CHAPTER X
AUNT SALLY
"Aunt Sally! Aunt Sally, wait for me!"
At the shrill cry and the clatter of Buster's feet the crawling vehiclecame to a standstill, and from under its canvas cover peered the smilingface of a hale, elderly woman, whose gray head was bare save for itsabundant crown of curling hair. A straw Shaker bonnet, with greencurtains, hung over her shoulders. Her print gown was of brilliantpink and her capacious apron of blue gingham. She was collarless andher sleeves were tucked above her round elbows, but she was clean,as if just from a laundry. Indeed, at that moment, her conveyancesuggested such an institution on wheels, for well-strung clotheslineswere taut against its sides, and from these fluttered freshly washedgarments and scraps of cloth.
Aunt Sally saw Jessica's eyes, fasten upon these articles and explained:
"Met a little water comin' along and used it. Never know where you'llbe when you need water next--in Californy. How's all?"
"Well, thank you. I'm so glad you've come."
"That's a word to cure deafness. Here."
The woman pulled a gigantic cookie from her apron pocket and held ittoward the girl, who had now come alongside. The cake was in the shapeof a doll, with flaring skirt, and was promptly nibbled.
"Well, I declare! Eat your playmates, do you?"
"Yes, indeed, when you make them!"
"Who's that loping along behind?"
"Ephraim, of course. Oh! yes. A Mr. Hale, from New York."
"What's he at here?"
"Just staying. Lost his way and making a visit."
"H-m-m! Don't look wholesome. Needs picra."
"I doubt it. He has a great row of bottles in his room and takesmedicine every time he eats, or doesn't. That is, since he's been atSobrante, which isn't long."
When the wagon had halted on the road before them Ephraim had turned tohis companion, with a whimsical smile, suggested:
"Better ride along as if we was glad to see her. It's like a dose ofthat bitter stuff she makes everybody take, whether or no--get it overwith. And she isn't so bad as--H-m-m."
Mr. Hale was not sorry to do this, for his curiosity was roused. Thewagon box was long and narrow, and contained as many articles as wouldhave sufficed a family "crossing the plains" in the olden times. Akerosene cooking stove, a cat in a parrot cage, a hencoop, with motherand brood inside it, a trunk, a blanket and pillow, a pail for wateringthe animals, and a box of tin dishes. The cover, like a small "prairieschooner," was patriotic in extreme, shining with the national colors,newly applied by Aunt Sally herself, and with no stingy hand. Thearrangement was also her own, and as she considered, an improvementupon the flag; for she made the whole top a field of stars, and thesides of the stripes.
"Instead of a little weeny corner full of stars, that you can count onyour fingers, I've made a skyful right overhead. I always thought ifI'd had the designin' of Old Glory, I'd have made it regular, likea patchwork quilt--and nobody ever pieces a 'block' that way. Thingsmust compare even, and so they would be if women had had a hand in thebusiness."
This decorative turnout was drawn by a tandem team, consisting of a milchcow and a burro, with the cow in front. Which, after due introduction tothe stranger, she explained, regulated the behavior of both animals.
"With Balaam in the middle, and him inclinin' to balk, and Rosettyin front, it works double-action. Them that use their wits is twiceserved. If he stops, the wagon runs onto him, and if she's in a movin'mood, that drags him. If she gets lazy, he butts her and thus, why--I'vetried it both ways, changing their places more'n once. This is the best.How you like Californy?"
"Very much."
"Come for your health?"
"Partly, for that."
"H-m-m. Folks with you?"
"No. I'm alone."
"Maybe you've got no folks. Some hasn't. Ephraim, yonder, is one.He'd be in a fix if 'twasn't for Jessie and me. I come about oncein so often and straighten out all the crooks. Took them pills, Ephy?"
Mr. Hale tried to repress a smile and failed, but "Forty-niner" burstinto a loud laugh, and replied:
"No, Aunt Sally, and what's more I'm not going to. Why should I? Whonever have an ache or pain--that medicine will cure," he added, lookingtenderly upon Lady Jess and remembering his grief of the past night.
"Well, you ought to have. 'Tisn't human nature to live to eighty andnot have. I'm twenty years younger'n you are and I ache from head tofoot, some days."
"Asking questions sort of wears you out, I reckon."
