Chapter 5 of IN THE HIGH VELLY This is a LibroVox recording. Only LibroVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibroVox.org. Recording by Ellie, in the High Valley by Susan Coolidge. Chapter 5. A Rival The train from Denver was nearing St. Helens, and Imogen Yang looked eagerly from the window for a first sight of the place. Their journey had been exhaustingly hot during its last stages. The alkaline dust most drying, and the head had a brief experience of a sandstorm on the plains, which gave her a new idea as to what wind and grit can accomplish in the way of discomfort. She was very tired and quite disposed to be critical and enthusiastic. Still she had been compelled to admit that the rundown from Denver lay over an interesting country. The town on its plateau was shining in full sunshine, as it had done when Clover landed there six years before. But its outlines had greatly changed with the increase of buildings. The mountain range opposite was darkly blue from the shadows of a heavy sundergust, which was slowly rolling away southward. The plains between the town were yellow, but the belts of Mesa above showed the reddish green, except where the lines of alfalfa and green were broken by white patches of mezzillia and poppies. It was wonderfully beautiful, but the town itself looked so much larger than Imogen had expected that she exclaimed with surprise. While lying in the city, you said you were bringing him out to live in the wilderness, not to make you tell such stories. It looks bigger than Bitfurt. It looks larger than it did when I came away, replied her brother. Two, three, six, eight, find your house is on Monument Avenue by Choff and any number off there toward the North. You have no idea how this western place is proud and thrive, Moggy. This isn't twenty years old yet. I can't believe it.  There seem to be any number of shops. I let you? Oh, I say that is good. Why, Moggy, don't you remember how I remonstrated straight through your packing? Never a bit would you listen to me, and here is the result. Pulling out the baggage when we are random as you spoke and reading aloud in a lagogeous tone. Extra weight of trunks. $13.52. $13.50? Cried Imogen with a gasp. My gracious, why, that's nearly three pounds. Lying, lying, your author has made me listen. I am sure I did all I could in that way, but cheer up. You will want your pins yet. You mustn't confound this place with High Valley. That 60 miles off and has in the shop. The discussion was brought to an end by the stopping of the train. In another moment, Choff Temple Store appeared at the door. Hello, Lion. Glad to see you, Imogen. Shaking hands warmly. How are you? Welcome to Colorado. I am afraid you have had a bad journey in this heat. It has been beastly. Poor Moggy's deadbeat, I am afraid. Neither of us could sleep a wink last night for the dust and sand. Well, it's all well that ends well. We will cool her off in the valley. How is everything going on there? Mrs. Temple Store right? And Mrs. Page and the children? I declare, stretching himself. It's a blessing to get the press of good air again. There's nothing in the world to compare with Colorado. A light carry-all was waiting near the station, whose top was little more than a fringed awning. Into this, Choff re-helped Imogen and proceeded to settle her wraps and bags in various seat boxes and pockets with which the carriage was cleverly fitted up. It was truly a carry-all and came and went continually between the valley and St. Helens. Now, he remarked, it's stuffed in the last parcel. We will just stop long enough to get the mail and some iced tea, which I ordered as I came down and then be off. You will find a cold chicken and a basket line. Clover was sure you'd need something and there is no time for a regular meal if you are to get in before dark. Iced tea?  I forgot that you were not used to it. We drink at a great deal here in summer. Would you rather have some hot? I didn't fancy that you would care for it. The day is so warm, but we'll wait and have it made, if you prefer. Oh, no, I won't delay you, said Imogen rather crudgely. She was disposed to rescind the iced tea as an American innovation, but when she tried it, she found herself to her own surprise liking it very much. Why do they call it tea? She meditated. It's a great deal more like punch, or lemons and things, but she had to own that it was wonderfully refreshing. The sun was blazing on the plane, but after they began to wind up the pass a cool strong wind blew in their faces and the day seemed suddenly delightful. The unfamiliar flowers and shrubs, the strange rock forms and colors, the occasional mountain glimpses interested Imogen so much that for a time she forgot her fatigue. Then an irresistible draws in the cister. The talk going on between Joffrey Templestore and her brother about cows and feeding the prospect of the autumn sails became an indistinguishable hum and she went off into series of sleeps broken by brief wakings and the carol bumped or swayed heavily from side to side on the steep inclines. From one of the soundest of these snaps she was roused by her brother shaking her arm and calling, Mogi, wake, wake up, we are here. With a sharp sump of heartbeat she started into full consciousness