TUESDAY MORNING,
OCTOBER 3, 1871
- Mew -
“Do you want scrambled eggs and a slice of ham, Justin?” Claire asked her brother once they were in the kitchen.
“Yes, I’m hungry.”
“We were both up before dawn. Here, have some tea while I make breakfast.” She poured tea from the large teapot that was always simmering on the stove.
“Remember,” Justin reminded her, “don’t say anything to anyone about someone sleeping in the goat house. Father or Charlie would stay up all night watching and would scare anyone away—and Mother would be frightened.”
“I won’t say anything yet,” Claire promised. “But first we need to be sure it really was Poppy.”
“What about Poppy?” Charlie appeared in the doorway. He yawned. “Pour some tea for me, too, Claire.”
Justin hoped his brother hadn’t heard him speak about the goat shed. He gave Claire a warning glance as she handed tea in a china cup to Charlie.
Charlie helped himself to cream and took a sip. “So?” he asked. “What about Poppy?”
“I was telling Justin how sorry I feel for the poor girl. She’s never had a decent dress in her life, I swear,” Claire answered.
“Hmm. Probably not.” Charlie seemed to lose interest. “Justin, after school today, Father wants you to come down to the store. He thinks you need to learn more about the business, and there’s some book work and tagging that needs to be done.”
Justin raised his eyebrows. “You mean he wants me to do something besides sweeping and cleaning?”
“Yes, you’ve been promoted,” Charlie replied. “You were so upset last night, storming out of here, that he felt unhappy for you.”
“Oh, Charlie,” Claire said as she poured the eggs into the pan. “Father realizes that Justin is old enough to start taking on responsibilities at the store, same as you.” She nodded to the ham leg that lay in another pan on the stove. “Slice up some of that ham for us, Charlie. You’re not exempt from helping out around here, you know.”
“Claire, the perfect parson’s wife,” Charlie said with a smirk. He found a sharp knife and cut ham slices. “So get down to the store after school, Justin.”
“All right, I will.” Justin was certain he didn’t want Charlie as his boss. But at least Father had noticed that Justin wanted to be included in the family business, too.
I’ll show Father and Charlie that I can handle just about anything in that store!
Father and Mother came into the kitchen just as someone knocked on the back door.
Justin could see the top of his friend Randy’s slicked-down brown hair. “It’s Randy from up the road,” he said as he got up to open the door.
“What’s he doing here so early?” Mother asked. “And you’ve all had your breakfast already. What’s going on?”
Justin opened the door and laughed out loud. “Look what Randy’s got for you, Claire!”
Curled up in Randy’s arms was the tiny, fluffy black kitten. Justin bent closer to look and could hear the kitten purring softly.
“Oh, my darling little kitty!” Claire whispered as she gathered the kitten into her arms. “Look at her beautiful amber eyes. Isn’t she sweet?”
“There’s nothing as lovable as a kitten,” Mother agreed. “But she’s so little. Is it all right to take her from her mother so soon?”
“She’ll be fine,” Randy said. “She does suck on my finger sometimes, but Mother says she’ll get over that habit soon.”
“What will you name her?” Father asked Claire.
The kitten began to mew and knead with her little claws. “I’ll name her Mew,” Claire said. “My little Mew.” She held the kitten up and then kissed her nose. “I know what I’ll do—I’ll keep you inside my pocket, where you’ll feel warm and loved.” Claire put the kitten into her apron pocket. “She’ll stay safe and warm and close to my heart. Thank you, Randy.”
Mother chuckled. “She’ll be loved, that’s for certain.”
“She’ll grow to be the church cat that will take care of all the poor church mice,” Father said, laughing.
The kitten mewed and wiggled until Claire stuck her finger down into the pocket. The kitten became silent. “She’s nursing on my finger!” Claire said softly.
“Well, are you ready for school, even though it’s early?” Randy asked Justin.
“Let’s go,” Justin said, slipping into his pea jacket. “I’ll see you at the store after school, Father.”
“No, I’m staying home today. I’m letting Charlie take over the shop.”
“Oh, I thought you’d be there, too.” Justin couldn’t help showing his disappointment.
“It’ll be a test for him to see how he handles being the new manager.” Father winked at Charlie, and Charlie gave everyone a broad grin. Obviously, Charlie had already known Father had given him the new title.
“Charlie’s the new … manager?” Justin’s throat tightened and he could hardly get the words out.
“Yes, he’ll be your boss today.” Father must have noticed Justin’s face fall. “Don’t worry, son,” Father said quickly. “Charlie won’t be a harsh taskmaster.”
Justin shot an angry glance at his brother as he went outside with Randy, slamming the door behind him.
“Nobody is going to be my taskmaster,” Justin muttered. “Especially Charlie.”