THE TREE
March 1851
Nine weeks before their tenth birthday an event occurred that neither of them would forget. In later years their father would laugh and say he almost visibly saw Little Joe grow up in that time.
Joe and Scamp would compete in who could climb fastest and highest among the pine trees on the ranch. A particularly ornery example stood in the small copse bordering the meadow just to the east of the house. Their brothers called them monkeys for even attempting to climb it.
The lowest branch to the ground was more than ten feet up. One warm March day they sat tiredly up in the air, using their last vestiges of energy pushing each other. Scamp lay on her stomach, rocking her leg back and forward.
"Over you go," he joked.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Really?"
"Don't even think about it."
He was never to know what possessed him. He stared down at the ground and as she clambered past him, gave her a massive push. There was a terrible crash and then the most chilling screams he had ever heard. When he willed himself to look he saw her lying in a crumpled heap, her leg lying at an impossible angle.
"Scamp! Scamp!" Joe flew down the tree, scraping himself bloody in the process and bent over the screaming girl. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"Little Joe! Joe, it hurts! My head, my hip, my leg!"
"Oh, Lord!" He was in tears. "I've gotta get someone!"
"No, don't go! Don't go!" she shrieked.
"I've got to!" He saw the blood slowly seeping through her hair and panicked. "I'll be as quick as possible! Don't move!"
He was so agitated he did not realize how stupid his last two words were. He tore across the field as fast as his legs could carry him, his heart pounding almost out of his chest. "Pa! Adam! Hoss! Anyone!"
The three men ran out of the barn.
"What is it?" Ben cried.
"It's Scamp! She's hurt real bad! Please come quick!"
The screeches led them to her. Ben took her in his arms. "Scamp! Sweetheart! What happened?"
"Daddy, my leg, my hip!" she sobbed. "It hurts so bad! My head!"
His hand was covered with her blood. "Ssh, ssh, Pa's here, Daddy's here. Now be a good girl for Daddy. My beautiful, sweet honey!" he cried as she wept with agony against his breast. He covered her in kisses, stroking her face over and over again. "Adam! Go for a doctor! NOW! Now, my dove, Daddy's got to pick you up - "
"No! Daddy, don't! Please! It hurts!"
"I know but we've got to get you home. Now you be my big, strong girl. There's my brave girl!"
Her cries could be heard from a hundred yards away. "Aaagghh! Don't! It hurts, it hurts!"
"Joe, run to the house and get Hop Sing! Hot water, bandages! Now!"
The boy sped in front of them as Ben and Hoss trotted quickly across the grass. "Ssh, ssh, darling!" Ben crooned as his daughter writhed and screamed in sheer hell of pain.
Joe was pumping water into bucket after bucket. When he ran out of buckets, he used bowls. Hop Sing already had already heated the stove.
"Hoss! Bandages!" he shouted.
It was the first time since he was about twelve he had not mistered him.
"Here, I'll lay you down on the sofa! Hoss, cloths! As many as you can! She's bleeding like a stuck pig!"
Hoss had never moved so quickly in his life. He flew around, pulling out table-cloths, serviettes, anything, shoving and throwing them at his father. The arm of the sofa was already turning reddish brown.
"Here, try and sit up. I've got to get pressure on this wound."
"No! AAGGHH! It hurts, it hurts!"
He leant her forward whilst she arched her back and struggled, and pressed on the back of her head as hard as he could.
"No, no, Pa! MY LEG!"
Little Joe was sobbing as if his heart would break. Hop Sing swore in explosively loud Cantonese. "Boil, BOIL!" Joe yelled, leaning over the stove.
"Little Joe, more water! Now!"
The boy pumped and pumped until his muscles screamed in pain. His shoulders and arms nearly seized up but he barely noticed the agony. The guilt was ripping at him like a knife.
Scamp had already soaked two huge wedges of tablecloth as Hoss tore up to get every sheet he could find. He used all of the material they had in the cupboards, carrying them down in huge piles so fast he almost fell down the stairs. Scamp writhed and fought, almost falling off the couch. Every time her leg caught she bellowed. "PA, MY LEG!"
"Alright, alright, honey, I'm here! Honey, try to stop fighting! Pa's here!"
They washed the wound as best they could and pressed enormous wads of fabric against her. The floor around them was covered in bloody rags. It was a long time before the flow of blood started to staunch and the pile of sheets against her scalp was larger than her head itself.
"Hoss! Hoss! Little Joe!"
"We're here, darling, we're here!"
"My hip! It hurts!"
"Ssshhhh, stop struggling. I'm gonna have a look!"
Hoss finally managed to peel her pants and underwear down and saw the furious, livid bruises already covering huge areas of skin.
"My hip, my head, my leg! They're broke!"
"They're not broke, little pet, you wouldn't be able to fight if they were!" Hoss crooned. "Joseph, don't just stand there! Get some arnica. Now!"
Hoss applied it liberally as his father struggled with her head. His fingers were as soft as butterfly's wings but she still roared, sweat pouring in streams down her face. She started to hyperventilate. The marks stretched over her hip to between her legs and over her bottom and Hoss grimaced at the inappropriateness of invading her private areas. But he remembered when he had washed her as a baby and steeled himself.
"I wish Adam would hurry up with the doctor!" Ben cried.
"Pa, he's gonna be ages!"
Eventually they had her as comfortable as possible. They gently unbent her leg and her screams were terrible.
"Stop struggling! Daughter, you're gonna hurt yourself! Stop!"
Her whole left side was ruined. She was bruised and they suspected her leg was indeed broken. Ben enveloped her, engulfing her with his protective arms as she wept as if her heart would break. He let her cry out the pain.
Hoss and Joe knelt by her, Joe kissing her hand while Hoss stroked her knee, the only part of her left side that was undamaged. The family stayed like this with Hop Sing hovering nearby, his face wet with tears. Joe was wailing with grief and shame.
It seemed an eternity as they waited for the doctor; it was almost two hours, the quickest time they had ever made. When he arrived, panting with exertion, he cleared the family off and examined her. He gave her opium to dull the pain. It started to take effect and she fell into a stupor, but now she was still. Ben was still stroking her soaking wet face, crooning endearments constantly.
The doctor had already inspected her eyes and ordered Adam to make a splint for her leg. With her leg immobile, her head engulfed in bandages, Hoss carried her upstairs, changed her and put her to bed.
"I want her sleeping apart from Little Joe," said Dr Martin.
"But, doctor - "
"Joe, she needs peace and quiet. Absolute quiet. Alright?"
"Yes, sir."
"Now, Ben, you can give her some medicine every two hours. Absolutely no more, however much pain she's in, because the drug could make her ill. She's only a child and it's addictive. I've checked her eyes and I can see no damage. If she vomits or complains of headaches, if she has any problems whatsoever, send for me. She has many contusions on her left side so she must rest on her right as much as possible. She must be moved every so often to prevent bedsores. I want her to stay in bed for two weeks - "
"Two weeks?!"
"She's very badly injured, Ben."
"I'll have a devil of a job keeping her there."
"Be firm, Ben. You must."
"I will be."
"She'll have the splint on for six weeks but I don't want her to walk. You need to obtain a wheelchair. Her bone must have time to knit together. But...she's going to be alright."
"Thank the Lord."
"I'm more worried about her head than anything else. It is gashed and if it had been any worse she'd have needed stitches. You must keep a watch, Ben. Any trouble with her eyes, nausea, vomiting, bad headaches. She's very lucky in a way. A fall like that could have killed her."
Joe listened with increasing distress. Once the doctor had left Hoss stayed with his sister and Joe and Ben went downstairs.
"Now, Joseph, I want to know exactly what happened. How did she fall out of the tree? Was she careless?"
The boy knew he would have to own up. Scamp would never say anything but his own basic honesty drove him to confess and he knew he would not have a moment's rest if he kept it quiet. He swallowed hard, summoning his courage and felt his cheeks become bright red. He was quite aware his father would give him the worst hiding of his young life but he no longer cared. He stared at the floor and closed his eyes for a moment. Eventually he forced the words out.
