Grantville Gazette, Volume I

by Eric Flint

  The rectory of St. Martin's in the Fields was in sight when he finally came to a halt. "Dina, there is something I have to tell you."

  Dina turned her shining eyes to him. "Yes, Phillip?"

  He froze for a moment. Those honest, trusting eyes. He had to be strong. She had to know the truth before he confronted her parents. "I'm. . . ." He stumbled to a halt. How to explain he had lived a lie. A lie that could reflect badly on his dearest Dina and her family. He swallowed. "I'm not a doctor. I've never earned a doctorate degree." He looked down into her eyes, silently pleading that she'd forgive him.

  Dina reached for his hands and squeezed them gently. "I know, Phillip. Your friends in Jena told me the whole story."

  Phillip was shocked. "You knew?"

  She burrowed into his chest. "Yes." Then she looked up and gave him the sweetest of little self-satisfied smiles. "Your friends described how you have put one over the self-important professors at the university. A couple of them have asked if you could arrange for them to receive similar degrees."

  "But it's a lie, Dina. I haven't completed the requirements. It is an empty title backed up by a worthless piece of parchment."

  "No, Phillip. It isn't an empty title. You are a doctor of philosophy. The first doctor of philosophy. You have completed the course requirement with your research into the new sciences."

  Phillip purred. He gathered his wife into his arms. "I love you, Dina."

  * * *

  Dina spared the streets a quick glance to check who might be watching. There was only the barrow boy with the cart loaded with gifts for her family. So she stood on tip toes and gave Phillip a quick peck on the cheek. "I love you, Phillip."

  She gazed into his eyes for a moment more before slowly slipping out of his embrace. She tucked her hand over his arm and led him towards the Rectory. "Now don't worry about Papa and Step-mama, Phillip. Let me handle them. Gerry warned me that Step-mama and Papa are worried about the boys." She turned and gave Phillip a brilliant smile. "The fact that their studies are progressing so much better since they moved in with us will right many a wrong in Step-mama's eyes."

  * * *

  When pastor Kastenmayer opened the rectory door, Maria Blandina threw herself at him. "Papa!"

  "Dina!" Ludwig opened his arms for his daughter to rush into them. "You're looking well." Looking up, Ludwig smiled apologetically at Phillip. "Hello, Phillip. I apologize for my daughter. Anybody would think we hadn't seen each other for years."

  "Dina misses her family, sir."

  "What? With three of her brothers living in the same house, she can miss her family?"

  Dina giggled. "Even then, Papa. How is everyone?"

  The approaching clatter of leather on floor boards had Ludwig gently releasing Dina. "Brace yourself, I think you're about to find out."

  The hall door burst open and a mass of arms and legs charged towards Dina.

  "Dina, Dina, Dina. We've missed you so much. Have you come back home?"

  Dina knelt down and reached out to hug little Thomas. "No, Thomas. Phillip and I have just come to visit. I live in Jena now."

  Thomas pouted. "It's not fair. Phillip, Fritz and Joseph get you all the time. Can I come and live with you? Please?"

  "No, Thomas. You have to stay with Mama and Papa. I'll visit whenever I can, and maybe you can visit me in Jena sometime."

  Maria Blandina greeted her other brothers before she stood to greet her step mother. She offered her hands. "Step-Mama. How are you?"

  "I am well, thank you." Salome looked around. "I think it would be best if we all went inside."

  Dina looked around guiltily. She'd been so happy to see her family that she'd forgotten about being out on the street. She waved to the locals who had stopped to watch the strange sight, and then gestured to the barrow boy to follow before taking her husband's hand and following her family into their home.

  * * *

  The soccer ball had been such a hit with the boys that they had pleaded to be allowed outside to try it out. Salome and Dina waited at the window until they could see the men folk and boys kicking the new soccer ball around. Then Dina started unwrapping the remaining parcels.

  "Oh!' It was a cry of pleasure. Salome ran her hands over the roll of quilted border suitable for attaching to the bottoms of petticoats and drawers. Hand-quilting those borders was very time-consuming, but they kept a person's ankles warm and toasty in cold weather. She looked up at her step-daughter. "A sewing machine?"

