Teddy had given somebody fifty percent interest in the mill.
I wasn't supposed to know this. Teddy and Louis tried to keep all mill business private.
The way I found out was, I was at the other end of the long dining room table one Sunday night when my brothers lingered over their coffee at supper. We were saving on kerosene so we used candlelight. It flickered romantically. It also conveniently hid things.
Like me.
I was also hidden by the bouquet of roses that Viola had put in the middle of the table this sweet night in May.
"He relieved me of any liability to him in case the property is destroyed," Teddy was saying.
"What is the date of the certificate of interest?" Louis asked.
"March ninth, 1863. I want you to have a copy of it."
"As your brother? Or as mayor?" In spite of the gathering twilight I could see Louis's eyes twinkle.
"As my brother," Teddy said solemnly. "He's promised to stay in the mill to the last moment if the Yankees come. In case they're set on burning it like they burned the Trion cotton factory in Rome. He says that owning half the mill, he's going to demand that the rights of neutrals be respected. He plans on flying a French flag on the roof."
Theophile Roche! They have given Theophile Roche fifty percent interest in the mill! So that's why Teddy brought him here!
Louis nodded his head approvingly. "It's chancy, but it could work. There's just one drawback."
"What's that?"
"He's afraid of heights," Louis said. "He told me. He's terrified of heights. He'll never go on the roof of the mill to put a flag up."
"He'll get someone else to do it for him," Teddy concluded.
I was the only one left at the table, finishing my cake. I ate it very slowly, very quietly. I had learned, of late, how to become almost invisible around my brothers, ever since they had become grim and grumpy because the war news was bad.
Only now Cicero was sitting right next to me because I was feeding him bits of cake on the sly. But then I stopped feeding him and he whined for more.
Teddy looked up, saw me, and scowled. "How long have you been here?"
"I'm finishing my dessert."
"Good Lord, she's heard everything," he told Louis.
They looked at each other.
"Can you keep quiet about this?" Louis asked.
I nodded yes.
"Didn't I tell you not to feed Cicero at the table?" Teddy said. "Didn't I?"
"You do," I flung back at him.
This was not about feeding Cicero at the table and I knew it.
"Come over here," he said sternly.
I had sassed him. But this was not about my sass-ing him, either. He was afraid because I had heard the conversation.
I went and stood in front of him.
He took my hand. "Why do you want to sass me?" he asked sadly.
I shrugged and looked shamefaced.
Gently, he brushed some tendrils of hair back from my face. "This business we're discussing is of the utmost importance. To our family's welfare and to the survival of the mill. Pa built the mill. Bad times are coming. We're trying to save it. We must do everything we can to save it. Mr. Roche is going to help. You talk about anything you heard here tonight, and it's lost. Can I make it any plainer?"
"No, Teddy."
"All right." He kissed my forehead. "Now go. Get out of here."