"I pushed her."
He was expecting an explosion but none came. He made himself look up and wished he hadn't. Ben's face was dark with the most terrible anger he had ever seen.
"You...Did...What?" Ben's voice was low like distant thunder.
"I didn't mean to, Pa! We were playing and I..." he trailed off, his throat dry with fear and ended lamely, "...I thought she'd bounce or something."
"Bounce?...BOUNCE?! The only thing around here that'll bounce is your backside, young man!"
"I know. But please, Pa..." He paused, huge tears running down his face. "I don't care how hard you tan me...I deserve it. But please, please believe me. I didn't mean any harm. Please believe me!"
Ben paused, swallowing down his fury. "Alright, Joe, I believe you." He put his hand on his shoulder. "You're an honest kid and at least you owned up. If you hadn't and I'd found out later...well, you wouldn't have sat down until you were about thirty. Come on, I want you to come to the barn with me."
"Th-the barn?"
"Yes, the barn. I'll not have you wake that girl up with your howling. Because believe me, you will howl. I have never been so disappointed with you in my life. You could've killed her – your own sister!"
Joe began to cry even harder. He started to wonder if he would be hanged or put in jail forever. He would forever be known as the boy who had tried to kill his sister. He was certain of only one thing. If she had died, he would have quickly joined her.
Ben pointed at the door. "Go to the barn, young man."
Joe went willingly enough. Ben followed just behind him, his face grim. The kid's legs started to shake and he had a pain in his stomach. He knew it was going to be bad and wondered if he would be able to stand it. He would have to, he thought. Somehow.
Once inside, Ben closed the door and Joe resisted the urge to be sick. Ben usually abhorred having to chastise him but he suspected this time he would find it easier. He was controlling himself and had counted to ten in his head at least twice.
He lit a lantern and watched Joe stand some way away in front of him, his head down, sobbing quietly. Ben sat down on the tiny bench and beckoned to him. Joe found it hard to breathe but slowly walked up to him.
The walk to the gallows, Joe thought. He would surely remember it all of his life, the cold dread of awful punishment.
The spanking was long and terrible. Ben belaboured him mercilessly and his hand was red and stinging by the end. Joe's world narrowed to a barrage of pain and he thought he would die. It seemed like an eternity before Ben jerked him off his lap. Joe staggered, screaming, and his father shook him.
"Listen to me! What you did was wicked. I know you didn't mean to hurt her but I cannot believe your stupidity. If you had broken her spine or neck, killed her, how would you feel?" He stood up and looked down at him gravely. "Now you stay here until you've composed yourself. And I hope every time you try to sit down for the next day or so you'll think about what you did."
He went out, closing the doors behind him and Joe threw himself down on a bale of hay, sobbing as if his heart would break. When his brothers found out what he had done they exploded with fury
Hoss rarely got angry but his good-natured face was black with rage. "Of all the..."
"Where is he? I'll wear him out with a wooden spoon!"
"No, Adam. He's already been punished and believe me, he won't be sitting down for a long time. I nearly wore my arm out."
"Where's that spoon?"
Ben caught his wrist as he strode to the kitchen. "Adam, I said no! I do not punish a child twice. You ought to know that. His bottom is already blazing and he doesn't need any more. You hear me?"
"Alright, Pa."
"Besides, I think the fact he could've killed her is hurting him far more. You know how he feels about her. He told me he was playing and I believe him. It was a stupid, wicked thing to do but he regrets it. Boy, does he regret it."
The young men had to accept it but when they heard their little sister's wails again, their hearts hardened.
"And another thing, Adam," Ben said before they went upstairs. "Little Joe admitted it right away. I asked him what had happened and he immediately owned up. That took some courage. He's not a bad boy, Adam, just a very stupid one."
Adam knew he was right but was finding it hard to control his anger.
Joe had shrieked himself hoarse and he lay quivering, his clothes covered in hay. Every time he moved he cried so he kept very still. He wept until he had no more tears. But it was no good because more came. A poem he had once heard came into his head.
"We reach for the stars but they are not meant for Man,
A billion tears have blinded him ever since the world began."
Why had he thought of that? A billion tears! He must have cried at least that, if not more. He felt he would never stop. As he lay his head into the aromatic spiky blades, nursing his pain and grief, his mind started to go off at strange angles. How many tears could there be in the world? Were they limitless, stretching to infinity and beyond? Joe did not have a poetic heart, but he had a gentle one. He could feel the sharp dagger in his chest, tearing his soul to shreds.
His father's words were imprinted in his mind. What if he had killed her? Broken her spine, her neck? In his mind's eye he saw the dead, mangled body of his beloved, adored sister and black grief overwhelmed him.
"What if you had killed her? Broken her spine or neck?"
He had meant it as a silly prank. He must be a very wicked, evil person, he concluded. He would see her bloody head and her unnaturally bent leg until the day he died. He would hear her screams forever. He would never forget the pain and disgrace, walking that mile across the barn toward his father's fury.
The light was turning and still Joe did not come in. Scamp had gone back to sleep with her latest dose of opium, much to the family's relief. When she was slumbering she was not suffering. Her strong young body could start the journey to recovery.
The four men stood in the girl's room, looking down at her. In the lamplight her face was calm and smooth, but still swollen from all the tears she had shed.
"Poor, poor darling!" Adam murmured.
"My little pet!" his brother sniffled.
Even Hop Sing was quiet, his face drawn and white.
"Now, boys, Scamp's going to be alright," said Ben. "Please try not to think of what could have happened."
"How far do you think she fell, Pa? Ten feet? Fifteen?" Hoss asked.
"She didn't fall, she was pushed!"
"Adam, son, Joe is flaying himself alive as we speak. He is sorrier now than he has ever been in his life. He's a young kid, he made a mistake." He leant over Scamp and gave her a tender kiss. "He is punishing himself far more than I could. We must be kind to him, gentle. Forgive him. He loves her so much. And hopefully then he will forgive himself."
Hoss looked moved while Adam pursed his lips. But Ben could see his words had touched his eldest son. Ben sighed and stood up from the bedside.
"He's been in that barn far too long. I'll go and get him."
Joe had not moved from where he had thrown himself. The grief and emotion had exhausted him and he dozed fitfully, occasionally coming to and weeping with physical and mental pain. He jumped when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Joseph? Son? Come inside now, Little Joe."
"Pa?"
"Come inside, boy. It's getting cold now."
He groaned as he slowly climbed to his feet. He had never felt so devastated in his life. He felt as if he was going to be sick and his whole body trembled. His legs quaked and his bottom and the backs of his thighs burned with the fires of hell. He could not have cared less.
"Pa?"
"Yes, son?"
"I...I'm going to die."
"You silly boy! Of course you're not going to die!"
"But if I'd killed her - "
"You did not kill her. We cannot live our lives thinking of what ifs and what could have beens. We'd drive ourselves mad. You made a mistake. A silly, stupid mistake. And you've paid for it." Ben put his forefinger on Joe's temple. "I think there's far more pain inside there then on your backside. Am I right?"
"Yes, sir...but it's here," he added, touching his chest.
"I know it is."
"Pa?"
"Yes, Joe?"
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"I already have."
"But how?" Joe cried, dissolving once more into tears. "I don't deserve it!"
"Now, Joseph, enough of this. It's not about you any more, it's about Scamp. She needs our help, our love. Understand? However bad you're feeling, she's feeling much worse. It's selfish to concentrate upon yourself while she is lying up there in pain. So no more, hear? Forget about yourself. Think only about her."
"Yes, sir, I will."
"Good boy."
"Is...is she alright?"
"She's asleep, child. While she's asleep she's not hurting."
"And her head? Has it stopped bleeding?"
"Yes. The doctor gave her bandages and dressings. We change them every so often because her scalp's still oozing a bit. You'll have to do it yourself, Joe."
"Yes, sir, I will. If you show me how."