"Now, Ephy, don't get playful. Not at your age. It's not a good sign.Besides, my hen chicken's been crowing more'n once this trip. That'sa sign of death--somewhere."
"Giddap, Stiffleg!"
Ephraim urged his horse forward, meaning to forewarn the "boys" of whoand what was coming. Jessica comprehended and quickly followed, but herobject was to bespeak a different kind of welcome from that he intended.Neither knew, then, just how heartily glad they would be before manyhours were over of the helpful, yet disturbing, presence of this samemasterful woman.
The Easterner was left to jog alongside the curious team and its morecurious mistress, who, even, while she held the rope reins in onehand, was threading her needle and sewing that patchwork which was ascharacteristic of her as the ceaseless knitting was of Elsa.
In fact, when one came to look at her closely, there were seen assortedbits of cloth, fragments of some "block," pinned here and there abouther person; and as he watched her nimble fingers fly from one seam toanother the gentleman's amazement found expression.
"How can you manage to drive and sew at the same time? And is itnecessary?"
"I guess you're a Yankee yourself, aren't you? Well, if I hadn'tbeen able to manage how do you s'pose I'd ever have got my quilt donein time for the State fair? Fifty-five thousand five hundred and fiftypieces there's in it, and I've willed it to Jessica Trent when I'mdone exhibitin' it. None of 'em bigger 'n a finger nail, and all doneover paper. That's a piece of work, I 'low. What's your complaint?"
"I--I don't know as I have any. They've made me very comfortable andwelcome."
"Dare say. They couldn't do otherwise. Giddap there, Balaam. Rosettysmells alfalfa, and you'll have to step out to keep up with a cow 'atdoes that. I mean what's your disease?"
"Oh! well--it's of no consequence."
"Man alive, don't neglect yourself. You're yallar. You've got thejanders. Sure's I'm a living woman that's what it is."
"I think not. I hope not," said the poor man, but rather feebly.
"Sure. Or shingles. I've never seen a real likely case of shingles, andif it _should_ be that, I'd just admire to nurse you. What victuals youbeen eating?"
The dyspeptic winced. This sounded truly professional, for all hisnumerous physicians had prefaced their treatment by a similar question.
"I've been able to eat almost anything and everything since I cameinto this country of open-air living. The last thing was some of ElsaWinkler's swiebach and honey-sweetened coffee."
"You don't say! Oh! oh! Poison, sir, rank poison. You may as well countyourself dead and laid out----"
The unfortunate stranger shivered and turned pale. For some half hourpast, he had been suffering various qualms which he had attributed toElsa's hospitality, but to tell a nervous invalid that he has beenpoisoned is to increase his misery a hundredfold. If Aunt Sally haddesired a patient she was now in a fair way to secure one; but herwords were without any significance to herself beyond the fact thatshe favored neither Elsa nor her cookery. Elsa's knitting work hadcrowded her own patchwork pretty closely at that famous fair, and thehandsome money prize, which she felt belonged of rights to herself,had been halved between the pair. Because, though their skill layalong different lines, they had both signed their exhibits: "FromSobrante," and, manifestly, the judges could not give two first premiumsto one estate.
This memory served to change her thoughts from disease to a detailedhistory of the wonderful quilt, during which they arrived at Mrs.Trent's
cottage and dinner.
But this could not yet be served. Aunt Sally must needs first see herson, and after the fondest of greetings, cautiously consign to him thecare of her personal outfit. She even ran after him--as he walked away,grinning and leading the now obstreperous cow--with a vial in her hand,begging:
"Now son, please me, before you eat that 'mess' of men's cooking bytaking one spoonful of this dandelion relish. Made it myself, purposelyfor you, and I'll warrant no alcohol in it, either."
Experience had proved that protestation was worse than useless; so, withanother grin, but a really affectionate "Thank you," John accepted thevial and once more started stableward.
"Now, Aunt Sally, come! You must be hungry yourself, after your longride," urged Mrs. Trent, hospitably, and with sincere pleasure lightingher gentle face. Living so far from other women made the presence ofeven this uncouth one a comfort, and experience had proved that Mrs.Benton was, in time of need, that "rough diamond" which she claimedherself to be.
"All right, honey; in a minute. I'll just step out to the kitchen andpass the time of day with Wun Lung. Besides----"
Jessica caught Aunt Sally around her waist--as far as she couldreach--and tried to prevent her leaving the room, but was lightlyset aside, with the remark:
"Face is next door to the mouth. Guess I want to see what sort of foodthat heathen's got ready for us, 'fore I touch it!"
