“No, you’re right, Charlie Sue. Your mama’s collar is about the prettiest piece of lace in Green River, and the lace you are making is getting to be just as nice.”
Blushing at the compliment, Charlie gave Gladys a quick hug, and then turned back to Judith.
“And look at me not minding my manners. I just barged over and didn’t even introduce myself.” She started to offer her hand to shake and then saw Judith’s eyebrows twitch just a smidge, and instead dropped a hasty curtsey.
“Howdy! My name is Charlotte Susan Monroe, although I go by Charlie Sue, and this is my good friend Miss Gladys McKnight. She goes to your church but we are all good friends from school.”
Gladys also curtsied, startled that Charlie had introduced her properly.
Judith returned the curtsies with one of her own. “I’m so pleased to meet you both! This is my good friend Miss Barbara McKevitt and I am Judith Müller. Yes, we are both Catholics, but a number of us are not and will be joining you at the Green River Church tomorrow.”
Mrs. Henderson, the town’s school mistress, who had taught nearly all the local ladies present, came over just then and asked them to find seats. Raising her voice she asked that not more than four girls from back east sit at any one table, so they could meet and mingle more easily, and then went over to where the chaperones were sitting.
Still standing, she addressed the group. “I would like to start by welcoming the ladies of Our Lady of Mercy to Green River. It is a great pleasure to have you join our community to help us cope with our excess of masculine companionship.”
This sally was greeted with appreciative titters.
“While the tea is steeping, I would like each person to please stand up, introduce yourself and say a few words about your hobbies and interests.”
Introductions
“I’ll start by saying that I’m Mrs. Cornelius Henderson, Rachel to my friends, and the local school teacher. I also put on the annual Christmas pageant which is held over at the Green River Church but features every child in town.
“Since Charlotte so nicely started introductions with the ladies at her table, I will let her speak next and then the lady to her right can speak until you have gone around the table.”
All eyes turned to Charlie, whose face had reddened at being singled out. You think I’d be used to it, she thought. Her willowy frame was a good six inches taller than any of the other women present.
She managed to stand without knocking over her chair and, taking a deep breath, smiled at everyone around each of the tables.
They are either already friends or soon will be, she reminded herself, and managed to flash a smile at each person as she gave her name. She paused, gathering courage to share with the strangers.
“I work with my father building houses and barns and I like to do fine needlework in my spare time. But I have to admit I cannot sew a straight seam.”
This last drew a laugh but quite a number of commiserating nods from others who were not terribly fond of sewing.
“Oh, also, now that Charlie Barnett gave those long-promised baking lessons, I make a pretty tasty pie.” She quickly sat down amid general laughter and looked to her right where Barbara was seated.
Barbara rose gracefully and also smiled at all assembled. Knowing brevity was best, she spoke in her low, melodious voice.
“Since I am the first to speak from our group I’d like to start by thanking each of you here for our warm welcome to Green River. To quote a phrase I’ve heard a few times now, we’re just a bunch of city slickers who don’t know one end of a cow from another.”
She had to pause for the laughter to die down. “Well, for the most part that’s true. And I’ve never seen such a big sky as you have here, nor so many stars.”
She watched as appreciative smiles lit faces, then proceeded to introduce herself.
“I am Miss Barbara Juliana McKevitt and my passion is dress design. It is my hope that I may set up a dress shop here to support myself and my orphaned niece.” Having casually dropped that little bombshell, she sat quickly and turned to her right, aware of whispers and glances. She had been startled to learn earlier in the day there was rampant speculation about Emilene, not all of it kind.
Gladys had seated herself next to Barbara, fascinated with her fashion sense and hoping to glean some pointers. The elegant day dress she wore had some interesting tucks that made her tiny waist seem even narrower. Introducing herself, she added, “I’m going to be saving my butter and egg money for one of Miss McKevitt’s dresses! Oh, and I like to quilt.”
Giving Thanks
It took awhile for all two dozen or so attendees to share a word or two, during which time the chaperones had been seeing to tea and placing platters of finger sandwiches and cakes on each table. Once the food had been distributed, Mrs. Henderson had broken into the introductions to ask Mother Evangeline to offer a blessing. She spoke simply and from the heart.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for the warmth and friendship being offered to strangers by this generous community of Green River. Thank You for guiding our path to this oasis and for all the blessings You have shared. Please make these gifts of food as nourishing to our bodies as this fellowship is to our hearts. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
