Her Captain's Heart

by Lyn Cote

  The thought of having Fiddlers Grove’s most important citizen come to take part in this production with them seemed to ignite a special excitement that raced through the children. Sassy and Beth weren’t the only girls dancing and clapping.

  “Now get back behind the curtain and I’ll let everyone in,” Verity said, herding them all behind a large white bedsheet that she and Hannah had hung right after school today. Joseph was already there to help keep peace.

  Then she took a deep breath and opened wide the school door. “Come in!” she invited, alive in the moment. “Welcome! Merry Christmas!”

  Dacian Ransford was first at the doorway. He let his obviously truculent wife precede him. He bowed over Verity’s hand and she showed him to the front of the classroom, where a Bible and a lamp sat on a desk to the right. Lirit sat down in the rear, as far as possible from her husband. Then the black parents streamed in, followed by Joseph.

  Verity noticed that everyone had dressed up for the occasion and she was glad she’d worn her best black. A few white parents sifted in and arranged themselves near the back of the room as if they didn’t want to be noticed.

  The little school was soon packed. Mothers and teenagers sat in the desks while the men stood around the perimeter of the room, holding their hats in front of them. Verity noticed that in the rear the curtain was billowing and she detected the telltale movement of pushing and shoving. But before she could get there, Hannah had gone behind the curtain to help Joseph and was giving the children a stiff lecture in a low but stern voice.

  Verity had planned this event for six in the evening as most of the children were little and needed to get home for early bedtimes. Noting that it was time to get started, she walked up the center aisle. When she turned to look out over the assembly, everyone fell silent.

  Speaking in front of so many strangers gave Verity the jitters. Their faces flickered in front of her eyes, but she persevered. “I’m so happy that thee were able to come this evening to our first Christmas play. I hope it will be the first of many. Elijah, would thee please offer a prayer for us?”

  Standing, Elijah cleared his throat and asked for God’s blessing, thanking him for Jesus’s birth. When everyone lifted their heads again, Verity said, “Now the children of Fiddlers Grove’s first school will enact the Christmas story for thy enjoyment and blessing. Dacian, will thee begin reading, please?”

  Verity walked swiftly to the rear, where the oldest students in the class, Alec and Beth, waited to start. Lord, bless this hour to Thy glory.

  Lifting the open Bible beside the oil lamp, Dacian began, “I am reading from the Gospel of Luke, chapter two.

  “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.”

  Verity motioned Alec and Beth to begin slowly walking down the center aisle, Alec supporting Beth on his arm. A rustle of excitement rippled through the crowd as every head turned to watch. Verity had let the students vote who would make the best Mary and Joseph, and these two had been the unanimous choice.

  “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

  At this point Alec lifted a sheet in front of Beth. When he lowered it, Beth was holding a rag doll swaddled in a white blanket. Quickly, Verity sent Sassy and Annie up the aisle, leading all the other girls with their white-ribbon halos.

  When they were halfway up the aisle, Verity sent five boys with canes held like shepherds’ staffs after them. She wished Matthew were here to see the joy on the children’s faces. Then he might not disapprove of this quite as much. She drew in more air, holding down her churning tension.

  “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.”

  Halfway up the aisle, the shepherds dropped to their knees, the canes clattering to the wood floor. Sassy, the angel, motioned broadly with her hand.

  “And the angel said unto them…”

  Sassy and Annie shouted, “Fear not!” Verity had been certain that Sassy couldn’t keep quiet the whole time and had taken the precaution of giving her a line. She was so proud of her students she didn’t notice the classroom door open.

  Matt and Samuel slipped inside the warm and darkened classroom, closing the door silently behind them. Verity did not look up. She appeared to be concentrating intensely as Dace read from the Bible.

  Matt wasn’t prepared for his reaction to seeing Verity after several days away from her. Awareness of her flashed through him like a summer wind. Without Verity’s presence, Richmond had felt sterile and lacking.

  Dace glanced toward the little angels and, grinning, continued.

  “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

  Verity’s bright hair gleamed in the low light. Her intent profile was visible against the glow of the lamp near Dace. Matt watched as she motioned all the girls to stand behind Dacian. They nodded, and the one who’d shouted loudest dragged the lone white girl with her, leading the rest of the girls to the front.

