Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

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Excerpt

WeWriWa - 1/28/2023

1/28/2023

12 Comments

 
Welcome back for another weekend of fiction-sharing fun! Weekend Writing Warriors or WeWriWa is a blog hop for writers who like sharing small excerpts (8-10 sentences, but more is okay as long as it's clear that it's extra). Click the image below to go to the site and get all the info.
Picture
We left off last week at the Shawley home. They were about to enjoy the chestnuts that Sir Nicholas generously bought for the boys, and the boys saved to share at home. Skipping ahead a bit to Mary thinking about their situation (not destitute, but needing to save when they can).

Mary made certain that her children were properly fed and clothed. She also made certain that there would be some gifts for Christmas and birthdays, and that they could afford coal for the fire through the winter.
     The sound of Beth’s coughing reminded her of the coal. It was the best option they had, being less expensive and easier to find in town than firewood, but the dust was not good for the girl. If they could save up enough to rent a small cottage in the country, even just for a few weeks in the summer, it might make a great deal of difference for Beth. It went against Mary’s every motherly instinct to tell her daughter to keep well away from the heat of the fire, but it was necessary so that she would not breathe in so much of the dust and fumes.
     At least Cousin Stephen had allowed them to bring many of their belongings with them when he pushed them to move to town. The blankets and linen were well worth having had to part with most of the family furniture that should have been Mary’s according to the terms of her father’s will. Stephen claimed to be keeping the items for her, but she doubted she would ever see them again. She sighed and fluffed a pillow, wondering if Stephen knew that his wife sent them gifts from time to time.

There have to be some bad guys, right? Stephen's not as bad as rumor would have him though, and Mary is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, in part because he married an absolute sweetheart. You'll find a bit more of the evening scene below a small slideshow of character art.

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to reading your excerpts!

Kate




    “Thinking of our evil cousin again?” Edmund’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
     Mary turned. “You should not say such things.” There was no real censure in her voice. “Stephen is not evil. He did help us find this house.”
     “This house with four rooms, and as many drafts, away from the fresh air that Beth needs.” Edmund complained quietly.
     “He could not have known about Beth’s condition.” Mary reminded her son. “We did not know of it ourselves before coming to town. And many families live with less than we have, with fewer than four rooms. We have a roof that doesn’t leak, thanks to Stephen.”
     Edmund shook his head. “Sometimes, mother, I think you are too good for this earth. He could have let us stay longer, until we found a better place.”
     “I hope you do not say such things in front of your brother and sister.” She admonished softly.
     “I don’t.” He reached into his pocket. “Here. Our share of the day’s sales.”
     The small bag felt heavy in her hand. “My!”
     “The cold was good for business.” Edmund smiled.
  “There’s a blessing.” Mary muttered. The cold was certainly not good for the coal bucket. “And just in time too, for I must visit the market tomorrow.”
     He nodded. “It will be good to have butter again.” 


12 Comments
Nancy Gideon link
1/29/2023 08:11:10 am

I so admire her fortitude and goodness when faced with such dire circumstances and for being such an admirable example for her children. Hope better times are coming for them soon.

Reply
Diane Burton
1/29/2023 09:00:40 am

Nice job showing what a loving, concerned mother she is.

Reply
Kate Warren
1/29/2023 10:38:37 am

Thank you, Nancy and Diane. Mary is a wonderful mother, which is why the kids are so devoted to her.

Reply
Veronica Scott link
1/29/2023 11:16:19 am

Interesting snippet and certainly their situation isn't as dire as some people's in that era but hard enough. Can't wait to read more!

Reply
Kate Warren
1/29/2023 11:35:18 am

Thank you, Veronica.

Reply
Daryl Devore
1/29/2023 11:42:38 am

That last line grabbed my heart- it would be good to have butter again. truly shows their situation.

Reply
Aurora Springer link
1/29/2023 11:51:27 am

They might not be destitute, but they have to struggle. It's interesting how well her son can interpret her silence.

Reply
Kate Warren
1/29/2023 02:50:18 pm

Thank you, Daryl and Aurora. Edmund learned to pay attention so that he could help his mother as much as possible. He was only 10 when his father died.

Reply
Jeff S. Bray link
1/29/2023 04:17:45 pm

Seems like Mary will always find the best of the situation and give the benefit of doubt to anyone. Hopefully Edmund will see that.

Reply
Kate Warren
1/29/2023 07:10:08 pm

Edmund will see it in time. He's only fourteen. Thanks, Jeff.

Reply
Teresa K Cypher link
1/30/2023 07:06:02 pm

So many family and emotion dynamics in this snippet. It's helping me to sort out who, at first glance, is good and who is bad. Good snippet, Kate! :-)

Reply
Kate Warren
1/30/2023 07:24:36 pm

Thank you, Theresa.

Reply



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