"Oh, Aunt Sally! In my house--can't you trust me?" asked the hostess,with mild protest. Though she knew before she spoke that her will asopposed to Mrs. Benton's, at least in minor matters, was powerless.So she quietly brought a book and offered it to Mr. Hale, with thesuggestion that he make himself content for the present.
"The dinner will be delayed and there will be a rumpus in the kitchen.But the dinner will be all the better for waiting and the rumpus willend in Wun Lung taking another rest while Aunt Sally does his work.Fortunately, she is a prime cook, and we shall fare sumptuously everyday. I'd be glad to keep her here, always, if I could."
"Old Ephraim Marsh did not appear to share your sentiments," and hedescribed "Forty-niner's" behavior and remarks at first sighting Mrs.Benton's wagon.
"Then you found him. He's come back with you? Oh! I am so thankful.Sobrante wouldn't seem itself without that straightforward, honest oldman."
"You are certain he is that?" asked, rather than asserted, the other.
"As certain as that there is honesty anywhere. What can you mean? Why doyou seem so doubtful?"
"I don't wish to be a talebearer, but another of your adoring_proteges_ is in dire trouble. Elsa has been robbed and accuses thisunfortunate person of being the culprit."
"Such a thing would be impossible."
"So it seemed to me. Yet that old Wolfgang finally got it through hishead--he appeared duller of wit than his wife--that to lose sight ofEphraim was to lose the money forever. Your little daughter promised toproduce him when needed, and after considerable opposition they allowedhim to come away. I fancy they began to suspect me even. I fear, madam,I have visited Sobrante at an unfortunate time."
Mrs. Trent was paying but slight attention to his words. Her mind wasalready disturbed by many inexplicable things and would revert toAntonio's insinuations which, without Jessica's knowledge, she had alsooverheard. After a moment, recalled by high voices in the kitchen, sherallied, and apologizing for so doing, hastily left the dining-porch.
There were several gleaming pots and pans upon the oil cooking-stoveand behind these stood Wun Lung, tenaciously grasping a meat dish andglaring unutterable things out of his beady eyes upon the excited womanwho faced him, demanding:
"Give me that platter, monkey-face! Suppose I'll put your dirtyvictuals into my clean mouth or anybody else's? I've tasted yourstuff before. A burnt bairn dreads the fire. Hand it over. I'll see ifit's fit. There! That rice is boiling over."
The dish of savory lamb stew had been most daintily and carefullyprepared after his mistress' own minute directions, but Wun Lung nowslammed it upon the table with much violence and seized the pipkin ofrice from the stove. With undue emphasis he placed this beside the stewand, advancing toward Mrs. Trent, made several profound salaams.
"Lat m'loman come--me glo. Good-by."
And for many a day thereafter Wun Lung served no more in that, his ownbeloved kitchen.
Not a whit disturbed was Aunt Sally. Revolution had become as the breathin her nostrils. Wherever she went old orders were reversed and allthings became new. At a little town, with an unpronounceable Spanishname, which it suited her to call "Boston," she had her home-room inthe house of a long-suffering woman cousin, whose ill-health affordedher infinite employment, therefore enjoyment. The invalid endured theseministrations because Aunt Sally also supported her, as well as ruledher; but she appreciated the rest which followed whenever the itching ofMrs. Benton's feet called their owner elsewhere. Between "Boston" andSobrante the patriotic wagon vibrated, like a long-distance pendulum,and departing from either point carried everything belonging to itsproprietor within it. "Boston" having become wearisome it was nowSobrante's turn.
"I haven't been so happy since I first trod shoe leather. Now, honey,you'll have good, clean fixings, with no opium nor rat tails in 'em,"she gleefully announced, returning to the table.
"Aunt Sally, hush! What an opinion you'll give our guest of myhousekeeping!" laughed Mrs. Trent.
"Pooh, child! Anybody that looks at you'll know you hate dirt. Now,eat, all. Only--you, Mr. Hale, I must insist you take a dose of thissaffron tea. I steeped it while I was having that set-to with theChinaman, for I thank my stars I can always do two things at once. Andif I know the signs--Gabriella Trent, if that man hasn't got thejanders or shingles, or malary fever, don't you tell me a thing!"