to find the horses throwing up before a deep, wine-hung porch on which stood a group of figures which seemed to her confused senses a large party. There was Elsie in a fresh white dress with pale green ribbons, Clarence Page filled her car a little filipin in her nurse's arms, small joffesses to collar at his side and foremost of all ready to help her down, hospitable little clover in lilac muslin with her rose in her belt in the face of welcome. How the Americans do love dress was Imogen's instant sword an ungracious one and quite unwarranted by the circumstances. Clover and Elsie kept themselves neat and pretty from habit and instinct but the muslin gowns were neither new nor fashionable. They had only the merit of being fresh and becoming to their veras. You poor child, hot-hired you must be, write Clover, as she assisted Imogen out of the carriage. This is my sister, Mrs. Page. Please take her directly to her room, Elsie, while you order up some hot water. She will be glad of that first of all. Lion, I won't take time to welcome you now. The boys must care for you while I see after your sister. A big, sponging bath full of fresh water stood right in the room to which Imogen was conducted. The white bed was invitingly turned down. There were fresh flowers on the dressing table and a heap of soft cushions on the roomy divan which filled the deep recess of a range of low windows. They gave flowered paper on the walls and up to the peak of the ceiling, giving a tent-like effect. Most of the furnishings were homemade. The divan was nothing more or less than a big, packing box nicely stuffed in the pool step. The dressing table and construction of pine boards covered in furled with creton. Clover had plaited chins around the looking glass and on the edges of the bookshelves. While the picture frames and corner brackets and impromptu wash stand owned the existence to Chov's cleverness with tools. But the whole effect was pretty and tasteful and Imogen, as she went on with the dressing, looked about her with a somewhat reluctant admiration which was slightly tinged with dismay. I suppose they got all these things out from the East, she reflected. I couldn't undertake them in our little cabin, I'm sure. It's very nice and really in very good taste, but it must have cost a great deal. The Americans don't think of that, however. And I've always heard that they have a great neck doing up the whole thing. That they have a great neck doing up the houses and making a good show. Go straight to bed if you feel like it. Don't think of coming down. We will send you up some dinner. Clover had urged, but Imogen tired as she was elected to go down. I really mustn't give into a little fatigue, she thought. I have the honour of England to sustain over here. So she hurriedly put on her heavy-tweet travelling dress again and descended the stairs to find a bright little fire of pine-wooden cones snapping and blazing on the hearth and the whole party gathered about it waiting for her and dinner. What an extraordinary climate, Shakespeare claimed in the tone of astonishment. Melting with heat at three and here at quarter past seven we are sitting around the fire. It really feels comfortable too. The changes are very sharp, set off, rising to give her a chair, such a daily drop in temperature would make a sensation or a good old Davenshire. You see, it comes from a high elevation. We are nearly 8000 feet above sea level here. That is about twice as high as the top of the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Fancy! I had no idea of it. Lionel did say something about the elevation, but I didn't clearly attend. She glanced about to Rome, which was looking its best with the pink light of the shaded candles falling on the widespread table and flickering fire making golden clothes and gleams on the ceiling. How did you get all these pretty things out here? She suddenly demanded. Some came in wagons and some just scrolled, explained Clover Merrily. We will let you into our secrets gradually. Ah, here comes dinner at last and I am sure we shall all be glad of it.  How very extraordinary! She murmured in an aside to Lionel. He looks like an absolutheism, are such things usual here? Very usual, I should say, lots of them about. That fellow has a choice in his cabin and very likely pray a will, but he is a capital cook. I wish we could have the luck to have one his brother and a few for ourselves. I don't, then, replied his scandalised sister. I can't feel that it is right to employ such people in a Christian country. The Americans have such like notions. Hold up a bit. What do you know about the notions? Nothing at all. Come to dinner, said Glover's pleasant voice. Choff, Miss Young, will sit next to you. Put the cushion behind her back clearance. Dinner over, Imo-Chen concluded that she had appalled the honour of England quite as long as was desirable or in fact possible and clearly accepted permission to go to bed at once. She was fairly tired out. She woke wonderfully restored by nine hours solid sleep in that elastic and life-giving atmosphere and went downstairs to find everyone's cater to their different tasks and evocations, except Elsie, who was waiting to pour her coffee. Glover and Lionel were gone to the new house, she