MEG GRADUATED FROM DALHOUSIE with First Class Honours and the top marks in anatomy and biology. She was accepted into the veterinary college at McGill University with a personal note from the principal saying, since there is no written law prohibiting women from studying veterinary science, they welcomed her into their college but felt obliged to warn her that were she to succeed in obtaining a degree they could not assure her of obtaining work in the profession, as they could with male graduates.
“Forewarned is forearmed,” was Randolph’s reaction.
Meg smiled and hugged him. “Where would I be without you? But I am worried, Randolph. It’s three more years of paying for my education and if I don’t get work, how could I ever … how could it be worthwhile?”
“My dear wife! You are living the kind of courageous and progressive, absolutely worthwhile life that I would love to live. So thank you, and let us not create barriers before we come to them.”
“If we have a child …” said Meg
“Hush!” Randolph snuggled her face against his shoulder. “We’ll cross that bridge … if we come to it.”
“The expression is, when we come to it,” said Meg.
“I know, my darling, I know.” He rocked her in perturbed silence.
It was noted amongst all those who had attended their wedding, indeed amongst all their city acquaintances, that Meg showed no evidence of bearing a child within the first months of their marriage. In fact, no baby came within a year, two, three, four … the entire five years of their marriage.
That first summer, Randolph did not go to Boston. They worked together running Clean Sweepers, Meg going into the office each morning with Randolph, Poley settling by her desk while she did the books. Randolph also taught Meg more of the actual workings of the factory. The employees got used to seeing Meg as the boss’s right hand person. Not all of them liked it, but they knew they’d be fired if they showed any sign of disrespect. Jacques was made foreman at the end of the summer when Meg started vet college and work ran out at the bicycle shop.
Prepared to postpone her plans if she became pregnant, Meg was relieved that she was not, when it came time to leave for vet college. But then as the years rolled by, she felt a growing undercurrent of fear and doubt as to why. She had studied human anatomy but there was still widespread ignorance about male and female reproductive systems and genetics. It was a common belief that the human female was fertile just when menstruation began, similar to animals who are “in heat” when the genitals swell and drops of blood appear. So, the “safe” time for a woman not wanting to conceive would be the rest of the month, if she had a regular cycle.
Meg, with her natural affinity for animals, too readily subscribed to that theory. Victorian morality inhibited women from revealing anything at all about their cycles or sexual activity to male doctors. Hence doctors dealt with births, not birth control or fertility. Even “free thinking” women like Meg were reluctant to discuss sexual matters. The unproved theories, myths and “old wives’ tales” prevailed:
“All men carry the seeds.”
“Females determine the sex of babies.”
“Some women are barren but men aren’t.”
“You’ll conceive during a full moon.”
“Bad women never ‘get caught,’ Good women always do.”
“It’s all a matter of luck.”
“It’s all a matter of virtue … restraint and abstinence.”
Randolph never imposed upon or tried to lure Meg. When she showed interest, he complied. She felt he didn’t completely enjoy “the act,” but she was too inexperienced to know for sure. Randolph was visibly pleased that Meg could enter vet college without that worry. He was in such high spirits when he took her to Montreal a week ahead to find an apartment and have a holiday together, that she couldn’t help wondering if he was planning a trip to Boston afterwards. But she refused to probe.
They found an apartment that allowed her to keep Poley as her companion and bodyguard. Outside of classes, she was dependent on Poley for companionship. As the only woman, and a married one at that, there were no social circles she fitted into. Her classmates grew generally friendly with her. They thought her pretty, wasp-waisted, and well-groomed, but not alluring in the usual feminine manner. She was interesting to talk to but not comfortably so, since she was not a man, like them. And she was always questioning the way of doing things. Kept asserting that animals had feelings much like people. This was not entirely new thinking. Particularly since the publication of Black Beauty, many people, women especially, had been harping about kindness to horses.
“But a veterinarian has to be strong of mind, as well as body, in handling horses and any other animals,” colleagues argued with Meg. “Animals have to be shot when there’s no cure. And a surgeon can’t keep thinking to himself … this animal I’m operating on has feelings. It has to be held down and kept still. That’s why tying them down, or stringing them up by the hind legs if they’re small enough, is a necessary thing.”
