Chapter 20
That evening as all the Cartwrights were readying to sit down to dinner, Meg came down the stairs holding out her parcel from town.
"I wish to thank you all for your love and kindness towards me with this little gift bought from my allowance," she said, giving Adam a smile, and with my gratitude for all that you have done for me." Meg passed the parcel to Ben, who took it gratefully from her.
"You don't have to pay us back for anything. We have grown to love you as one of our own. Thank you very much, all the same." Ben then unwrapped the parcel to reveal three bottles of wine. "Well this has come at just the right time. We'll have a bottle with our dinner. Thank you again Meg."
Once everyone was sitting at the table and each held a glass in their hand, Adam stood announcing, "This calls for a toast. To our dear Meg for the anguish," he turned to Meg and winked, "and joy you have brought us. May you never leave us. To Meg." They all raised their glasses and together they chorused, "To Meg."
Meg's eyes welled up. "Thank you all so much."
"Well, let's eat." Said Hoss.
"Hoss, one moment." Ben said. "Meg would you honour us by saying grace."
"Certainly. She said. "Dear Lord, thank you for this beautiful food laid before us, and for finding it in your heart to forgive me, for finding me this place and this company. My eternal gratitude. Amen."
"Amen." Was chorussed by all. With that said, they all began to fill their plates.
They all moved into the big room to have their coffee and brandy. Meg felt the time has come for the rest of the family to know the truth about her. She called in Hop Sing, feeling he should be aquainted with her past too. And so she began the tale of her past life, sparing them certain details that only Adam knew.
"I hope perhaps, now you can understand my behaviour when I first arrived. And that you will forgive me for it. I love you all so dearly."
"We will talk of it no more," Ben said, with such loving, having heard the truth at last. "From now on, as far as I'm concerned, your life began here on your return with Adam from Winslow."
"Hear, hear." All three brother agreed, wholeheartedly.
"Thank you all, but I must say goodnight. I need some time alone. So if you will forgive me I'd like to retire now." Meg rose from her seat, smiling at the others, as they two rose from their seats. "Thank you." She then quietly walked over to the stairs, took one look back, smiling at them all and carried on up to her room.
Ben felt bad for having doubted Meg was right for Adam, and good that he had not acceded to her request to leave, although he was sure she had changed her mind as there had been no further talk of it. But now he was happy for the two of them.