The Mandie Collection (44 page)

“I be glad to go,” the old man told her.

As they put on their coats and hats in the hallway, Polly called back to Joe, “Aren't you coming with us, Joe?”

Joe walked over to the doorway and said with a big grin, “I wasn't exactly asked. See you later.” He stepped back into the parlor.

“Well, he could have come anyway,” Polly muttered as she followed Mandie and Uncle Ned out the front door.

Outside, the moon could barely be seen behind the clouds floating over it. And as Jason Bond had said, it was terribly cold.

Mandie held Uncle Ned's hand as they walked through the trees
to Polly's house. Although Polly lived next door, it was still a good distance from the Shaws' house.

“I have my presents all wrapped for you to take to my Cherokee kinpeople, Uncle Ned. I put them in flour sacks in my room,” she told him.

Before he could say anything, Polly said quickly, “I don't understand why you put red paper on all of them—every single one. Why didn't you use different colors like green or white?”

Mandie gasped with surprise. “And how do you know what I wrapped my presents with?” she asked, looking at the girl on the other side of Uncle Ned.

“Well, I ... I do, anyhow, I—” Polly stuttered.

“So you
had
been in my room when I saw you in the hallway,” Mandie said. “Why did you go snooping in my room?”

“But, Mandie, I was only looking for you,” Polly said quickly. “You were gone so long I figured you weren't coming back right away.”

“I was not gone all that long,” Mandie argued.

“Let us not say angry words,” Uncle Ned said as he squeezed Mandie's hand and reached to clasp Polly's with his other. “Must remember. Think first.”

Mandie breathed deeply and said, “I'm sorry, Polly. I suppose I'm just tired, and there are some things bothering me that you don't know about.”

“That's all right, Mandie,” Polly replied. “You know I always like to be part of whatever is going on.”

“I go home when sun rises,” Uncle Ned said. “Must promise no angry words while I go to bring back Sallie and Morning Star.”

Mandie wondered how she would ever be able to hold down her temper when Polly was always doing irritating things. Maybe if she could just ignore Polly altogether, she would be able to overlook what Polly said and did.

“I promise to try, Uncle Ned,” Mandie told the old Indian as they continued through the adjoining yards. “I'm really anxious to see Sallie, and Morning Star, too, of course. And I'm so glad you all will be here to celebrate Christmas with us.”

Uncle Ned looked down at Polly, who had been silent. Polly caught his glance and said, “I always try to behave.”

They came to the front door of Polly's house, and her mother
answered their knock. She insisted they come in, but Mandie quickly declined.

“We have to get back. It's too late, but thank you, Mrs. Cornwallis. We'll be over tomorrow night to help decorate your tree,” Mandie told her.

“Please don't let your mother forget,” Mrs. Cornwallis said, and looking up at Uncle Ned, she said, “Thank you for walking Polly home.”

“Welcome,” the old man said.

As Mandie and Uncle Ned started to turn and walk off the porch, Polly called to Mandie from the doorway, “I don't know why you are so protective of that old box. It's just full of dirt and twigs. What good could it be?”

Mandie instantly stopped, turned around, and was about to give an angry reply when Polly shut the door.

“So she has managed to look in my box,” Mandie said as she followed Uncle Ned off the porch.

“No damage done,” Uncle Ned said, leading the way down the pathway. “No one know what is in box anyhow. Look like what she said.”

“Oh, but, Uncle Ned, Joe and I have been trying to figure out whether it's a treasure map or not, and I didn't want Polly to know because she follows us around every minute when Joe is here,” Mandie told him.

“But she might help figure out,” the old man said.

“Oh well,” Mandie said, giving up the subject.

Uncle Ned paused as they came to the front steps of the Shaw house. “What things bothering Papoose? Must settle bothering things,” he said.

Mandie stopped by his side, then sat down on a step, and he joined her. “I have big problems, Uncle Ned,” Mandie began. “You see, when I was in New York I asked Mr. Guyer and Jonathan to come visit with us for Christmas, and my mother said she received a note saying they were coming.” She paused.

“That no problem,” Uncle Ned said.

“But it's all so complicated,” Mandie tried to explain. “You see, for some reason my grandmother does not like Mr. Guyer. I don't know
what will happen when he and Jonathan arrive and my grandmother has to stay under the same roof with them for a few days.”

