New Beginnings
Chapter 32
Mischief and Meltdowns
Two weeks after the birth of the colt, Ethan has both Lucky and his mama out in the corral by the barn. Only he and the two older boys are allowed inside the corral. At this time, Ben and George are only to watch from outside the fence. He's told them not to try to pet Lucky until he gives permission, as Daisy might bite them. Usually a gentle mare, she's become very possessive and protective of her baby.
Standing on the rails of the corral fence, George watches while Joseph brushes Daisy. "Joseph? Why won't Papa let me go in there too? I won't hurt Lucky. I love him!" George asks as he watches the colt playing in the corral.
"He knows that, George. It's not that you would hurt him, it's that he might get scared or Daisy might nip you."
"But you and Rob go in, mostly you though. She doesn't nip you. Why would she nip me? I'm her friend!"
"She's used to us taking care of her. I guess she trusts we won't do anything to her baby. Daisy is a new mama and mamas get very nervous about something bothering their baby. They are very protective so, you just stay out of here. It won't be much longer and you can pet Lucky."
"Yeah, Papa told me that, but I want to pet him now! Pa said I had to wait another two weeks. That's forever! Lucky'll be a grown horse before I get to play with him!"
"Well, if you knew the answer, why'd you ask me? What Pa says goes! You know that, George. I'm not going to let you in the stall or this corral either! Besides, Lucky is going to be a young horse for a whole year. Just cheer up and quit complaining. I, for one, am tired of hearing it! You sure have been irritable lately. Where'd my sweet little brother go? You never used to act out and complain the way you are lately. If I didn't know you, I'd think you were a bad kid."
"I am not a bad boy, Joseph!"
Just then they hear Ethan calling George. Pretending he doesn't hear anything, George stays where he is.
"George? Pa's calling, you best go see what he wants. If you're not a bad boy, why are you acting as if you don't hear him? You are going to be in trouble if you don't answer!" Joseph tells his youngest brother, who is still sitting on the bottom fence rail, staring at the colt.
Walking slowly to where Ethan is standing in the doorway of the barn, George answers "Yes Papa?"
"What were you told to do inside the barn this morning?" Ethan asks.
"Clean out Daisy's stall. I'll get to it right now, Papa." George says, quickly moving into the barn.
Following him in, Ethan says firmly "This is your final warning, young man. When I tell you to do something I mean do it then. I don't mean wait until you get around to it, you do it before anything else. Ben has finished all of his assigned chores this morning but you haven't started!"
"I'm sorry Papa. I went to say hello to Lucky and just forgot."
"I wouldn't forget again, unless you want me to warm your britches! This is the fifth time since the colt was born, that you have neglected your chores because of him. You know the rule, George. Work comes before fun. We have a responsibility to keep the animals comfortable and well cared for. You have to do your share."
"Yes sir." George answers but inside he's seething. Why can't I do things like Joseph does. Lucky is my colt. I named him and I should be the one to take care of him. I'm old enough! All I ever get to do is clean stalls and take care of the chickens and their coop! It's not fair!
At lunch, Ethan tells the children "Matthew and Chris are coming this afternoon to help us work on digging the root cellar. Rob, Joseph, I'll need you two to help also. Ben, George, and Aaron will be hauling the buckets of soil away. Claire, I'd like you to keep us supplied with something to drink and maybe afterwards a meal. I'll invite them to stay for supper."
"Aaron and Alyssa are coming?" Ben asks, excited at hearing this news.
"They are. But they are coming to help not to play. All of you are needed to help work and that is what you will do. It's not playtime until after the work is done for the day. Do you hear me boys?"
"Yes sir, I hear you." Ben answers dejectedly.
"Yes Papa." George replies thinking; All we do is work lately! Building the henhouse, knocking down walls in the stalls, now carrying buckets of dirt to empty, on top of all the other chores we have to do each day. I'm tired of working! He conveniently forgets about the fun he had at the swimming hole a few weeks ago.
