are myself and Rob. No one is to get near the stallions except for the two of us. Ben knows this very well and now you do also. Remember what I tell you and let's not have a repeat of this behavior. I will not allow you to put yourself in danger! Do you understand, son?"
"Yes Sir." Aaron says wiping at the tears running down his face.
"Aaron, I want you to go to the pump by the barn door and wash your face. Then go inside and tell Rob or Claire to get you some cookies and lemonade. I'll be inside in a few minutes. I have something I need to take care of out here first."
"Yes Sir and I apologize for causing you trouble. I won't go near the horses ever again, sir. Please sir, don't tell my Pa I acted out. He would thrash me!"
"I know you won't and don't worry, whatever happens while you are visiting with us is not going to be reported to your Pa. If I feel you need punishment, I will handle that myself. Now, go inside and wait for me. We'll have lunch when I get inside."
After making sure Aaron was inside the house, Ethan turns to the empty barn and announces "Benjamin Ethan Cord, FRONT AND CENTER! IMMEDIATELY!"
He hears a gasp, some scuffling sounds and then sees Ben coming to stand in front of him. The boy has hay all over his shirt and pants.
"Yes Pa? You wanted me?" He asks wondering how it is Pa knew he was even in the barn.
"You set Aaron up didn't you? You fixed it so he would misbehave in plain sight of the pasture! You deliberately tried to get him into trouble, young man! By telling him he was helping Rob, you lied and you also put him in danger! You know very well what the rules are in dealing with the stallions! Not only that, but you hid and eavesdropped on the entire conversation between Aaron and myself. Were you hoping to see him get whipped Ben?" Your little prank didn't work out too well did it? Someone IS going to get a whipping today but it ISN'T Aaron. Bare your bottom and lay over the bale, Benjamin! This kind of behavior is not going to be tolerated!"
Biting his lip to try to keep the tears away, Ben unfastens his pants and settles himself over the hay bale. This wasn't the way his plan was to end. He wasn't to be the one with a belt to his bottom. The tears are already running by the time the first of six licks goes across his bare bottom.
Fastening his belt back, Ethan says "Stand up and fasten your pants. Now tell me why. Why did you treat a guest to the ranch so rudely? This isn't at all like you, Ben. You are usually kind and entertaining to young visitors. I'm really disappointed in your treatment of a guest. You know better than to behave this way!"
"I I I wwanttted him to go aaaawaayy! Robbb is my brother not his! I donn'tt want Robbb to like Aarrrron more than meeee!" Ben sobs with his hands over his face. Hearing the disappointment in his Pa's voice hurts his stomach. Having his Pa tell him he's disappointed hurts ten times more than a spanking with his Pa's belt.
"Oh Ben! Come here." Ethan sighs sitting down and pulling the sobbing boy up into his arms. "Listen son. Rob loves you and he loved you even before he moved in with us. Remember how he treated you so special the time he stayed for two months? He adopted us as his family long before he ever came to live with us. He likes to help people and is trying to help Aaron with his own Pa. Just because he spends time with Aaron and talks about him often doesn't mean he likes him more than you. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"I think so. I'll apologize to Aaron. I'm sorry for how I acted today. I do know better. Am I housebound to my room for the rest of today?"
"No, you have received all of your punishment for this. Just make sure to treat our guests politely from now on. I won't accept anything but your best behavior."
"Yes Sir. I hear you."
Good, let's go get lunch. After lunch, we will finish working in the pasture. Then we all are going to the swimming hole for a cooling off time. It's a warm day today. We'll see if Aaron and Alyssa like to swim. Will you help them by showing them how far they can go out?"
"Yes Pa. I'll tell them the bush and the tree are the boundaries. Pa? What happens if the bush or tree isn't there sometime? Maybe it got blown down or something."
"We'd just find something else to use to mark the boundaries, Ben. Why do you ask? Have you snuck over there and pulled up the tree, Ben? " Ethan teases knowing how the boy dislikes the boundaries.
"No Pa. I couldn't have pulled it up even if I tried. It's a big tree!"
Coming into the house, Ben sees Aaron setting the table with George pouring the milk in the glasses.
Walking up to the table, Ben says "Aaron? I'm sorry for trying to get you in trouble. I set it up so you would be seen. I won't be mean like that anymore. Will you forgive me?"
Looking up from placing the forks, Aaron can see the boy's face shows he's been crying. Guessing that he got a whipping, Aaron says "Sure Ben I forgive you."
When George puts the glasses of milk by everyone's plate but one, Ben explains to Aaron "Pa says we all have to drink milk for breakfast and lunch but we can have water or lemonade for supper. Do you like milk?"
"We don't get milk very often. Only occasionally if Pa trades something for some. We don't have a cow. I'm used to drinking water so milk is going to be really nice to have."
