Chapter 23
Violet’s heart had been heavy since parting from Thomas. The realization of all that he had done in the past, and her growing sentiments for the man, tore at her emotions. She could not allow herself to fall in love with a Union soldier.
The very first shots of the war were fired in Charleston Harbor, near the city of her birth. She owed it to her fellow South Carolinians, every soldier who had fought for the Confederacy, her family, and friends to never forget that fateful April day at Fort Sumter.
She owed it to herself to never forget.
Violet pondered the issue the entire walk home and concluded that she would break her association with the man. She planned to return the book he had gifted her. And despite Wylder’s small size, she was going to do her best to avoid seeing him.
Violet went home for the weekend with a surprise for Lin.
Lin also had a surprise to share.
Violet walked into the house and found warmth and light.
Coming home to comfort lifted her spirits. She removed her boots and slipped into the soft leather moccasins she wore indoors. She hung her coat and other outdoor garments on hooks inside the entry door.
She checked her hair in the mirror beside the hooks. A tendril escaped the tight bun and dangled by her right cheek but otherwise it stayed nearly as neat as it had been when she began the day. The credit for that went to her sister Lily, who had shown her the value of some well-placed hairpins.
Violet tucked the surprise for her new friend underneath her arm and headed for the kitchen. Delicious aromas would have led her there even if her eyes were closed.
Lin stood beside the stove, stirring something in a big pot that smelled so incredible it made Violet’s mouth water. Her houseguest hadn’t heard her enter. She hummed an exotic melody.
“Lin?”
The Chinese woman whirled around, holding the heavy wooden spoon between them like a weapon. Red sauce dripped onto the floor. When she saw who had come upon her, she plopped the spoon back into the pot and bent to wipe the splotch of sauce with a fingertip. Then she stood, nodded her head, and said, “Hello.”
Pronunciation needed work but the greeting was borne on a wide grin.
“Hello. It’s so nice to walk in and have a warm house. Thank you for lighting candles. too.”
“Candle. Look.” She pointed to the candle burning on the table. The candlesticks were in their usual spots but now a piece of glass leaned against the wall behind them. It reflected the flame, increasing the illumination. Where Violet lit two candles, Lin had kindled one. The light in the room glowed even brighter with the mirror than when two candles were lit without it.
“You found that little mirror in the cutlery drawer, didn’t you?” She hadn’t used it in ages and had forgotten about its existence.
“Is good?” An expression of uncertainty appeared.
“Yes, it’s very good! Well done, really. We shall save on candles and have more light than ever. What’s not to love about that?”
She didn’t believe Lin understood everything she said but it did not matter. Soon her houseguest would comprehend and speak without difficulty. She would read, too.
“I have a surprise for you, as well.” Violet handed her the blue McGuffey she had brought home from the schoolhouse. The most elemental reader, ideal for teaching the alphabet, basic vocabulary, and grammar, it provided a foundation for further learning. Once Lin mastered the first book, they would move on to the next.
Violet had often wondered if it were possible to offer English lessons to those who struggled with learning the language. Chinese workers like Lin and her brother, the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and other tribes, and all the other immigrants who worked the mines, railroad, ranches, and more needed to learn. They should understand everything being said to them, and how to respond. Perhaps there would be fewer shootings if there weren’t as many misunderstandings.
But that topic would keep for another time. Now, she needed to concentrate on helping Lin.
Lin held it out with a sorrowful gaze. “Thank you. No read English.”
She pressed it back toward her friend and nodded. “I know. But I want to teach you English. Then you shall be able to read. Would you like that?”
It had struck her that by offering English Lin might feel insulted, as if her Chinese weren’t worthy or sufficient. Violet hoped she understood the motivation behind the effort to help her learn some skills that would be valuable to someone living in a mostly English-speaking country.
She needn’t have worried.
Lin clutched the book to her chest and beamed. It was the most expressive she had been so far, and the sight of her upturned lips, dazzling teeth, and the joy in her gaze brought a smile to Violet’s face, too.
“I like very much. I learn English, we talk better.”
“Yes, Lin, we shall talk more easily if you speak more English. Although I have to say, you do really well now. I am amazed by how much you already know. Did your brother teach you?”
A sharp nod and a sober shrug. “Yes. He teach. Good brother. Very good man.”
“I’m sure he was. And he did a wonderful job teaching you the basics. We will work together to teach you the English your departed brother did not get to.”
“Thank you.” Lin placed the book on the table beside one of the places she had set. “We eat?”
Violet went to the basin to wash up. “Yes, we eat. Then, we learn some English.”