"Of course I will."
"And Hoss...and Adam? I guess they're angry too?"
"Yes, but I've talked to them. I told them you're a good boy and you didn't mean to hurt her. Adam wanted to larrup you."
"What does larrup mean?"
"Tan. Wallop."
Joe shivered. "I bet he does."
"But my children don't get punished twice. Once is more than enough. I told him you're punishing yourself far more."
"Yes, sir."
"Now why don't you come in? We're having supper soon."
"To be honest, Pa, I couldn't eat a thing. I feel sick."
"I bet you do. It's emotion, Joe, that's all. But you have to eat or you'll be ill and I can't cope with two ill children at the same time. You have to keep yourself strong for Scamp. She needs your help. OK?"
"OK, Pa."
Ben stooped and kissed him whereupon Joe threw himself into his arms. Ben knelt in front of him and held him as he wept. He felt Joe's little body slowly steel itself and when he pulled away there was a look of resolve in his face.
"I have to be strong, don't I, Pa?"
"Yes, son, you do."
"I will be. I promise."
"Good boy. I was ashamed of you earlier but I'm proud now."
"Can I help you with anything tonight?"
"Yes, there might be things you could do. And it'll take the weight off us if we know you're there to help. Mostly you just have to be there for her. She was asking for you."
"Sh-she was?"
"Yep. Despite her pain she found time to scold me for tanning your hide."
"I don't mind that. I deserved it."
"Come on, Joe. Let's go and eat."
They walked across the yard, hand in hand. Usually Joe would have found such a gesture embarrassing and childish but now it comforted him. When they got in Adam and Hoss rose to their feet.
"Hop Sing's with Scamp, Pa," Adam said.
"Adam," Joe said bravely, walking over to them. "I know you're angry – and Hoss – and I know you wanted to skin me. I don't blame you and I wouldn't have minded if you had. I'd rather take a hundred hidings than hurt her."
"One will do," Ben said firmly, his hand massaging his shoulder.
"I just want you to know...I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me one day."
Adam and Hoss smiled.
"Alright, Little Joe," Adam said, gently nudging his arm. "We know you are. I was angry – very angry and you're right, I was ready to bare your backside and put a wooden spoon across it. But it's Pa's job to discipline you, not mine. And I know you regret it. Scamp's going to be alright, little brother. The doctor said she was."
As a sign of forgiveness the three brothers embraced. They kissed the boy's cheek and Joe's blackness lifted very slightly. At suppertime Ben offered that Joe go upstairs and eat, as he always did. Joe shook his head, not wanting to be spared the humiliation.
"Thanks, Pa, but I'd rather stay down here if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind."
He stood just off to the side, leaning against the wall with his boot.
"Joe, try and not pick at your food, son. Remember what I said about us needing you now? About you keeping strong?"
"Yes, sir," he murmured, forcing a little more food down.
"And Joe?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Take your foot off the wall."
At his brothers' laughter he gave a weak smile.
Joe was as good as his word. If his spirits were dampened and he appeared less demonstrative and impudent than normal it was only to be expected. He applied himself assiduously to Scamp's care and watched his elders like a hawk so he would know exactly what to do.
A few days later Ben was chuckling with Adam and Hoss. "I have never known Little Joe so well-behaved. Not once. Not since the moment he was born."
"It is a little abnormal, isn't it, Pa?" Adam smiled. "What with Scamp laid up and Joe acting like an angel, I'm getting to miss the chaos."
"Well, it's only natural he should be a bit subdued."
"Yeah, you did hammer him, Pa," said Hoss.
"It's got nothing to do with me hammering him. This terrified him. I think the fact that she could have died – at his hands – has frightened him more than anything else in his life."
"I hope the change isn't permanent," Hoss said. "I liked Little Joe the way he was. I don't know who this angelic, perfect kid is."
"You kidding?" Adam grinned. "Once Scamp is up and about those two'll be running rings around us again. Just like they have since they could walk."
Joe came up forlornly. "Is there anything else you'd like me to do, Pa?"
"No, Little Joe. You've done a lot today."
"I'll go and sit with her then."
Joe remembered that first night. When Ben said he could not see her until the next day he was furious.
"But I want to see her now!" he cried, stamping his foot.
Ben looked at him sharply, displeased at his bratty tone. "You'll do as you're told, young man. I said no." Joe lowered his head. "Joe, she's asleep. I don't want to even risk waking her up - "
"But I'll be real quiet!"
"No."
So he spent the night tossing and turning on his bed, trying to get comfortable. He could only lie on his stomach and he was barely able to wait until the daylight came.
It was not until the morning that Scamp was conscious again and spoke to him. Her face had lightened as if the sun had come out.
"Little Joe! Where have you been?"
"Here, Scamp, right here."
"I was asking and asking for you!"
"You were asleep, darling," he murmured stroking the hair from her forehead.
"Oh, Little Joe! I'm in so much pain!"
Joe could have howled. He clutched at her hand, kissing it fervently, his tears warming her skin. "Oh, Scamp!" he cried, his voice breaking. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Forgive what?" she gasped, trying to move and crying with pain. "It was an accident."
"But I did it on purpose. I didn't mean to hurt you, though. I thought you'd bounce."
"I'm not a rubber ball."
"I know. I'm sorry, I really am."
"I'm sorry too. Sorry Pa busted your butt."
"Oh, that! Why do you think I'm kneeling, not sitting? Lord, I thought it'd've died off overnight, but I still feel bruised."
"I told him not to do it."
"Well, Adam was gonna tan my bare behind with a wooden spoon."
"He what?!"
"Pa stopped him."
"Adam's got no right to do that!"
"Maybe not, but he was going to. I wouldn't have minded. Yeah, I'd've screamed blue murder, but I'd've deserved it. And I didn't care about the tanning, Scamp. I deserved every blessed spank he gave me. When I think what might've happened..."
"Well, it didn't," said Scamp, twisting and grimacing. "My doggone hip! I don't know what hurts most, my leg, my hip or my head."
Guilt stabbed at him. "Do...do you want me to get Pa?"
"No, it's OK. But you'll stay a while, won't you?"
"I'm supposed to do my chores but I'll just tell Pa I'm helping you and he'll let me off." Joe chuckled. "Probably have to do them later, though."
"Everyone has to pull their weight," they chanted and started to laugh.
"Only you won't have to pull yours for a full six weeks. You've got a six week holiday."
"Holiday? You call me being trapped in my bed a holiday?"
"Well, that's only for two weeks. I offered to do your chores and he said, 'Good. You were going to do them anyway.' "
"Pa'll probably having me shelling peas, sitting like a lummox at the table, before the six weeks is up. Gor, that's even worse. I don't wanna help Hop Sing. I'd rather be up to my waist in horse manure."
"No-one else would," Joe said, grinning good-naturedly. "The stench would reach all the way to Reno."
"Better that...than housework. Or cooking."
Joe shared his brothers' amusement at her detestation of anything remotely domestic. "You wouldn't really prefer to be standing in manure, would you?"
She gave him a withering look. "What do you think?"
"I think you would."
"And you'd be right."
She suddenly arched her back and cried out.
"I'll get Pa!"
"No, Little Joe! Don't leave me!"
"I'll be back real, real quick!"
He thundered downstairs, almost falling over his own feet. "Pa, Pa!"
"Little Joe! For Pete's sake, be quiet! She's trying to rest!"
"She's in pain, Pa! She's in agony! You need to come!"
Ben and Joe leant over her.
"Pa, it hurts! It hurts!"
"I know, sweetheart. Now sshh, sshh, let Pa look at your head. Be a brave girl. Oh, that's much better. It's not bleeding as much now, we'll change it in about an hour. Joe, you'll do that, won't you?"
"Yes, sir. Of course."
"Now, honey child, where does it hurt most?"
"Everywhere!" she wept.
"Oh, I know. Now, Scamp, baby, this is a very hard time for you. I need you to be brave, real brave. Do you think you could do that for Pa?"
