Ruffling Society

by Kay Moser

  “You are so right,” Christine interrupted. “We haven’t prayed hard enough for Mrs. Hodges, but we can increase our efforts right this minute. Shall we pray for dear Victoria now?”

  Mrs. Proper jumped up. “I … I’m sorry. I … oh, it is so much later than I knew. I have errands I must run before the heat gets any worse.”

  Christine rose, turned to her, and smiled. “It is indeed getting warmer by the minute, isn’t it?”

  “I must go, too.” Fanny Sharp rose. “Why, it will be noon before we know it.”

  “Indeed it will,” Christine agreed. “But before you ladies leave, allow me to assure you that I am so grateful that you will be on duty in town on my behalf. I know I can count on you to hush any unjust criticism that may be poured on me. I cannot tell you what a comfort your friendship is to me. There are so few who understand the call of Christian duty as you do.”

  “Well … yes,” Mrs. Proper murmured as she edged toward the steps. “We will do our best to … to ….”

  “And you will pray for me?” Christine turned to Mrs. Bellows.

  “You are determined to do this thing?” Edith Bellows demanded.

  Christine met her eyes without flinching. “I am.”

  Mrs. Bellows shook her head as she heaved herself from the chair and jerked down her too-tight bodice. “What would your dear mother, God rest her soul, say?”

  “Brava, Christine! Follow your conscience,” Christine answered. “That’s what Mother would say.”

  Mrs. Bellows looked at her two friends’ bewildered faces, studied the floor a moment, then announced with an indignant expression, “We will pray for you. For you and the girls.”

  The omission of Victoria’s name was not lost on Christine. “And I shall pray for you, dear Edith. I shall pray for an increase in charity.”

  Mrs. Bellows turned on her heel, bustled to the steps, and shooed her friends down the front walk just as Nancy struggled through the front door with a tray filled with glasses of iced lemonade.

  “Where they goin’?” she asked. “I done got the lemonade right here.”

  Christine smiled at her. “The heat on the porch proved too intense for them.”

  “But this be the coolest porch in town. We got that big oak tree blockin’ the sun.”

  “Yes, isn’t it a pity they could not enjoy it?”

  “What’s I gonna do with all this lemonade?”

  “Drink a glass yourself, and give a glass to the rest of the help.”

  “No ma’am! They ain’t gonna drink out of our best glasses.”

  Christine’s eyes widened. “Why, Nancy, when did you become such a snob?”

  “I’s learnin’ from Frances. Now that I’s goin’ on my first train trip and gonna be a lady’s maid, I gotta know how to treat folks proper. That be what Frances say.”

  “I see. Well, I suppose Frances would know best about these matters. She has traveled with Mrs. Hodges to England.”

  “Oh, yes’m.” She know ever’thing and gonna teach me how to be uppity.”

  Christine struggled to keep a straight face. “How fortunate we are to have her accompanying us. For now, however, perhaps you could just share the lemonade with the help before the ice melts.”

  Nancy glanced down at the glasses on the tray. “Lawdy, it sure goin’ fast.” She paused, then added in a more formal tone, “It’s been a pleasure talkin’ to you, Miz Christine, but I gotta get on ’bout my business.” She stopped again and, changing back to her normal voice, added in a confidential tone, “That be one of the things Frances taught me to say.”

  Christine nodded as she fought back a smile. “Courtesy is always appropriate.”

  CHAPTER 30

  A few days later, Christine stood at the Riverford train station watching Hayden carry a much-weakened Victoria into the train. The black veil that fell past Christine’s shoulders was both a blessing and a curse. It hid her weary, dark-circled eyes and tear-moistened cheeks, but it also held the stifling, humid heat of July close to her skin. She struggled to breathe as she fought to keep her anxiety and depression at bay. How is it possible that I am taking a trip without Richard?

  The girls were dancing around and chattering with excitement, but the new, more-authoritative Nancy corralled them, made them give their grandfather a good-bye kiss, and marched them onto the train in spite of the conductor’s protest that she could not ride in the car with the white folks. Christine was left on the platform with Lee Logan and her father.