  Matt was struck by the simple beauty of the setting. The white candle in each window and on the Christmas tree. The bright faces of the children all sporting the ridiculous head cloths or ribbons. The way the parents leaned forward watching their children. A feeling he couldn’t name filled him up.

  Dacian’s voice quavered with amusement, and then he went on in a serious tone.

  “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

  The five shepherds picked up their canes and walked toward Beth and Alec.

  “And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”

  Then the shepherds walked back up the aisle and, passing Matt, disappeared behind the white curtain.

  “Now I will read from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter two,” Dacian continued.

  “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

  Verity waved on three boys carrying small boxes in their hands.

  And as Matt watched them, it occurred to him that the three of them—Samuel, Dace and himself—had been like these boys until they’d been torn apart by slavery. Now years later, they stood together in the same room, something he’d never expected to live to see. The hope for real togetherness rose in him un-bidden. He tried to keep it down, but still it rose.
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br />   Then Dace’s voice, so reminiscent of Dace’s late father, came again in the near darkness, sounding so solemn and reverent.

  “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

  The three kings arrived at the barn and greeted Mary and Joseph with a lot of hand-waving, and then they dropped to their knees before the baby.

  “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

  The three kings rose and walked back up the aisle to the white curtain, striding regally, not little boys in ragged clothes with torn dish cloths tied on their heads.

  Matt watched Verity as she gazed forward. When he had arrived home a few minutes ago, he had immediately looked for her at the house as if he weren’t really home until he spoke to her. He’d found Samuel, who had been on his way to the school.

  When Samuel had told Matt about Verity’s Christmas play with both white and black children, Matt marveled at her audacity. Was there anything this woman wouldn’t do?

  Then, interrupting Matt’s concentration, Samuel tapped him on the shoulder before slipping outside.

  Dace finished the story.

  “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.”

  Then Dacian looked up and said, as if he were in St. John’s on a Sunday morning reading the epistle, “Here endeth the lesson.”

  “Come out, children, and take your bows!” Hannah called, hurrying the children out from behind the screen. The whole class of children met at the front, bowing and curtsying to loud applause and whistling from all around the room.

  In this enthusiastic clamor, Matt heard Verity’s triumph. How did she do it? How did she get whites to bring their children here? True, it was only the children of three white families, but they were here. It had to have been Verity’s visit to the Daughters of the Confederacy meeting and the precious box she’d entrusted to them that had made the difference.

  Listening for Samuel, Matt looked around and found his cousin looking back at him. The tug of family still plagued Matt. But maybe plagued wasn’t the right word. Dace had come around a lot. Matt felt as if his heart were being drawn toward his cousin. What do you remember, Dace, of what happened all those years ago?

  Dace cleared his throat and the room fell silent. “Now I’m told the children will entertain us with a Christmas song to end this lovely presentation.” He nodded and strode to the rear to stand behind his wife, who was already waiting by the door, evidently ready to depart.

  Head cocked to one side, Matt listened carefully for sounds from outside. What was taking Samuel so long?

  Grinning, the children paraded up the aisle together and with loud whispered reminders from one of the girls, arranged themselves into a choir. Verity nodded and they began singing:

  ,!“Children, go where I send thee

  How shall I send thee?

  I will send thee one by one

  One was the little bitty baby

  Wrapped in the swaddling clothes

  Lying in a manger

  Born, born, born in Bethlehem”

  Then over the children’s singing came a loud thumping on the roof. Matt folded his arms. He shielded his mouth with his cupped hand so no one could glimpse his broadening smile. The children kept singing, but stared at the ceiling above them. Matt stifled a chuckle. He’d enjoy watching this, watching Verity be taken by surprise. And he’d savor her delight.

  Chapter Twelve

  When Verity heard the sound of a cow bell clanging, she didn’t know what to think. Then the door burst open and Samuel stepped inside, carrying a wooden crate. Verity stared at him. The children stopped singing.

  “Children!” Samuel shouted. “What do you think just happened?”

  “What?” Annie asked breathlessly, her hands pressed together in front of her chin.