explained, and they were to follow them as soon as Imo-Chen had breakfasted. Elsie's manner lacked its usual warmth and ease. She had taken no fancy at all to the stiff, awkward little English woman in whom her quick wits detected a lurking tendency to cavel in criticise and managing accordingly. Oddly enough, Imo-Chen liked this offish manner of Elsie's. She set it down to a proper sense of decorum and retinue, so different from the usual American gash making belief to be at ease always with everybody she sought and she made herself as agreeable as possible to Elsie, whom she considered much prettier than Glover and in every way more desirable. These impressions were doubtless tinctured by the underlying jealousy from which she had so long suffered and her mental influence to her, though Isabel Templestor was now far away and there was no one at hand to be jealous about. The two rode amicably up the valley together. They added, it's your new home, said Elsie, and they came inside of the just finished cabin. Didn't Lionel choose a pretty sight for it? And you must have a beautiful view. Well, Moggy, cried her brother, hiring out to help her dismount. Here you are at last. Mrs. Templestor and I have made you a fire of things. How do you like the look of it? It's a decent little place, isn't it? We must get Mrs. Templestor to put us up to some of her little nice dodges about furniture and so on, such as the half at the other house.  They must have worked awfully hard too. Wasn't it good of them? Very, said Imunchen rather stiffly. I am sure they are much obliged to you, Mrs. Templestor. I fear you have given yourself a great deal of trouble. The words were polite enough, but the tone was distinctly repellent. Oh no, they glowed lightly. It was only fun to come up in the range a little beforehand. We were very glad to do it. Now, Elsie, you and I will write down and leave these new housekeepers to discuss the plans in peace. Dinner at six tonight, Lana? Please send old Josie down if you need anything. Don't stay too long or get too tired, Miss Yang. You shall have lunch about one, but if you are doing anything and don't want to leave so early, you will find some sardines and jam in the tin of biscuits and a cupboard by the fire. She and Elsie rode away accordingly, and they were out of hearing Glover remarked, I wonder why did the girl dislikes me so? Dislikes you? Glover, what do you mean? Nobody ever disliked you in your life. I ever could. Yes, she does.  It doesn't really matter, and very likely she will get over it presently, but I am sorry about it. It would be so pleasant all to be good friends together up here, where there are so few of us.  Glover was used to being liked.   In part, the grizzly bear to eat her was some such thing as a pose an Indian could be found, who, for a consideration, would undertake to sculpt Miss Emochen young, and if she doesn't behave herself, he shall be found. But you are all mistaken, Glover, you must be. She is only stiff and dull and horribly English, and very tired after her journey. She will be all right in a day or two. If she isn't, I shall go for her without mercy. Well, perhaps it's that. It was easy and pleasant to imagine Emochen tired than to admit that she was absolutely unfriendly. After all, she added, it's for Miss Young's sake that I should regret if it were so. Much more than for my own. I have Jof and you and Claire and Papa and Johnny coming and dear Rose Red. All of you are at my back, but she, poor thing, has no one but Lana to stand up for her. I am on my own ground. Drawing up her figure is a pretty movement of pride, and she's a strange and strange land. So, we won't mind if she's stiff, Elsie dear, and just be as nice as we can be to her, for it must be horrid to be so far away from home and one's own people. We cannot be too patient and considerate under such circumstances. Meanwhile, the moment they were out of sight, Lionel had turned upon his sister sharply and angrily. Moggy, what on earth do you mean by speaking so to Mrs. Templestowe? Speaking how? What did I say? Retarded Emochen. You didn't say anything out of the coming, but your manner was most disagreeable. If she hadn't been the best tempered woman in the world, she would have resented it on the spot. Here she and all of them have been doing all they can to make credit for us and give us a warm welcome too, treating us as if we were their own kissing kin, and you returned it by putting on airs as if she weren't rooting and interfering in our affairs. I never was so ashamed of a member of my family before in my life.  I am sure I said everything that was proper to Mrs. Templestowe. Your words were proper enough, but your manner was eminently improper. Now, Moggy, changing his tone, listen to me, let us look this thing squarely in the face. You have come out here with me and it's awfully good of you, and I shan't ever forget it.  