Seeing the scowl on George's face, Rob leans down to the boy beside him and whispers "Cheer up kiddo. You are being given a chance to play with dirt. No one will be able to scold you for getting dirty!"
Smiling now, George nods his head. Ben! Rob says we can play in the dirt and not be in trouble for it! He thinks, watching as Ben nods his head to show he got the message.
Rob, Joseph and Ethan gather the tools and buckets they need to continue the work on the root cellar. For the past two weeks, they have been digging some each day to create an underground space for storing vegetables. Ethan also plans to use the space as a storm shelter if needed. He's asked Chris and Matthew to come help them with the floor, walls, and a set of wooden steps leading into the space.
"Hi Aaron! Alyssa!" Ben hears George call out. Climbing out of 'the hole' as he has dubbed the root cellar, he sees Chris and the twins. Matthew is just pulling in with a wagon that is rattling.
"Hi Uncle Matt. What's in the back of the wagon?" Ben asks rushing up to him.
"Supplies, Ben. I brought more buckets, some things to use on the walls and one other surprise.
"Surprise!" Alex calls jumping down from the wagon.
"Hello Ben. I came to help work. I'm officially off punishment." Alex tells the boy staring at him.
"Claire will be happy about that, I know. She's moped around and been irritable for weeks. Ever since you and Rob got in trouble. Did your Pa whip you for going to the saloon, Alex? Rob nearly got a whipping but just got housebound instead."
"BENJAMIN CORD! You are not being respectful to Alex, or your brother and sister either. Welcome, Alex, Matthew. Please excuse Ben for not minding his manners." Ethan scolds walking up in time to hear the conversation.
"Sorry, Alex. I wasn't supposed to be nosey or talk about Claire and Rob that way." Ben says with a side glance at his Pa's face, checking to see if he's in trouble.
"I live with a nosey, big mouth little brother and sister. I'm used to it Mr. Cord. No harm done, sir."
"Thank you for your understanding, Alex. Ben, watch yourself, you are tempting trouble." Ethan replies giving Ben's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"Yessir." Ben replies turning to welcome Aaron.
"This is what I have in mind, the younger boys will stay out of the cellar to empty buckets and pass us tools we need. The girls will be fixing something for our meal if you will all stay for supper. They'll bring drinks as needed also. The rest of us will work on the inside." Ethan tells Chris, Matt and Alex.
"I didn't know about the supper offer, sir. My Da expects me home by five o'clock." Alex tells Ethan quietly, as Chris and Matthew unload the wagon.
"Well, if you'd like to stay, I'll send Joseph to ask him. Do you think he would allow you to stay past your curfew with his knowledge?"
"I think he will. Thank you sir. I didn't want to be on punishment again, for breaking curfew."
"You're welcome Alex. Before we get started, you may go in and say hello to Claire. She has missed you."
"Hello Claire, your Pa said I could come in to speak with you for a few minutes before we begin work. I saw your Uncle in town and he invited me out to help with the work. My Da let me come. I'm sorry I couldn't see you after the social. I was confined to the house, except for errands, for weeks after the incident."
"Yes, well I'm sorry Rob got you involved. He's been on punishment also and couldn't leave the ranch except with Pa."
"Maybe we'll be able to have some time alone again soon. I'm going to wait a few more days before I ask my Da to let me go anywhere. He's still a trifle upset. Well, I'd best go out and help work. I'll see you later."
"That would be good, Alex." Claire answers, smiling.
"Claire? Is Alex your beau?" Alyssa asks as they begin to prepare for supper.
"Maybe so, Alyssa. Now tell me all about living in your new house. Is it fun to have your own room, now?" Claire asks beginning to prepare the meat for cooking.
"Yes, Papa bought me a beautiful quilt for my bed. It's white but it has pink roses embroidered on all four corners and one large red rose in the center. I even have a matching pillow cover. I have lace curtains on my window and six books and eight toys and new clothes too. Aaron got a nice room also. He has a white quilt too, but his has blue rings sewn on the middle and blue squares on the corners. Papa listened to what we wanted when we went to the quilt lady's house. She had lots of quilts to sell and rugs too. Papa bought three quilts and two coiled cloth rugs. We have a lot more things in this house than we did with our Mama and Pa."