She stopped tossing and gazed at him, her green eyes hazel in the half-light of the room. She resembled Joe so much Ben gasped. Her face was white and gaunt but there was a transparent green around her eyes and mouth. He could not imagine how much pain she was in.
"Yes, Pa," she said quietly. Tears started to pour down her face. "I'll try."
He kissed her hand and laid it gently on his face. "You're a brave, strong girl. My brave little girl. You're far braver than any boy I've ever known."
Her face lit up with ecstasy. "Really, Pa?"
"Really."
"You're not just saying that?"
"Now since when have I ever just said anything? You know I don't tell fibs. Besides, if I was laid up with a bad leg, hip and head, I'd be yellin' a heck of a lot louder than you."
She giggled. "But you're a grown-up man, Pa!"
"Still..." He looked at Joe and held out his hand. After a pause Joe took it. "And this great lummox here. You'd hear him all the way to San Francisco." Her giggling turned to laughter. "Isn't that right, Little Joe?"
"Sure, Pa," Joe replied with a good-natured grin. "Probably further."
"Pa? Please give me some medicine. My hip's killing me. And my leg."
"Darling, I can't. You're only allowed a teaspoon every couple of hours and you had some half an hour or so." He gazed into her face and she looked as if she was going to be sick. "The doctor said it would make you ill if you had too much."
She closed her eyes and he saw the tears streaming down her cheeks. "OK," she whispered.
He kissed her gently and her eyes flickered open but she did not smile.
"How's your head?"
"It's...it's OK. It...does hurt."
"Joe and I will be back later on. Would you like that?"
"Sure, Pa."
He always knew when the pain was bad because when she was hurting she did not put up a fuss about being left alone. Usually she hated it.
"And if I asked Hop Sing nicely he could make a nice cake. Hm? Chocolate cake. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Not really, Pa. I don't feel too good."
He frowned at that and took Joe outside. Once they closed the door they heard her crying. Joe was overcome with anguish.
"Oh, Pa!"
"Here, here, Little Joe, it's alright, don't cry," he said, cuddling him.
"It's all my fault!"
"Joe, I told your brothers and I'll tell you, what's done cannot be undone. You can't change it. You're doing everything you can for her and that's all you can do. You've been a very good boy, you're helping her and making it more bearable for her. It'll be very difficult for a while but it will get better, you'll see."
He held him until his tears passed but there was such torment on his face that he kissed him. "Oh, she loves you so much, son! Just be there for her. It'll get better, I promise!"
From then on she bore her suffering with as much courage as she could muster. Her brothers and father would often find her weeping quietly or lying with her eyes closed and her face in a agonized grimace.
"Poor little thing," said Adam. "She's in so much pain."
"She's the bravest man I've ever known," said Hoss, giving her the greatest accolade she could ever receive.
"Tell that to her," Ben smiled. "She'll worship you for eternity."
Paul Martin came to the house every day with clean dressings and advice. "She is one hell of a girl," he said, allowing himself to swear that one time.
"She is. I'm very proud of her."
"And Joe?" Paul looked at his friend closely, aware of the child's offense and punishment.
The two men were sitting on the porch, sipping at Ben's sherry. He had managed to persuade the doctor to partake of one sociable drink before he had to go on his rounds.
"I'm proud of him too. Poor little lad. He knows how stupid he was. It's really shaken him. In fact, he's not really been himself lately."
"I noticed. Like a little ghost of himself, isn't he?"
"Yes," Ben answered sadly.
Paul understood and patted his arm. "He's had a scare. As soon as Scamp is up and around they'll be under your feet again and driving you up the wall."
"That is exactly what Adam said."
"And Adam is right. So am I. The doctor is always right."
"Yes, Dr Martin, sir!"
"Now I have to be on my way, despite your delicious sherry. Or perhaps because of it. I do not want to be falling out of my buggy and breathing alcohol all over my patients."
It was a hot spring and Scamp chafed and pined at being confined. Despite her pain she healed quickly although she often wept when there was no-one there. The family spoiled her unashamedly, the first time in her life she had ever been indulged. Ben brought her in flowers every day in his best vase. She had always scorned bringing flowers to the sick but now she was touched by his kind gesture. She asked Adam to give her lessons because she was missing school.
"Funny little kid," he murmured fondly. "Most children would enjoy being away from school."
"Well, Adam, I'm bored. And I like school."
"What would you like to learn?"
"Well, we were doing history and English."
"Well, neither is my area of expertise but I'll have a go. Which bits were you doing?"
"The American Revolution and English poets."
"The American Revolution and English poets, eh? Miss Jones is certainly going all out with you, isn't she?"
"The other children are so stupid."
"Now that's not very nice, younger sister, is it? What about Little Joe?"
"Well, Joe's...well, Joe's Joe."
"I'll not pursue that any further in case you tell me what you mean. Strange, in't it? There he is at school, hating every moment, and here you are on a nice little holiday, hating every moment."
"Well, I don't hate it exactly, although I don't like it when it hurts."
"I bet you don't."
"And I don't miss doing my chores."
"Don't worry, they'll be there waiting for you when you get better."
"Then I'll never get better!"
"You mean you want to stay here in your room, in bed?"
"Oh, no!"
He was only too happy to oblige his knowledge-hungry sister. He set her to work and it occupied her time until Little Joe came home. Ben and Hoss came to see her whenever their duties would allow. When Adam told Joe about her lessons he found it hilarious.
"Trust her!"
"She likes it."
"She must have a screw loose."
"No. She's just clever."
"And I'm not?"
Adam bit his lip to hide his amusement. For a moment he pondered whether to tease him or not and decided against it. "You're not stupid but you must admit you don't like schoolwork, do you?"
"Not much."
"There you are then."
"You must be loving it, being her lord and master."
"Lord and master?! The day when anyone's lord and master of our sister is the day pigs'll fly."
"Perhaps she'll do my homework for me."
"Only if you want Pa to blow his top. He's told you about that before."
"Well, if she likes it so much..."
"Little Joe, behave! Pa'll pull yer lugs off if you even think about it." He paused. "And so will I."
Hoss came to see her regularly. He shared little with her except for a burning, enduring love. She felt herself growing very close to him during her confinement.
"How ya doin', sweetheart?" he would say, brushing her bangs off her forehead.
"OK. Bored."
Hoss sniggered. "Obviously Adam isn't keeping you busy enough."
"Oh, he is!" Hoss's role was to tell her what was happening on the ranch, how the animals were and what they had done. "And what's my little Prince been doing?"
"I reckon he's missing you."
"Really?!" she beamed.
"Yeah. He knows something's up. Funny how animals can tell."
"Oh, I miss him. I wish Pa'd let me see him."
"You heard what Dr Martin said. You've got to stay in bed for two weeks."
"Yeah, yeah."
"Leastwise that new grey is shaping up nicely."
"He was adorable. I bet I could gentle him."
"I bet you could. But Pa wants it done this side of the next six weeks."
"Curses."
"There'll be plenty more."
"Not like him."
"Oh, there will be. Magnificent, though, ain't he?"
He entertained her making up funny stories to make her laugh. "You know Victor Williamson?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, he's got a new hound dog. A bitch. He brought her round earlier."
"Oh, I wish I'd seen it."
"You will. She's gonna have her first litter soon. Well, anyways she's gotten real fat, about to whelp. She's a bloodhound. One of the only ones in the territory, according to Williamson."
"Oh, I wish I'd seen it! I'm missing everything up here!"
"She's a sweet little thing. Got a coat of gold. But it's bristly."
One day Joe came whirling into the living room, skidding across Hop Sing's newly polished floor.
"That's torn it," said Adam, snapping a catalog up.
"Little Joe, you will polish those scrape marks or Hop Sing will skin you extremely slowly with his meat knife."
"Death by a thousand cuts," Hoss chortled.
"Plus he will probably go back to China and I've no desire to break in another cook."
"Yes, sir! Guess what?"
