Forty, Scheming

Forty

Scheming

13 June 1824

Oh, this is a most fortunate day!

I decided to attend services today at the Terrys for so many reasons that I can hardly track them all.  I suppose, however, that the most important of all is that I was very much hoping that Mr. DuBois would be there, and I was not disappointed.

On the way to the services, I walked by way of the river, leaving earlier than I have before so that I would not risk being late. I also did not desire the awkward moment when I would have to walk ahead of Susie.

Having arrived early gave me the added advantage of waiting outside, dawdling, but pretending to be very much interested in noting the birds about the property.  Mr. DuBois, just as hoped, soon came beside me, and asked if I were perhaps enjoying the very fine June weather and the singing of the mockingbird.  Indeed, Mr. DuBois, how very astute!  May I escort you inside, Miss Williams?  Indeed you may, Mr. DuBois.

And that is when I discovered that I had quite forgotten to bring food for the luncheon, but Susie soon appeared and I pretended that she was bringing food from both of us.

Soon it was that we were singing hymns, and I was listening for Mr. DuBois' fine tenor.  I decided to try some harmony, although with my voice comfortable in the higher registers, I nearly always sing the melody along the soprano line.  Most of these hymns being unfamiliar, it challenges my memory of my musical training to be able to sing harmony under such circumstances, and I soon returned to the safety of the melody line.

I do believe that Mr. DuBois could sing whatever he pleases, his voice being so fine.  He also is quite familiar with every hymn, probably because he has sung them from birth, or very nearly so.  We sang no fewer than six hymns again today, and I was most happy.  Less time for the sermon, I thought, although I suppose the sermon will take the same amount of time whether there are two hymns or twenty.

Soon it was that we were finished with the services and it was on to lunch.  I placed some fried chicken on my plate, and a piece of bread, but no more.  These would be enough to satisfy my appetite, and in a portion small enough to show that I am a dainty eater.  Mr. DuBois had no such limitation in mind, and I was quite amazed to see just how much he could consume in the fifteen minutes or so before he asked if he could walk me home.  Oh, indeed! 

Sarah Terry, however, intervened just then, asking if I had perhaps had a chance to have read Pride and Prejudice.  Why no, I lied.  For I had not finished the last two chapters.  I promised Sarah that I would finish up soon and that I would discuss it with her when I returned the book in a few days.

Off to the river path Mr. DuBois and I went, and I soon realized that once again the native was waiting for Susie.  This week, she made no pretense at staying for lessons, but rather walked uncharacteristically slow behind Mr. DuBois and me.  I slowed the pace even further, waiting to see what she would do.  And then I stopped all together with the pretense of looking into the Coosa to see if I could see any fish jumping.  At this point, Susie passed us by and walked right up to the native, took his arm, and strolled on down the path without apology or explanation.

I suppose if any explanation would be owed, it would be to Father, as it is his mistaken belief that Susie stays behind each Sunday afternoon for scriptural lessons.  This made me a co-conspirator, and, frankly, I was happy to be one.

Mr. DuBois did not see anything amiss, apparently.  The sight of slaves and natives has not been entirely uncommon, and I suspect that the sight of this slave and this native was not unfamiliar to him.

My mind turned to other things.  All during the sermon, I had been pondering exactly how it was I was going to keep Father from speaking with Mr. DuBois, and vice versa.  And the brilliant idea came to me, one that I cannot believe has not been in my head before.  I no longer need to live at home any longer.  My goodness, the simplest of solutions has eluded me!  For I shall go stay with my brother Warner.  I can help by schooling my nephew, little Thomas; I have the excuse that Father should be avoided now that we know what is wrong with him; and Charlotte (Warner's wife) was with child again and could probably use the help.  Oh, it is all just perfect!

And I need not worry about missing an opportunity to come to the Terry place as often as I wish, for Warner lives very close to the Terry farm, too--on the other side--and I now have my new friend, Sarah Terry, to come converse with.  If I should happen to see Mr. DuBois as he assists Mr. Terry, it would not seem unnatural.

All of this scheming found me not completely listening to Mr. DuBois, and when he said to me, do you not agree?  I found that I had to ask him to repeat himself.

Soon it was that we were at home, my soon-to-be former home, that is.  I realized that I could not risk asking Mr. DuBois inside, and so it is that I thanked him nicely for walking me home, smiled sweetly, and left him there on the stoop just a tiny bit before he turned away and walked back down the river path.  Did I detect a hint of disappointment in that gait of his?