Dovetail: A Novel(19)

“So is there no work for a young man such as yourself in Gladly Falls, Mr. Lawrence, that you had to come all the way here?” Mrs. Donohue speared a piece of potato and examined it before putting it in her mouth. Her tone was accusatory, but John didn’t seem to take it that way.

“Please call me John,” he said. “Gladly Falls is a very small town.” They all waited for him to say more, but he left it at that.

“I, for one, am very happy John is here to help,” Father said. “He’s a college man, Mrs. Donohue, and is set on becoming a doctor. I understand he saves every penny for tuition and his other expenses.” Their father smiled in John’s direction; he had a high regard for those who were thrifty and valued education.

Mrs. Donohue brightened at this. “Oh? A doctor! My Howie is quite the scholar himself. He will be heading off to the university after he finishes high school next year.” Howie flushed in embarrassment and kept his head down. “Perhaps you can tell Howie what he can expect at the university. No one around here continues their education much past primary school. Where is it you attend classes, Mr. Lawrence?”

“The Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee.”

“I’ve heard good things about Marquette.”

“All true, ma’am.”

“Your parents must be very pleased.” Mrs. Donohue herself swelled with pride, looking at Howie as she spoke. “A son who is to be a doctor! My word, that’s quite an accomplishment.”

John nodded thoughtfully. “My mother is very proud and will be prouder still once I graduate.”

She frowned. “But is your father not proud as well?”

“It’s just my mother and myself,” John said, his head held high.

“A boy without a father. Such a shame.”

Their father broke into the conversation. “You of all people must understand, Mrs. Donohue, seeing as how you’ve done such a wonderful job raising Howie. The loss of a father leaves a tremendous void, but life goes on.”

“Of course,” she said hurriedly. “I’m sorry to have broached the subject.”

“No need to apologize,” John said. Pearl got the impression this wasn’t the first time he’d been asked about his father.

“It’s just so surprising to see another young man at this table. It’s usually just the Bennett girls and my Howie. Tell me,” she said, leaning forward to speak to Pearl’s father, “how is it that your family is related to young Mr. Lawrence?” The flame of the candle directly in front of her flickered.

Pearl found herself looking at Howie and rolling her eyes to signal that she thought his mother was a busybody. Despite his loyalty to his mother, his fondness for Pearl won out, and he grinned at her.

Their father said, “John’s mother has worked for my cousin’s family for a number of years. They consider John and his mother to be like family, and that is how we will think of John as well.” He cocked his head to one side. “I have long been outnumbered in this household, so I welcome John as I’d welcome a son. I’m very glad he is here to be my right-hand man.” He said it as if the subject was closed, but Mrs. Donohue couldn’t resist one more comment.

“A welcome addition, but having a young man around does change things, does it not?” She raised her eyebrows and looked from Pearl to Alice and then around the table to the other girls. “There’s so much to consider with so many young ladies in the household.”

“That is true,” their father agreed.

“You don’t have to worry, Mrs. Donohue. John will be sleeping in the barn,” Pearl said.

“Pearl!” Mrs. Donohue shrieked.

Their father sighed. “Pearl, where our guest will be staying is not appropriate dinnertime conversation.”

“Especially in mixed company.” Mrs. Donohue’s eyebrows knit sternly together. “You should know that, Pearl. A lady’s moral virtue is so important. If you want to be a respectable member of society, you need to think before you speak.”

“I’m sorry,” Pearl said meekly.

John just nodded and said, “Apology accepted. No harm done.” He turned to Howie. “Since we’ll be neighbors, perhaps you can show me how things are done around here.”

“I’d be happy to,” Howie said.

“Howie is always glad to serve,” Mrs. Donohue declared. “He follows the path of Jesus in that way.”

“Of course,” their father said. “He’s a fine young man and a credit to his mother.”

Mrs. Donohue beamed with pride and turned back to her cobbler.

“This is delicious,” Alice said, indicating her plate. “And I’m not the only one who thinks so. Daisy would lick the pan if I’d let her.”

“Can I?” Daisy’s little voice piped up. Normally, the younger girls didn’t join the conversation unless spoken to first, but after their mother died, their father had become lackadaisical about the rules.

Alice smiled down on her. “No, you may not.”

When the last bite was taken, the family adjourned to the parlor, all except the four oldest girls, who cleared the table and cleaned up the kitchen. Pearl found herself wandering back to the dining room to sneak peeks at John, who was talking animatedly with Howie while Mrs. Donohue looked on with satisfaction. It seemed the two young men, both destined for higher education, had found kindred spirits in each other. Their father and the younger girls sat quietly and listened.