  Dina grinned. "You know me so well."

  Salome returned the grin. Yes, she knew all about Maria Blandina Kastenmayerin and sewing. "But what would an alchemist want with a sewing machine?"

  "I believe he bought it to make laboratory coats after the American fashion to protect his worker's clothes." Maria Blandina shook her head, an amused smile on her face. "He thinks like a man. It took his housekeeper to think of a better use."

  Salome looked down at the precise stitching on the quilting. "What I wouldn't do for a sewing machine. What with the boys growing and your father . . ." She stopped for a moment, then looked closely at Dina. "Child, are you well?" She touched a hand to Dina's head. "You seem very pale. Have you been ill?"

  Dina shook her head.

  Salome dropped a hand to Dina's breast. "What about here? Do you feel tender?"

  Dina jerked a bit with the contact, then nodded. "Yes, just a bit. There's nothing wrong is there?"

  Salome reached out and hugged Dina. "You poor thing. How long have you been married?"

  Dina looked up at her step mother. "You know how long I've been married. It's been a little over two months since we . . . oh!"

  Salome smiled at Dina's excited face. "It's really too soon to tell, but if you are, I suggest you see one of the American doctors about a delivery in the Leahy Medical Center. Take the word of someone who knows, anesthesia during childbirth is the only way to go."

  Dina touched her breasts, then her belly. "Phillip. Oh, I have to tell Phillip. He'll be so pleased."

  Salome reached out to stop Dina. "No, not yet." She led Dina to a chair and sat her down before sitting beside her. "Don't raise your hopes just yet. Many times I thought I was pregnant when I wasn't."

  Dina sighed. Then she nodded. "Yes, I'll wait until I'm sure." Her gaze switched from her step mother to the quilted cloth on the table. "Phillip gives me a generous allowance, and it would please me to give you something you want. Please, let me buy you one of the new sewing machines."

  Salome swallowed. Her vision was all blurry. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she nodded. "Thank you, Dina."

  Hearing her brothers' pet name for her on her stepmother's lips reduced Maria Blandina to tears. She walked up to Salome and wrapped her arms around her. "Mama, if there's ever anything you need, please, just ask."

  Salome choked back tears. "You called me Mama . . ."

  * * *

  Salome watched her step daughter join her husband and son-in-law out in the courtyard. Phillip Gribbleflotz was no longer the monument to bad taste he had been. That was probably due to Dina's influence. He still wore expensive clothes, but now they were better coordinated and less gaudy. Dina, she noted, had succumbed to some of the American fashions. The colors, Salome was forced to admit, suited her. They gave her a glow that hadn't been there before. Mind, Salome thought, watching the affectionate way Dina's husband slipped an arm around her, maybe the glow had another source.

  She moved away from the window and took in the rolls of fabric and clothes Dina had given her. Most of it was the sort of hard-wearing material that she would buy herself, just never so much at one time. She picked up the fine linen shift Dina had made for her and just stood there admiring it for several minutes before finally wrapping it in its paper. Then she returned her attention to the fabric on the table. If Dina did buy her a sewing machine . . . She gave a contented sigh. That would cut out the endless tedium of stitching together clothes and leave her with a little time for herself.

 
Salome gave the little bundle of knitting and crochet needles Dina and Phillip had given her a contented look before calling for the servant she was training to help put things away.

  * * *

  Pastor Ludwig Kastenmayer sat back in his armchair. "It was very nice of Dina and Phillip to bring the presents for the boys, wasn't it, Salome?"

  "Yes, Ludwig." She hesitated a moment. "What do you think of Dina's husband?"

  Pastor Kastenmayer pursed his lips. That was a difficult question. Phillip could support Dina. That was good. They seemed very happy together. That was always nice. It didn't appear that his wealth was pushing him on the slippery slide to damnation. And with Dina as his wife, that was even less likely now. There was the matter of the mysterious doctorate to still be considered, but Phillip had said he had legal proof supporting his claim to the title of Doctor of Philosophy. And finally, there were the letters from the university commenting on how well the boys were progressing in their studies since they had moved in with Dina. Professor Hofmann had been particularly generous in his appreciation of the help young Phillip Kastenmayer had been with the new physics and mathematics.