Listening to their conversation George asks in a shocked voice "Don't you have a cow? Doesn't your Pa know growing boys and girls need milk? He asks, repeating what Claire tells him when he complains about having milk. "Everyone has cows or buys milk from someone else if they don't!"
"George. That's none of your business. Bring the butter and biscuits to the table, please." Ethan says somewhat sternly, having come inside.
When George puts the bowl of biscuits on the table, Aaron asks "Are we having breakfast for lunch? Biscuits go with breakfast."
"No silly! Biscuits go with fried chicken too. We're having chicken and biscuits not breakfast. Don't be such a silly!" George answers.
"George, come with me. We need to have a short talk." Ethan says taking George by the hand and leading him into his bedroom.
"Alright George, sit down on my bed and let's talk. I want you to listen. Aaron and Alyssa don't come from a family like ours. They don't do the same things at their house that we do here. You heard him say they only had water to drink. I don't want to hear you making fun of them for not having or knowing something. You treat them as guests and be on your best behavior. You know better than to call people names son. That isn't polite. You are to be polite and respectful to everyone. Do you understand what I am saying to you?"
"Yes Papa." George says hanging his head so Ethan won't see the tears about to spill over. His Papa scolding him hurts his feelings.
"Do you know what will happen if you do not mind what I have just told you?"
"Yes Papa, you'll punish me. You punished Ben for being bad didn't you? I felt hot on my bottom so you must have spanked him for something. What did he do?"
"George!" Ethan says sternly. "You know better than to be nosey." Ethan scolds him while wondering again just how that connection between the two youngest works. They are capable of talking to each other in their thoughts and often know if the other is hurt or sad without even being nearby.
"Let's get some lunch. I'm hungry and I think I'll eat the drumsticks first." Ethan says reaching for the child's hand.
"But…... Okay Papa. You can have the drumsticks. I'll eat something else." George says sighing a little at giving up his favorite chicken pieces.
"I'm teasing George. I don't like drumsticks. Those are all yours."
After everyone is seated, Claire asks George to pass his plate to her. "I'll put on the potatoes and gravy and your chicken pieces too. Today, we'll fix the plates and pass them around."
As she reaches for the chicken platter, George speaks up "WAIT Claire! I don't want chicken yet."
"George, you must have meat. Now what pieces do you want?"
"I DON"T want any, I just said I didn't want chicken yet!"
George! You had better explain better than that why you are being rude to your sister! Now explain yourself and do it politely." Ethan says sternly.
Swallowing nervously at the look his Pa is giving him, George says "I want to wait until Aaron and Alyssa get their pieces before I pick mine. I'll be after them."
"Well, that's very nice of you George. I'm proud of you for putting your guests first. Aaron and Alyssa have already chosen. While you were in the bedroom, I asked them to choose. If you look at their plates, you'll see they already have chicken and all the rest of the meal too. Now, please tell me what pieces you want." Claire tells him.
"I'd like a drumstick and thigh please. I didn't mean to sound rude Claire. I'm sorry Papa."
"You are forgiven George. Thank you for thinking of the guests before yourself." Ethan answers smiling at the boy.
"Aaron, Alyssa everybody! Pa's taking us to the swimming hole today! We get to go after we finish lunch and the cleanup chores. Do you like swimming Aaron?" Ben asks after everyone has been served.
"I've never been swimming before. I don't know how to swim. Maybe I'd better stay here with Alyssa and Claire." Aaron answers sadly.
"The girls are going to visit Emily Anderson. No one is staying here. Don't worry about not knowing how to swim son, the water isn't past your chest in the section we play in." Ethan reassures the boy.
"Some of the swimming area is past our heads but Pa won't allow us to go into that part. We have boundaries on each side and we can't pass them into the deep water." Ben explains to the twins.
"What happens to you if you go past the boundaries? Do you drown?" Aaron asks turning pale.
"The water gets deeper gradually son. It doesn't go from chest deep to over your head all at once. That is why I set the boundaries for as far out as it is safe to go. If the boys pass the boundaries they are punished." Ethan explains.
Not asking seems the best way to go on that discussion, Aaron begins to eat the piece of pie sitting in front of him. "Apple Pie! Where did you learn to make apple pie taste so good? It's my favorite!" he says looking at Claire.
"I heard it was and I didn't make this pie. Alyssa did."
"Lyss? You made this pie?" Aaron says with a big bite of it in his mouth. "It is so good!" Aaron says enthusiastically talking around another large bite.
"Mind your manners Aaron. You don't speak until you have swallowed what's in your mouth." Ethan scolds quietly. "You boys do so also. It's impolite to laugh at someone being scolded." He says to Ben and George who are giggling at how Aaron sounds when talking around the pie in his mouth.
Quieting immediately, the boys answer "Yes sir."