  “Would you please give this note to Sarah?” Lee asked as he gave her a respectful hug.

  “Of course,” she murmured, but as he turned away, she grabbed his arm and added, “Thank you for all you are doing, Lee, to help Father—” Her voice broke.

  Lee patted her hand. “I am honored to protect Richard’s family in any way I can.”

  Christine’s throat tightened; she could not speak. She nodded as fresh tears ran down her face.

  Her father stepped forward and, placing his hand under her elbow to support her, walked her to the steps into the car. Christine struggled to reach a black-edged handkerchief under her veil to dry her face.

  “I am a poor substitute for Richard, I know,” her father said before she climbed the first step, “but I will do everything in my power to settle the bank issue before you return.”

  Christine felt a sob forcing its way up her throat. “I know you will, Father. I’m not worried about all that. It’s just that it feels like I’m leaving him, like I’m losing him all over again.”

  He gathered her into his arms. “No, my dear. He goes with you wherever you go. He is not bound by time or distance. When you have a few quiet moments to yourself, you will feel his presence. I promise you.”

  Christine raised her veil and took one long, last look at her father. “Don’t you dare leave me while I am gone; I simply could not bear it.”

  “You can do anything, Christine. You are your mother’s daughter, as you are proving by your devotion to Victoria. She would have taken the action you are taking. She always chose Christian charity first.”

  Christine nodded. “I know, but I need you, Father. Please don’t make yourself sick trying to save the bank or anything else. Nothing is worth more than having you with me.”

  “This old soldier loves a good fight, and he doesn’t plan to lose. I’ll be right here to help you down from the train when you come home. Now, go enjoy yourself and, above all, rest.” He helped her up onto the first step.

  ***

  When they arrived in Fort Worth, the train station was a madhouse. Armed with a pocketful of tips and a commanding voice, Hayden descended the steps before the women and children of his party to gather an army of helpers. With the luggage corralled and loaded onto carts, he returned to the car and lifted Victoria into his arms.

  From the stares of bystanders, Christine knew that they made quite an interesting procession marching through the station—Hayden carrying Victoria, Frances following with carpet bags of provisions, Nancy dragging two excited, wiggling girls, and she in her widow’s weeds, her face covered by the long black veil.

  Once they entered the car of the Denver-bound train, Christine sighed in relief to discover their three consecutive sections. Hayden settled Victoria in a reclining position in one of the sections. Noticing his grave face, Christine called Frances to her side to give him time to say goodbye to his wife. After he left the car, she left Victoria alone so she could have a private moment as the train pulled out of the station.

  How well she understood the pain of separation! I could never have put Richard on a train and walked away. Not even with devoted friends. She clapped her hand over her mouth to muffle the sob that rose from her throat. Oh dear God! Help me to focus on the task ahead, not on the loss of Richard. She turned her stricken face to the window and watched the flat, treeless terrain whiz by.

  “Is you alright, Miz Christine?” Frances’ worried voice drew Christine’s attention back to the car.
/>   “Yes, yes, of course. Frances, would you be certain that Nancy is keeping the girls from bothering the other passengers?”

  “Oh, they ain’t. Nancy got ’em good and corralled. She gonna keep an eye on them. Don’t you be worryin’ none.”

  “Perhaps you should go to Mrs. Hodges now.” Christine yearned to be alone a few moments to have an opportunity to accept her new situation and to settle her emotions.

  “Yes’m. I get her to sleep and fan her to keep her cool.” Frances turned away.

  Christine raised the black veil off her face, allowed herself to lean back against the seat, and slowly removed her black gloves. I must pray … I must trust.

  ***

  An hour later, Nancy came up the aisle to Christine’s compartment and reported, “Everybody being taken care of ’cept you. You want me to get you some tea?”

  “No, not now, Nancy. Why don’t you just sit down and rest yourself? We have a long journey ahead of us.”

  Nancy lowered her voice. “The porter be a colored man, and he warn Frances and me that we ain’t allowed to sit down with white folk. We gotta keep standing or go to a car for coloreds.”

