“Why would you say that?”
“Same reason most a them fairy tales are about orphans. Children in ’em
might have a kindly grandmother putting food on the table, but no parents. They
love to daydream about not having anyone bossing them around from sun up to
sun down. Same as a man daydreams about no women nagging him. No
responsibility.”
“Well, I haven’t read all of Mr. Dickens’ books, but I don’t believe he does away with all his female characters. You really should try one. I’m sure you’d like it.”
“I’m more sure to like some food in my stomach. Go ahead and clear them
books off the table for now.”
“Fenimore Cooper.” Olivia held up another one. “He’s wonderful. I’ve read
this one. I bet you’d like it too. Next time they come, ask if they have The Leatherstocking Tales. I haven’t read it yet. Oh, look at the way this binding is falling apart.” She held up a volume of Keats. “Tell them to get you some glue
and binding tape. If there’s going to be a library, the books need to be kept in good repair. And ask them what the library is to be called, so I can properly label
them, Property of the Five Rocks Public Reading Library, something like that.”
She had begun moving the books to the parlor and spoke in installments, as she moved between the two rooms. “And I’ll need paper, so I can make little pockets
to paste into them.”
“What for?”
“To hold the card. For keeping track of who borrowed the book and when
they’re supposed to bring it back. I’ll need some regular paper for the envelopes
and thick paper for the cards.”
“Guess those old cows are going to have to start believing Jettie Place worked
in a library. That oughta rattle ’em good.”
“How is Avis?” Olivia asked later when they sat down to eat.
“He’s Avis.” Mrs. Place shrugged. “Like I told you, him and Lady Mabel
have been living in your father’s house since they got married a few months back.”
“You call her that, too?” Olivia raised her eyebrows. “I thought I made up that
name for her.”
“Everyone in four counties calls her that. They still have Mrs. Hardaway
keeping the house for them cause Mabel’s always busy in the store. Like I’m sure you can guess, she gets after Avis pretty good. And you’d really hate the way she hovers over your Tobias. He takes something out of a box and puts it on
a shelf, she comes along right behind him and moves it over an inch. It’d be funny, if it didn’t make you want to strangle her.”
“How is Tobey, other than having to put up with her?”
“Appears to be just fine. She doesn’t seem to rile him. No matter what she says or how often she repeats it, he just nods his head and shuffles away. But like
I told you, he took himself a room over at Mrs. Monroe’s, so at least he’s got his
evenings to himself. Does take all his meals with them, though.”
“That’s no surprise. If there’s one thing I’ll give Mabel, it’s being a great cook. Is he still keeping company with Emma O’Keefe?”
“Far’s I know. I see them walking down toward the river every once in a
while. Must be where they go to do their canoodling.”
Olivia felt a pang of loneliness. It would be so nice to see him and that wobbly smile of his. But what could she tell him? Nothing. Not about Mourning
and not about the Stubblefields. She remembered what Mrs. Place had said about
weak people with good intentions. That was Tobey.
“You never talk about your family.” Olivia changed the subject.