"What?"
"M...Miss Jones is out there!"
They looked out of the door to see the familiar little pony and trap coming around the barn.
"Well, go and welcome her, then."
Hoss gave an ugly grin. "You ain't bin up to mischief again, have you, Little Joe?"
"No, I haven't!"
"Well, if he has we shall soon find out," said Ben.
"I haven't!"
"Well, go and help her down, then! Where are your manners?" Ben spat on his hand, ran it over Joe's thick hair and grubby face and gave him a little push through the door.
Abigail Jones looked over at the little urchin as he ran to meet her. "Little Joseph!"
"Howdy, ma'am."
She drew up to a stop. "It's certainly a fine day, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am, it sure is." Joe wondered why she had come such a long way just to talk about the weather. "Can I...can I help you down?"
"Certainly, Joseph." She offered her gloved hand and he steadied her as she descended. A faint aroma of lavender assailed his nostrils. Squinting, she looked up at the cloudless sky. "Almost too hot, isn't it?"
"Yes'm."
He searched his mind, trying to remember any misdemeanors he was guilty of, but could not think of any. He had been so angelic of late that even the teachers had remarked on it. Ben came forward, smiling, stretching out his hand.
"Well, Miss Jones! What a pleasant surprise!"
"Good afternoon, Mr Cartwright."
"Hoss, would you ask Hop Sing to make some coffee? Adam'll look after your horse. Please come in."
"Little Joe, there's a bag in the trap. Would you bring it in, please?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She sat on the sofa primly as Ben offered her a sherry.
"It's a long time since we've had the pleasure of your presence at the Ponderosa! How's Joe doing at school?"
"He's been extremely good."
"Nice change, eh?"
Joe overheard the last remarks, scowled and gave his teacher her bag.
"Yes, it certainly is, although I must say I miss his little cheeky face of a morning." Joe blushed and gave a shy smile. "I heard what happened."
"Mm, I expect everyone this side of Reno has heard."
Joe's flush spread all the way to his ears, this time with shame.
"I...I wanted to visit her, if that is alright, Mr Cartwright. I've bought her a little something."
"Oh, Miss Jones, you shouldn't have!"
"Oh, it's only a tiny thing. Nothing much."
"Well, it's most kind of you, ma'am. Isn't it, Joseph?"
"Yes, sir, it sure is."
"I'm sure Scamp will be delighted to see you."
"Well, she really is my best student, Mr Cartwright. Not only at the moment, but that I've ever known. She makes teaching a joy and a pleasure." She bent forward conspiratorily. "To be honest with you, sir, I think she's getting a little too smart for me. I already suspect she knows as much as me."
Ben laughed. "I'm sure that's not true, ma'am! But it is extremely kind of you to say so. No doubt it'll be down to your excellent teaching."
"She is clever, your daughter, the brightest child I have ever known. I sometimes worry she is wasted at our little school."
"She knows she's bright, too."
"Little Joe!"
"No, sir, Little Joe is right. She's not always a humble child. She knows how clever she is. But she is sweet and warm-hearted, just like this one here," she added, tousling Little Joe's curls.
Joe had never blushed so much in his life. "Shall I go and tell Scamp Miss Jones is here?"
Ben nodded and Joe skedaddled, relieved to escape the embarrassment.
"I'm extremely fond of her," Miss Jones went on. "I really am. Do you know, it was my birthday a few weeks ago? She remembered. Joe brought me an apple and Scamp a posy of flowers; then she gave me a little kiss."
"Yes, I remember that. She is extremely thoughtful. And so is Joe."
Little Joe left the adults to their tittle-tattle and coffee and careered up the stairs to inform his sister their teacher was loose in their house.
"Oh, good!"
"Trust you to wanna see your teacher!"
"Well, I like her. Don't you?"
"Well, yeah, sure. But...but she's our teacher."
"You act like it's a dirty word. She's nice. She's always been sweet to us. Even when we're naughty."
"Yeah, I know, I like her well enough. It's just...well, you're odd." He swept his hand over her notepad and books which lay on the covers. "I can't think of any other kid who'd wanna do schoolwork when they don't have to."
"I find it interesting, Little Joe."
"Perhaps you'll be a schoolmarm when you grow up."
"No, I'm gonna work on the Ponderosa."
"What, even when you're an old lady like Miss Jones?"
"Even then."
He grinned. "So you're never gonna leave and get married and have babies?"
"Little Joe, I'm not so sick I can't get out of bed and thump you."
"Considering you've only got one leg you'll find that hard. Hopalong." He quickly weaved away from her so her fist harmlessly whizzed through the air. "Anyway I think she's got you a present."
"A present? Oh, good!"
"Don't hold your breath. It's probably not very good."
"Wow, you're being mean today!"
"Probably something like lavender water or something. I definitely caught a whiff of it."
"Stop being so nasty about her. She's my friend."
"Sorry, Scamp, she is nice. I'm only joshing you."
"I know."
A short while later there was a little tap on the door. "Knock, knock!"
"Hi, Miss Jones!"
"Hello, dear. May I sit on your bed?"
"Of course."
"Nice little room you have. I don't think I've been here before, have I?"
"I don't think so, ma'am. But this is the spare room. My real room's down the landing with Joe."
"And how are you, Scamp?"
"Oh, I'm OK, ma'am. Thank you."
She smiled at Joe. "Your brother's keeping you company, then?"
"Yes'm. He torments me."
"She torments me."
"From what I remember, you torment each other. We miss you so much, dear."
"I miss you, too. I really do. It's horrid being cooped up here all the time."
"Not for much longer, though. And your father tells me you've been keeping up with your schoolwork? With your brother, Adam?"
"Yes, we've got up to The Treaty of Alliance."
"That's wonderful, you're actually ahead of us."
"And we're doing Wordsworth and how he turned from a revolutionary to a reactionary."
Little Joe made a face, it was like being back at school. "Miss Jones, I've got a few chores to do."
The lady shook her head with amusement. The children might be the living spit of each other but their attitude toward learning could not have been more different. She chatted with her star pupil about the work they had been doing and Scamp was relieved to hear she was indeed ahead of the class and had missed nothing.
"And now," Miss Jones said. She took something from her bag and gave it to her. "Get well soon, my dear girl."
"Thank you, ma'am. That's real kind!" It was a small linen bag, like a sachet. Scamp turned to her, her green eyes sparkling like emeralds. "I like presents. It's almost worth being ill for." Miss Jones laughed heartily. Wrapped in a fancy paper bag were some chocolate truffles. The child's face lit up. "Mmm! You remembered I like chocolates!"
"I remembered. But there's something else in the bag."
"Oh, Miss Jones, you are kind."
It was a tiny volume with a brown leather jacket. Scamp caught her breath. "Miss Jones!"
She quickly flicked to the front page.
"My father gave it to me."
"Oh, Miss Jones!" The girl was almost in tears. "I can't...It's too precious!"
"I have other books. But I wanted you to have it. You see, you make my job worthwhile. I've taught hundreds of children over the years, but you...you have something in you. I know it, I recognize it. I...find it hard to put it into words but do you understand?"
"I think so, ma'am."
"It was Adam who told me how much you loved poetry. Shelley won't be easy for a child of your age but I think you will appreciate it. If not now, maybe later."
Scamp began to cry and put out her arms. Her teacher embraced her and felt her soft lips on her cheek. "Thank you, Miss Jones, thank you. I shall always treasure it."
Scamp was profoundly moved by the gift. With a child's clarity she saw her friend's loneliness and yearning. When Miss Jones had left she started to read and as the teacher predicted, she did not understand much but she had an instinct and let the words wash over her. She read until the pain became too bad. Her head started to thump and she wept, shifting her weight off her left side, only to catch her broken leg and cry aloud with pain. Her father must have been listening out for her for within a few moments he had run into her room.
"Ah, honey!" he said.
He held her as she wept and she nodded off against his chest. When she opened her eyes the first thing she saw was his face.