They could see Meg was squeamish about all this. And she kept arguing that the animal should be laid out on a table, like a human. “Give it some gas, chloroform, smelling salts, whisky,” she pleaded, wanting to yell. “Whatever helps to ease the pain.”
“She should be in med school, not vet college,” some concluded. “Or at home with her husband. She’ll have to give this up when she has babies. Meanwhile she’s wasting our class time with all these questions.”
Others wondered and thought she might be right, but then who would pay for such new methods for their animals? Or the installation of new facilities, equipment, and supplies? The vet college had trouble enough starting up, as is.
Yes, the young Mrs. Oliphant was altogether a might too interesting for her own good. But they tipped their hats to her and opened doors for her. She was their pet woman, not unlike a colourful parrot that often squawked out of turn.
The principal and Dr. Osler kept interested watch on Meg’s progress. Several years before they had co-operated in establishing the high standards of McGill’s veterinary college. Osler was satisfied as long as Meg continued to do well in the courses which were part of his med school. Principal McEachran tried not to become personally involved. But he was a Scot who had managed to set up this fine veterinary college in Canada and he kept his eye on the big picture. There was a woman attending the vet college in Ireland. If she got through, he hoped this Meg Oliphant would do so as well. His college was not to be outdone by the Irish. Looking down from his office window, he couldn’t help but smile upon the young woman walking across campus with that big black dog lumbering along beside her.
Meg often thought of “Ike’s Working Wolves,” wished she could interest her colleagues in that story and what might be learned from it. But no students wanted more papers to read, particularly not an unpublished, probably unpublishable, manuscript. “The origins of dogs in their own far north?” No. They were not interested in that. Horses and farm animals were the focus of their job prospects. But not for me, Meg gradually concluded, with Poley at her side. She wanted to work on dogs and other small animals.
“Horses aren’t the only working animals,” Meg pointed out when she came home at Christmas. “Think of all the work that dogs do. Newfoundlanders like Poley do rescue at sea, German Shepherds do police work, and there are all the various breeds of guard dogs, the collie herding dogs, the hunting hounds, Labrador retrievers, St. Bernards for mountain rescue. And up in the Arctic, dogs are the only means of transportation.”
“They ride dogs?” said Alice.
“No,” Meg laughed. “They have them pull sleds over the snow, like horses pulling sleds in winter.”
“Why don’t they use horses?”
“It’s too cold. And there’s no hay. And the horse’s legs would break on the terrain.”
“All right. All right,” said Alice. “Become a dog doctor if you want.”
“I intend to,” said Meg, “right here in Halifax. This city is full of dogs that need help. And cats. I think I could build a good business here, doing everything from worming right through to neutering.”
“Ouch!” Randolph made a face. “Don’t like the sound of that. But anything to keep you close to home.”
Alice completed her basic teaching qualifications. But the only position she could get was in a one-room school four hours away from Halifax. She was accommodated in a local farmhouse where she had a small room of her own, but she had to have her meals with the family, including two of the children she taught.
“It’s horrible,” she wailed to Meg. “There’s no escape. A schoolhouse full of brats and whiners by day, then two pouters staring across the table at me at breakfast and dinner.”
“That does sound uncomfortable. But don’t you like any of the kids? And isn’t it nice to be on a farm, when you don’t have to do the chores? Pleasant places to walk, animals to pat and talk to? I often miss our farm, don’t you?”
“Not in the least. I want the city life, just like you. And quit trying to make me feel good about where I am. It’s dull and stupid and horrid. You have a fabulous time in Montreal and when you want, you take the train back to Halifax. You have no idea what it’s like to cry yourself to sleep every night. You’ve always gotten just what you wanted And you’ve never had to worry about being separated from …”
“Oh Alice.” Meg reached out to her. “Jacques will wait for you. He’s so proud of you.”
“I know that.” Alice stepped away from Meg. “He writes to me every day. You’re not the only one with someone who’s completely devoted to you. It’s just that yours already has his own business. Mine will too.”