Aaron, having swallowed and sending brief looks at the man, relaxes when he realizes he isn't about to be whipped says "Yes sir. I apologize for my bad manners, sir."
That afternoon the boys were all enjoying the cool pond water. Ethan pointed out the bush with the neckerchief tied to it and on the opposite side, the tree with low hanging branches as the two boundaries.
"Boys, those are your boundaries for the swimming hole. If you go past the boundaries this is what will happen: First time - I'll remind you of the boundaries. Second time - You come out of the water for a short amount of time to think how to obey. If there is a third time of going past the boundaries, you and I will have a painful discussion in the woods on following the rules! You will also be restricted from the water for the rest of our stay. Now, there's one more thing, If I call you to come out of the water you are to come immediately. I will only call you because of danger. Does everyone understand the rules?" Ethan asks looking directly at Aaron.
"Yes Sir." Aaron answers as the others say "Yes Pa."
"Good to know, now go enjoy your swimming and be careful to watch for snakes or snapping turtles."
As the boys head toward the water Ethan hears Aaron ask "Do you see many snakes here?"
"No Aaron. We've been here often and there's only been one time that we saw a snake here." Ben answers his worried friend.
"Have you ever had to come out of the water for time to think on how to obey, Ben?" Aaron asks as they walk further into the water.
"Yes a few times. Once I even pushed him by going past the boundaries a third time. He took me into the woods and spanked me on my bare bottom with a stick. I have not gone past the boundaries at all since that time. I'd advise you not to either. It's not worth getting a sore backside to go to the deeper water!"
"That's fine. I like the water here. I don't need it to be deeper." Aaron answers as he lowers himself down to squat in the water. "Can you swim any, Ben?"
"Rob is teaching me and George. I bet he'll teach you too. Let's ask!"
"Rob! Come over here please." Ben calls to his oldest brother.
"What's going on Mischief?" Rob asks using his pet name for Ben.
"We want to practice swimming. Will you help us float and dogpaddle? Aaron wants to learn too.
"Yeah, just let me get Joseph to help too. Hey Joseph? Com'ere! The boys want help to practicing the back float. Come show them."
"Rob! Come on. We were going to go fishing on the other side. We can't teach the boys and go fishing at the same time. Can't we fish and then teach them?" Joseph complains.
"No, because I already said we would work with them. You show them how to float on their backs. I'll help get them in position." Rob answers frowning. "I said you would help and you will if you know what's good for you."
"Okay guys, once you are laying on your back, you have to put your head back almost like you are washing your ears in the water. Watch how I do it." Joseph flips over on to his back and floats easily.
"Uh, Joseph?" Aaron asks hesitantly.
"HMM?" Joseph says laying in the water.
"What if we sink?"
"Then you'll get a mouthful of water, I reckon." Joseph answers with a grin at Rob.
"Not funny Joseph. Don't scare them like that. Ben, Aaron, George I want you to lean back one at a time when I tell you. Hold your breath at first until you feel our hands under you. George you go first, then Aaron you try. Ben, Joseph will help you."
"Alright Ben, just lay back like you would on the hay. Pretend you are in the hayloft snuggling down in the fresh hay. There, that's good. Okay, now put your head back a little to look up at the clouds. Really good Ben! Keep looking at the clouds and just stay relaxed on the hay. Breathe in and out normally. Do you feel my hands under you?"
"Unh Uh, I'm feeling the hay. I'm getting sleepy in the hay Joseph." Ben says grinning at Joseph.
"That's good, Ben. It means you are very relaxed. You know something Ben?"
"No what?"
"I never did put my hands under you. You are floating all by yourself!"
Startled, Ben lifts his head which causes him to sink under the water. Joseph reaches down and pulls him back up quickly.
"You made me choke on the water. I'm telling Pa!" Ben says angrily.
"Ben, don't be a whiny baby. It's just a little water. It's not something t' be mad about!"
"I'm telling him you called me a baby too!"
Sighing at that, Joseph says "Ben, come on, get over your bratty mad spell. We're here to have fun so don't be such a tell tale. It's not going to be much fun if Pa scolds me!"
"I don't like it when you call me names and you are not to do it. Pa's told you to stop it but you don't. You called me a crybaby earlier when I was crying before lunch. Pa whipped me with his belt on my bare bottom, Joseph! I've seen you cry from a whipping before. I'm tired of being called names!" Ben announces walking towards the bank.
"What's his problem? He seems a tad mad." Rob asks coming over next to Joseph.
"He got upset when I told him he was floating without my help and went under the water. Now he's going to complain to Pa that I made him go under the water plus I called him names. I did call him a brat and a baby. Uh oh, Pa is signalling for me to come."
"Yes Sir, You wanted me Pa?" Joseph says climbing up the bank.
