Katherine silently wondered if keeping secrets about sisters and rooms at the top of stairs were cardinal rules of the Harborside as well, then dismissed the thought as ungracious and attended to the matter at hand. She looked over at the captain, comfortably sipping his tea, and suddenly remembered Mr. Patten’s advice: branch out… advertise. Gathering up a little courage, she said,
“But… such a fine and rare tea as this one seems like something the Harborside should be proud to have in stock—and when you’re proud of something, you tell everyone about it.”
The captain stared at her in blank surprise.
“Don’t you think notifying the town, not necessarily with a newspaper ad, but with something else… like a sign in the window, for instance…however you chose to do it, don’t you think telling people that such a treasure can be found here would bring honor, rather than degradation to the Harborside?” With a sly grin, she added, “After all, aren’t you proud of the quality of the teas sold here?”
Captain Braddock stood abruptly, stacked the now empty cups and headed towards the tiny kitchen, gruffly tossing the words over his shoulder as he went, “It’s about time to get those jars filled, now. Best be about it.”
Katherine, knowing she had pressed her point as far as she dared, took a tray of empty jars from the built-in cabinet under the counter and went back into the storeroom to do her work.
When she came back in to place the filled jars on the shelves, she noticed the beautiful black box had been placed prominently on the counter, with a small sign next to it in the Captain’s own handwriting:
“Silver Needle White Tea: Freshest. Rarest. Best.”
Katherine smiled to herself. Well, it’s a start, anyway.
* * * *
Katherine hardly saw the captain at all the rest of that day. She expected this, because she had come to know his moods well over the winter, and she knew that the concession he had made in the writing and placing of the little sign had cost his pride much. But when, just before closing, he had gone out without a word, leaving her to lock up, she began to be worried. He had never done that before.
“He’ll be all right in a day or so, you’ll see.” Miss Harriet had said soothingly that evening. Katherine had told her of the tea, and the conversation about advertising, but hadn’t mentioned the reference to his sister. She felt that anything the captain said on that topic would be entrusted to her confidentially, and she meant to prove her trustworthiness by keeping the secrets of both Captain Braddock and the Harborside with all her might.
* * * *
The next day, Katherine walked to the Harborside to pick up Miss Harriet’s order, unsure of how she would be received. To her surprise, Captain Braddock opened the door as she approached, saying with enthusiasm Katherine hadn’t seen in a while.
“I am glad to see you today, Katherine. I know I left abruptly yesterday, and I know you probably thought I was cross with you—now don’t try to shake yer head, I can see it in yer eyes I’m right.”
Katherine smiled sheepishly and nodded.
“I’m sorry, but I’m an old coot, and new ideas make me squirm, even if they’re good ones. I want you to know that I did listen to what you said, and… well, I’m considerin’ on it.”
Shocked at this surprising change in the Captain’s heretofore stubborn nature, Katherine could only smile and stammer out, “Thank you.”
He walked over to the large old sea chest in which he kept the stock of bagged teas hidden away out of sight. He opened the lid and bent over it, handing boxes to Katherine as she read from the list. After the last few items had been read, Katherine began timidly,
“Captain, I’m afraid I’ve done something you might not like.” The old man looked up sharply from the sea chest with concern in his face.
“What is it?” Captain Braddock’s eyebrows were knit together in uncertainty.
“I, that is… I” she stopped short, then with a sudden burst of courage, said all at once, “I told Miss Harriet about the white tea, and she said that she wants me to have you add some to her order this week, so she can try it, too.”
The old man’s face relaxed into a mischievous grin. “Well, I suppose it’s about time that woman had a taste of the real thing.” he said, and promptly grabbed a small plastic bag. Opening the lid of the box, he asked, “How much does she want?”
Much relieved, Katherine grinned. Well aware of the fury she was about to unleash, she answered innocently,
“Miss Harriet was very specific. She said she wants four teabags’ worth.” Captain Braddock’s face turned red as he spluttered,
“Bags! Bags! How can she go on about teabags all the time? Why, do you know what they put in those bags she loves so dearly? Floor sweepings, that’s what. Bags…” He continued his rant while agitatedly measuring out the precious tea. “To speak of this tea in the same sentence as that rot. Ha!”
He tied the little sack of tea and held it up. “Do you know what the difference is between this tea and the shoddy powder they put in those bags? These leaves are carefully, painstakingly, gently processed by hand, the best leaves searched for and chosen. And do you know what they call the process they use to process the teabag leaves? CTC. That means ‘crush, tear, and curl’. Imagine! They completely destroy the leaves, so that there’s hardly any remnant of flavor left. About four teabags’ worth…Ha!”
Then, having measured out the desired amount, he handed Katherine the bag and said, “Here, she can have her ‘four teabags’ worth’. You just make sure she brews it correctly, now. I won’t have her ruining the flavor by brewing it like one of her tea bags. And no milk, you hear? No milk!”
Promising quite solemnly to make sure Miss Harriet knew the proper method of brewing and enjoying the valuable tea, Katherine finished packing the order and started off for Miss Harriet’s.
* * * *
That night, after Katherine and Miss Harriet had enjoyed a hearty laugh over the scene caused by her purposefully provoking request, they put the kettle on. Katherine, with no small degree of nervousness, endeavored to repeat the brewing process Captain Braddock had shown her the day before.
All was carefully and precisely done, and soon the floral kitchen timer was ringing. Katherine carefully placed a silver tea strainer over Miss Harriet’s favorite cup and poured the tea from the floral chintz teapot.
“It smells lovely!” Miss Harriet exclaimed as the aroma filled the air. “I’ve never smelled the like. And you say it’s just the buds?” Katherine nodded her reply. “... How interesting!” Miss Harriet murmured as she held face over the cup, savoring the delicate floral steam that gracefully curled as it rose from the pale liquid.
“Taste it!” urged Katherine eagerly. Miss Harriet raised the cup to her lips, took a cautious sip, and thought for a moment, before a bright smile spread over her face.