"That sounds lovely, Alyssa. You love your Papa don't you?" Claire asks, smiling at the new Alyssa. She's become a chatterbox since living with Chris.
"Yes, even though he spanked me for stealing a toy for George, I still love him. He doesn't beat us with a whip like our other Papa did."
"It makes me happy to know you and Aaron are in a good home, now." Claire tells her.
An hour after the boys began emptying the dirt filled pails, George becomes bored with the job. As he and Aaron empty their pails he says "Aaron, let's go look at Lucky. You haven't seen him since he got to be outside." As Aaron looks back apprehensively to the root cellar, he adds "We won't be but a little while, Ben can handle the job."
"Okay but, I don't want us to get in trouble. I'm really trying not to since Pa spanked me with his belt for stealing. That stung a lot! It hurt my feelings too! He's never whipped me before. It's strange to me how my other Pa beat me with a buggy whip and I can't take a belt spanking without hurting. You'd think it wouldn't hurt after being whipped with a buggy whip."
"My Pa uses his belt sometimes too. It stings somethin' fierce! He's never used a buggy whip on any of us. You can pet Lucky if you want. Reach on through the bars." George whispers so Ben can't hear him, as the boys stand by the corral.
Reaching into the corral and resting his hand on the foal, Aaron whispers "He's so soft! Uh, George? The Mama is coming this way."
"Yes, I see her. That's Daisy. Hi, Girl!" George whispers as the horse trots to the fence.
"OOOOOWWWWWWW!" shrieks Aaron after Daisy has nipped the hand touching her baby. "She bit me! Owww! Papa!" Aaron calls, now in tears.
"What happened son?''Chris asks, having bolted out of the cellar at Aaron's scream.
"The horse... it bit me!"
"Why? What were you doing?"
"George said I could pet the colt. I was touching him and the Mama bit me!" Aaron sobs with his face in Chris' shirt.
Having followed Chris out to see what was happening, Ethan says sternly "Come Here, George!"
When the boy is standing in front of him, he asks "Did you tell Aaron he could pet Lucky?"
"Yes, Daisy was way across the corral. I didn't think she could see us." George answers solemnly.
"What were you supposed to be doing instead of bothering the horses?"
"Helping empty the pails of dirt."
"You and I will discuss this later, young man. For now, get back to work!" Ethan tells George with a stern look.
"Chris, take Aaron in to Claire. She'll bandage him up. I apologize for George. He knows better."
By the twentieth time of emptying the filled pails, Aaron says to George. "I'm tired of doing this. I wish we could go play or even better, go swim! I'm so hot and itchy! Why does your Pa want a room in the ground, anyway?"
"It's called a root cellar and it's for keeping our vegetables cool so they don't spoil as fast. He says we can use it for a storm shelter too, if we need one. We can't go anywhere or play until we get it finished so come on you two, back to work." Ben answers walking up in time to hear.
Walking next to George, Aaron whispers in his ear "What's happened to the Ben I know? That boy's bossy and no fun."
"I know. Ben's in a 'I'm going to be the best boy' phase lately. He's Mr. Bossyboots now." George whispers back.
"Why is he wanting to be 'the best boy'? Did you two get a spanking for having the toys like we did for taking them?" Aaron asks the next time they empty buckets.
"No, Pa didn't spank us. He talked to us about not accepting things from other people unless we had his permission. He asked us if we knew you two had stolen the toys and we told him we didn't. We told him we weren't with you so we thought you bought or charged the toys. We did get sent to bed two hours early and confined inside the next day. Pa was not happy with us for hiding the toys from him. He said, we knew we weren't to have the toys or we wouldn't have hidden them."
After four long and dirty hours of shoveling dirt, tacking up boards along the walls and laying oilcloth down for a floor, the men decide to stop for the day.