“Still no problem,” Uncle Ned insisted. “So many company they do not have to talk.”

“And then there's Joe,” Mandie added. “I don't know if you noticed when Joe and Jonathan met in New York, but they didn't seem to like each other, and they will both be here during Christmas. Like you have always told me, I should have thought first before I asked the Guyers to come visit.”

“Still no problem, Papoose,” the old man said. “They will all get to be friends before they leave John Shaw's house.”

“Oh, and, Uncle Ned, Grandmother doesn't know they are coming, and neither does Joe. I haven't told them yet,” Mandie said with a big sigh.

“Papoose should tell right away so no surprise,” Uncle Ned replied.

“I haven't had a chance to talk to Grandmother since I left school to come home. She's always busy. And I've been wondering how to tell Joe,” Mandie said.

“Must tell all,” the old man said. “First sunup go tell. Must not let Guyers be surprise.”

“I know,” Mandie agreed. “I'll have to figure out how to get Grandmother to stand still long enough to explain to her. But what if she decides to pack up and leave because the Guyers are coming?”

“Grandmother of Papoose will not pack up and leave. She come to celebrate with daughter and granddaughter. She will not go home,” Uncle Ned said.

“I don't think the Woodards would leave because the Guyers are coming, because Dr. Woodard and Jonathan's father seemed to get along fine in New York when they met,” Mandie said. “But you know how jealous Joe is. He wants to marry me when we grow up.”

Uncle Ned smiled as he looked at her. “Long time away,” he said. “Many other boys go through life of Papoose before grown up. He knows that.”

“Yes, and when he goes away to the university, I suppose he will meet lots of other girls, too,” Mandie said thoughtfully. She secretly felt a pain of jealousy as she thought about that.

Uncle Ned stood up, and Mandie joined him. He looked around the yard and asked, “Where white cat? Not see all time we decorate.”

“Snowball!” Mandie said as she suddenly realized he had not been around that night. “I hope he's on my bed. No, that couldn't be because I closed my door after he got in my room and tore up all the paper on my gifts. I'll have to go find him.” She quickly went up the steps and through the front door.

“Good night, Uncle Ned,” Mandie replied as she went toward the kitchen. “I'll be up in the morning to tell you good-bye.”

Mandie opened the kitchen door and was relieved to find her white cat curled up on top of the box of wood by the warmth of the big iron cookstove where a fire was kept twenty-four hours a day during cold weather.

“Snowball, it's time to go to bed,” Mandie said, stooping down to pick him up. He opened his eyes, looked at her, and tried to go back to sleep.

As she hurried toward her room, she thought about what Uncle Ned had said. She had to get the dreaded task over with. She had to tell her grandmother and Joe that the Guyers were coming without further delay.

CHAPTER SEVEN

A MISUNDERSTANDING

The next morning everyone was up earlier than usual because Uncle Ned wanted to leave by daybreak. Mandie jumped out of bed as soon as Liza came into her room to build up the fire in the fireplace. Snowball stretched, yawned, and followed his mistress as she sat on the carpet in the warmth from the fire.

“Good morning, Liza,” she greeted the young maid. “Have you been in my grandmother's room yet? Is she up?”

“Mawnin', Missy 'Manda,” Liza said, adding a log to the fire. “Now, dat lady she dun went and got dressed and dun went down to de parlor soon as I shake up huh fire.”

“Oh shucks!” Mandie exclaimed as she jumped to her feet. “I was hoping to catch her before she left her room.” She went to the wardrobe to take down a dress.

“Well, now, you kin ketch huh in de parlor,” Liza said. “I gotta go now.” She walked over to the door.

“Thanks, Liza,” Mandie said as she quickly dressed. “I'll see you downstairs.”

Liza left the room, and Mandie hurriedly brushed her long blond hair and tied it back with a red ribbon to match her red calico dress. She glanced in the mirror one last time as she shook out the folds in her long, gathered skirt.

“Come on, Snowball,” she said as she opened the door. “We're going to eat, and I've got to talk to Grandmother first if I can get her alone.”

Snowball quickly darted past her feet into the hallway and was out of sight by the time she closed the door.