  Christine’s head jerked up. “Where is the conductor?”

  “Down at the other end of the car. I think he stayin’ ’way from us.”

  Christine rose and pulled her black veil over her face. “Perhaps I better speak to him about this matter. You can’t be expected to stand all day.”

  “Oh, no ma’am! The porter say the conductor can’t do nothing ’bout the rules ’cause it be the law that we can’t stay in the car with white folk.”

  “But you are here as servants. You are working!”

  “And we gotta look like we’s working. That’s what the porter say.”

  “All day and all night?”

  Nancy leaned closer. “The porter gonna hide us in the back of this car tonight, so we don’t gotta leave you and Mrs. Hodges.”

  Saddened, Christine shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder if we are making any progress in such matters.”

  “Seem kinda slow to me for sure. Now I’s gonna get you a cup of tea from the porter. He got a real fancy stove in the back where he can boil water. Ain’t that something?”

  Christine struggled to smile. “Yes, it’s something, but no thank you to the tea. It’s far too hot. I am just going to sit here and rest and try not to think about the heat. When the girls awaken, we better give them some lunch.”

  “Well, if you ain’t got nothin’ for me to do, I could just go see if Josiah need my help.”

  “Josiah? Who is Josiah?”

  Nancy grinned. “That be the porter’s name.” She leaned forward and whispered, “He done taken a fancy to me, I think.”

  ***

  Through the intense heat of the endless afternoon, the girls slept, and Christine left them in Nancy’s care as she helped Frances nurse Victoria. Anxiety stalked Christine like a lion that plays with its prey before rushing in for the final killing. What have we done? What were we thinking? We must have been insane to think we could— Christine fought back with prayer. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. All things … Christ strengthen us.

  The hours dragged by. Unable to keep water down, Victoria’s white face grew beet red in the oven-like heat of the railway car. Opening the windows brought no relief; it only stirred the heat and added dust and smoke to the air.

  Josiah became Christine’s best ally, as he repeatedly sneaked into the dining car and “borrowed” the little ice available on the train until there was none left. Frances’ efforts were reduced to bathing Victoria in room temperature water while Christine fanned her. By six that evening, Victoria was struggling to remain conscious. Her speech weak and slurred, she began to mumble words Christine couldn’t be sure she recognized. She knelt by the seat where Victoria reclined and leaned forward to make out the words.

  “‘Christ with me ... Christ before me … Christ behind me …’” Victoria stopped.

  Christine grabbed her friend’s hand and picked up the chant. “‘Christ in me!’”

  Victoria turned her head, and looking deeply into Christine’s eyes, whispered, “Don’t despair. ‘Christ beneath me.’”

  Tears flowed down Christine’s cheeks as she choked out the words, “‘Christ above me.’”

  And then the miracle occurred. Josiah raced toward them, exclaiming, “It’s come; the evening air come.”

  Startled, Christine struggled to her feet. “S’cuse me, Miz Boyd, I gotta get to the window.” He squeezed past her, past Victoria’s bed, and raised the window. A rush of cool air swept in and hit Christine’s face.

  “What’s happening?” she cried.

  “Oh, just the usual thing, Miz Boyd,” he answered as he crossed the aisle to raise the opposite window. “We done hit the high desert, and the night air coming. I’s gonna raise all the windows, and this here car gonna feel like heaven.”

  Christine laughed through her tears. “Oh, thank you, Josiah!”

  “Don’t thank me, ma’am. God do this ever’ evening.” He turned and grinned at her. “Sure is a good thing, too, ’cause them folks heading to the dinin’ car ain’t gonna find no ice there.”

  Christine heard the girls giggling as they crashed into her full skirt.

  “It’s cool, Mommy,” Juli exclaimed.

  “Are we in the mountains?” Ceci asked.

  “Not yet, missy,” Josiah answered. “But when you wakes up in the mornin’, you gonna be able to see the mountains way off in the distance.”

  “Will it be hot again tomorrow?” Juli asked.