"Well Ethan, I think you have a good place here. You can add shelves to the walls now for storing supplies and the food will remain cool enough to not spoil. Now, before we go inside, I'd like to go have a wash at the creek." Matthew announces.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful! I feel like I've been rolling in the dirt! May I go too, Pa?" Joseph asks.
"Why don't we all go? I'll send George in to get a bar of soap and a cloth to wash with. We'll get most of the dirt off. You did bring clean clothes to change into didn't you?" he teases Matt, knowing Chris did bring a fresh set of clothes.
"Well sure, Ethan. I always bring a complete set of clean clothes when I visit. I'm not housebroken yet!" Matt answers, grinning at Joseph.
Climbing out of the cellar, Ethan calls Ben and George to him.
"George, I need you to go get a bar of soap and four washcloths from Claire. Have her give you a clean shirt and pants for Joseph. Ben, go into my room and bring me two sets of shirts and pants. Then get two sets from Rob's room. We're going to wash at the creek so we don't track dirt in the house."
"Yes Pa." Ben answers while George asks "Can we go to the creek to play too, Papa?"
"We're going to bathe, not play. You stay here and entertain your guests. Go get the clothes now, George." Ethan answers.
Inside the house George relays Ethan's instructions to Claire, as Ben goes around gathering the requested clothes.
"It's not fair! They all get to go play in the water and we're stuck here! We did work too! We're just as hot!" he complains.
"Hush, George. You know better than to complain. You best keep quiet, you're already in for a scolding or worse for disobeying." Claire reminds him. "If you behave and stop fussing, I'll let you both play in the bath."
"Still not fair!" George grumps to Aaron as he waits for his sister to bring the clothes. "
"SSSHHHH! George, stop. I'm hot and dirty and I want to play in the bath so be quiet!" Aaron whispers, causing George to scowl at him.
"Here you go, boys. Aaron, these are Joseph's clothes, please give them to him." Claire requests as Ben comes out of the bedrooms loaded down with clothes.
"Look boys, the clothes are walking by themselves!" Claire teases, not being able to see Ben for his armful of clothes.
"Help me out, George. Take the top two sets, that's Rob's clothes." Ben tells his brother over Aaron's giggles.
"Why does Rob need two sets of clothes?" George asks irritably. "He can only wear one!"
"George, you are really irritable lately. Do you need a nap?" Claire asks.
"Claire!" George responds, blushing from embarrassment. "I'm nine, not four! I don't take naps!"
"Maybe so, but you sure haven't been acting as a nine-year-old lately! Do behave better for the company, George." Claire scolds, causing George to glare at her.
When the boys walk up to Ethan, he hands out the clothes, "Alex, you are about Rob's size so you can borrow these and Matt, I think these will fit you fairly well. Let's go wash off this dirt. You children stay here and mind Claire." Ethan tells Ben.
Walking into the house after their bath in the creek, the group finds the table set and the meal ready.
"Thank you girls for this excellent supper tonight. Thank you for the help today, Alex, Matt, Chris and Aaron. Without good friends, the boys and I'd be down there digging for another week."
"Ethan, friends help each other. You've certainly helped me." Chris answers.
"Enough gush, LET'S EAT!" Matthew announces reaching for the bowl of carrots.
Laughing, Ethan passes the bowl of boiled potatoes to Chris. As the bowls come around the table, George passes the beets right on by without taking any.
"George, serve yourself from each bowl or plate." Ethan reminds him.
"But Papa, I dislike beets, remember?"
"Remember the rule for eating, George. Now, do as I say."
"It's not wasting food, if I don't take any. There's more for someone else to eat, Papa." George explains, sulkily.
Next to him, Ben shakes his head at his brother's bad behavior. George knows not to answer back the way he just did.
"You eat what is offered. No more talk, George." Ethan tells him with a warning look.
"Claire, you fix a fine venison steak. It's very tender." Chris compliments, trying to get the attention away from George.