They can be excellent friends, as I've found, and they are prepared to be equally friendly to you, but if you are going to start with a little crutch against Mrs. Choff, who is the best little woman going by Choff and the kindest, you will set the whole family against us, and you might as well pack up our trips at once and go back to England. Now, I put it to you reasonably. Is it worthwhile to upset all our plans and all my hopes? And for what, Mrs. Templestowe can't have done anything to set you against her? Lion, cried Imogen, bursting into tears. Don't. I'm sure it didn't mean to be rude. Mrs. Choff never did anything to displease me, and certainly I haven't a crutch against her, but I'm very tired, so please don't scold me. I've got no one out here but you. Lionel melted at once. He had never seen his sister cry before and felt that he must have been harsh and unkind. I'm a brute, he exclaimed. Dear Mogi, dear, don't cry. Of course you are tired. I ought to have thought of it before. He petted and consoled her, and Imogen, who was really spent and wary, found the process so agreeable that she prolonged her tears a little. At last she suffered herself to be comforted, dried her eyes, hurt cheerful, and then proceeded to make an investigation of the premises, deciding what should go there and what here and what it was requisite to get from St. Helens. Imogen had to own the ladies of the valley, have been both thoughtful and helpful. I'll thank them again this evening and do it better," she said, and Lionel petted her on the back and told her she really was quite a little prick when she wasn't a big goose. A brotherly compliment chose my gratifying then it sounded. It was decided that she should go into St. Helens the next day to order out stores and what Lionel called a few sticks that were essential and procure a servant. Then we can move in the next day, said Imogen. I feel in such a hurry to begin housekeeping, Lionel. You can't think. One is always a stranger in the land till one has a place of one's own. Jof and his wife are very kind and polite, but it's much better we should start for ourselves as soon as possible. Besides, there are other people coming to stay. Mrs. Page said so. Yes, but not for quite a bit yet. I fancy. All the same you are right, Moggy, and we'll set up our own sheeping as soon as it can be managed. You'll feel twice as much at home when you have a house of your own. I'll get the mattresses and tables and chairs out by Saturday, and fetch the slavey out with me if I can find one. No Chinese need a ply, said Imogen. Get me a Christian servant whatever you do, Lionel. I can't be added creature with the pigtail. I'll do my possible, set her brother in a doubtful tone, but you'll come to pigtails yet and be thankful for them, or I'll miss my guests. Never. Imogen remembered her promise. She was studiously polite and grateful that evening and exerted herself to talk and undo the unpleasant impression of the morning. The little party around the dinner table wakes Mary, especially when Imogen, under the effect of a gracious resource, attempted to adapt her conversation to her company and gratify her hosts by using American expressions. People abscond your lead from St. Terence to her daughter. Don't they? She remarked. Then when someone laughed, she added, you say, right over here, don't you? Well, I don't know. I never did hear anyone say it except as a joke, replied Elsie. And again, mother would be astonished, Lionel, wouldn't she? If she knew that the Chinese can make English puddings as well as the cooks at home, she'd be all struck off a heap. And later, it really was dreadful. The train was broken all two bits and nearly everyone on board was hurt. Catavemp has lit a chart up in fact, as your Americans would say, what are you all loving at? Don't you say it? Never except in the comic newspapers and time novels, such a free temple store when he recovered from his amusement. While Lionel utterly overcome with his sisters vocabulary choked and strangled and finally found voice to say, go on, Moggy, you are doing beautifully. Nothing like acquiring the native dialect to make a favorable impression in a new country. Oh, forever did she learn Catavemp has. I shall die of it. End of Chapter 5 Recording by Ellie, October 2009 Chapter 6 of In the High Valley This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Ellie In the High Valley by Susan Coolidge. Chapter 6 Unexpected Imogen's race prejudice experienced the weakening after Lionel's return from St. Helens is the only slave he attainable in the shape of an untidy, middle-aged Irish woman is right here in the hot, little spark of temper glowing in either eye. Putting this unpromising female in possession of the fresh clean kitchen of the cabin was a draw. But it had to be done and the young mistress with all the art of inexperience bent herself to the task of reformation and improvement and teaching Catty Maloney who was old enough to be her mother agreed many desirable things which she herself did not very well understand. It was senseless work and resulted in such experiments usually do. Catty gave warning at the end of the week affirming that she wasn't going to be hectored and driven around by a bit of a miss who didn't well know what she wanted and that the valley was that lonesome anyhow that she'd not remain in it. No, not if the saints themselves came down from Glory and caved up every fat of Sol with shining gold and she a starving in the mud. No, she wouldn't. Emo-Chen saw her go with small regret. She had no idea how difficult it might be to find a successor and it was