  “No, missy. Ain’t gonna have no more heat on this here trip. Gonna be cool all night, and we be gettin’ closer and closer to the mountains tomorrow.”

  Christine looked down at Victoria, but before she could speak, Frances said every word Christine wanted to say. “Thank de Lawd!”

  Victoria grinned up at her and feebly raised her hand with its fingers arranged in a victory sign.

  ***

  As the railroad car cooled, the girls’ appetites returned with a vengeance, and they started begging for supper.

  “Why don’t you take them up to the dining car?” Victoria suggested.

  Christine shook her head.

  “Please!” The girls chorused as they pulled Christine’s skirt.

  Christine shook her head firmly. “Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Tonight we’ll just eat our sandwiches and go to sleep.”

  “Can we watch for the stars?” Juli asked.

  “You gonna see a whole passel of stars tonight, missy,” Josiah answered her as he returned to their end of the car. “More stars than you ever seen, and they’s better than that ole dinin’ room car. They sparkles like diamonds.”

  Christine smiled at him gratefully. “We owe you so much, Josiah.”

  “Jus’ doin’ my job, Miz Boyd. Jus’ doin’ my job.”

  Christine felt certain she saw him wink at Frances.

  CHAPTER 31

  Early the next morning, Sarah stood on the precipice close to the auditorium which gave her the best view of the plains. A crisp, cold breeze whipped at her black skirt, ruffled the sleeves of her plain shirtwaist, and blew her tangled hair across her face. She swiped it away from her eyes as she stared at the horizon, but it quickly swatted her face again. She was concentrating so hard she did not hear Dr. Wickham walk up.

  “You are up early,” he said.

  Startled, she whirled around.

  “I think I can guess why,” he continued. “You haven’t slept at all, have you?”

  Sarah shook her head and turned back to stare at the plains.

  “They won’t come any faster no matter what you do.”

  “I know that, but I want to be here for them. I feel their fatigue, their struggle.”

  “Nonsense! Your imagination is overwhelming your reason. You need to just get about the day’s business and quit worrying.”

  His words angered he
r, but she was too tired to flare up. “Have you never cared for anyone, Dr. Wickham?”

  “Of course I have. I care for you; that’s why I am trying to make you take care of yourself. You should be readying yourself for the day’s classes, not staring at the horizon.” He took her arm, but she would not look at him. “Now, let me walk you back to your tent. You can tidy yourself up before anyone else sees you in such a state.”

  An especially strong breeze lifted her skirt and sent her hair into a frenzy. “Really, Miss Novak,” Augustus insisted. “A professional woman simply does not allow herself to be seen in such disarray.”

  She shook her arm free of his grasp. “Just leave me alone, Dr. Wickham.”

  “No, I won’t do that. It’s not good for your reputation or your health to stand here like some deranged character from Wuthering Heights. Either return to your tent, or I shall go get Miss Caine to come take control of you.”

  “I’ll go! There’s no need to bother Bert.” She turned and marched away from him.

  “I’ll meet you at breakfast,” he called after her.

  “No, thank you!”

  ***

  Somehow Sarah made it through her morning classes, and having skipped breakfast, found herself eager for lunch. Just as she settled at the table with Bert and Ella, Dr. Wickham entered the dining room and came straight to their table.

  “Good, you’re here,” he addressed Sarah as he gave Bert and Ella a perfunctory nod of the head. “I have arranged everything for this afternoon.”

  “What do you mean?” Sarah asked. “Arranged everything for what?”

  “I have hired a carriage and driver to take us to the railway station.”

  “There’s no need for that,” Bert said. “We’re walking down the hill to the streetcar stop and taking it to the station.”

  “That will hardly make a proper impression on Miss Novak’s friends. No, no, that won’t do at all.”

  Bert looked at Sarah. “Do we need to make a grand impression on your friends?”

  “No, of course not. We just need to get them to the sanitarium safely.”

  Shifting her gaze to Augustus, Bert said, “You heard Sarah. We’ll take the streetcar when classes are over.”