"Thank you Uncle Chris. I knew Uncle Matt liked it, I didn't know you did also."
"I like the bread as well. It's very good." Matthew tells her.
"Yeah she does bread good now but she used to burn the biscuits. They were too hard to eat." George says, trying to get back at Claire for embarrassing him.
"George! You'd better watch it. Pa's giving you the look! You're going to get punished!" Ben sends mentally.
"George, eat your supper and stop pestering your sister." Ethan says sternly.
"Uncle Matt, did you see any snakes in the creek?" George asks, a few minutes later.
"No, I sure didn't. Do you usually see snakes there?"
"I haven't. Did you know there was a snake in the garden? It scared Claire so bad she wet her bloomers!" George answers, grinning at Claire.
"George! How dare you! That happened when I was a little girl of five! You make it sound as if it happened yesterday!" Claire tells him furiously.
"George, you may leave the table and go to your room." Ethan announces with a calmness that his children know means he's upset.
"I haven't finished eating, Papa. Do you want me to waste food?" George replies innocently.
As Ben gapes at his brother, Ethan stands, walks to George's chair and lifts the boy to his feet.
"Please excuse us, everyone. George and I need to have a discussion in private.
In George's bedroom, Ethan places the boy in the corner for nine minutes.
"You stand right in that spot and you think about the behavior you showed to get you there. We will talk when the time is up."
"Alright George, come stand in front of me. What was the reason you were sent to the corner?"
"I didn't behave at the table. I was not following the table rules."
Nodding, Ethan says "Yes, that is part of it. I want you to listen to me. You are not showing good manners tonight. You know better than to complain about what is served, answer back to me and be rude to your sister! I expect you to go back to the table, apologize to Claire for trying to embarrass her, apologize to everyone else for your behavior, then eat your supper without any more problems. Do you understand, or do I need to bare your bottom?"
Shaking his head and fighting tears at the harsh scolding, George answers "I'll apologize."
Reaching the table, George says "I'm sorry for acting rude, everyone. Claire, I'm sorry for being mean." and sits quickly in his chair. Picking up his fork he starts to eat.
The conversation turns to the warm weather and then on to things the children listening, find boring. Having finished eating without a word as he was taught to do, Aaron begins to wiggle around in his chair. No one has excused him from the table and he feels he needs to get up. Trying to get his Pa to look at him isn't working and he feels he may be the one embarrassed soon. Biting his lip, he waits for his Pa to finish speaking before whispering across the table "Pa! May I please be excused?"
"Yes, Aaron." Chris says. As Aaron jumps up and runs for the water closet, he hears the men laughing.
After ten minutes and the child hasn't returned, Chris says "Excuse me, please. Let me go check on him."
"Aaron? Son, are you alright?" Chris calls through the door to the W.C. after a quick knock. Hearing muffled sobs, he opens the door.
"Oh, Aaron. SSSHHH, it's alright, son. Hush, now, everything's going to be fine."
"Don't whip me. I couldn't get here in time. Honest, I didn't do it on purpose!" Aaron whispers.
"Of course you didn't. I'd never punish you for something you couldn't help, son. Look at me. I'm not him, Aaron. I'm not your evil father!"
"Chris? Is there something I can do to help?" Ethan asks from the doorway, having come to check on the situation after hearing sobbing.
"He's been ill and couldn't make it to the bowl in time. It's all over his clothes. Now he's embarrassed to come out. He hasn't been feeling ill as far as I know. I hope it's not something terrible." Chris whispers to Ethan after walking to the doorway.
"It's probably nothing to worry about, Chris. If you need to be sure, stop by Dr. Amy. She's great with children." Ethan whispers back before reassuring Aaron.
"Don't cry, Aaron. We can get you cleaned up. I'll get you some of Ben's clothes and your Pa can help you in the bath. Would you like to do that Chris?"
"Yes, that's fine, thank you."