Completely devoted, thought Meg. If you only knew …
While she was at vet college, Randolph took occasional trips to Boston. First it was because he wanted to visit and tend to something or other with the widow and her son. But he was so tense and guilty sounding when he told Meg he felt he had to go: he didn’t want to worry her, but also didn’t want to just go, without her knowing where he was, in case something happened …
“It’s all right,” Meg said over the phone, knowing operators and others listened in. “Do what you must, Randolph. My love goes with you.”
Then he went regularly once each term, for a week. Meg suffered jealousy and disappointment, some anger and resentment when he went, but became resigned to it. She made herself think of all the possible faults a husband might have and concluded that Randolph’s habit was not so bad. Some husbands have mistresses, or gambling habits, are drunks, or violent. And some are crippled or diseased or injured, she told herself. Some are stupid, or cold, or arrogant, miserly, or poor providers. Some just plain mean to their wife and kids.
Randolph was like a husband with a mistress about whom he was utterly discreet, but whom he could not do without. Meg could not see or understand it clearly. She knew she hated his absence and the tension that built up and yanked him away. She tried not to think about it. The hard part was not being able to talk about it with anyone, to have even her sister think she had a perfect life.
In the second year, Alice again failed to get a teaching position within the city, but she did get one in a village school, a two-hour stage coach ride from Halifax. She took a room weekdays at the village inn and travelled back to Halifax each weekend. In fall and spring, the road became so muddy and pot-holed the coach wheels got stuck and she was delayed for hours. In winter, storms sometimes prevented the coach from leaving the station or reaching its destination. Alice arrived at either end jostled and so cold she vowed not to do it again, but did. She finished the school year but neither she nor the school board wanted her to do another year. With the low salary and the cost of accommodation and transportation, Alice came out of two years teaching having accumulated nothing more than new clothes.
Again Alice applied for teaching positions in Halifax but none were as yet forthcoming. She began the summer discouraged and depressed, reverting to looking after Herbert, who was now chair-ridden with gout and other ailments. Herbert’s savings afforded him a housekeeper while Alice was away teaching, but it was her duty and payback to take over as housekeeper during the summers.
“How come I’m the only child with the duty?” she grumbled to Meg. “There are seven others.”
“It is unfair,” said Meg. “But I do have a duty to my husband.”
“You’re lucky. You can afford to be married. With my luck, Jacques and I will never be able to afford it.”
“He has proposed?”
“As much as he can without the income he needs to support us.” Alice raised her chin. “I could have other suitors, you know.”
“I’m sure you could. But Jacques is the one, am I right?”
“Unfortunately.”
Meg laughed. “You’re an incorrigible pessimist, Alice.”
Alice looked tearful and turned away. Meg tried to take her hand.
“Alice, I’m sorry. I wish I could help. But there’s a bit of a downturn in the business this year and I have no money of my own …”
“Oh don’t tell me your troubles,” Alice pulled away from her. “You have no idea what trouble is.”
Just after Meg and Randolph’s second anniversary, Jacques got an offer from the bicycle shop owner. Jos Andersen decided to sell his business and move to Toronto, where he said all the money and enterprising people were. Besides, Toronto was flat, more like his native Copenhagen, easier to cycle around. He did not tell Jacques he suspected a general downturn in the economy was beginning. He wanted to sell out, right away, and get his new business going in Toronto, but because he liked Jacques, thought him an industrious, loyal lad, he gave Jacques a lease of the business for the summer which would give Jacques more time to find the money to buy it.
“Sounds like as a good a deal for Andersen as it is for Jacques,” said Meg to Randolph.
“But it’s the opportunity Jacques has been looking for,” said Randolph. “And, unlike me, Jacques has no good reason to hesitate when he’s offered what he wants.”
Randolph accepted Jacques’s resignation at Clean Sweepers with all best wishes. Then Jacques asked Herbert for Alice’s hand in marriage.
“With my blessings, lad. With my blessings. Hope the wedding isn’t too far off. I want to live to see it.”
“I can’t marry right away,” said Alice. “What would people think! We can’t afford a big wedding, but I do want a very nice one.”
They decided on a ceremony in the cathedral at the end of the summer with a garden party afterwards. They accepted Meg and Randolph’s offer to use their house and garden.