"Ben says you either tried to drown him or deliberately made him go under the water. He says you are being mean to him and calling him a whiny bratty baby. I would like to hear your comments on this. Is this what happened?"
"I was helping him learn to float on his back. He was doing just fine until I said I didn't have my hands under him. That's when he stopped being relaxed and went under. I pulled him up really fast but he still got water in his nose and mouth. It was an accident Pa."
"Did you apologize to Ben for startling him which caused him to go underwater or did you tease him about getting upset?"
"I didn't apologize. I'm sorry Ben for startling you and making you go under the water." Joseph tells Ben.
"What about for calling me names? Are you sorry for that too?" Ben asks.
"I'm sorry I teased you about being upset. You are not a baby." Joseph says trying not to grit his teeth in frustration, That kid just got me in trouble on purpose! Just you wait Ben! You'll get yours someday! Joseph thinks.
"Go back to Rob, Ben. Joseph, you and I are going to take a little walk for a few minutes. Come with me." Ethan says walking off towards the woods.
Following behind his Pa, Joseph is hoping all that is coming is a stern scolding.
Reaching the small clearing he'd been headed for, Ethan sits on a fallen tree and motions Joseph to sit also. "Okay son, let's talk. Why are you calling Ben names? You have been irritable with both the boys lately. That isn't like you to hurt his feelings. I thought you had outgrown that behavior."
"I'm sorry Pa. He just gets under my skin with his whining and fussy behavior. Like what happened in the water. He was doing great and then when I told him he was, he went under. He blamed me for it and started making a fuss about how I had done it to him. That's when I told him to stop being a whiny baby."
"Joseph, you are to go find a tree back at the swimming hole and sit by it for fifteen minutes. No talking and no getting up until I tell you."
"IT'S NOT FAIR. He acts like a brat and I get in trouble! What about him? Shouldn't he get punished for telling tales? He said I tried to drown him and made him go under on purpose and that's not what happened!"
"Mind your tone, young man! I could put you over my knee if you wish! You would then sit by the tree with a sore backside! I will talk with Ben also. Do you accept sitting by the tree now or do you wish to continue to argue?" Ethan asks his voice at the danger zone all the children recognize.
"I will sit beside a tree, Sir."
"Joseph, you are a good brother and I am proud of you for helping the boys learn to swim. I know it isn't what you want to be doing right now. I also understand how whining and complaining can be irritating. I'm not punishing you son. I'm trying to show you how to take time to be away from the whining and just relax when you feel irritated enough to lash out. Walk away don't lash out. Try that from now on, son."
"Yes sir, I'll try. So if you see me walk off and not finish my chores, you won't punish me?"
"Not unless you stay away and never go back to finish. You can also tell me you need to take breathing time. I'll know what that means." Ethan answers giving the boy a brief hug.
"Pa? Why doesn't Rob ever get irritated with the boys the way I do? Is there something wrong with me? I just don't have the patience he does." Joseph asks quietly.
"Rob is older for one reason. Another is he hasn't grown up surrounded by brothers so he is still new to this. I've seen him get snappish a few times. There is not one thing wrong with you Joseph! You just need time for yourself more. We'll try to work something out where you can have more alone time. It might have to wait until this mess with Matthew is finished, however."
Back at the swimming hole Aaron asks Rob anxiously "Is Joseph going to get a whipping? I didn't see him go past the boundaries or do anything bad."
"I don't think he's getting a whipping Aaron. I think Pa took him to to have a private talk. Look, there they come now. Oh, Joseph has to sit by a tree. That means he's being punished." Rob whispers not wanting Ethan to overhear.
"But what did he do, Rob? I need to know so I won't do it too." Aaron whispers back.
"Stay here in the shallow part with George and I'll see if I can find out. I may wind up sitting by a tree for interfering though!"
Climbing up the bank and walking over to the jug of lemonade under a tree, Rob takes a drink before putting it back under the leaves. The jug is covered to keep the lemonade cool. Walking over to where Ethan is sitting he asks "Pa? Aaron is worried and wants to know what Joseph did wrong. He says he doesn't want to do the same thing. Could I tell him what Joseph did so he won't worry?"
"Just tell him Joseph needs some thinking time away from everyone. He was calling Ben names and needs some cooling down time."
"Thank you Pa for letting me tell Aaron. He is afraid to do anything because he might be punished for it. His Pa was always ready to jump on him for any little mistake."
"Yes, I've seen how nervous the child is. I hope he'll stop feeling so jittery after a day with us. We just have to keep reassuring him, Rob. I can tell you are already doing that. You are a good friend for the boy."
"Thanks Pa. I like him even if he is more Joseph's age than mine. He's a smart and kind kid. He learned how to gentle the horses in two days and never once got irritated with one of them. I've never seen a young boy with that much patience! I don't always have the patience myself but I don't let the horse know." Rob tells Ethan grinning a little.
