All Bedlam Courses Past (part eighty-nine)

All Bedlam Courses Past

Chapter Three

An Object in Motion

(part eighty-nine)

Eugene, as I hope to be, if the liberty is not too great. Alas, Dr. Crowninshield must be consulted in person. But as to the headaches (I believe you and I had some brief words on this subject), it is often a blessing, your sensitivity. Those many souls comingled, on that plane which human understanding accepts as a Heaven, those whom we call the divinities, seek who may deliver their message—for of course, great numbers of the human race are deaf to the ethereal voices

Élucide had swooned at Eugene’s parentheticals; in Fannie’s parlor, where The Summoning of Ancients had gone to live.

[Lesson One, of the military science:

“I’ll be her sponsor, now Ranilde’s married. You can send Luce to me a day or two a week, and I’ll instruct in the social graces.”

Pushy, for Mother’s tastes, and she’d known Fannie mocking, just a bit. But it made a hard place, next to the rock of public expectations, to say, “I like to keep Luce at home.”

Fannie would say, “Nonsense. She’ll be in the best of hands.”

Then, that Mother distrusted Élucide—those famed pert and forward habits of her younger daughter, let to go around town as she would—would cast a distrustful light on the Rutherfords. Skirmish won.

(Next round soon lost, to Indianapolis.)]

Your father enjoys some privilege, with regard to a property belonging to Mr. Nachfolger; a courtesy of  first refusal, if I understand the arrangement, rather than any pecuniary interest

[Pecuniary: from the Latin pecu: cattle; meaning of, or consisting of, money.]

Cookesville appeals to me—no, let me say, inspires me (you and Mrs. Rutherford, I believe, will understand my meaning),

Fannie, reading this private letter aloud, tilted her chin. “You are onto me, sir.”

as locus for an enterprise of mine. However, one proceeds with due caution, desiring friendship with all one’s neighbors. If you report to me that your father’s mood is welcoming, and his memories of our visit pleasant ones, I shall write him and beg his indulgence

94

Bedlam

All Bedlam Courses Past (part ninety)

(2024, Stephanie Foster)