An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Page #2

Years later, my father revealed

that his songs were actually off-color jokes,

the horse, like my mother,

being badly in need of a good laugh.

Wake up.

Wake up, Tilly! There`s been an accident.

They sent for Mother.

Dr. Boland`s away on holiday.

Perhaps if you kept more reasonable hours

you wouldn`t find it so difficult

to rouse yourself.

I`m awake most mornings

before Prudence or Solomon.

Mathilda Bassett.

Look! Look at all the dresses.

Mary Bassett. Thank goodness,

someone who knows what to do.

-ls anyone hurt?

-The coachman.

Where are you hurt? Your wrist?

Stand back now! Clear the way. Stay back.

She`s like a queen.

-How is it?

-l`m worried about that axle.

It could take a few days.

Oh, well, that`s all right.

I`m here to visit my daughter.

Your daughter? Well, who would that be?

That would be me.

Chapter Two. Pandora`s Box.

Containing, among other things

a great many dresses,

a strained reunion and a fox.

You know what they say?

After a society lady wears a dress once,

she throws it away.

Don`t be silly.

If she`s so well off,

I don`t see why she can`t find a place to stay.

Why do we have to sleep up here?

It`s always so cold.

Do you want a Thanksgiving turkey?

Then you`d best behave. Okay?

How can all of you fit in such a small space?

We consider ourselves fortunate.

Present circumstances notwithstanding.

You seem well.

Well enough.

You have your health.

How long can we expect to indulge

in these pleasantries?

If you prefer, we can dispense

with them immediately.

What is it you require?

Require?

-Money.

-I require nothing.

Your husband is kidnapped

and you without the means to pay the rent.

My husband is dead.

Well, I hope you didn`t bring me here

to make me a fool.

Well, I didn`t bring you here at all.

Well, you must have known

I couldn`t read such a letter and put it aside.

-Letter?

-All that talk of wild animals and Gypsies.

It seemed you had become unhinged.

I could not very well have that

on my conscience, could l?

This letter, may I see it?

These are difficult times.

I`m not always in my right mind.

``Kidnapped by Gypsies.``

``Live like wild animals.``

-lt seems I have overstated my case.

-I see.

My children and I have no need of your help.

Well, I shall remove myself to a hotel.

You`re welcome to stay

until your carriage is repaired.

I don`t wish to inconvenience you.

As the cause of this misunderstanding

it`s the least that I can do.

Solomon!

Solomon Bassett!

Give that to me this instant!

Where did you get this?

I... I think I shall lie down.

Why did you ask about my family

when you had already taken matters

into your own hands?

My words must mean nothing to you.

I didn`t know what else to do.

Ever since your father died

you behave as if there`s no one left.

Have you once gone to bed hungry

in my care?

-Have you been cold?

-No.

I may not be as spirited as your father was,

but I deserve your trust.

I`m sorry.

I just thought, with the holidays upon us,

we`ve had so little.

She`s come all this way.

Why don`t you let her help us?

The only person

that my mother helps is herself.

What`s she doing?

As a rule, it is advisable not to spy.

In some countries,

they gouge out your eyes.

Solomon did not return the fox.

He understood it was important to return it,

if not to secure his Thanksgiving turkey,

then for his mother`s sake,

but it had a certain hold over him,

like a four-leaf clover or a rabbit`s foot.

In its company he felt braver

and more certain than he had

since his father passed away.

He became convinced

that as long as he kept it,

they would all be protected

from further harm.

What? No, thank you, no! What?

Mr. Yule!

Mother. My mother.

He helps with the farm.

What kind of help can such a man be?

His name is Abel Yule and

he was injured in the war. He can`t speak.

We invited him to work

so that his family would be taken care of.

Is it possible for us all to survive?

Your love of virtue renders you somewhat

insensible to the realities of your situation.

You should consider keeping him

at a greater distance,

if not for yourself,

then for the safety of your children.

You have nothing to say

about how I raise my children.

You could have had anything you wanted.

The best education.

Tours of Europe. Personal acquaintance

with well-bred men and women.

Money is the only thing

you can imagine wanting, isn`t it?

I feared it would come to this.

You have no idea what it has come to!

Ellis Bassett was a vagrant! A vagrant!

He was the finest man I ever met in my life.

I pity you and all your well-bred friends.

Chapter Three. Fox in a Henhouse.

Mary Bassett, you do keep

the most extraordinary secrets.

To think your father was Harold Caldwell,

the greatest importer of silk and tea

this country has ever seen.

You are well informed.

Oh, dear, and you, Mrs. Caldwell,

are most fortunate

to have had such a husband.

I find liberty to be a better husband

than he was.

It... It does seem frightfully early, I know.

But as I said to Mr. Hopkins, I didn`t want

to miss the opportunity to meet.

Wouldn`t that have been a pity?

Speaking of silk, Mrs. Hopkins.

What exactly is the substance of your attire?

It`s so original.

This? It`s flax.

Flax?

Well, isn`t that what the poor eat

for breakfast?

Isn`t it?

Mrs. Hopkins is in mourning.

The Hopkins lost three sons to scarlet fever

nearly five years ago.

I am so sorry.

Since then I can`t bear

to wear anything too fancy.

If I may, Mrs. Hopkins,

can I suggest that you let

a little joy back into your life?

Your fine son here

has just returned from abroad.

Why not celebrate?

Try a party

with flowers and music.

Thank you, dear.

-Thank you for coming.

-Thank you.

-Mr. Hopkins.

-Thank you so much for having us.

Dear.

I saw the Collins family earlier.

I think Mr. Collins died.

I didn`t want to say anything

in front of Mrs. Hopkins.

Knocking is always good.

I know why my mother

doesn`t want you here.

-ls that right?

-You`re not nice.

You made fun of Mrs. Hopkins

and you insulted my family.

My father was not a vagrant.

Is there some reason you feel compelled

to discuss this with me?

Because I brought you here.

I wrote that letter.

-You did?

-Yes.

Well, that explains it.

Gypsies. How marvelous.

I suppose you`ll want to go.

No. I have just found a reason to stay.

The visit began to take on

a different character,

Iess guarded and more like a game,

although who would enjoy it

remained uncertain.

Never mind, girl.

It wasn`t like this before my father died.

Women are too quick

to give men credit they`re not truly owed.

You didn`t know him.

Well, perhaps I could be educated.

Why did you call him a vagrant?

Before he became a paragon,

he was my stable boy.

I suppose Tilly`s still sleeping.

You`d best wake her.

She`ll be late for Mr. Carterud.

This entire field was stones.

People said nothing would grow here.

That`s why Mr. Hopkins rented it so cheaply.

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