  "I think we did much better than we imagined marrying Dina to Phillip Gribbleflotz."

  The Fortney Residence,

  Grantville

  Phillip stopped to examine the two-storied, white, timber house. There were, he noticed, a lot of windows. But no more than most other houses in Grantville. He shook his head at the wastefulness of the Americans, walked up the path, and rapped on the front door. He didn't have to wait long before he could hear footsteps from within the house. There was a rattle of bolts and the door opened a few inches to show a chain across the door. A young face stared at him through the gap.

  "Yes?" the woman asked.

  "Is this the Fortney residence?" She nodded. "Herr Dr Gribbleflotz." Phillip passed the woman one of his business cards. "Is Jonathan Fortney available?"

  The woman looked at the card, then up at Phillip. "I'm sorry, Herr Dr. Gribbleflotz. Herr Jonathan is not available. Herr Caleb is at home if you would like to see him."

  Phillip hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I'll see Herr Caleb."

  The woman smiled. "If you'll just go round the back, you can't miss him." Then she shut and bolted the door.

  Phillip looked at the closed door for a moment, then shrugged and followed the woman's instructions.

  Round the back of the house he immediately understood what she had meant about not missing Jonathan's father. A section of sail had been strung up to provide shade while he worked on a small motor vehicle.

  "Herr Fortney."

  A man in a soiled blue coverall turned at the sound. He pulled a rag from a pocket and wiped his hands clean before approaching and offering his hand. "Hi. Caleb Fortney. How can I help you?"

  Phillip reached out and grasped Caleb's hand. The hand shake was firm, but he was thankful that Jonathan's father didn't attempt to show off his physical strength as so many of the Americans tended to do. "Phillip Gribbleflotz. I really wanted to see Jonathan about some information he sent me recently."

  "Yeah, Jonathan's spoken of you. Which information are we talking about?"

  "It's for making gems. Some of the senior laborants have voiced an interest in the process, so I was wondering if Jonathan could talk to them."

  "Ah, the gemstones. Well, you're in luck. I've actually made some rubies. I wanted to make a ruby laser, so I made a furnace to make the ruby. If you'll wait a moment, I'll see if I can dig it out."

  "No, Herr Fortney." Phillip raised an arm to restrain Caleb. "There is no need for you stop what you're doing. Would you be willing to talk to some of my laborants about the process?"

  "Sure. Where and when?"

  "The company has a facility here in Grantville that we can use whenever suits you, Herr Fortney. We will be happy to pay for your time."

  "Hey, you don't have to pay me. And enough of this Herr crap. Call me Caleb."

  "Please, call me Phillip. And I really do insist that we pay for your time. You have no idea of how much preparation you'll need to do, Caleb. These seminars are a teaching exercise and the laborants are encouraged to ask questions. Some of the questions can be surprisingly acute."

  Caleb raised his eyebrows. "That the voice of experience I hear?"

  Phillip nodded. He'd only been caught out a couple of times. Fortunately he had years of experience to draw on and made a close guess on the answer both times. After those close shaves he'd never gone into the seminar room so badly prepared again.

  "In that case, I'll be happy to accept a fee." Caleb nodded towards the car he'd been working on. "I'm just about to go for a test drive. Is there anywhere I can drop you off?"

  "Drop me off? You mean, travel in your car?"

  "Yeah. Where're you staying?"

  "The Higgins. If it's not too much trouble."

  Caleb led Phillip over to the passenger side and opened the door. "You sure you wouldn't like to go a bit further afield? The Higgins is only a few minutes away."

  "Dina is visiting her family."

  Caleb grinned. "At the rectory at St. Martins? That's more like it. Come on, hop in. I'll just tell the housekeeper where we're going."

  Well, at least that explained who the woman was. Phillip looked down at the car. It was a small four-door car. Compared to most of the American cars he'd seen, a very small car. He slid in and sat down. It was very different from the buses he had traveled in before. To his left he could see the steering wheel, the device by which the vehicle was steered. But other than the speedometer, that was all he recognized. He looked in the back. There was a bench seat that could take two or three people, and that was about all there was to it. A moment later Caleb returned and climbed into the driver's seat.

