Harvest Eve part 2

The recovered trio made their way out the back door, thus avoiding the stables and its current visitor. The Governors home was not far from town, but it was a modest distance to provide some privacy and a rather picturesque view of the rest of New Havenbrookshire.

“Well I think its very unfair to call you un-apprenticeable, I mean it’s hardly a proper word in the first place. Secondly, they can’t just pronounce something like that after only a few, innocent accidents that could have happened to anyone really,” (which at this point in time included setting fire to the cobblers bench, exploding a barrel of wax at the Hansens, setting loose several pigs that were not quite ready to be slaughtered, and now several bouts with nausea at various times with the Higby’s.) Julie continued, “you have just not found the role you are destined to play in this vast world of infinite possibilities..”

“Destined role?” queries Susie.

“Infinite possibilities?”, Nathan takes over, “Julie, I appreciate your sympathies, but what did we talk about the other day? I know how you love to wax poetic, but even for you that is pretty -”

“Oh both of you lower your eyebrows. You’re looking at me as if you just smelled something foul. I may be embellishing a little, what harm is that? What fun is it to live in reality all the time?”

Susie looked at Julie, “You would have to live in reality some of the time before you could live in it all the time Juliette Margarite Davis.”

Julies stopped walking and took a step closer to Susie and retorted with a half smile, “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Susannah Horse-face Peterson. ”

Nathan took advantage of the pause in progress to adjust his left shoe buckle, it was forever coming loose. The developing scene was not anything new. It was a game they often played. Being the children of well to do families, they often felt a certain rebellious nature within them. Not wanting to truly disappoint their parents, they took private opportunities to “express” themselves and their frustrations. The game would continue, escalating insults until one of the participants became unwilling to continue. There truly was no winner in this game.

“Horse-faced am I? I wonder if in that fantasy world of yours you realize that one must bathe more often than annually, or are you merely ignorant of your odorous stench that is worse than a three-legged stag in summer!”, concluded Susie.

Nathan looked up from his shoe, obviously impressed, “Well played.”

Julie had to admit it was well played indeed. She disliked losing though, and decided that if she pushed Susie hard now, that she would back down first. Julie crossed her arms, “Well you would be the one to know about three-legged stags in summer. However, I must know; which of the Parshall sisters did you persuade to show you how to get that stick so-

“Ahem”, the deep voice resounded.

Julies face lost all color and she felt her stomach do the most incredible flip. Turning slightly, she realized she was arms length from the beaming, and somewhat oblivious face of Camilla Parshall. Worse yet, the towering Preacher, Camilla’s father.

“You were wondering about my stitch? What about it?”, Camilla held her needlepoint out for inspection to the flabbergasted Julie.

“Th-They, that is the stitches, I was remarking are so neat and close together. You must work very hard indeed”, was all Julie could get out.

“Yes. It is amazing the detailed work in needle point one can accomplish if one dedicates ones self. Wouldn‘t you agree Father?”, Camilla Parshall was looking into her Preacher Fathers face with what can only be called devotion while clutching her latest masterpiece of thread and linen.

“Daughter, with God all things are possible. Hard work and selflessness call the blessings of the Most High down on our endeavors. Is it not so Sister Petersen?”, the huge man pivoted toward Susie without taking his eyes off Julie to show that he was quite aware of all present.

“Yes, sir”, came Susie’s quite response.

“Nathaniel, I have heard from Dr. Higby that certain…circumstances have required a change in schedule for you. If you are agreeable, I shall be pleased to see you come to my home tomorrow after breakfast. I have taken the liberty of speaking to your father, and he seems most enthusiastic about the idea,” the head of the Parshall family turned his head slowly as he spoke and smiled. Not a friendly sort of smile, but the sort of condescending smile that let you know the giver thought that recipient somewhat slow.

“Well since my father is so enthusiastic, how could I refuse such a courteous invitation”, Nathan returned the smile and spoke through clenched teeth.

“Excellent. The Hall has finished meeting, I’m sure the rest of the members will be along shortly, we however must hurry home and help Mother at the church. In fact, maybe you three would be so good as to help us clear the yard before the Sabbath, we seem to have had some problems with sticks, and other litter that could be removed. So good of you to give of your time so freely. Remember my young friends, that the works of man are no secret to the eyes of Heaven. Good day,” and with that the pair of pious Parshalls proceeded proudly past the heathens.

Nathan was the first to speak, “We need to leave, right now.”

“Wait a moment…” Susie had her head bowed and was whispering fervently.

Julie was still flabbergasted. She silently resolved to never play that ridiculous game again. It was one thing to be caught doing wrong, or to have your preacher stare you down from the pulpit, it was entirely another thing to be caught mid-sentence by your preacher as you are insulting his daughters. “I think I may be sick.”

“No time for that, we’ve wasted enough of the morning. Let’s go find Megan. She was in town earlier with her family. She should be nearly done by now,” Nathan was eyeing the path from the Governors house nervously. He was not anxious to meet with any of the other Hall members at the moment.