not till three incompetence of the same nationality had been lured out by the promise of high wages only to decide that the place was too lonely for them and incontinentally depart that she realized her heart was the problem of help in such a place. It was her first trial at independent housekeeping and with her English ideas she accounted on needness, respectfulness of manner and a certain amount of training as a matter of course in a servant. One has to learn one's way in the new country by the hardest and perhaps the least hard part of Emo-Chen's lesson were the intervals when she and Larnel did the work themselves with only old chosey to scrub and wash up. Then at least they could be quiet in the peace without daily controversies. Later relief and comfort came to them in the shape of a gentle Mongolian named Eli procured through the good offices of Lulu whom Emo-Chen was only too thankful to accept pigtail and all for his gentleness of manner general needness and capacity and the good taste which he gave to his dishes. In fact she confessed one day to Larnel privately in a moment of confidence that rather than lose him she would herself cave a just stick and nail it up in the kitchen which concession proves the liberalizing and widening effect of necessity upon the human mind but this is anticipating. The cabin was a pleasant place enough and once fairly set in order. There was an abundance of sunshine firewood was plenty and so small a space was easily kept tidy. Emo-Chen and she refused her resources realized how wise Larnel had been in recommending her to bring more ornamental things and fewer articles of mere use such as tapes and buttons. Buttons and tapes were easy enough to come by but things to make the house pretty difficult to obtain and cost a great deal. She made the most of a few possessions and supplied what was lacking by wild flowers which could be had in any quantity for the picking. Larnel had hunted a good deal during his first Colorado years and possessed quite a good supply of fox-wolf and bear skins. This detued the pharax on the floor elk and buffalo hunts fastened on the walls served his pecks and wished to hang whips and hats.  It all looked pretty enough and quite comfortable. Emo-Chen would faint have tried her hand and homemade devices of the sort in which the ladies in the lower house excelled but somehow her attempts turned out failures. She lacked lightness of touch and originality of fancy and the result so apt to be what else she privately stigmatized as bobsies of red flannel and burlaps without form and comeliness. It would Larnel cheer while visitors discreetly alerted the eyes lest they should be forced to express an opinion concerning them. Emo-Chen's views as to the character and capacities of American women underwent many modifications during the first summer in the high valley. It seemed to her that Mrs. Templestore and her sister were equal to any emergency however sudden and unexpected. She was filled with daily wonder over the knowledge of practical details and the extra-ordinary handiness. If her mother met with an accident they seemed to know just what to do. If Chulua was taken with a cramp or some odd Chinese disease without a name and laid aside for a day or two Chulua not only nursed him but went into the kitchen as a matter of course and extemporized the meal which was sufficiently satisfactory for all concerned. If a guest arrived unexpectedly they were not put out. If some article of daily supply failed they seemed always able to devise a substitute. And through all and every contingency they managed to look pretty and bright and gracious and make sunshine in the shadiest places. Slowly, for Emo-Chen's mind in a big working order, she took all this in and her respect for America and Americans rose accordingly. She was forced to own that whatever the rest of mankind in this extraordinary new country might be these particular specimens were of a sort which every land, even England might be justly proud to claim. And with all they do they contrived to look so nice she said to herself I cannot understand how they managed it. Their gowns fit so well it's nothing to put on. It is really wonderful and it certainly isn't because the single great deal about it. Before I came over I always imagined that American women spent their time in reading fashion magazines and talking over their clothes. Mrs. Choff and Mrs. Page certainly don't do that. I don't often hear them speak about their dresses or I see them at work at them and both of them know a great deal more about their house than I do or any other English girl I ever saw. Mrs. Choff and Mrs. Page too have all sorts of things cakes and puddings and muffins and even bread and they read a good deal as well. The Americans are certainly a cleverer people than I supposed. The mile of distance between what Clarence called the hut and the hutlet counted for little and the daily intercourse went on training chiefly it must be owned from the hut to the hutlet. Glover was unworthy in small helps and kindnesses. If Emma Chandler Cookless or Josie was sure to appear with a loaf of a basket of Graham Chams or Choff with a grill of trout and an urgent invitation to lunch or dinner or both, new books made the appearance