"Son, you aren't the first person in the world to have this happen to them. It's happened to everyone at one time or another. Now, let's get cleaned up." Chris tells Aaron as Ethan hands him the rag and a set of Ben's clothes.
"I don't wanta take a bath! I wanta go home! My stomach hurts somethin' awful!" Aaron sobs breaking down again.
"Then that's what we'll do. We're going to clean you up first though." After washing his child's face, helping him change into the clean clothes, and cleaning the floor, Chris says "Ethan, he's not feeling well and wants to leave. I'll just take him home. We thank you for the fine meal. We'll have you come to our house sometime. Tell everyone good bye for me."
"You're welcome Chris. Come, you can go out the side porch door."
"Alyssa? Your brother is ill and you need to come with us, now." Chris calls to the little girl at the table.
"Yes sir. Bye, everyone." She answers running to the door.
"Mr. Cord? Mr. Carroll? I'm sorry, but I need to go home too. My Pa will expect me home in time to help with evening chores. Thank you for the supper." Alex says looking over at Claire at the last sentence.
"I understand, Alex. Thank you for the help today. You are a good worker!" Ethan replies shaking the boy's hand. "Matthew, you are welcome to visit anytime and thank you also for the help today."
"Will do, Ethan. Claire? Could you possibly fix up some of that pie for me, and Alex too? I'm going to have to miss dessert." Matt says sadly, winking at Alex.
"Certainly, I'll get it fixed in a jiffy!" Claire says moving to do just that.
After Alex and Matt leave, Ethan tells the children "Go ahead and enjoy your dessert. After you've eaten you boys have clean up tonight. George and I have some private business."
As his words register, George complains "Papa! I want dessert too! I even ate those terrible turnips and beastly beets!"
"You, young man, are skipping dessert tonight! Let's go to your room."
"I Want Pie! I ate the YUCKY stuff!" George yells banging his fists on the table.
Picking the boy up in his arms, Ethan says "Excuse us please. Your brother is going to bed."
"Papa! It's not bedtime yet!" George complains pushing against Ethan to get down.
Cutting into the pies and placing the slices on plates, Rob says "What has come over George? He's acted like a brat all day today. I can't believe he answered back the way he did, even after being in trouble earlier. Then he throws a fit and pushes Pa!"
"I'm not sure what's gotten into him." Joseph answers. "I do know that Pa has a good cure for a case of the brats, though. I speak from experience!"
Alright George, let's talk. You have been out of bounds all day today. I told you not to try to pet Lucky because Daisy might get upset and hurt you. You disobeyed me and because of that, Aaron was hurt. You were told just this morning, to finish chores before doing anything else. You left Ben to haul up the buckets and empty them by himself! This defiance will stop today. At supper, you were deliberately cruel and rude. You continued to answer back and disobey. Now, you have the audacity to throw a temper tantrum when I say you will skip dessert. All of this bad behavior has led us to this!"
Reaching out he quickly unfastens George's pants. Turning the boy over his lap, he bares his bottom and brings his hand down delivering sharp smacks.
"Owww! No, Papa! I don't want a spanking! Yoww! I'll be good! I promise!" George howls, feeling the whacks from Ethan's hand much more than usual.
"You deserve this spanking. I think you know that. This behavior you have been showing lately is going to stop. If you do not behave as I know you can, I will take you to the barn for a talk with my belt." Ethan says as he continues to smack the small backside over his lap five more times.
In the kitchen, hearing the noise coming from George's room, Joseph says "I told you Pa had a cure for the brats. A sound spanking works every time. Right Ben?"
"It works for me. I haven't answered back or thrown a fit since he walloped a fire on my backside the last time I did!"
"Something tells me George won't be doing those things anymore either." Rob says, smiling as Ben and Joseph laugh.
"Boys! Hearing George get a spanking is not funny!" Claire scolds her brothers.
"It is when the little brat gets what he deserves. Claire, you know he's deserved this. He's been asking for it, for over a week now! He just finally got what he asked for. You know I'm right." Joseph tells her.
