miserable stretch of road.
Shes bright, Harlan said. Mrs. McReady at school says Shans the brightest pupil shes taught in her whole career, and that stretches back almost 40 years. Shes good in English, and shes even better in the maths, which Mrs. McReady says is rare in girls. She can do triggeronomy, Wilf. Did you know that? Mrs. McReady herself cant do triggeronomy.
No, I hadnt known, but I knew how to say the word. I felt, however, that this might not be the time to correct my neighbors pronunciation.
Sallie wanted to send her to the normal school in Omaha. Theyve taken girls as well as boys since 1918, although no females have graduated so far. He gave me a look that was hard to take: mingled disgust and hostility. The females always want to get married, you see. And have babies. Join Eastern Star and sweep the God damned floor.
He sighed.
Shan could be the first. She has the skills and she has the brains. You didnt know that, did you?
No, in truth I had not. I had simply made an assumption-one of many that I now know to have been wrong-that she was farm wife material, and no more.
She might even teach college. We planned to send her to that school as soon as she turned 17.
Sallie planned, is what you mean, I thought. Left to your own devices, such a crazy idea never would have crossed your farmers mind.
Shan was willing, and the money was put aside. It was all arranged. He turned to look at me, and I heard the tendons in his neck creak. Its still all arranged. But first-almost right away-shes going to the St. Eusebia Catholic Home for Girls in Omaha. She doesnt know it yet, but its going to happen. Sallie talked about sending her to Deland-Sals sister lives there-or to my aunt and uncle in Lyme Biska, but I dont trust any of those people to carry through on what weve decided. Nor does a girl who causes this kind of problem deserve to go to people she knows and loves.
What is it youve decided, Harl? Besides sending your daughter to some kind of an I dont know orphanage?
He bristled. Its not an orphanage. Its a clean, wholesome, and busy place. So Ive been told. Ive been on the exchange, and all the reports I get are good ones. Shell have chores, shell have her schooling, and in another four months shell have her baby. When thats done, the kid will be given up for adoption. The sisters at St. Eusebia will see to that. Then she can come home, and in another year and a half she can go to teachers college, just like Sallie wants. And me, of course. Sallie and me.
Whats my part in this? I assume I must have one.
Are you smarting on me, Wilf? I know youve had a tough year, but I still wont bear you smarting on me.
Im not smarting on you, but you need to know youre not the only one whos mad and ashamed. Just tell me what you want, and maybe we can stay friends.
The singularly cold little smile with which he greeted this-just a twitch of the lips and a momentary appearance of dimples at the corners of his mouth-said a great deal about how little hope he held out for that.
I know youre not rich, but you still need to step up and take your share of the responsibility. Her time at the home-the sisters call it pre-natal care-is going to cost me 300 dollars. Sister Camilla called it a donation when I talked to her on the phone, but I know a fee when I hear one.
If youre going to ask me to split it with you-
I know you cant lay your hands on 150 dollars, but you better be able to lay them on 75, because thats what the tutors going to cost. The one whos going to help her keep up with her lessons.
I cant do that. Arlette cleaned me out when she left. But for the first time I found myself wondering if she mightve socked a little something away. That business about the 200 she was supposed to have taken when she ran off had been a pure lie, but even pin-and-ribbon money would help in this situation. I made a mental note to check the cupboards and the canisters in the kitchen.
Take another shortie loan from the bank, he
Shes bright, Harlan said. Mrs. McReady at school says Shans the brightest pupil shes taught in her whole career, and that stretches back almost 40 years. Shes good in English, and shes even better in the maths, which Mrs. McReady says is rare in girls. She can do triggeronomy, Wilf. Did you know that? Mrs. McReady herself cant do triggeronomy.
No, I hadnt known, but I knew how to say the word. I felt, however, that this might not be the time to correct my neighbors pronunciation.
Sallie wanted to send her to the normal school in Omaha. Theyve taken girls as well as boys since 1918, although no females have graduated so far. He gave me a look that was hard to take: mingled disgust and hostility. The females always want to get married, you see. And have babies. Join Eastern Star and sweep the God damned floor.
He sighed.
Shan could be the first. She has the skills and she has the brains. You didnt know that, did you?
No, in truth I had not. I had simply made an assumption-one of many that I now know to have been wrong-that she was farm wife material, and no more.
She might even teach college. We planned to send her to that school as soon as she turned 17.
Sallie planned, is what you mean, I thought. Left to your own devices, such a crazy idea never would have crossed your farmers mind.
Shan was willing, and the money was put aside. It was all arranged. He turned to look at me, and I heard the tendons in his neck creak. Its still all arranged. But first-almost right away-shes going to the St. Eusebia Catholic Home for Girls in Omaha. She doesnt know it yet, but its going to happen. Sallie talked about sending her to Deland-Sals sister lives there-or to my aunt and uncle in Lyme Biska, but I dont trust any of those people to carry through on what weve decided. Nor does a girl who causes this kind of problem deserve to go to people she knows and loves.
What is it youve decided, Harl? Besides sending your daughter to some kind of an I dont know orphanage?
He bristled. Its not an orphanage. Its a clean, wholesome, and busy place. So Ive been told. Ive been on the exchange, and all the reports I get are good ones. Shell have chores, shell have her schooling, and in another four months shell have her baby. When thats done, the kid will be given up for adoption. The sisters at St. Eusebia will see to that. Then she can come home, and in another year and a half she can go to teachers college, just like Sallie wants. And me, of course. Sallie and me.
Whats my part in this? I assume I must have one.
Are you smarting on me, Wilf? I know youve had a tough year, but I still wont bear you smarting on me.
Im not smarting on you, but you need to know youre not the only one whos mad and ashamed. Just tell me what you want, and maybe we can stay friends.
The singularly cold little smile with which he greeted this-just a twitch of the lips and a momentary appearance of dimples at the corners of his mouth-said a great deal about how little hope he held out for that.
I know youre not rich, but you still need to step up and take your share of the responsibility. Her time at the home-the sisters call it pre-natal care-is going to cost me 300 dollars. Sister Camilla called it a donation when I talked to her on the phone, but I know a fee when I hear one.
If youre going to ask me to split it with you-
I know you cant lay your hands on 150 dollars, but you better be able to lay them on 75, because thats what the tutors going to cost. The one whos going to help her keep up with her lessons.
I cant do that. Arlette cleaned me out when she left. But for the first time I found myself wondering if she mightve socked a little something away. That business about the 200 she was supposed to have taken when she ran off had been a pure lie, but even pin-and-ribbon money would help in this situation. I made a mental note to check the cupboards and the canisters in the kitchen.
Take another shortie loan from the bank, he
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