from below, newspapers and magazines and if ever the day came when Emma Chandler Cookless if her heart had lonely and overworked she was sure to see the flutter of skirts and her pretty cordial neighbors or come riding up the trail to cheer her and to propose something pleasant or helpful. Sometimes Elsie would have a baby on her knee trusting she was sure footed steadiness. Sometimes little Choff would be riding beside his mother on a minute borrow always it seemed as though the brought the sun with them and she learned to watch for their coming on dial days as if they were in the secret of her moods and knew just when they were most wanted. But they came so often that these coincidences were not so wonderful after all. Emma Chandler depreciate all this kindness and was grateful and after her manner responses she tell the process of what Elsie turned limbering out Miss Young went on but slowly. The English stock firm said and steadily rooted doesn't limber readily and the bent toward prejudice is never easily shaken. Compared to admit that Glover was worth liking, compared to own her good nature and friendliness Emma Chandler could not be quite really at ease with her. Always an inverse stiffness made itself apparent when they were together and always Glover was aware of the fact. It made no difference in her acts of good well, but it made some difference in the pleasure with which she did them.  So the months of July went by. It was in the morning of the last day when the long summer had reached its height of ripeness and completeness and all things seemed making themselves ready for Rosred who was expected in three days more that Glover sitting with her work on the shaded western piercer saw the unwanted spectacle of a carriage slowly mounting the steep road up the valley. It was so unusual to see any wheeled vehicle there except the own carry-all that it caused her universal excitement. Elsie ran to the window overhead with filly there in her arms. Little Chov stood on the porch staring out of a pair of astonished eyes and Glover came forward to meet the new arrivals with an unmistakable look of surprise in her face.  It took Glover a moment to disentangle her ideas then she perceived that it was Mrs. Watson who when she and Phil had first come out to Colorado years before I came with them and for a time had been one of the chief trials and perplexities of their life there. Well my dear and I don't wonder that you look astonished for no one would suppose that after all event through this I should never again. This is my daughter and her husband you know and of course their coming made it seem quite we are staying in the huge valley only five miles over they said it was but such miles I'd rather ride ten on a level any day as I told Ellen and well they say you were living up here and though the road was pretty rough it was possible too and if ever there was a man who could drive a buggy up to the noon as Ellen declares Henry's there but really I was hardly prepared for but anyway we started and here we are what the wild sort of place it is that you are living in my dear Miss Carr not that they ought to call you Miss Carr for I got your cards of course and was told then that and your sister marrying the other young man and coming out to live her too that must be very oh dear me is that little boy yours well I never I'm very glad to see you I'm sure said Glover taking the first opportunity of a break in the torrent of words and Mrs. Phillips too this is Mrs. Phillips is it not let me help you out Mrs. Watson and Jofi dear run around to the other door and ask you Finn to send somebody to take the horses thank you said Mrs. Phillips let me introduce you to my husband Mrs. Temple store we are at the hotel in the huge valley for three days and my mother wished so much to drive over and see you that we brought her what a beautiful place your valley is Mrs. Phillips tall large feature dark and rather angular with a pleasant resolute face and clear cut rather incisive faith speaking offer this complete contrast to a pale patchy incoherent little mother as could well be imagined Glover's instant thought was now I know what Mr. Watts must have been like Mr. Phillips was also tall with a keen Roman nose face and eyeglasses both had the look of people who knew what was what and had seen the world just the sort of persons it would seem to whom a parent like Mrs. Watson would be a great trial and it was the mother to the accredited that they never seemed the least impatient and were evidently devoted to her comfort in all ways if she frightened them as she undoubtedly must they gave no sign of it and were outwardly all affectionate consideration why was your little boy gone I wanted to see him said Mrs. Watson as soon as she was safely out of the carriage he was here just this moment and then I must say you've got the beautiful situation and if the mountains were old it was needed to satisfy but they recollect how you used to go on about them at St. Helens take care Eln, your skirt is cut Ah that's right Miss Kay is always so but I must call her dead I know only I never and now my dear I must have a kiss after climbing up all this way and never go for holes at least a man we met said that they were dead and they really