"Maybe so, but I still don't like to hear him get punished." Claire answers.
For the next week, George behaves much more like himself, Ethan is happy to see. Things on the ranch are running smoothly, the mare and her colt have now moved to pasture. Ethan has Ben and George helping finish the shelving and stock the root cellar.
Coming into the house to get everyone a drink, Ben finds Claire and Rob deep in conversation as they work together to make supper.
Hearing Claire say "I don't know, Rob, we might..." but stopping as she spies her young brother, Ben asks "You might what Claire?"
"Not your business Mr. Big Ears. What can I do for you?"
Grinning at the teasing, Ben says "Pa sent me to get some glasses and a jug of lemonade. We're thirsty down there! Me and George are holding up the shelf while Pa nails it on the wall. We are down to five shelfs to put up! Then we get to help put the canning jars on them."
"That's shelves, Ben. Not shelfs. I'm sure Pa is enjoying having the two of you to help him. Here take the glasses and come back for the jug." Claire answers handing over three glasses.
A few minutes later, George appears in the doorway. "Claire? Pa told me to come get the lemonade jug but he said not to come inside. Can you hand it to me, please?"
"Here, George. I put sugar in it so have Pa shake it before he pours. Now don't drop this, it's not made to bounce and will shatter. You aren't made to bounce either so watch it going down the steps to the cellar." Rob tells him as he hands over the ceramic jug.
"Yes Sir, Pa. I'll be careful, Pa." George answers backs saucily, as he walks down the front steps.
Shaking her head at her little brother's behavior, Claire tells Rob, "He's acting more and more like Ben every day. He used to be the sweet and well behaved one, not so much anymore."
"Umm hmm, now back to what we were talking about. Don't you think it would be nice to take Emily and Alex to the lake, just us? There's a spot perfect for a picnic and we could swim too if we wanted. What do you think about that idea?" Rob asks her.
"I love it. I would really enjoy having just the four of us somewhere. I don't know if Pa will allow it. We can ask him."
"Why wouldn't Pa allow it?"
"Rob! You know how he feels about either of us going anywhere with our friends alone. We have to be chaperoned all the time. I guess he doesn't trust us as much as I thought he did."
"It could be that or it could be he doesn't trust the ones we're with."
"I guess. Don't be surprised if he refuses to let us go alone, though." Claire answers as she stirs the pot of chicken.
"Put the bread strips in the pot, Rob. We have to let this cook another fifteen minutes. What about the squash? Is it boiled enough?"
"Yes, it's ready. The bread is cut, buttered and ready to put in the stove. The cucumbers are sliced and salted. What else do you want me to do?" Rob asks.
"We need something else to go with the chicken and dumplings. What other vegetable do you think we should fix?"
"How about boiling some corncobs? Corn with butter on it is my favorite."
"We could do that and some more of the spinach too. I'm surprised George didn't pitch a royal fit over spinach the way he did turnips." Claire answers.
"I guess Joseph was right. Pa did have a cure for being bratty. Maybe George just didn't want to experience that "cure" again!" Rob tells her, chuckling.
"Yes. I just hope it lasts. I hate to see the boys punished. I'm glad Pa let Joseph go play with the Anderson twins today. He's been lonely lately. He and those boys used to be together most of the time." Claire replies changing the topic of discussion to Joseph.
"I know. I ought to really spend more time with him. It's just that I want to be with Emily when I'm not working on the ranch. That, plus I keep winding up being punished and can't go anywhere! I'll try to make it up to Joseph soon." Rob answers.
"He loves chicken and dumplings so I'm fixing that tonight. He's tried so hard lately to do what everyone expects of him. I hope Pa has noticed. Joseph tries to help a lot more now and not cause as much trouble as he used to. You weren't here when he was just a little older than Ben. He got into trouble all the time. Pa was forever taking him over his knee or to the barn for his behavior. I think Ben has passed through that phase but George is just getting into it!"
