“I’ll take care of it.I want to go out and meet them anyway.”
She washed the dishes while he was out, wondering if she should start her cheesemaking immediately, or share her milk with her friends first.Probably share the milk.She should get used to the goats and the extra work they brought before she started working on cheese.
She felt as if she were finally doing what she’d gone there to do.Be a housewife who made money in her free time.As Maggie and Belle had said, she’d need to slow down once she started having babies, but there was time.And a long winter to entertain herself through.
*****
All of the couplescame over again on Saturday to help with the cold house.Agnes served lunch and invited everyone to supper.“I thought we could all play cards after supper.I’d suggest dancing, but I don’t have a gramophone.”
Belle nodded.“I want one, and I’m saving up to order one.”Agnes was fully aware that Belle didn’t need the money she made.She simply enjoyed working and doing what she wanted to do every day.
“Well, when you get it, we should have a party.”Maggie looked intrigued by the idea.“By then, I hope to be light on my feet again.”
“When is the baby due?”Agnes asked.
“Next week, I think.It’s hard to know for certain.”
Sally smiled.“I can’t wait to see him.”
“I can’t wait to not be expecting any longer.I feel like I’m as big as a house!”
Agnes shook her head.“You’re beautiful.”
Maggie laughed.“James has been trying to tell me that, but I know he’s seeing me through the eyes of a man in love and not as I truly am.”
Sally frowned at her.“You are beautiful.You’re only big because you are expecting.It’ll soon be over, and you’ll be back to your slender self.”
“I sure hope so,” Maggie said, patting her belly.“It feels like I’ve been pregnant for thirty years.”
“You’re not even thirty years old,” Belle said, shaking her head.“Once the baby is born, you won’t think about how hard the pregnancy was.Just about the beautiful baby in your arms.”
“Any letters?”Sally asked, returning to their topic from several days before.
“Not a one,” Agnes replied, wishing she could say differently.
“Soon,” Belle said, though she didn’t look as if she was convinced.
Agnes served some of her smoked salmon and fried potatoes for supper that night.She’d also made a large gingerbread cake and smaller ones for each couple to take home with them.Everyone told her how wonderful the salmon had turned out.
“Absolutely delicious,” Everett added to the other’s praise.“You learn quickly.”
“I’m glad everyone is pleased,” Agnes replied.
After supper they played Euchre.Some had never heard of the game, but Agnes happily explained the rules.Two games happened at once, and the winners of each game went on to play the winners of the other.In the end, Maggie and James emerged triumphant.
“As the winners of the game, you get a gingerbread cake to take home with you,” Agnes said, handing the cloth-wrapped cake to Maggie.“As for the losers of the game, you all get cakes too, with a wish that you will do better next time!”
Everyone laughed as Agnes handed out cakes.
“This is how I want to spend our Saturday nights this winter,” Belle said.“All of us together playing cards.Do any of you know how to play Hearts?”
Maggie nodded.“I’ve played once.”
“If anyone doesn’t know, I’ll teach you!”Belle said.“We should rotate who hosts each week as well.I haven’t had this much fun in a long while.Thank you for having us for supper and games.”
Agnes smiled.“I’m glad we all enjoyed ourselves.We work so hard together that I think we need to play together sometimes as well.”
“I know we do!”Sally said.“And I love the idea of getting together at a different house every Saturday night.It will help our business arrangement if we all remain good friends.”