Mandie hurried downstairs to the parlor and was disappointed to find not only her grandmother there but all three Woodards, Uncle John, and Uncle Ned.

“Good morning,” she greeted everyone as she entered the room and went to sit near Joe as everyone returned her greeting.

“Sleepyhead!” Joe teased.

“I'm up earlier than usual. Everybody else must have stayed up all night,” Mandie told him. She glanced at Uncle Ned with a frown and disappointed look as he made a slight nod in the direction of her grandmother.

“I didn't. I was the last one down before you,” Joe replied.

Mandie looked over at the adults who were clustered around the fireplace. They were busy with their own conversation. She could talk to Joe right now about the Guyers without her grandmother overhearing her. And she certainly needed to get her grandmother alone because there was no telling what kind of response she would get from her.

“Joe, there's something I need to say to you,” Mandie began in a low voice.

Joe immediately looked at her, smiled, and said, “I'm listening.”

At that moment there was a loud knock on the front door and everyone stopped talking when they heard it. Then Mandie could hear Liza opening the front door and saying, “Good mawnin'. Whut kin I be doin' fo' you?”

There was a loud laugh, and Mandie heard Jonathan Guyer say, “You must be Liza.”

“And you must be dat Yankee boy and man we be expectin',” Liza replied with a slight giggle. “Y'all come right in now, you heah?”

Mandie's heart did flip-flops and she felt short of breath. She looked at her grandmother, who was saying, “I do believe you have company, John.”

“Yes,” John Shaw said as he rose and went to the parlor door to greet Mr. Guyer and Jonathan, who were waiting there. “Welcome! I'm John Shaw, Amanda's uncle, and I do believe you're Lindall Guyer
and Jonathan. We've heard so much about you. Please give Liza your coats and come on in and join us.”

“Glad to meet you,” Lindall Guyer said as he removed his coat and handed it to Liza.

“So am I, sir,” Jonathan said as he hung his coat and hat on the hall tree.

As the Guyers came into the parlor, Jonathan immediately spotted Mandie and came to sit by her and Joe.

“I'm glad you could come, Jonathan. You remember Joe, don't you?” Mandie said, nervously watching both of the boys. “Joe, you were at Jonathan's house in New York, remember?”

“Sure I remember Joe,” Jonathan said, extending his hand. “How are you?”

“Fine. And how are you?” Joe asked as he shook hands with him.

Mandie glanced over at the adults and heard her grandmother say, “Why, Lindall Guyer, I had no idea you would be coming here.” She had a slight smile on her face.

“First time I've been to visit the Shaws here,” Lindall said as he sat down by John Shaw. He turned to greet Uncle Ned and Dr. Woodard. “Glad to see you again.”

Dr. Woodard introduced his wife, and Mandie caught a glimpse of Liza peeking around the door. The girl had always been curious about the Guyers since Mandie had come back from Europe the summer before and told Liza about becoming acquainted with Jonathan and his father.

“Y'all are just in time for breakfast,” Mandie told Jonathan, trying to ease the tension between the two boys.

“Hope you have lots to eat. I'm hungry,” Jonathan said with a laugh.

“So am I,” Joe finally spoke.

Mandie looked back at the doorway and saw her mother coming into the room. As John Shaw stood up, Lindall Guyer also rose and looked at Elizabeth, who was coming toward him with her hand extended.

“We're delighted that you and Jonathan could come,” Elizabeth said. Then she glanced at Jonathan and smiled.

“This is my wife, Elizabeth,” John Shaw told Mr. Guyer.

“How do you do?” Lindall said, shaking her hand.

Turning to John, Elizabeth said, “I've met Mr. Guyer before, a long time ago.”

“We've met before?” Lindall questioned her.

“Yes, years ago when you came to my mother's house. That's my mother over there, Mrs. Norman Taft,” Elizabeth explained.

“Oh, goodness gracious, yes!” Lindall exclaimed. “How dumb of me not to realize who you were. I knew Amanda was Mrs. Taft's granddaughter, but I didn't realize who her mother was. I apologize.”

“That's quite all right. It has been a long time,” Elizabeth said. “Why don't we sit down and get comfortable until breakfast is ready?” She sat down nearby, and Lindall sat across from her.