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C
aitlin, I can't do this by myself! I know your clinic is important to you, but handling these children is a fulltime job. And I'd like to work on my ideas for the school. But as it is, you've left me here to take care of everything. Jack and Alex are out with the sheep, you and Daniel leave for the clinic and someone has to feed these children and know where they are every second. Mrs. Murray helps on the days she's here, but that's not every day. It's like trying to herd kittens! I have to do the wash each day, and then I have to prepare food for this large group. I tell you I've had it!"
Tears ran down her face and she made a quick exit down the hallway, her long, dark hair streaming behind her.
Caitlin stood watching her friend as she fled to her room.
Caitlin, my girl, looks like you still have that selfish streak inside. You've never had to think of others much. Uncle Wabi catered to your every whim and you never had to consider anyone else's needs. Looks like you better start thinking of others instead of yourself. Holy Rusephus, how could I be so blind.
She gathered her herbs and placed them on the shelf alongside her medicines that she placed in the highest cupboard, well out of the reach of the children. She'd been chastised, certainly, and knew she deserved it.
~ * ~
ALEX AND JACK HAD TAKEN on a new farm hand, Boder, as Hector was spending all his time at the estate. And even though Jamie had been old, he had contributed to the daily work and his presence was missed in more ways than one. He had never let his age become an excuse for not doing his share of the work. The brothers had had a tiring day, too. Lambing season was upon them and their days started early and lasted well into the evening. When they finally arrived at the lodge, a bath and supper was about all they were good for.
"Is that rabbit stew I smell? We haven't had that in quite a while. That's a treat."
Jack had thought to find Millie at her usual spot preparing their evening vittles, but she wasn't there. Just now Caitlin was stirring a large pot, and even though she certainly knew her way around the kitchen they all knew that was Millie's domain.
Alex came up behind her and leaned over her shoulder, sniffing at her hair. "Where's Millie?"
"She's taking a short rest. I've got the children bathed already and we'll feed them shortly. Maybe Daniel will tuck them in with a story and we can all have a few quiet minutes. Today has been just a trifle busy around here."
"What are ye saying lass?" Jack picked at the loaf of bread that was laying on the counter, just begging for him to taste it. "Is Millie all right, then?"
"Yes, yes. But Dugald climbed the ladder in the stable and fell out the hay door opening. He's fine, but bruised his arm and has a knot on his head. Then Bridget ate all the apples Millie had sliced for her pie. That meant quite a stomachache for the lass. Finally, Charlie cried through Millie's entire reading lesson and refused to cooperate with her on anything she tried. It's been quite a trying day for her, Jack. You might want to take care of Midge for the rest of the evening. Let's let Millie have a few moments to herself."
"And how was yer day at the clinic? Da says the old ones think ye hung the moon, lass."
"My day was busy and Daniel is a Godsend. He knows everyone by first name, and thanks to him I know most of them now. But we need to consider moving the clinic up here, to the lodge. I hadn't thought about how much work we were putting on Millie's shoulders. When we first talked about her school plans and mine for a clinic, we didn't have the children we have now. Of course we want them here, but we all need to give Millie a hand. She's pretty fragile at the moment. I've just realized how selfish I'm been. Uncle Wabi told me there were two things I would always need to work on — my selfish nature and my quick temper. It looks like he was right, as usual."
"Ah, lass. Don't be so hard on yerself. But maybe ye've got a good idea there. Moving the clinic to the lodge. Da could talk the villagers into coming up here. Where do ye think Hector got his negotiating skills? Let's talk it over with him after supper. Not to worry so, lass. We'll work it out."
Alex was overjoyed with Caitlin's decision to move the clinic to the lodge. Of course, that meant another one of the huts needed to be cleaned and readied for her use. Kenny and Hamish knew just what to do now, having just finished the larger one for Uncle Andrew and his friend. Those two hadn't shown their faces yet, but it was ready when they did get here.
That evening, Caitlin cornered Da about her thoughts. "Daniel, it'll be a lot easier if I move my clinic here to the lodge. Millie needs help with the children, and it looks like there will be a dozen or more students from our area. Probably even more once word gets around about 'the Lady' and her school."
Both of them laughed and Daniel agreed with her about the clinic. The villagers were thrilled to finally have a healer, and they would make time to come to her, even if it did mean coming up the mountain a ways.
~ * ~
CAITLIN'S CLINIC WAS sporadic at first. It might take a while before the villagers came, but they eventually would. The move was certainly a help to Millie. Now that their daily routine was not quite so hectic, the women sat together to make plans for officially opening the school.