sort tell me how you are and all about that's right, Henry, take out the wraps you can never tell how of course Miss Kay's people are old I keep calling you Miss Kay they really can't help it what a beautiful view Clover now let the way indoors the central home, large, cool and flower sent it was a surprise to the eastern guests who were prepared to find anything so pretty and tasteful in so remote a spot that is really charming said Mr. Phillips, glancing from fireplace to wall and from wall to window while his wife exclaimed his delight over the mariposa lilies which filled the glass bowl on the table and the tall sheaves of scarlet pertestaments on either side of the hearse Mrs. Watson blinked about curiously actually silent for a moment before her surprise took the form of words why how pretty it looks doesn't it, Aaron? and so large and spacious and so many I am all the more surprised cause when we were together before you wouldn't go on to Shoshun house you remember? because it was so expensive and of course I well circumstances too alter and it is a world of changes as Dr. Billings said in one of his sermons last spring I am sure I'm glad only I wasn't prepared to Aaron, Aaron look at that etching it's exactly the same as yours when Philips gave you and Henry for your tin wedding it was very expensive I know for I was reserved when she got it and so adorst was and these things naturally but I rarely think the frame of this is the handsomest now my dear Miss Carr, where did you get that? it was one of our gifts the clue was smiling there's a double supply of wedding presents in this house Mrs. Watson for my sisters are here as well as our own so we are rather rich in pretty things but not in anything else except cows of those we have any number now if you will all excuse me for a moment I will go up and tell Mrs. Page that you are here up she went deliberately till she was out of sight and then at the swift light ran the rest of the way Elsie dear she cried bursting into the nursery who do you think is here? Mrs. Watson our old woman of the sea you know she has a son-in-law and daughter with her and they look rather nice people they are strange to say they have driven over from the youth valley and of course they must have some lunch but as it happens it is the worst day of the whole year for them to choose five sent Chuluk into St. Helens to look up a Chinese cook for Imogen Young and they meant to starve you all and poach the eggs and raspberries for lunch I can't leave them of course but will you just run down my darling duck and see what can be done and tell you fame there are cans of soup of course and sardines and all that I'll take for later she's as neat as a new pin happily and here's Choffee come and have your hairbrush boy she went down with one child in her arms and the other holding her hand a pretty little picture for those below my sister welcome presently she explained this is her little girl and here's my son Mrs. Watson dear me I had no idea he was such a big child said the lady five years old is he or six only three oh yes what I'm thinking about of course he well my little man how do you like living up here in this lonesome place very much replied little Choff backing away from the questioner as she aimlessly reached out after him he has never lived anywhere else Clover explained so he cannot make comparisons ignorance is bliss we are told Mrs. Watson your fame stayed introspectable in her spotless apron now entered with the lunch gloss made her guests upstairs to refresh themselves with cold water after the dust of the drive by the time they returned the table was set and presently Elsie appeared cool and fresh in a pretty pink and white chin gem with another froze colored ribbon in her wavy hair her cheeks deepened to just a becoming tint the very picture of a dainty well cared for a little lady no one would have suspected that during the last half hour she had stirred and paked a pen of brown gems mixed a green mayonnaise for the lettuce added a glass dish of chunked inform and skimped two pans of cream besides getting out the soup and sweets for your fame and trimming the dishes of fruit with kinnikinnik and quariopsis the little feast seemed to have got itself ready in some mysterious manner without trouble to anyone which is the last added grace of any feast it is perfectly charming here that Mrs. Phillips more and more impressed I have seen nothing at all like this at the west there isn't any other place like our valley really sink of course there are the natural parks among the ranges of the rockets but ours always seems to be quite by itself you see what I saw is to catch the sun and it makes a great difference even in the winter we've done very little to the valley beyond just making ourselves comfortable very comfortable indeed, I should say and so you married the other young man with you, Mrs. Watson was remarking to Elsie I remember he used to come in very often as a sister and it was easy enough to see people in boarding houses were not in such things of course we all used to think but there, of course she knew all the time and it is easy to make mistakes and I dare say it's all for the best as it is you look very young indeed to be married I wonder that your father