"You are a good horse trainer, son. If you weren't I never would have allowed you to continue to work with the horses. Go to your friend, he's looking worried."
"Yes Sir. Pa? I love calling you Pa. Anyway, I wondered if Aaron could show his skills to Joseph, Ben and George. He needs to show off a little to make him feel good."
"I'll think it over. Now go entertain your guest." Ethan says firmly.
"Yes Sir." Rob answers knowing not to stall anymore.
"Aaron, Joseph got in trouble for calling Ben a few not so nice names. He has to sit by the tree for what Pa calls 'thinking time'. If he says you have thinking time, you are to sit quietly until he tells you to get up. He mostly uses it for Ben and George but sometimes Joseph has to do it too."
"Have you ever had to do that, Rob?"
"No, I can keep my temper most of the time and don't mouth off the way Joseph does. Sometimes he gets his britches warmed. It depends on what he said! One time he said an ugly word to Ben and George when he was mad. That time he got a whipping instead of thinking time!"
Rob watches as George shows him his dogpaddle. "That's very good George! Now, show me how you float on your back again."
When George flips over on his back, Rob is right beside him to grab him if he starts to go under. This time, George is doing fine without help.
"Rob, was that word Joseph used that was so bad, whorelady?" Aaron asks after a few minutes of watching George.
"Aaron! My stars boy, you better watch your mouth! You're going to get spanked if Pa hears you!" Rob hisses at him. Just as George gasps and sits up causing him to go under. Grabbing George, Rob hears Aaron ask
"Why? Is whorelady a bad word?"
Before Rob can answer they hear "AARON! Come to me."
"Am I in trouble?" Aaron asks Rob, his bottom lip beginning to tremble.
"I think you could be. That word was a really bad word. Maybe I can get you out of it. I hope so. Come on, both of you, we've got to hurry or he'll be even more upset."
Climbing out of the water, Rob helps Aaron and George out too. Seeing the angry look on his Pa's face, Rob whispers to George "Go sit by Ben." Ethan had made Ben have thinking time also.
"Come Here Aaron." Ethan says sternly.
"Robert! This does not concern you. Leave us be please." Ethan says when Rob walks up with Aaron.
"But Sir, I can explain what happened."
"Make a choice Robert, obey me or we will have a private talk in the woods!" Ethan tells him eyes dark and snapping.
"I'm leaving sir. Please listen to Aaron. Aaron you must tell him why you said it." Rob says turning and walking away. Sitting down beside Joseph he watches Ethan and Aaron hoping his new friend isn't about to get punished.
"Rob. I see he's being scolded again for something. Pa sounded MAD when he called him. So, what did he do?" Joseph whispers.
"He asked me what the word (leaning over Rob whispers "whorelady" in Joseph's ear) meant. He didn't know it was a bad word." Rob says quietly.
"My GOSH! If either one of us said that, he'd scorch our backsides! Is he going to whip Aaron, you think?" Joseph whispers.
"I don't know. I hope not. Now hush so we can hear." Rob replies quietly.
"So Aaron, you wanted to know about that word did you?" Ethan asks the tearful child standing in front of him.
"I'm really sorry for saying that word sir. I know now that it's a bad word. Rob told me it was just now. My brother calls me that all the time. I just wanted to know what it meant. Please don't whip me! I'm so sorry!" Aaron says bursting into tears.
"Come here son. Come closer." Ethan says reaching out and pulling the boy to him.
"Thank you for the explanation and apology, Aaron. Now, stop crying son. Now that I understand why you used that word, I'm not going to punish you. Now listen to me. That term is a very ugly and rude name for a woman. It is something no person who is kind and loving the way you are should hear or repeat. I want you to promise me you will not ever say that word again. Do you promise Aaron?"
"I promise not to ever say it again. I didn't mean to say anything ugly. I just wanted to know what it means since Scott is always calling me that and other names too."
"No son. If Scott ever calls you that again or anyone else, I want you to tell your Uncle Eric. I'm sure he can find a way to show Scott that word is forbidden can't he?"
"Yes, he'd whip Scotty with a switch. He's done it before. It worked too. Scott was good for weeks. Pa whips him but it doesn't do any good. I' really try to be good for weeks after he whips me! I don't want another one!"
"Mr. Cord, sir?"
"It's 'Uncle Ethan' son, what did you want to say?"
"I like being here at the swimming hole. This is fun. Can we come back again?"
"If you stay with us long enough, we certainly will try. It won't be for a few days though. I need to do some work and Rob is going to be helping me. The boys are not allowed to come to the swimming hole unless Rob or I go with them. That rule goes for you also. You can go fishing tomorrow with the boys. Do you like fishing?"
