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F
ollowing dinner, Ian and Wabi made their way to the library. Wabi had been astounded to find the lodge had one. There was quite a large collection of not only books, periodicals, and medical tracts, but also a number of highly regarded, leather-bound editions of classics. He could see why Ian was drawn to this particular room. There on a large writing table was the book about de Vinci the lad had talked about. For the next two hours, Wabi and Ian devoured the book with Wabi explaining theories Ian had never heard of but was thrilled to learn about. His mind was already making room for this new knowledge and he was anxious to continue even longer. However, Wabi was experienced enough to know they must proceed slowly and methodically.
"That's where we'll stop this evening. Some knowledge has to be absorbed slowly and this book is one of those." He stood and stretched his legs after sitting so long. The two of them then joined the others in the great room where they had gathered for their usual evening discussion time.
"I must say that's quite an impressive library you have, Daniel. Why, I never expected to find such on a sheep farm. You have a treasure there, sir."
Da, having never received any formal education, was proud of his library even though he did admit it wasn't his idea.
"When Alice came to the Highlands with me, we brought all her trunks, loaded on the wagon until it could hold no more and I thought we'd never make it. I wondered where in the world she was going to wear all those clothes. I tried to explain to her that she wouldn't need a whole lot here in these Highlands, but she insisted on all the trunks so I didn't argue with her. I was learning quickly how determined the woman could be. When we finally arrived at the crofter's hut, which was what I had to offer her at the time, she began to unpack her trunks. She had a number of fine dresses and some lace petticoats as well. But after she finished unpacking the first trunk and opened the next one, I couldn't believe it. It was full of books, as were the rest of her trunks.
'Woman, whatever are ye going to do with these books?' I asked.
'Books are for reading, Daniel MacKinnon,' she said. 'And I'll select a couple for you to start with.'
"I suppose she thought I needed a little educating, which was true enough. So she selected one for me to start, that evening, ye ken, and she was smart about her selection. She knew I was interested in history. She put a large book into my hands. It was titled The Iliad, by a writer named Homer.
"As it was, I couldn't even pronounce the title, but Alice convinced me that if I would just give it a try I might find out it was an exciting book. 'Course, she forgot to tell me how difficult the reading might be. But right she was. As I learned over the years, the woman was right about many things. Reading became a passion for me and we spent our evenings discussing the various books we might be reading. I always had a taste for history, though, no matter what other subjects I tried. And Alice, well, she always favored stories about early Scottish heroes, such as William Wallace or Robert the Bruce. But together, we must have read Shakespeare's works a dozen or more times over the years. She particularly loved A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the character Tatiana, Queen of the Fairies."
Da loved to tell the story of how he had captured Alice's heart and had to bring her to the Highlands because she wouldn't let him out of her sight.
"Lads, ye shoulda seen that woman. She was the loveliest thing I ever did see. And the MacDonald's ceilidh was always a place where a lad could count on meeting a beautiful girl. Maybe not one to keep, but certainly one for the evening. Well, this young lass, with that auburn hair hanging in curls down her back, took a liking to me immediately. She kept sashaying around me and finally I decided to put her out of her misery and asked her to dance. Of course, she told me I'd have to wait my turn, but that was only to make me think she wasn't too keen on me, ye ken? But after just one dance about the room, she stuck to me side like molasses."
The lads laughed when they heard the story. They had indeed heard it a thousand times, but still liked to hear Da repeat it. They were all aware it brought back fond memories, so they were eager to indulge him. However, they all knew the real story also, or as much as Mam and Da had told them. Their mam was attracted to Da that evening, but he was not exactly what her parents had in mind for her. But according to her, she simply followed her heart and, after a few weeks of seeing each other daily, she left against her parents wishes, went with Daniel and they made a life in the Highlands.
"And never once did I regret that decision," she'd said.