  "Right. Shut your door and we'll be off."

  Phillip copied Caleb's action of grabbing the handle on the door and pulling it closed. Then he sat still while Caleb did something under the steering wheel. There was a whirring noise, then the gentle rumble of an internal combustion engine. Caleb did something with the lever to his right and the car started moving.

  Phillip sat back to enjoy the trip. He'd been on the Grantville buses often enough that the car's speed didn't bother him. But he was curious to know how fast they were going, so he leaned over a bit to read the speedometer. "Twenty-five miles per hour? It seems faster than that."

  Caleb darted a look at Phillip before turning his eyes back to the road ahead. "You ever traveled in a car before?"

  "No." Phillip shook his head. "Just the bus."

  "That explains it. It's a perception thing. The closer you are to the ground, the faster you think you're going. If you were in something really low like Trent Haygood's buggy, you'd really think you were motoring."

  Phillip tried to visualize what Caleb was talking about. He couldn't. "Could you explain how this 'perception' works?"

  Caleb shook his head. "No, it's just something I know."

  "Well, if you ever find an explanation, I'm sure we can schedule a seminar."

  "Maybe you'd be better off getting someone else. I wouldn't know where to start."

  * * *

  Phillip enjoyed the run out to the rectory. He felt very important being driven in a private car, and waved to anybody who stopped to stare. "Caleb, how is it that you can run a car? I thought there wasn't enough fuel."

  "You're thinking of gasoline. This car's a diesel. That means we can run it on just about anything that'll burn. If your nose is sensitive enough you'll be able to smell the rape seed oil. It's not cheap, but if we keep the speed down we should average over fifty miles to the gallon."

  "Speed?" Phillip gave the car another look. "How fast can this car go?"

  "The book on it says ninety-two and a bit miles per hour, but I've never had the old girl up to more than eighty-five."

  "Eighty-five miles per hour?" Phillip had thought he was traveling fast at twenty-five. What would that kind of speed be like? Was it even s
afe? "You're kidding. Surely traveling that fast can't be safe."

  Caleb grinned. "It's not the speed that kills you, Phillip. It's the coming to a sudden stop."

  * * *

  Phillip checked his watch. The car trip had been exciting. It had also brought him back to the rectory well ahead of schedule. But for Caleb's kindness, he'd still be waiting for his bus. Phillip dropped his watch back into its pocket and entered the rectory.

  He could hear voices coming from the kitchen. It sounded as if Dina was sharing confidences with her step mother. That pleased him. He set off for the kitchen.

  ". . . said I was pregnant."

  Phillip froze at the door. That was Dina talking. Did that mean she was with child? Phillip took a deep breath. It was, after all, a perfectly normal thing for a married woman to have a child. A couple of the older women he employed in Jena were married with children. Only, he'd never thought of being a father. But now that the possibility existed, he quite liked the idea. He could almost picture a pretty little girl who would take after her mother, or a boy to share his interests in alchemy. A broad smile on his face, he pushed open the kitchen door.

  "Phillip!" Dina flew into his arms. "Such news. Dr. Shipley says I'm with child."

  Phillip wrapped his arms around her. "That's marvelous, Dina. We must see about reducing your work load back home."

  Dina pushed her way out of Phillip's arms. "I'm not ill, Phillip. I'm pregnant. It's a perfectly natural condition."

  Phillip glanced hopefully at Dina's step mother. The self-satisfied look on her face told him there would be no support coming from that quarter. He struggled to think. What would Jonathan tell him to do? Then he smiled. When women start to gang up on you, there is only one way to survive. Abject surrender. "Yes, dear." He reached out to Dina. She smiled and burrowed into his chest.

  Salome snorted and left them alone in the kitchen.

  The Higgins Hotel,

  Grantville

  Phillip sat on the bed beside Dina. She lay there with her hands on her belly and her head in his lap. Phillip gently caressed her neck and shoulders.