"Claire, I don't know that Joseph or Ben is through that phase as you called it. I'm not so sure I am either! Boys just seem to attract trouble. Kind of like a magnet attracts metal! We're born that way. Girls must be different."
"I guess so, Rob." Claire giggles.
At supper that evening, Claire brings up Rob's idea.
"Pa? Rob and I were talking and we have something we would like to ask. Rob, you ask it." Claire says losing her nerve at Ethan's raised eyebrows.
"Pa, Claire and I would like your permission to take a picnic lunch to the lake." Rob tells him.
"I don't have a problem with the two of you doing that. Why would you think I would, Claire?"
"We don't want to go alone, we want to take someone with us." Claire replies still hedging around the real request.
"Well then, I'm sure Ben, Joseph and George will be more than thrilled to go along." Ethan tells her smiling at the look that crosses her face.
"No Pa, we want to take Emily and Alex with us. We want to have a time for just the four of us. Please, may we go?" Rob asks.
"If Emily and Alex's fathers agree, I will also. You must tell them you want to go there alone. You may go to ask their permission tomorrow."
"Yes sir, thank you." Rob answers swapping a relieved look with Claire.
Not being able to resist it after seeing his older brother and sister swap that look, Joseph speaks up.
"You know what Pa, I don't think Claire and Rob really mean to go alone. I think they want me, Ben, George, Danny, Elizabeth, Jason, Jeff, and Lydia to go along. If Ben, George and I go, I"m sure Alex and Emily will want to bring their brothers and sisters along too. We could even go by and pick up Aaron and Alyssa. Don't you think we'd all be okay if we had four big kids looking after us?"
"Joseph! Hush your mouth! I don't want to babysit all those kids!" Claire exclaims as Rob glares across the table at his brother.
Chuckling at the outraged expressions on Rob and Claire's faces, Ethan says "That sounds like an excellent plan, Joseph. I think we need to arrange a family get together at the lake. Right now, we'll let Claire, Rob and their friends go without us. They can scout us out a great picnic area."
"Well, maybe. I still think I should go along. They aren't trustworthy enough to go by themselves." Joseph says winking at his Pa.
"I'll keep that in mind, son. Now stop teasing and eat before Rob tackles you across the table. If you get in a fight, you'll both wind up being punished and I don't believe that's how we want to end this day."
"No sir, I don't. I'm sorry for teasing, Rob and Claire. It was just a joke." Joseph tells his brother and sister.
"I'll forgive you this time, Joseph." Claire replies.
"I forgive you but do not ever suggest I look after all of those kids again! I would never ever want to do such a thing. I think I'd rather clean out the henhouse and barn by myself rather than take care of all those kids!" Rob answers with a shudder.
As soon as he finished with the morning chores and helped Claire with hers, Rob goes to find Ethan. Finding him in his bedroom, dressing for work, he asks "Are you on duty today, Pa? I thought you had the day off today."
"No, that was yesterday. Today through Friday, I'll be in town until late afternoon. Did you need me for something?"
"Oh, um... No, Sir. I just wanted to ask if Claire and I could go to town to talk to Mr. Anderson and Mr. Hale about the picnic. I guess if you aren't going to be home, we should wait." Rob answers.
"Joseph can look after things while you two go ask about your plans. You will need to come home afterwards and not stay. I need one of you here with the boys. Joseph can't look after the animals and the boys alone for very long. Not with the mischievous behavior the boys have shown lately."
"I understand. We won't stay longer than it takes to ask permission. I do hope their Pa's will let them come." Rob sighs.
"All you can do is ask. If the answer is no, take it graciously, son. I don't want to hear of you arguing or being disrespectful if they don't give permission." Ethan tells him with a firm look.
"Yessir, I promise to be a gentleman. Are you going to tell Claire to be a gentleman also?" Rob asks, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Go on! Out with you, you rascal!" Ethan answers aiming a hefty swat at Rob's backside.
"Missed, Pa!" Rob giggles jumping out of the way. To Ethan he sounds as young as Ben at the moment.