"There she is!" he smiled. "How's my little pet?"
"Sorry, Pa."
" 'Sorry, Pa'! What an earth have you to be sorry for?"
"For crying."
He stroked her cheek and gave her a kiss. "Don't be silly, you're a very brave little girl. How's the pain now?"
"It's...quite bad," she gasped. "Miss Jones gave me a book."
"I know, she showed it to me. It was very kind of her, wasn't it?"
"Her father gave it to her."
"That makes it precious."
"Yes, sir, it does. I've already read some."
"You'll have to show Adam. He'll like that."
"He can explain it. It's quite hard. But...the words are beautiful. What time is it?"
"Gone twelve."
"Nearly lunchtime. Ah, Pa, won't you let me get up?"
"Absolutely not."
"But - "
"But, but, but – No buts, Scamp. The doctor said two weeks and two weeks it shall be."
"But it's been two weeks."
"It's been eleven days."
"Well, that's nearly two weeks."
He burst out laughing. "Come on, sweetheart, it's only three more days."
"I shall die of boredom. When are Hoss and Adam coming?"
"They'll be along quite soon. They've got to get home yet and put up their horses. Then later Joe'll come and see you when he gets home from school."
The most he would let her do is sit by the window. It was warm and the lace curtains fluttered in the balmy breeze. They sat for a long time, father and daughter, talking about their plans.
"I don't ever want to leave the Ponderosa, Pa."
"Oh, never's a long time, Scamp."
"Why would I want to leave? There's you here and Joe and Hoss and Adam and Prince."
"Maybe you'd want to have your own family one day."
"Ugh. That's what Joe said. You are my family."
"Well, you're only very young, daughter. That's a long time to come yet."
"No, I shall never leave," she said with conviction.
He laughed and kissed her head.
Adam scoured her new book with delight while Hoss was more interested in her chocolates. Sharing the last of her candy just before supper she begged her father again.
"Please, Pa, let me get up. I feel so much better."
"We've been through this before, Scamp."
"I'm so bored I could scream!"
"Only this morning you were crying with pain. You've done the worst of it, it's only two more days."
"Oh, you don't understand, Pa!" She looked like she was going to cry. "I hate lying in bed all day!"
"Sweetheart," said Adam, "you've been so good, so brave. Far braver than we could have been, eh?" he asked Hoss and Joe. "And all you've got is two more days. And people have been kind to you, haven't they?"
"I guess."
"Pa brings you flowers, Hop Sing cooks you nice things to eat and I've been teaching you. Haven't you enjoyed that?"
"Oh, yes, Adam!"
"And Miss Jones gave you those gifts," said Hoss.
"I know."
"And one of them was very special," Ben reminded her. "A book given to her by her father. That was very kind of her, wasn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"So in a way you're a lucky girl, aren't you?"
"Yes, sir, I guess."
"How about I bring you a couple of books from my library tomorrow? Would you like that?"
"Oh, yes, Pa, I would."
"And I'll bring you some of mine," said Adam. "You'll have so many books to look at you won't have enough time."
"Thank you, Adam."
"These last two days are always the hardest, especially when you're not used to being indoors much," said Ben. "Is there anything else you'd like to do? Anything special?"
"Apart from getting out of bed?"
"Yes, daughter," Ben answered dryly. "Apart from that."
"Well...it would be nice if Joe and Hoss and Adam and me could play games tonight. Be up here with me."
"And what about your poor old Pa?" Ben smiled, a twinkle in his eye.. "Aren't I invited?...I'm joking!" he added, nudging her arm.
"A party? Oh, good!" Joe cried.
For a fortnight Ben had been almost as worried about his youngest son as his daughter. He knew Joe had been torturing himself with guilt, made only worse by Scamp's refusal to utter or even think a word of reproach. The thought he could have maimed or even killed his sister had shattered him to the core. With Scamp he kept up his mischievous, cheeky persona but with everyone else he seemed a shadow of himself. Miss Jones had told the truth when she said she missed both the little ruffians. Several times Ben found him sitting and staring into space and he was especially gentle with him. He put his arm around him and walked him about the little flower garden at the back, directing him to cut various blooms.
"Do you think she likes the flowers?" he asked.
"I've no idea. She's not exactly the feminine type, is she?"
"No, sir."
"I think she likes it that I get them for her and that it gives me pleasure. She wants us to be happy, Joe."
"Yes, sir."
"And she especially wants you to be happy, Little Joe."
"I'm OK, Pa."
"No, you're not, you're far from it."
He straightened up and put a few sunflowers in Ben's trug. "I am OK, honest."
"You think your old Pa doesn't know what's going on with you? You're tearing yourself to bits. You must forgive yourself, son."
"I bet Adam and Hoss haven't. Or you."
"I can't speak for them but I can speak for myself. I was very angry with you but I forgave you the first day. You owned up, you took your punishment and you've done everything you can to look after her. You've thought of nothing but her and her shows courage, boy. You're a lot more grown-up than some grown-ups I know."
"Really?"
"Really."
"It's just the thoughts, Pa."
"Thoughts?"
"Yes, sir. The things you said. You said I mustn't think of them, that I must only think of her and that's what I've tried to do, honest. But I can't help feeling the things I do."
"I think I understand."
"You don't. You're wise, you don't do stupid things like me."
Ben laughed. "Oh, that's what you think, is it? That's only because I'm about four times your age. I was your age once. I did stupid things."
"Not like me."
"Maybe not exactly like you. You're wild, you don't think and you have a temper. Exactly the same as that sister of yours. She could be standing here now talking to me and you could be in that bed. Would you want her to torture herself the way you're doing now?"
"No."
"She knows you didn't mean it, Little Joe. That is was just a piece of mischief. She knows you love her and wouldn't hurt her for the world."
Joe's face relaxed into a warm smile. "But Adam and Hoss, they're still angry."
"I don't think so. I think they feel the same as me. 'Course, you'd have to ask them, but I do know them pretty well, you know. But what's most important, is the way Scamp feels. She doesn't blame you, she accepts it was a bit of play that went too far. The thing is to learn from it and I think you've done that."
As time went by Joe became calmer although he was still far too angelic for Ben's liking. The father never thought he would miss his son's naughtiness. But with his daughter also out of action the Ponderosa seemed rather too quiet. He found himself longing for the fortnight to be over and going up to her room just to see the twins' interactions and squabbles.
That evening the brothers sat around on Scamp's bed, books, cards and a chess board scattered around on the blankets. Ben had started to teach the twins chess a year or two before and they enjoyed it. Scamp rather despised checkers, thinking it inferior, but to pass the time, Hoss took it upon himself to teach her the game.
"Sure fire way to get her to lose," Adam murmured to Joe.
Adam was stronger than her at chess, as was Ben, but she was learning fast. She was finding it hard to concentrate because her hip was paining her so Adam did something he had never done before. He threw the game and she was so delighted when she won he thought it well worth his little deceit. He had to lose carefully because she was too bright to be taken in that easily.
Ben came up at about eight o'clock. "Enjoying yourselves?"
"Sure, Pa."
Scamp looked a little green around the gills. "And how's my brave gal?"
"OK, Pa."
"Time for your medicine."
"Good!" she sighed.
She had shifted her weight heavily on her right side and as he reached over he accidentally brushed her left hip. She yelped and almost wept.
"You three, leave us for a few minutes," he ordered the boys.
"Oh, Pa, don't fuss," she said as they trooped out.
Observing as much modesty as he could, he raised her nightdress only to be met with a rainbow of orange, black, blue and yellow. Her whole middle seemed to be engulfed in bruises. He sucked in his breath. "No wonder you're in so much pain."
Her voice wobbled with tears. "It's tiring being in pain, in't it, Pa?"
"Yes, darling, it is."
"It's on my hip but it goes right round my butt. It hurts to sit down."
"Well, it's a good thing you're lying down then, isn't it?"
"Yes, but it's boring lying down."
"Joe, go and get the arnica, will you?"
