Katherine opened her eyes and stole a quick glance at the captain. His eyes glistened as he raised his head, but he quickly shook off his emotion, clearing his throat and asking,
“What’s that lumpy-looking gravy in the pitcher over there?”
Miss Harriet laughed heartily as she deftly carved thin slices of meat off the turkey and laid them on the plate Katherine was holding for her. “Oh, that. I suppose neither of you have had it before. It’s called bread sauce, and I think it’s delicious! It’s meant to go on the turkey, but you can do what you like with it.”
“You’re right, I haven’t ever heard of it. Why is it called bread sauce?” Katherine asked, drizzling some over her turkey.
“Because it’s made with crumbled bread, to thicken it. I’m sure you remember that in medieval times, bread was the most basic thing they had to eat. It isn’t very nice to eat stale, though, so they had to think of things to make with it after it had gone old. Bread sauce was something nearly anybody could make as a Christmas treat, and so it became a tradition. What do you think?” she asked as Katherine took a bite.
“I like it!” Katherine said. “It tastes like Christmas, somehow, and it’s nice to think that we have something to eat that so many generations before us have eaten with their Christmas dinners.”
“That’s exactly why I make it.”
Captain Braddock chuckled. “I can see why you two get along so well,” he said. Cutting a small bite of turkey, he tried some of the sauce himself. “Say, it does taste good… sorta familiar.” He took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Come to think of it, Great-Grandma Braddock used to make this for Christmas when I was a boy.”
“Really?” asked Miss Harriet, “Why, that’s quite remarkable. Was she from England?”
“No, but it may have been a recipe from the Braddock side, which did come from England to begin with. It was one of those holiday foods that everybody is expected to eat, because it’s a tradition, but I don’t remember how it came to be one. Strange, though. It’s unlike the Braddocks to let a tradition die out like that.”
“Well, I’m very glad I made it, and that you decided to join us. There’s nothing like food for transporting us back to the good old days, especially at Christmas.”
* * * *
Katherine was surprised to see Captain Braddock and Miss Harriet getting along so well, and when the meal was done and Miss Harriet began to clear the table, the captain stood and said with unusual politeness,
“Well, ma’am, thank you kindly for the excellent meal. I would offer to help with the washing up if I weren’t so fearful I’d break some of yer pretty plates in the attempt. And since I can’t be a help by staying, I’ll be a help by goin’ and letting the two of you get to it.”
“Oh, Captain, you don’t need to go so soon.” Miss Harriet said, setting down the dish she was holding.
“No, I think it would be best for me to be getting back home before my old bones get too tired. A Merry Christmas to you, and thank you for giving a grizzled old curmudgeon a good meal.”
“You’re very welcome, Captain. And you’re welcome any time, really.” Miss Harriet said, shaking the captain’s hand. Just then, Miss Harriet’s phone began to ring in another room.
“Katherine, perhaps you could see the captain out while I run and answer that? Goodbye, Captain, and Merry Christmas!”
Miss Harriet hurried over to the phone while Katherine walked down the short hall with the captain and handed him his jacket and cap. He put his jacket on and felt for a pocket.
“By the way, I, uh, have something for you.” He pulled a small wooden box out of his pocket and held it out.
Katherine picked it up and ran her fingers over the smooth wood before opening it.
“Oh, it’s beautiful!” she said softly, as she gazed down at an oval brooch nestled on a velvet cushion. It had a creamy color, as if it used to be white, but had yellowed with age, with a detailed image of a sailing ship.
“It’s scrimshaw.” The captain said, a bit shyly. “Made by Captain Jeremiah during one of his voyages. It’s the Anne, you see. He brought it home and gave it to his daughter-in-law, Ophelia, as a wedding gift.” He shifted his hat back and forth uneasily in his hands. “Anyway, I ran across it the other day and thought you might just like it.”
“I love it!” said Katherine, giving the old man an impulsive hug. “I have something for you, too, only it’s upstairs, because I didn’t know if I would see you today. Stay right there!” she said, running up the stairs.
She was back in a moment with a little drawstring bag. Captain Braddock pulled open the top of the bag and looked inside.
“What’s this?” he asked, reaching in with two fingers and pulling out a loop of ribbon, from which hung an intricately-carved wooden ship’s wheel.
“When we decorated the tree the other day, I noticed that the ornaments all told a story.” Katherine explained. “It seemed like there was a story from every generation of Braddocks, except yours. I thought you should have an ornament of your own, so the tree can tell your part of the story, too.”
Captain Braddock’s eyes glistened and his voice was husky as he took Katherine’s hand and squeezed it, saying, “Thank you, Katherine. It’s the most kind-hearted gift I’ve ever had.”
He turned and opened the door to leave.
“Captain,”
“Yes?”
“I’m so glad you decided to come.”
“I am, too, Missy. And you can tell that employer of yours she has my thanks for the invitation. She’s quite a lady,” he said, then leaned close and with a bit of his old gruffness, added, “but don’t you ever tell her I said so, you hear?” he winked and patted Katherine’s shoulder. “Merry Christmas, my dear, and thank you for making mine merry as well.”
* * * *
Once Katherine and Miss Harriet had finished the washing up and put the last of the leftovers away, they settled into chairs in the “sitting room” end of the house, where Miss Harriet had a fire crackling cozily away in the little fireplace. Miss Harriet had brought out a pot of tea and two cups on a little tray, with some cookies and two small packages which looked to Katherine like large tootsie rolls made of wrapping paper.
“What are those?” she asked.