  The same anticipation made Verity hold her breath.

  “Santa heard you singing and stopped by.”

  Almost all the children began dancing and jumping with excitement. Even Alec looked excited.

  Watching the children’s eagerness sped Verity’s own pulse. She peered ahead, trying to see what was in the crate.

  “And do you know what he said?” Samuel asked.

  “What?” the children replied.

  “Santa said he couldn’t stay, but he said you all deserved something special for such good singing. Now you all line up.” Samuel turned toward the door, where Verity noticed Matthew lurking in the shadows. “Mr. Ritter is going to hand out Santa’s gifts to each of you good boys and girls.”

  Verity pressed her hands together.

  Matthew looked chagrined, but the children lined up, still bouncing on their toes. He took the box Samuel was pushing toward him and sighed loudly.

  Verity studied Matthew’s stoic expression. How would he handle this?

  “What did Santa bring us, mister?” Thaddeus asked, neck craning to see the contents.

  A frown creasing his forehead, Matthew hesitated and then gave in. He stooped and lifted the lid of the crate. “Whoa. Look here. Oranges.” He pulled out one and handed it to the first girl in line. Not surprisingly, it was Sassy.

  The children all squealed, “Oranges! We never got oranges before!” Sassy yelled.

  Verity stood to the side of the classroom, watching Matthew handing out the fruit to each thrilled child. Happiness radiated within her. Samuel slipped to her side. “I thought Matthew should hand out the fruit. He bought it in Richmond for your schoolchildren.”

  “He did?” Verity was surprised and touched. She couldn’t imagine how much these oranges had cost him in Richmond in December. Oh, Matthew, how dear of thee. “How did he find out we were having the play?”

  “He didn’t know until he arrived at the house tonight and I told him about it. He’d planned for you and Beth to deliver them to your students tomorrow on Christmas. I decided it would be more exciting if they were handed out here, tonight. From Santa, of course.” Samuel grinned.

  This would be a Christmas to remember for these children born into the privations of the war. And Samuel had done right to urge Matthew to hand out the gifts he brought.

  The war had left them all trying to catch up on simple pleasures, the delights of everyday life that had been taken for granted before four years of vast suffering and horrible carnage. Before tonight, Matthew probably hadn’t ever had the chance to experience the joy of giving to children. Did anything match the joy of watching children excited over Santa?

  “You’re still coming for dinner tomorrow with your parents?” she asked Samuel.

  “Wouldn’t miss it—especially since I’m leaving the next day to find
Abby.”

  Verity touched his arm, worried that he might find only pain and loss. God, be with this good man.

  “Wonderful play.” Samuel gripped her hand briefly and then went to stand by his mother and father.

  It didn’t take Matthew long to hand out all the fruit. Verity enjoyed watching Matthew’s smile broaden until it lit up his whole face. Children were good at that—good at reminding adults of what really mattered in life.

  The winter wind rattled the windows, reminding the parents to gather their children and head home. At the door, each thanked her as they left. Dacian came over and wished her a merry Christmas.

  Verity offered him her hand and said, “I don’t know if you’d be able to, but you and Mrs. Ransford would be very welcome to stop over on Christmas Day.”

  “And will Samuel be coming, too?” Mrs. Ransford snapped.

  “Yes, he will be there with his mother and father,” Verity replied, not the least bit surprised that Lirit brought this up again.

  “Thank you for the invitation,” Dacian said. “We may drop by for a cup of cheer.”

  “Please do,” Matthew said, moving to stand by Verity. His nearness topped off her happy glow. She had to stop herself from claiming his arm.

  Dacian looked up at his cousin. “Merry Christmas, Matt.”

  “Same to you.”

  Verity heard the emotion that Matthew was trying to hide behind his gruff reply. She inched closer to him. He smelled pleasantly of leather and fresh air, an enticing blend.

  Dacian shook Matthew’s hand. With lifted nose, Lirit led her husband out. And soon the school was empty except for Verity, Joseph, Beth and Matthew, who’d stayed to sweep up the stray straw. Verity listened as Joseph talked to Matthew, drawing out all he’d learned in Richmond about starting the Union League.