"I don't get to go much. When I do I have to make sure not to catch more than Scott. He punches me if I catch more than he does. Once he punched me in the face! I lied and told Pa I tripped over a root and fell on my face. I had too, sir." Aaron defends himself after Ethan scolds "Aaron, you don't tell lies!"
"If I told Pa about Scotty he would have beaten the fire out of him! I couldn't let my brother get a thrashing, sir."
"Let's get back home boys!" Ethan calls taking Aaron by the hand. "We can get an early start on the chores and supper so it will be almost ready by the time the girls come home."
That night at supper, Claire told the boys about meeting Emily's cousin. "He is from Georgia and has such a sweet voice. We had a good time listening to him talk. He made me think of St. Louis."
"What's this Georgia boy with a sweet voice's name Claire? Did you ever find that out or were you so busy listening to his sweet voice you didn't introduce yourself."
"Pa! Stop teasing. Of course I know his name. His name is David and he's only nine. He and his Pa are visiting from Georgia for a few days."
"Alyssa? Did you enjoy your trip to town today? What did you and Claire do besides listen to David talk?" Ethan asks as Ben giggles.
"Pa! That's not funny you know." Claire fusses.
"Yes Ma'am" Ethan answers giving the boys and Alyssa a wink.
"We went to the Mercantile in town and Claire let me sell the eggs I gathered earlier. That man gave me a whole dime for the eggs. She sold the rest of the eggs and then we went to visit her friend." Alyssa answers.
Ben, George and Joseph have all stopped eating dessert and are busy staring at the girl.
"What's with you boys tonight? You all act like you have never heard of a girl selling eggs before!" Claire scolds her brothers.
"It's just that Alyssa's never talked before, Claire. I was just surprised is all." Ben answers.
"Well, it sounds as if you had a good visit with your friend, Claire. Tomorrow, the boys are going fishing. Would you or Alyssa like to go along? They won't go until after lunch." Ethan tells her.
"We'll talk it over and tell you tomorrow. Right now we are going to start cleaning up." Claire answers getting up from the table.
"No Claire. Tonight I want Ben and Joseph to clear and wash the dishes. Everyone else is free to do as they want until bedtime." Ethan announces.
"Papa, can Aaron and I go play in the barn? It's not dark yet." At the nod from his Papa. George says "Come on Aaron, let's go play!"
"George! Aaron! Stop, come over here to me." Ethan calls as the boys start to run off. When both children are standing in front of his chair at the table, he continues.
"Do not run! Remember the rules: No going near any of the horses, stay off the ladders to the haylofts, Do NOT touch the razor. Do you both hear me?" Ethan asks.
"Yes Sir. We hear you Papa. May we please go now?" George asks as Aaron whispers "Yes Sir."
A few minutes after the two boys leave, Rob asks "Stay off the ladders to the haylofts is a new rule isn't it, Pa?"
"Not really, they are not allowed to play on the ladders or go into the haylofts. By saying stay off the ladders, I covered the no going into the haylofts and the ladders at the same time." Ethan explains smiling.
"Pa, you are a quick thinker! Do you need me to go check on them later?"
"I might send you to get them when it's time to come in. Other than that, you are also free for the night. Wouldn't you like some time for yourself? You've been entertaining or minding the boys all day today. I appreciate the help, Rob."
"Thank you, I would like to read some for just a little while." Rob answers going to get his book from his room.
Out in the barn, George is showing Aaron the stalls where the Army horses are kept. "We don't have many horses to train for the army right now. We have some to gentle but not many. Their horses are sheltered here. These stalls have to be cleaned out too so I'm kind of glad we don't have a lot more horses right now."
"I know. I really don't like cleaning out stalls. I wish the horses could just run free like the chickens and pigs do."
"Your chickens aren't in a coop? You have pigs that are loose? Isn't that messy?" George asks.
"No, Pa says the chicken doo just fertilizes the yard. The pigs stay over in their mud hole so it's not too bad. They do get smelly sometimes when it doesn't rain."
"You and Alyssa could clean them. Just get soap, a bucket and wash them. We do that for our horses sometimes. We wash them, rinse them, and brush out their manes and tails. They look good and Papa says it makes them feel good to be clean."
"I'm not washing any pigs, George! That's just silly!"
"Where's that razor your Pa was talking about?"
"It's on the shaving shelf over there. Why?"
Walking over to where George pointed, Aaron answers "I want to see what it looks like." as he reaches up to take it down.
"Aaron! You heard what Papa said. We aren't to touch the razor! Why are you disobeying? Do you just want to go to bed with your bottom on fire?"
"Oh, calm down will ya? I am just looking at the outside of it. I'm not opening it at all. Why are you all in a tizzy over me looking at it?"