Millie began teaching the three children at the lodge, that way she could see what she might need to change before the school formally began. As might have been expected, Charlie was the child who demanded everyone's attention, and their patience as well. There were days Millie was at wit's end.
Today Caitlin walked in, placing several items on the table. "I told Uncle Wabi about Charlie and his hearing difficulty. He made a couple of suggestions that we might try when we're working with the lad. Here, sit and try this. Close your eyes now, and tell me what I've laid on the table."
Millie closed her eyes then, using her fingers, worked her way up and down the item Caitlin had placed in front of her.
"What is it? Can you tell?"
"Of course. It's a hairbrush. I use one every morning."
"Right. Now, close your eyes again. What's this?"
Millie felt the new item carefully, then turned it over. And she nodded. "It's one of my cookbooks. It's the one that has a picture of birds on the front. I can feel them. There are raised letters that read Blackbirds in a Pie."
Caitlin nodded to her friend. "So it was easy to identify both pieces, wouldn't you say?"
"Yes, of course."
"But you couldn't see them, could you?"
"Well, no, but I could tell what they were just by feeling them."
"Right. That's one of the suggestions Uncle Wabi made. He says people who are blind see with their hands. He also says people who are deaf hear with their eyes. We must teach Charlie to use his eyes to hear. Does that make any sense to you?"
"No. Not at all. If the child can't hear, then how does seeing help him with that?"
"Wabi says we should have him in the same class with the other children you are teaching to read. We should write the words on the board, and maybe draw a picture of the item, the word you're teaching him. Like the word 'book.' Write the word and draw a picture of a book next to it. That's a visual picture of the word.
Then, when you pronounce the words, slowly, look directly at Charlie, as I've seen you doing with the other children, and he can 'hear' in his own way. Uncle Wabi says we should have him take a finger and draw the letters of the word, then take his fingers and feel around the picture of the book. Apparently touching the letters and picture makes a connection that helps him remember the word. Like closing your eyes and feeling the trunk of a tree. You don't need anyone to tell you it's a tree. Your fingers 'see' it’s a tree and a picture comes to your mind immediately. He may never be able to speak, but he can certainly learn to hear in his own way."
"Well, it's worth a try. But Caitlin, you have to help me with this. It's bound to be a challenge for him."
"And a challenge for us, too. But of course I'll help. Should have been more thoughtful all along. I've been told more than once that I have a selfish streak, Millie. But it's a trait I'm working on. Trust me, I'll not leave everything to you again."
"Ah, Caitlin. It was just a bad day, I suppose. But it occurs to me once we really get this school going and your clinic is at full speed, we could use more help. Hector will find a buyer for my jewels, so perhaps we could use those proceeds to hire a helper, or two? And Dorothea will be here soon. She'll be a big help.”
"Hmm. That's not a bad idea. But we'll need to get Jack and Alex behind us. I've already learned they have a real need to be consulted on our plans. Yeah, let's ask their opinion first."
They laughed together, as they always did.
~ * ~
"ALEX, WOULD YE LOOK at that. I never would have believed it," Jack said.
He and Alex watched from the window as a coach pulled up in front of the lodge, creaking loudly as it came to a halt. Uncle Andrew opened the door, stepped down from the carriage and held out his hand.
"We're here finally, lass. Come now, it's only family here. The whole clan has been waiting to meet ye."
For the longest minute he stood there, waiting. Finally, with another bit of coaxing, his companion stepped out as well.
Jack looked at Alex and they called to the girls. "Millie, Caitlin, Come look!"
"Jack MacKinnon, stop your gawking and walk out to meet them. Mam taught you better manners than that."
"But Millie, she's not at all what we were expecting."
Alex nodded his agreement with that statement.
"Nevertheless, you two get yourselves out there and invite her in. Andrew's kin, but a gesture of welcome would be in order. Go now."
Alex led the way and, after a hug for Uncle Andrew, he bowed from the waist and introduced himself. "Good evening, mam. I'm Alex and this is Jack. We're glad you finally made it to our home. Please come in and meet everyone."
Jack just nodded when he was introduced.
Uncle Andrew addressed the two. "Alex, Jack. Tis good to see ye, lads. Coming by coach takes a wee bit longer than I expected it would, but it seemed like the most comfortable way to bring Camille to her new home."
The woman had yet to say a word. She stood close by Andrew's side and held on to his hand. She was rather tall. Not as tall as Millie, but much taller than Caitlin. And she was thin. Her hair was a rich, deep brown with silver threads running through it and she had tied it back with a yellow ribbon, with curls managing to escape their confines in several places. Her large brown eyes were her best feature, and her smile began in them before it got to her lips. She was a most attractive woman, and somewhat younger than Andrew.
