According to Eli, the May Day ball was always held the first Saturday of May. Eli had coaxed and begged until he convinced her to go along with him to both events.
“The Andrew’s always throw a great party, Cousin. It will be better than mulling around here hour after hour, worrying over Thomas. Please come along, Allie,” he begged. “It’ll be fun! In addition, if you’re still here come May, you can escort me to the ball- just like a real date. And just think of all the young men in uniform- they’ll be so handsome!”
“Are you forgetting that I am a married woman- I don’t care for handsome young men, in uniforms or out.”
Eli chuckled and said, “Well, I do, dear Cousin. And, I must admit, I do admire those wearing uniforms- not just because they …show more content…
“Allen would never do such a thing- he adores you- I could see it in his eyes the day you were married. And you looked so lovely that day!”
“He changed, once-,” said Mrs. Ingalls, “We shouldn’t be talking about this- it’s a family thing and needs to be kept in private. Forgive us for blabbering like common folks… we’re just worried, that’s all.”
“And you have a right to be worried, Mrs. Ingalls,” conceded Eli. “War is a dangerous thing. Isn‘t it Allie…”
“Yes, yes it is, I will pray for his safe return,” she said, taking Jeanette’s hand in hers and squeezing it as if she cared.
“And what of your new husband, Allie- where is he?” Jeanette asked pointedly, her lip almost curling in revulsion, as if she did not really want to ask.
Momentarily at a loss, Allie thought a moment and then said, “He’s run off to war too- so I know how you feel…” she hung her head as if to cry, but when the tears came, they were real. Moreover, once started, they were hard to stop.
“Here, here, let us change the subject,” said Eli, placing an arm around Allie‘s shoulder. “Let’s talk about something that’s not so depressing. Are y’all going to the Colonel’s birthday party? It is always a display event. Everyone will be there- please tell me you’re coming …show more content…
Ingalls. “I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now,” she smiled. They both saw an immediate change in the older woman; however, Jeanette looked as if she had eaten a lemon.
“We shall see you there, then! It was so nice talking to you two- have a great afternoon,” said Eli suddenly, taking Allie by the elbow and steering her toward the textile shop.
As they walked toward McVay‘s Textile Shoppe, Allie turned to look at Eli. “I hope you’re happy,” she gritted through her teeth, pretending to smile.
“Very happy,” said Eli. “I’ve just gotten some juicy
“The Andrew’s always throw a great party, Cousin. It will be better than mulling around here hour after hour, worrying over Thomas. Please come along, Allie,” he begged. “It’ll be fun! In addition, if you’re still here come May, you can escort me to the ball- just like a real date. And just think of all the young men in uniform- they’ll be so handsome!”
“Are you forgetting that I am a married woman- I don’t care for handsome young men, in uniforms or out.”
Eli chuckled and said, “Well, I do, dear Cousin. And, I must admit, I do admire those wearing uniforms- not just because they …show more content…
“Allen would never do such a thing- he adores you- I could see it in his eyes the day you were married. And you looked so lovely that day!”
“He changed, once-,” said Mrs. Ingalls, “We shouldn’t be talking about this- it’s a family thing and needs to be kept in private. Forgive us for blabbering like common folks… we’re just worried, that’s all.”
“And you have a right to be worried, Mrs. Ingalls,” conceded Eli. “War is a dangerous thing. Isn‘t it Allie…”
“Yes, yes it is, I will pray for his safe return,” she said, taking Jeanette’s hand in hers and squeezing it as if she cared.
“And what of your new husband, Allie- where is he?” Jeanette asked pointedly, her lip almost curling in revulsion, as if she did not really want to ask.
Momentarily at a loss, Allie thought a moment and then said, “He’s run off to war too- so I know how you feel…” she hung her head as if to cry, but when the tears came, they were real. Moreover, once started, they were hard to stop.
“Here, here, let us change the subject,” said Eli, placing an arm around Allie‘s shoulder. “Let’s talk about something that’s not so depressing. Are y’all going to the Colonel’s birthday party? It is always a display event. Everyone will be there- please tell me you’re coming …show more content…
Ingalls. “I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now,” she smiled. They both saw an immediate change in the older woman; however, Jeanette looked as if she had eaten a lemon.
“We shall see you there, then! It was so nice talking to you two- have a great afternoon,” said Eli suddenly, taking Allie by the elbow and steering her toward the textile shop.
As they walked toward McVay‘s Textile Shoppe, Allie turned to look at Eli. “I hope you’re happy,” she gritted through her teeth, pretending to smile.
“Very happy,” said Eli. “I’ve just gotten some juicy