"What would you like to do today?"
She grinned. "Play with Little Joe."
"Now, come on, Scamp, don't be lazy."
She looked toward the window and squinted. The sun was slanting in from the east and almost blinding her. It was always so in the mornings. Saturday mornings she usually did an hour's work although Adam had said she did not have to. He had said something about math the day before. Although she was good enough to work on her father's books, a job she enjoyed because she felt she was helping him, it was not something she enjoyed taking lessons about.
It was as if her older brother could read her mind. "It's because it's math today, isn't it?"
"How did - " She stopped. "You can always guess my thoughts."
"Well, you're so transparent, Scamp! You're exactly like Little Joe. You always wear your feelings on your face." He leant into her. "Except when you're playing poker, of course."
"Oh, Adam!" she giggled, pushing at him. "Pa doesn't like us doing that."
"I don't think he minds so much when it's for matchsticks. Although if you ever played for money there'd be hell to pay. Come on, Scamp. You've got to do your math. I know it's not your favorite subject, but you're not bad at it."
She gave a tremendous sigh. "Oh, alright."
"Besides, it's only for an hour."
So he divided the lesson into two. First, algebra. Second, equations. She was glad when the lesson was over. She always preferred it when it was literature or history. Adam was a good teacher, partly because his sister was so willing and eager. He found it a joy to impart his knowledge to her. Afterwards she helped him tidy the books and then went outside.
She wished Little Joe had waited. He had been in such a bad mood that day that he had gone out fishing without her. It was her favorite day. Except for a few chores she had masses of time and she was at a loose end. After concentrating so hard at her figures she wanted something physical to do. She meandered over to the barn where Hoss was and watched him saw wood. The fence had got broken so he had set that day to fix it.
"At a loose end, honey?"
"Yes," she sighed. "I wish Joe had waited for me. He's been so angry with me since I started these lessons."
"Oh, he'll get over it."
"Ya think?"
"Well, he'll have to. You've got to do what's right for you, Scamp, you can't live your life for him. If he's gone off in a huff he's only hurting himself."
"He's hurting me, too. But that's what he wants."
"Do you want me to talk to him?"
"No. He'd accuse me of snitching on him."
"Well, it's too bad. I don't like the way he's treating you, anybody'd think you were doing something wrong."
"He only had to wait an hour," she complained. "He could have done that."
"It's too bad," Hoss repeated. "I don't like it."
"Is that hard what you're doing?"
"No, but you've got to be strong." He jokingly felt her muscles. "Although you're as strong as an ox. Wanna help me?"
"Sure."
Joe had gone out early. He sat on the river bank, waiting for a bite. He now regretted his actions but his pride prevented him from apologizing to his sister. He was so mad at her he could spit. Whycouldn't she go on like a normal kid? Whydid she have to be so strange? It had only been a couple of weeks but their Saturdays had been sacred to them. He knew he was being unreasonable but he could not help himself. The previous weekend he had begged her to go out with him but she had been adamant.
"I'd be letting Adam down."
"He don't care!"
"Yes, he does. He puts a lot of effort into our lessons. I owe it to him."
"What you're saying is you'd rather spend your Saturday at your bookwork than spend it with me."
"Little Joe, you know that's not true! I'm only gonna be an hour!"
"An hour too long."
"Joe, why are you so angry? I'm not doing anything to you. Surely you can occupy yourself for an hour before we go out."
"Why do you have to be so goddam strange?" At fourteen he felt justified in swearing as long as his father wasn't about. Ben was likely to wash his mouth out. "I don't know any other kid who wants to spend her free time doing schoolwork!"
She was getting upset. "You should be pleased for me! I'm finally being taught things I don't actually know. It's interesting and Adam makes it fun."
He knew she was right but rather would have his teeth extracted than admit it. He was honest enough to realize he was jealous. He did not know why. This Saturday he had told her that if she did not come with him first thing he would go on his own. He immediately regretted saying it but he could not go back. So here he was, fishing alone.