Chapter 37

From the Journal of Maisie McGinty Mar. 26, 1938

I can't blame Van for his grim mood today. There is still no word of Harry, Oscar, Richard Ladner or any of his other buddies in the Mac-Paps or the Lincolns. The news in the papers probably makes him regret that Dr. Barlow declared his eyesight good enough to start reading again. The forces of the Republic in the south of Catalonia are falling back towards the Ebro. Even the correspondents reporting under Republican censorship are admitting they're being clobbered.

As Van talked about Herbert Matthews' report in the New York Times, there was something in his eyes that I wasn't used to seeing there, fear. It gave me the willies. "First the artillery, then the planes, and then the tanks all working together like the parts of that clock." He gestured with his thumb towards the antique timepiece on the mantel. The figures of Cupid and Psyche turtledoving on top of it were as far from warlike as you could get. "The Fascists tried those tactics at Teruel and we held again and again, but we had a strong line built on a chain of high hills with secure flanks. If you have to face those tactics on an open plain or among small hills that can be easily flanked, you don't have a chance. The fascists are learning how to make war."

Lionel looked at his brother with concern. "I know you wish there were something you could do about it, but there isn't. Maybe you ought to follow the advice you gave John Hammond. Take Grace somewhere special. Relax and enjoy yourselves. Ignore the troubles of the world for a while."

Van smiled wearily. "For a while, maybe, but only for a while. Fascism isn't something you can ignore." The fear that stared out of his eyes was so intense that my stomach twisted like warm taffy. I wasn't the only one in the room to shudder a little at what he said next. "If it isn't stopped, hell and night are coming for us all."

Grace Mainwaring to Sally Henry March 28, 1938

… Van is actually considering granting an interview on Spain and fascism. There seems to be a need for one. He's finding that the people of New Bedford are mostly decent, but too many, even some who have been generous in support of my fundraising for the Republic, are dangerously naïve about fascism.

Honey still can't see that it isn't just Spain's or Europe's problem. I can't blame her for that. She hates to think of Hub and Henry fighting in the war that's coming when the Fascists win in Spain and try to dominate Europe. I don't like to think of it either.

Van wonders if the interview should go to CRNB and Mrs. Cramp or the New Bedford Chronicle and Mr. Cramp. It's a difficult question. A newspaper interview would be more in depth, but a radio interview would reach more people.

I think worry about peoples' opinions of fascism isn't his only reason for considering this interview. There are moments when he reads the war news and just stares into nothing. I'm sure he feels guilty because his friends are still fighting and dying in Spain while he sits safe at home. However, I received a phone call today at the mine office from the Secretary of the Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion in Toronto that might offer him a chance to do more for them than just sit for an interview.

From the Journal of Honey Sutton March 29, 1938

Rebecca had her interview with Lionel today. I wish I could have seen her face when he said that some older fashions such as cloche hats, would look very fetching on that attractive female friend he took to El Morocco last month. According to Grace, he really took the wind out of her sails after the show when he remarked that maturity was the most attractive quality a woman could have which was why he couldn't imagine ever squiring a woman much younger than thirty. However, she wishes that he hadn't emphasized the point by being so tolerant of Mrs. Cramp's flirting.

May Bailey to Jessie Buchanan March 29, 1938

Van is giving the request of the Friends of the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion that he go on a speaking tour to raise money for their rehabilitation fund serious consideration. Given the disaster the International Brigades are currently caught up in south of the Ebro, there is no question that the money will be desperately needed. Lionel has tried to discourage his brother from helping with more than an open checkbook. He is willing to open his own and concedes that what Van did in Spain was admirable. He is even proud of him for it.

However, as he sees it, Van is an American and sooner or later America will have to let Europe solve its own problems. I wanted to give him a tongue lashing for such short sightedness. Van just remarked with a regretful smile that if Europe's solution to fascism is to let it dominate the continent, fascism will be America's problem soon enough.

From the Memoirs of Grace Bailey -

As we lay side by side on our separate beds, I persuaded Van to only accept the Friends of the Mac-Paps' offer if Dr. Barlow certified that he was recovered enough. However, he was now determined to give an interview to Mr. or Mrs. Cramp for the benefit of the people of New Bedford. The question of who should get the interview would have been a tricky one even if I hadn't been working for both parties and unable to figure out a way to avoid making one or the other unhappy with me.

From the Journal of Maisie McGinty March 30, 1938

All of us were sad to see Lionel Marshall leave New Bedford. I think Dad will miss him something awful if only because finishing their current chess game by mail will take until the middle of the summer since they can only send one move per letter. On the way to the station, he and Van took time to needle each other like a grownup version of Henry and Hub.

Lionel admitted that his business partner, Andrew Vale, was getting impatient for him to return. It's easier to run an antique store when both partners are on the premises. Van pointed out that it's also easier to double date at the Stork Club. "I don't know why you always go to gilded clip joints like that or El Morocco when there are music heavens like the Onyx Club and Jimmy Ryan's around."

Lionel looked at me and put his hand next to his mouth pretending to be speaking confidentially. "He means dives. My brother would visit the sewers under the Fulton Fish Market if there were a good jazz combo playing there."

"Good jazz is worth going anywhere," Van retorted, "but you know very well the clubs on 52nd St. are pretty lavish, just not to the point where the décor is louder than the music."

Van has every right to be so cheerful. Dr. Barlow certified that he is healthy enough for his fundraising tour as long as Juanita goes with him as a precaution. They even made plans for him to get a gelatin glycerol prosthetic auricle to disguise his mangled upper ear while he's in Toronto.

It's probably a good idea. Grace could care less what his ear looks like. However, he has frightened some children and even some adults who aren't used to it. Either way, I think it's amazing that he could take an impact strong enough to cause fracturing of the temporal and parietal bones and be almost completely recovered two months later.

From the Memoirs of Grace Bailey -

I was glad that Van was cheered up by Dr. Barlow's verdict. However, when I asked him how successful he thought the fundraising would be, he couldn't resist grinning wickedly. "I'll make out all right. I do have a talent for persuading people to give me money."

There was a time when a remark like that would have been deeply hurtful in light of his former profession. Now, I felt only a little mild shock and far more amusement. I failed to completely stifle a snort of laughter. "That's not funny."

Van held up his hand. "Don't worry. I won't be selling anyone any fake rubies. Unless maybe a raffle …."

When it came to teasing me, the man had no shame. All I could do was sputter. "Don't you dare."

"I won't," he promised as the mischief left his smile and affection settled in. He gently took my hand in his. "I don't need fake gems in my life when I have a real one by my side."

Next Week: Grace goes a little too far. Van gives an interview and makes a proposal.