“I want an exquisite menu,” said Alice. “No farmer’s food.”
“Farmers’ food?” said Meg.
“You know … roasts and mashed potatoes and help yourself to the pies. I shall have an exquisite buffet of salmon mousse, scalloped potatoes, glazed string beans, with corn soufflé to start. I want to have a harpist for music and a man in tails to serve the wine. Is it all right with you if I decorate the verandah with white gauze ribbons and roses?” “Sounds gorgeous. Where did you get the ideas?”
“I keep myself informed,” said Alice. “Don’t you read Ladies Home
Journal?”
Invitations were sent out. Preparations were begun. The plan was
for Alice and Jacques to live with Herbert.
“It’s so unfair!” said Meg, dropping in on Alice and Herbert.
“What!” said Alice. “Are you stealing my lines?”
Meg laughed. “I mean about women not being allowed to teach if they’re married. It’s stupid and unfair. You should be allowed to teach as long as you want to. Think how ideal it would be if you had a job here in the city. I think women should challenge that law. Why don’t you? I’d support you. So would a lot of other women, Jean Atkins for one.”
“Jean?”
“Yes. We’ve become friends. She says I’ve become the teacher to her, with all my new ideas, which is nonsense of course, but …”
Herbert banged his cane on the floor as he sat in the chair listening to their chatter. He had become very irritable of late. Feeling useless and a burden. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to even hobble up the aisle with his daughter. It made him doubly irritable when people around him talked as if he weren’t there. “Marriage is for the procreation of the species!” he shouted. “You can’t have teachers quitting part way through the year because they suddenly find themselves with child. Alice has done her stint with teaching. Never much liked it anyway, did you, Alice? Hardly worth the cost of the training. You’re better off married to a good man like Jacques.”
He banged his cane again. It was the only way of getting attention, an old man, in his own household. “And you needn’t look so disheartened, Meggie. I’m right. If you want to go campaigning, campaign for the vote. Women like you should have the vote.”
“What do you mean, like her? What about me, father?”
“You too. All you smart young women should have the vote. That’s what I’ve come to think. And don’t you forget it.”
“Why Dad …” Meg ran to him. “Thank you!”
“Father!” Alice also put her arms around him. “You surprise us!”
He reached to put his arms around them. Suddenly he grimaced and gasped for air. His body slumped, dead, crashing with the chair onto the floor, his daughters tumbling on top.
Herbert had willed the house to Alice which she and Jacques could then use as collateral for the loan to buy the cycling business. Herbert’s savings and the value of the farm were divided amongst his sons. Meg received his pocket watch.
“Along with his good wishes, I trust,” she said to Randolph. “I must remember that.”
The wedding lunch was an exquisite mess. The day was so hot the salmon mousse melted and oozed over the serving plate. The corn soufflé sank in the middle before it was presented. But the idea was impressive. Alice tried not to be tearful over its unfortunate execution. She was sustained by the compliments on her beautiful white silk dress, her ever so stylish hat, adorned with veil, flowers, birds, and all. And the heavenly notes of the harpist while the wine server floated around the garden. Yes, it was a beautiful, an elegant wedding. She just wished Meg didn’t have to spoil the atmosphere by being so obviously tearful over the absence of their parents. The harp wasn’t meant to be such a reminder of those in heaven!
And Jacques was superb. So handsome and manly in his tailored suit. He never ever said “yous” any more. He was popular with everyone. More down to earth and easier to talk to than Randolph. And his prospects now were so good! Everyone wished him well and surely would support him in the new business he now owned, The Sport Shop.
But in the privacy of their bedroom that wedding night, Alice was surprised and confused. The way that Jacques adored her body made her respond in a way she had never heard about. Her body went out of control! Jacques assured her that was good and normal. He was loving, affectionate, pleased with her and with himself. Alice felt duly adored, at last. And the future looked so full of promise. But she wondered why other women, especially her sister, hadn’t intimated that the man and wife act was … surprising. It felt so different from the “duty” she had understood it to be. When she discovered she was pregnant, probably from that very first night, she felt embarrassed, worried, not at all proud. She feared she would be burdened, like her mother with eight children.