"Not obeying Papa leads to trouble. He always seems to know when we do something after he just said not to! You get a really bad spanking or even a whipping for disobeying him right after he told you to not do something. Put that back up on the shelf right where it was and let's go inside! I'm not going to stay here and wait for Papa or Rob to catch me disobeying! I don't want you to get in trouble either."
"Oh, okay. I'm putting it back. There it is on the shelf again. I'm thirsty, let's go in now." Aaron says walking toward the doorway. "Today was a long day. I nearly got in big trouble lots of times today. I hope tomorrow is easier."
That night in her room she's now sharing with Alyssa, Claire whispers "Alyssa? I really like having you come here. I like having someone around who can talk about dresses, bonnets, cooking and not frogs, worms and boy things. Thanks for not telling Pa or the boys about me meeting Alex at the Anderson's pond. Pa has old fashioned ideas on how young people should act. Meeting a boy for a walk alone is definitely on the Do Not Do list. I've been meeting him four times already and we've been lucky not to get caught."
"You are welcome, Claire. I liked being with you today. I don't remember when I last got a chance to visit with a girl. I know how Pa's are. If I ever talked to a boy other than my brothers, my Pa would whip me with his belt. He did let me talk with Rob. I don't like my Pa, Claire. I wish my Pa was nice like yours! Aaron's already done some bad things without meaning to and not once has your Pa even spanked him. He would have been whipped at home for either of those things he told me about. The bad word or being around the stallion when he was told not to do that. Your Pa is special, Claire."
"We are lucky. He is pretty special." Claire agrees.
"When you were younger, did your Pa whip you? How old do you have to get before they won't whip you?" Alyssa whispers.
"I was twelve nearly thirteen when we moved in with Uncle Ethan. He's really my Uncle but he adopted all of us so we call him Pa. My Mama died and we had no where to go so he came and brought us to Paradise. He has only spanked me one time and that was when I was thirteen. I don't know how old you have to be before you are too old to be spanked. I'm hoping Pa thinks fifteen is too old if he finds out about Alex!"
A few days later, the girls wake up smelling breakfast cooking. Thinking she's overslept, Claire quickly dresses and brushes her hair but doesn't take the time to fix it. Hurrying she almost runs over Aaron who is in the kitchen.
"Aaron? What are you doing up? It's just now getting light outside." Claire says as she glances out the front window.
"I wanted to fix everyone breakfast. Is it too early? I already started the biscuits and I have potatoes frying. I was waiting on the eggs because I didn't want to use them all without asking first. I hope it's alright that I made pancakes. You had a lot of flour and I only used four eggs so I went ahead and made enough for everyone to have one. Is it alright?" He asks beginning to get worried at the look on Claire's face.
"You know how to cook? You made potatoes and pancakes and biscuits all by yourself?" Claire asks completely shocked.
"I'm TWELVE not four and a half. I've been cooking since I was eight I do all the breakfast cooking and Alyssa does the lunches and suppers. Pa thinks it's Alyssa doing the breakfast too. He's always outside when I fix breakfast. She needs to sleep later and I can help her by cooking. Please don't tell my Pa."
"None of us will say a thing, Aaron." Ethan says from the doorway to his room. "This smells so good it woke me up. I'll go start the morning chores so we can all eat when it's ready."
"I'll help Pa. My stomach is growling already." Rob says walking into the kitchen.
"Well I don't see much that I need to do except fix eggs. We'll have everything ready when you come in." Claire tells Ethan and Rob. "Do you want me to get the boys up for chores?"
"Just let them sleep until you are ready to set the table and then get them up to help." Ethan replies as he leaves the house just as Alyssa comes in from Claire's bedroom.
"Good Morning Alyssa. Could you go to the well and pull up the milk? It's in the bucket on the brown rope."
"I'll be happy to do that, Claire. Should I gather more eggs?"
"No, I think we have enough from yesterday. We'll gather them after we eat." As Alyssa leaves to go find the milk, Claire asks "Aaron could you go get the ham from the smokehouse and cut slices? We'll have fried ham and then we'll also have gravy too. Let's see we need to make a few more pancakes also. The boys like two each and Pa and Rob can eat up to four each. We need to get those going when you get back."
A few minutes later, Aaron watching as more pancakes cook asks "Do you always have such a big breakfast with ham and all those pancakes? At home we have one pancake, some eggs and if we have enough flour I make biscuits. Only on special holidays do we get meat for breakfast. Sometimes we just have porridge or just bread."
"We usually have a big breakfast but not a big meal at lunch. Lunch is something we can have fast without having to cook much. Like today, Pa, Rob and Joseph are all going to be busy so I'll just slice some more ham for sandwiches. We can have carrot and potato soup with them. That's easy to fix."
"When Rob was staying with us, he taught Alyssa how to make that soup. He said you taught him. He cut up ham chunks to put in it. Pa really liked it. You are a really good cook, Claire. Your Mama must have been a good cook to teach you."