"Oh, no, Pa! That makes it worse!"
"Well, let's get some medicine down you."
She screwed up her nose at the foul-smelling liquid. "For something that stinks so bad it sure don't work too good."
"It works, just got to give it time."
After he had dabbed her with fire-water her brothers came back in. Joe and Hoss played checkers while Adam read her new book to her.
"Look, this is a good one. I like this one.
"I am the daughter of Earth and Water,
And the nurs'ling of the Sky;
I pass through the pores of the oceans and shores;
I change, but I cannot die."
Hoss and Joe were not fond of poetry and looked up, unimpressed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Hoss.
"Philistine," Adam muttered.
"That's...that's beautiful," Scamp said wonderingly. Her tears were no longer of pain. "What's a nurseling?"
"It means a baby who is being nursed."
"It's beautiful," she repeated.
"Sounds silly to me," said Joe.
She turned on him. "That's 'cos you have no soul!" she snapped. She saw the hurt on his face. "I'm sorry, Little Joe. I'm hurting a bit. It is beautiful, though. I don't know how you can't see it."
"Because, as Pa says, they're heathens."
"It's usually me he calls a heathen," she replied.
"And me," said Joe.
"Great man, Shelley, Percy Bysshe."
The twins laughed.
"Bysshe?" Scamp cried. "What kind of name is that?"
"His."
"Bish, bosh."
"Don't be silly, Scamp."
"Bish, bosh, bish, bosh."
"Oh, heavens, now you've got Little Joe at it."
" 'I am the daughter of the earth and sky.' Do you think old Bosh was talking about me?"
"I highly doubt it. And it's 'earth and water', ignoramus."
Despite her wisecracks Adam knew the poem had deeply moved her.
"If he'd been writing about you, Scamp, it'd be, 'I am the daughter of the dung-heap'," said Hoss, at which she stuck out her tongue at him.
"Vast improvement."
"Alright, boys and girls," said Adam in his most annoying older-brother voice. "Let's not get fractious."
"What in the heck does fractious mean?" said Joe.
"Beats me," said Hoss. "Here, Adam, why can't you talk proper?"
"I am speaking properly, you're the ones who are speaking badly." Adam winked at his sister, who grinned. "It means irritable and quarrelsome."
"Rather than just plain smart-alecky, using words you know we don't know," said Joe.
"Well, if you don't know them, you should. And you do now."
"Ah, stuff it, Adam."
"Ah, there's our sweet-tempered Little Joe back again. I was wondering where he'd been."
Joe shoved him and received a good-natured clap across the ear in return. The brothers fell off the bed with an almighty bang.
"What's going on up there?!"
"Oh, psht, Pa," said Hoss.
"That's torn it," Scamp giggled.
"What are you two doing?" Ben arrived just in time to see Adam and Joe struggling to their feet and adjusting their crumpled clothing.
"Nothing, Pa."
"Be careful, will you? Your sister's very sick."
"Oh, doggone it, Pa, I ain't made of porcelain, you know."
"No, but you've got a broken leg, a bad head and your middle is a mass of bruises. One nudge or little accident and you could be in agony for days."
"They were only playing, Pa."
"Adam, you're supposed to be the adult here."
Adam's saturnine face tightened as he tried not to laugh. "Sorry, Pa. I was just trying to teach my little brother here some manners."
"Well, good luck with that. But do it carefully, will you?"
As he went out he heard an explosion of laughter and he went downstairs, shaking his head.
They played cards but the twins soon grew tired of snap and whist.
"Well, what would you like to play?" Hoss asked.
"Poker," said Joe and Scamp together.
The older boys burst into mirth. They had surreptitiously started to teach them the game a little while ago until their father had found out. He had given the older boys such a tongue-lashing they had quickly put a stop to it.
"We are not playing poker!" Adam cried.
"Why, 'cos it's fun?" Joe asked.
"No, because Pa'd have our hides," Hoss replied.
" 'Sides, what do two kiddywinks like you wanna play poker for?"
" 'Cos it's fun," said Scamp.
"More like because you know it's forbidden."
She twisted her body, sucking in her breath. "Ooh, it hurts!"
"Whatever you wanna be, don't be an actress, Scamp, 'cos you suck at it," said Hoss.
"No, Hoss, shame on you. If our sister's in pain we ought to leave her to rest."
"Oh, come on, Adam, be a sport!" Joe cried.
"No!"
"Hoss, please!" Scamp said. She put her hand on his and then reached out to Adam. "Please?" She could tell they were weakening and gave her most winning smile.
"Oh, go on, big brothers. We already know a bit and we're going to learn some time so at least you could teach us properly."
"Oh, alright!" Adam sighed. "But when Pa comes to hang me I shall expect you to cook my last meal, OK?" The twins were delighted. "And we play for matches. Hoss, go and get some, and for heavens' sakes be discreet about it."
"No, if you want discreet I'd better do it," said Joe.
"On second thoughts, I'd better. You lot carry on playing whist, OK?"
Adam paused on the landing, his brain whirring. He frowned hard. "If you wanna win, think like the enemy does. 'Course, Pa's not the enemy, but he would be if he thought we were teaching those hellions how to play poker. I can't believe I'm in league with those two. Twenty-one years old and I'm creeping about the house for a couple of nine-year-olds. Dang! I'm getting senile. I've got some in my room."
He made Hoss sit half-way between the bed and the door so he could keep a watch out and still play. He was not surprised when the children picked the game up again and seemed to have a knack for it. "Anything naughty, you're good at," he told them.
"I don't see what's so wrong with poker, anyway," said Scamp. "It's only a game. Like Old Maid."
Hoss glanced at Adam, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Men don't get shot over Old Maid, Scamp."
"Besides, that's what you're gonna be," said Joe.
She kicked at him with her good leg. "Shut up, pest."
"What, shot or an old maid? Well, you two are certainly deceitful enough. Your poker faces are very good considering you've only just started," Adam laughed.
"Bluff and double bluff," said Joe.
Hoss looked at Joe's piles of matchsticks, then at Scamp's and grimaced. "This is only about your third game and you've already got more than me."
"You're not very good at games, Hoss," said Scamp.
Hoss nearly fell off his chair. "Pshhtt! Someone's coming!"
Matches and cards were instantly swept under the covers as they heard footsteps on the landing. Hop Sing entered and stared around him suspiciously.
"What you do here?"
"Nothing," said Scamp. "Just talking."
The little cook had known the twins all their lives and was suspicious. He glared hard at them and they returned his look with innocent smiles. He narrowed his eyes and stared hard at the bed.
"What you got there, Hop Sing?" Hoss asked, trying to change the subject.
"Mr Ben say cookies and chocolate." He put the tray down on Scamp's bedside table, looking this way and that. "He say after that Joe and Scamp must go to bed. Nearly nine o'clock."
"Fair enough," Adam said equably. He had hurriedly picked up a book and realized it was upside down. He surreptitiously turned it the right way up and awarded the old retainer with a glorious grin.
"What you four do up here?"
"Talking, reading, playing checkers."
"Hmph."
"And chess," Scamp said sweetly.
"Hmph. Mr Adam, Mr Ben say tiny bit of whiskey in yours."
"What about mine?" Hoss asked.
"You too young."
"I'm sixteen!"
"You fifteen, Mr Hoss. Only Mr Adam get whiskey."
Hop Sing sniffed and went out. Adam started laughing and when he looked back saw his sister sipping his drink.
"Scamp!" he cried, grabbing the mug and smacking at her fingers. "Can't take you anywhere!"
"Who'd want to?" said Joe.
"Ew, that's gross!"
"Serves you right. Now drink your own drink."
She arched her back, grimacing. She had cards and matches sticking in her legs and bottom. Pulling up the blankets, away from the gaze of her brothers, she attempted to pick them all up.
As much as they had enjoyed the evening, she was not sorry to go to bed. The opium made her feel groggy and as she filled up on hot chocolate and cookies she could feel sleep overpowering her.