"I certainly shall not tell you any such thing as that, dear soul. Thetrouble is, Mr. Hale, Aunt Sally is never so happy as when she has a sickperson to nurse. If nobody is ill she does her utmost to make somebodyso, with her uncalled for doses and stews. But--once be ill! Ah! dearAunt Sally, I know how tender is your touch and how faithful your watch.God bless you!"
Not often was the gentle mistress moved to such emotion, and Mrs. Bentonnow put on her spectacles and regarded her hostess over them with acritical air.
"Land, honey! You must be coming down with something yourself! I neverheard that janders was catching, but, heart of grace, it might be! Yes,in-deedy, it might be!"
The delight of her tone was equaled only by the sparkle of her eye. Tohave come to Sobrante, guided merely by the itching of a foot and to findtwo patients ready to hand, what mortal could ask more?
Possibly, with the intention of helping on their timely disorders,she heaped her neighbors' plates with the savory dinner, which waswholly due to Wun Lung's skill, and not, as she fancied, to her briefsupervision.
When the meal was over, Aunt Sally retreated to the kitchen, afterforcing Mrs. Trent to lie down and rest, "whether or no;" and to aidthe lady's slumbers, there presently arose from without the lusty criesof two small lads who had returned from some prank, late as usual, andas usual, desperately hungry.
"I will have my dinner, so there, you old Aunt Sally! I will go tellmy mother--I won't be spanked--I won't I--I--I----"
"Wonbepanked!" screamed another childish treble.
"Yes, you will, the brace of you. Spare the rod and spoil the child.That's what Gabriella does, all the time, soft-hearted dear that sheis. A good, sound spanking once in six months is all that keeps you ina state of salvation. If it wasn't for me I don't know what in reasonyou little tackers would grow up to be. One thing I do know, though, andso do you, and that is--that while your old Aunt Sally is at Sobranteranch you'll never be late to your victuals again."
In this events proved that the speaker was right, as, indeed, she hadoften been before on similar occasions.
Knowing that this little family jar would result in no serious harm toher idolized son, Mrs. Trent lay still and thought, but did not sleep.How could she? What a subtle thing
is suggestion!
Poor, overburdened Gabriella Trent had known and trusted old EpbraimMarsh for many years; yet the words of Antonio, and now of this strangerwithin her gates, lingered in her memory and would not then leave.
Up in his pleasant guest chamber Mr. Hale felt within himself theincreasing vigor of returning health, tempered for the moment, it maybe, by a little indiscretion of diet; yet the assertion of that noisyold woman below stairs, that he was, despite all, on the verge of someserious illness, so worked upon his still weakened nerves that hecould neither sleep nor forget them.
The result in both cases was unfortunate.
That evening Mrs. Trent forbade her daughter the rifle practice forwhich, promply on his return, Ephraim had made special preparation. Herrefusal hurt the old fellow, already sensitive from a previous injury,and he reflected, bitterly, as he once more sought his monkish chamber:
"After all, whoever dismissed me was right. I'm too old for use. I'dbetter never have come back."
As for Mr. Hale, brooding and an unwise exposure to the night air on theprevious evening, did bring on a slight fever. Worriment increased thisand, like many men, he was impatient under suffering; so that when hisbell rang sharply, demanding attention, he was in a fair way to requireall that Aunt Sally or any other had to give.
Meanwhile, down at the adobe quarters, other suspicions were rife.
"What is that man doing here, any way? He don't tell his business, andhe's asked a power of questions. He's wormed out of one and anotherof us all there is to learn about this ranch, and he hasn't let on asingle thing about himself, except that he's a lawyer from New York.New York's a big village and all lawyers can lie. I'm bound to soundthat chap before I'm many hours older," said Joe Dean, bringing hishands down heavily upon the table.
"I know a trick worth two of that. Set mother on him!" cried JohnBenton, gayly. "She'll ask more questions to the square inch thanany other human being I ever met, and she'll have all his business,family history, and present undertakings out of him before he can sayJack Robinson. Lucky for us she got that itching foot just when she did."
So it was agreed; and thus, primed to the fullest investigation, AuntSally and her curiosity established themselves within their victim'ssickroom. When they emerged from it, at daybreak, the one had been fullysatisfied--with horror; and the ruddy face of the other had grown whiteand heartbroken as no single night of watching should have left it.