"Camille, these two young lads, excuse me, young men, are my nephews. They'll grow on ye lass — just give 'em a little time." He laughed and pulled Camille's arm, moving her forward.
Entering the great room, Daniel met them at the door. He greeted Andrew, shook hands with Camille and took her coat, hanging it on a peg with the others.
Caitlin and Millie came in and Daniel introduced them to Uncle Andrew's lady friend.
Millie spoke first. "Camille, it's such a pleasure to meet you. We've been so excited since Uncle Andrew informed us of your plans. Another woman at this place will be most welcome I assure you."
"And I'm Caitlin. Millie couldn't have put it any better. We're outnumbered here and a woman from the city will be such a treat for us. It's not everyday we meet one who can tell us what's happening in the rest of the country. We're delighted to have you here."
It was obvious Camille was painfully shy, but she straightened her shoulders and smiled to the two ladies, and spoke quietly. "You are so very kind. Andrew has told me stories of you, his family. I'm very hopeful that not all of them are true."
That brought laughter from the group.
"And I thank you for your hospitality." She nodded her head slightly, and then took Andrew's hand in hers once again.
Daniel was passing around cups of cider when a shrill scream rang out from the top of the stairs. "Alex, help me!" The voice was high-pitched and filled with giggles.
Alex smiled as he watched Bridget come flying down the stairs into his waiting arms.
"Whoa, now. What's going on here?"
"Dugald found a spider and tried to put it down the back of my dress. I hate spiders!"
"Well, then. We'll have to talk to Dugald, I suppose." He grinned at the girl and let her slide to the floor. She was off before he could say another word.
"Alex? I know time flies quickly, especially at my age, but I've only been gone a short while and ye've got a daughter it appears." Andrew lifted his eyebrows and looked to Daniel to see if he had any information to parcel out. But nothing was coming from that quarter.
"Actually, Uncle Andrew, I've a daughter and two sons. But I'm not really sure if they're mine, ye ken? They could be Jack's too, I suppose. Or maybe Hector's — even Da's."
Andrew laughed a hardy laugh and shook his head. "So ye see, lass, it's just as I told ye. These lads are always coming up with surprises and I never know what to expect when I return."
Daniel took a seat next to the couple and gave them a rundown on the children. "Andrew, it's a lot like it was when the lads were wee ones. Lots of laughter, lots of screaming, and lots of food being prepared. So ye may have to add another page to yer history. I suppose there's a way to indicate orphans in the recording?"
"Well, what I don't know, Camille does. She's been working in the Department of Ancestry at the library in Edinburgh for a number of years now. No doubt we'll make a way to record it properly."
Following Millie's fine dinner of roasted woodcock and clootie dumplings for dessert, Daniel took Andrew and Camille over to their recently renovated hut.
"The ladies had the lads, Kenny and Hamish, do a cleaning job on the hut. Had them do it twice, as I recollect. And they found a few items they thought would make the place a bit more hospitable."
He walked in and lighted several candles that Caitlin and Millie had placed throughout the hut. The lads had built a small peat fire in the fireplace and it glowed and gave off a softness that made the place so inviting.
"Oh, Andrew, will you look at that. A brass bed and a duvet. Oh, and look here — this rug is hand woven. And look at the beautiful colors. It will feel so good on a cold morning."
She walked quietly about the room, touching the small items Caitlin and Millie had arranged — the heather in a bowl, Mam's potpourri they found in the closet, and a small pitcher of cider and two glasses sat on the old oak table next to the bed. She stopped then, as if embarrassed she had spoken so freely.
Andrew grinned and winked at Daniel. "Tell the lasses it's verra fine. Verra fine indeed."
Daniel excused himself and left the couple to themselves.
Inside the lodge, Jack and Alex were still wondering how in the world this couple had gotten together.
"Alex, I bet ye a crown she's a good ten years younger than Andrew."
"I'm not a betting man, Jack. That dark hair is streaked with silver strands, and those crinkles around her eyes tell me she's no spring chicken. But she's a beautiful woman, no doubt. And thin, too. Sorta like Mam, huh?"
"Yeah, and to think Uncle Andrew has talked her into coming here and she's agreed to live with him. No ceremony as I understand it."
More change. More change, Jack thought to himself.
"It's called hand fasting, Jack. It was common in earlier years. She probably has her reasons for not wanting a ceremony. Let's just accept that it's what the two of them want," Millie suggested.
Millie could think of many reasons to not marry. She'd already had one marriage she hadn't wanted. Though now, with Jack, she saw how wonderful it could be. But the fact she'd made her own decisions about it was what was important.