"Well, she taught me a little but, it was Pa who taught me more and my friend Emily's Ma taught me alot too. My Mama died when I was twelve. She was terribly sick two years before that. Most of our meals were eaten at someone else's table when we were in St. Louis those last two years."
Just as Alyssa finishes setting the table with plates, silverware and glasses, Joseph rushes into the room. "Claire! Why didn't you wake me?" He says quickly sliding his suspenders over his arms. "I'm going to be in trouble for not having the chores started by breakfast! Where's Rob?"
"Doing chores of course." Claire says letting Joseph suffer a little longer before saying "Pa said you and the boys could sleep in today. Stop worrying!"
"Couldn't you just have told me that to start with? You let me think I was going to be in trouble. That wasn't nice, Claire." Joseph complains.
"Maybe, but it was still funny to see you trying to get dressed in your sleep as you worried." Claire grins. "Look at your shirt and shoes Joseph."
Looking down he sees he has his shirt buttoned up wrong, one side hanging out of his pants, his feet have one school shoe and one boot on them. About to go back into his room to fix his clothes, he stops as the side porch door opens and Rob comes in carrying a basket of eggs.
"Here are the fresh eggs. They aren't laying many today. I only found twelve. Hello Joseph, get dressed in a hurry did you?" Rob says laughing.
"I don't think it's funny myself." Joseph says just as Ben and George come into the room.
"Well it's about time the two of you decided to get up! You boys must have been worn out from playing you slept so much." Rob teases.
Standing in their nightshirts, Ben and George just look confused. "Is it time to have breakfast now?" George asks.
"Did we miss out on chores?" Ben asks not quite able to keep the hope out of his voice.
Before Rob can answer them the side door opens and Ethan comes in.
"We are ready to serve when you are ready to eat, Pa." Claire tells him.
"That's fine, you can go ahead and put it on the table now. Ben, George, did you clean the chicken coop Wednesday when I told you to do so?"
"No sir, we forgot." Ben answers reaching for George's hand for comfort. The scowl on his Pa's face is making both of the boys feel very uneasy.
"Then you will do that today. I was going to allow a fishing trip but now it's cancelled. You will clean out the hen house completely putting down fresh hay in the nesting boxes, rake out all of the straw out of the coop and put in fresh on the ground. I noticed the garden is getting overrun with weeds. That is part of your responsibility also. After your cleaning is finished you well then weed the garden."
"Yes Sir." Ben says as George answers "Yes Pa, we will get it done."
"See to it that you do and that it is finished today. Now both of you go get dressed! You know we don't come to the table in our nightshirts!" As the boys walk by him on their way to their room each feels a sharp smack to their bottom.
"Ow! Papa!" "Pa, That Hurt!" Ethan hears.
"There will be more if you do not get your assigned chores completed today. Be thankful I'm not giving out more for not doing it when I told you too. Get dressed. Breakfast is ready to be served and we are waiting for the two of you."
"Boy, he sure did whack me hard. My bottom stings. I guess we're lucky he didn't spank us more. I told you we needed to get the coop done. You said it would be okay to let it go a one more day." George whispers as they get into their clothes for the day.
"I know I did. I meant to start on it Thursday but I just forgot. We have to get it cleaned out good today or he's going to be mad!" Ben answers also whispering.
"I thought he was already mad at us. If he isn't mad, why'd he spank us like that?"
"He didn't spank us he swatted us. That swat is his way of telling us he means business and we had better do as he says!" Ben whispers.
"Ben! George! Breakfast! Come Now!" Ethan calls. When neither of his youngest two boys appear, he says "Joseph, go get them."
"Yessir."
Coming into the boy's bedroom he sees both boys on the floor looking under their beds. "What are you doing? Didn't you hear Pa calling ? He wasn't kidding and if you want to sit down for breakfast then you'd both better come right now! He's already irritated with you for not doing your chores."
"I can't find my other shoe!" George wails, his head and shoulders under the bed.
"It doesn't matter right now. Let's go." Joseph says as he reaches down, pulls the boy out from under the bed and carries him through the door. Ben is trotting beside him.
"George couldn't find both shoes, Pa. That's why they didn't come out on time." Joseph says as he stands George beside his chair and Ben slides into his.
Nodding Ethan says "Claire, say Grace please."
"Heavenly Father, thank you for our letting our guests stay with us, this nourishing food and nice weather. Please help Ben and George today so they will be able to sit for supper. Amen!"
Joseph snickers quietly as Rob tries to keep from laughing by covering his mouth with his napkin. Sneaking a glance at his Pa, Rob sees Ethan's mouth is twitching.
"Very nice prayer, Claire. I too, hope God will help your youngest brothers today. But they need to remember, God helps those who help themselves. Let's eat!"