She found herself looking forward to the evenings, after the chores were done and they could all relax. Her family were relieved to see her looking happier and Ben was especially pleased that Joe seemed more his old self. Although he felt lonely being left on his own he was glad his children were spending time together.
A few days later he came up before lunch to find her fast asleep. She had spilled some water on her front so he ferreted in the draw to find a handkerchief. He frowned as his fingers closed on tiny wooden sticks. He found the cards and matchbox and started to laugh.
"The little tykes! Oh, I'll put the fear of God in them!"
Scamp was still asleep so he arranged to bring her up some food later. As he sat at the table with his sons he chatted to them pleasantly.
"Oh, by the way, Adam, Hoss, how did you get on?"
"What d'you mean, Pa?" Hoss asked.
"I mean, how did the twins do? When you taught them how to play poker?"
There was a terrible silence and the color drained from the older boys' faces. Ben coughed loudly to hide his laughter.
"H...how did you know?" Hoss whispered.
He clicked his tongue. " 'How did I know'?! I may look dumb but I'm not. I found your matches and cards, you dopes. You could at least have hidden them better!"
"Pa, it was my fault," said Joe. "Mine and Scamp's. We made 'em do it."
"Hsht, Joe," Adam said gently. "Pa, I'm sorry. It's just Scamp's had such a rotten time. They asked and asked and I said no, and then...No, it was my fault. I'm sorry."
"What are you trying to do? Turn my nine-year-old son and daughter into riverboat gamblers?"
"Sorry."
"Yeah, Pa, we're sorry," said Hoss. "Don't blame them, it was our fault."
"Oh, I don't blame them, I do blame you. You could have at least asked me. Don't you think I might've liked a game?"
Their looks of astonishment were priceless.
"You mean, you ain't...aren't angry?" Hoss stammered.
"Well, I'm not pleased. But after everything that's happened with Joe and Scamp, you begin to put things into perspective, don't you? Just don't teach them how to drink and smoke cigars, eh?"
Joe flew at his father, almost knocking him off his chair, his arms around his neck, kissing him over and over again.
"Hold on, young'un, you're knocking the wind out of me."
"We thought you'd be so angry!"
"Still went ahead and did it, though, didn't you?" Ben asked, his eyes twinkling. He patted Little Joe on the back. "Get along with you! Little ruffians!"
The day came when Scamp could finally rise from her sickbed. Ben had helped her bathe the night before and the doctor arrived to see her. Staring into her eyes, he declared he was satisfied with her progress.
"You mean I can get up today, Doc?" she exclaimed.
"You certainly can, little lady."
She could have burst into tears.
Joe got the old wheelchair out of the attic and polished it up.
"Now, Joseph, I know you'll take her everywhere she wants to go," Ben said. "In fact, knowing you two, I shall have difficulty keeping you in the house."
"Yes, sir!" he laughed.
Within the hour she was dressed and Adam had carried her downstairs. It was decided she and Hop Sing would swap bedrooms for a month until she could walk. After that she could go back to her and Joe's old room.
"I miss chatting with you of an evening," she told him.
"Yeah, me too. It gets dang lonely in there. I'm too used to hearing you snore."
"I don't snore."
"I must be dreaming those horrible noises I hear every night, then."
"It's your own snoring you hear."
The last fortnight had been the only period in their lives when they had slept apart.
Adam modified the chair with an extension so she could keep her leg straight out when it was paining her. As their father predicted every moment Joe was not at school or doing chores was spent pushing her about.
"Don't you get tired?" Ben asked him.
"Nah. 'Course not. She's my sister."
Doctor Martin gave her some crutches.
"I shall have muscles on muscles!"
"Yes, well, take it easy, Scamp. I don't want you falling flat on your face."
Which is exactly what she did do, several times. The first time Ben almost had a heart attack when he heard a terrific bang in the kitchen and rushed in to find her sprawled across the floor.
"Scamp!"
"I'm OK, Pa!" she cried, slightly winded. "I was trying to get some cake."
"Oh, were you now?" He pulled her to her foot and steadied her back on her sticks. "How about you just ask one of us?"
"I'm not an invalid."
"That's exactly what you are."
"Sorry about the mess," she said, nodding to the items she had pulled off the table.
"Never mind about that. I'm just pleased you didn't break your other leg. Ask us in future, alright?"
"OK."
But she didn't and he took to jumping on her every time she got up.
"Where are you going?"
"The necessities of life. Do you mind?"
"Cheeky little varmit."
They sighed with relief when the month was up and she could finally take off the splint.
"Don't run around too much," said Dr Martin.
"I can ride, though?"
"Yes, but take it gently. Ben, keep an eye on her, will you? See she doesn't overdo it."
"If I see her running around I shall make her stay indoors."
"Oh, Pa!"
"Just saying, Scamp, warning you."
"How long do I have to take it easy for?" she asked the doctor with a tragic look.
"Oh, about a week." He laughed. "Don't look so sad, girl! You've been off your feet for a long time. Try not to go crazy for a while, that's all."
"A week?" she asked. She had been hoping she could get straight back to normal and now there was more delay. Paul Martin nodded. "I can go to school, though?"
"Yes."
"Thank goodness."
"How does your leg feel?"
"Itchy," she said, furiously scratching.
"Joseph, I feel I'm putting the lead poacher in charge of the gamekeepers here but keep an eye on her when she's at school, will you? Make sure she doesn't do any climbing or jumping."
"Pa!" Scamp cried, going to stamp her foot and just remembering in time. "I don't need a nursemaid! Particularly not my younger brother!"
"Sorry, daughter, I'm going to be strict with you here. I know what you're like. It's only for a week and then you can do all the tomfoolery I know you're capable of. I want your leg to heal, OK? You've had so much pain. If it gets back to me you've been going crazy and jumping on your bad leg you can stay home for another week."
"Doggone it! And you!" she cried, bringing her fiery temper down on Little Joe's head. "I don't know what you're laughing at! If you tell on me I shall tear strips off your hide!"
"Behave yourself and just walk before you run." Ben took her hand and smiled at her kindly. "Please, Scamp? For me?"
"Doggone!" she repeated, looking at Joe. He gave a crooked grin and shrugged his shoulders.
"Scamp?"
"Oh, OK, Pa."
"Promise?"
"Yes, sir. I promise."
He sighed with relief and let go of her hand. Dr Martin was chuckling loudly and gathering his things together.
"You see the pleading, threatening and bribery I have to go through to get my kids to behave themselves, Paul?"
"Yes, with this one," he replied, tousling Scamp's hair. "I can see her point of view, though. Six weeks is an awful long time when you're nine."
"Yeah, and now it's gonna be seven."
"But you can trust her, right?"
"Oh, absolutely," Ben said firmly. "Once she gives her promise she'll never break it. As much as she might want to. Same with that great lummox there."
"Might as well just lock me up in a prison cell," Scamp said, crossing her arms.
"So, wanna go to school tomorrow?" asked Ben.
"Yes, please!"
"Doc, have you got a cure for insanity?" Joe said as he showed him out. "I mean, who wants to go to school if they don't have to? She's got a screw loose, my sister."
"Beats staying at home all the time, Little Joe. You know what Scamp's like. She's sociable, she likes her teacher and she likes her work. It'll do her good to get back. And it's your birthday soon, isn't it?"
"The twenty-third."
"That's only...nine days. She got better just in time."
"We shall be ten."
Paul whistled. "Where does the time fly? Seems like only yesterday I was welcoming you into the world." He rubbed the boy's shoulder. "And I'm pleased you're more like your old self. Your Pa was worried about you for a while, you know."
"Why? Scamp was the one who was ill, not me."
"Because you were so hard on yourself." Joe blushed deeply and hung his head. "Little Joe, these things happen. You made a mistake but you put it right. You can only learn and move on."
"That's what Pa said."
"And he's right. I told you Scamp would be alright, didn't I?"
"Yes, sir."
Joe watched the little buggy as it disappeared around the corner of the barn..