could make up his mind to let you I am not young at all, I am nearly 26 replied Elsie who always resented remarks about her use they are so younger than I am in the family and they are all grown up oh my dear, you don't look it you don't see my day over 20 Aaron was nearly as old as you are before she met Henry and they were engaged for nearly two but she never did look as young as most of the girls she used to go with and as opposed to the reason that now they are all grown up a little she seems younger then well well, we never thought while I was with your sister and parents helping to take care of your poor brother you know how it would all turn out I used to bring roses I forget his name and one day Mrs. Gibson said her husband had weak lungs and they came out to Colorado and did the count but I believe he they were talking of building a house and they meant to ask but there, I forgot one does closer forgetful if one travels much and sees a good many people but I was saying, he got well I think who, Mr. Gibson asked Elsie quite bewildered he died and Mrs. Gibson married again some men she met out at St. Helens I believe it was and I heard that their children didn't like it but it was rich I believe and of course riches have things you know the proverb of course but it makes a good deal of difference whether they fly toward you or away from you indeed it does since Elsie much amused but you asked me if somebody got well who was it? why your brother of course how do you know he is living at St. Helens now and perfectly well and strong well, that must be a great comfort to you all I never did think that he was as ill as your sister Fancy was girls will get anxious and when people haven't had a great deal of experience they he used to love a great deal too and when people do that it seems to me that they are lungs but of course it was only natural at her age I used to cheer her up all I could and say the air splendid there of course and the sun somehow never seems to heat you up as it does at the east though it is hot but I think when people have weak chests they better Doctor Hope doesn't think so, I know but after all there are great many doctors beside Doctor Hope and I don't quite a crisis me what was I saying? Elsie wandered on that fragment of the medley she whooped she was destined never to know for just then came the trample of hooves and the boys rode up to the door she went out on the porch to meet them and break the news of their unexpected guests that old thing cried clearance with unflattering emphasis oh Sander, I thought we were safe from that sort of bore up here I shall just cut down to the back and take a bit in the barn indeed, you will do nice thing of this sort do you suppose I came up to this place where company only arrives twice a year so to be that lonesome thing a cowboys bride that you might slip away and take bits in barns no sir, not at all you will please go upstairs make yourself fit to be seen and calm down and be as polite as possible do you hear Claire? she hooked on white thing in his buttonhole and started looking in his face with a saucy gaze Claire unsealed it at once his small despot knew very well how to hold him and to put on such short lift attempts in subordination as you occasionally indulged in alright Elsie, I'll go if I must they are not to stay the night are they? no indeed, they are going back to the youth valley he vanished and presently reappeared to conduct himself with the atmospheric quorum he did not even fit yet when referred to pointedly as the other young man by Mrs. Watson, with an accompaniment of nuts and plinks and raised smiles which was, to say, the least suggestive Choff's manners could be trusted under all circumstances and the little meal passed off charmingly goodbye, said Mrs. Watson after she was safely seated in the carriage as Glover said to Elsie, talk to her it's really been a treat to see you we shall talk of it often and I know Aaron will say oh, thank you, Miss Carr, you always were the kindest yes, I know it isn't Miss Carr and I ought to remember, but somehow goodbye, Mrs. Page somehow, it's very pretty up here certainly and you have every comfort, I'm sure and you seem but you'll be getting dark before long and I don't like the idea of leaving you young things up here all by yourselves don't you ever feel a little afraid in the evenings? as opposed they are not any wild animals though I remember, but there I mustn't say anything to discourage you since you are here and have got to stay yes, we have to stay say, Glover, as you shook hands with Mr. Phillips and happily it is just what you all like best to do she watched the carriage for a moment or two as it bumped down the road it sprayed grinding sharply against the wheels then she turned to the others with the look of a comical rail relief it seems like a bad dream I had forgotten how Phil and I used to feel when Mrs. Watson went on like that and she always didn't go on like that how did we stand her? Aaron seems nice, remarked Elsie poor Aaron Choff, added Clarence, vindictively this must not happen again you and I must go to work below and shave off the hair and make it twice as deep it will never do to have the high valley but it easy to access to old ladies from Boston who who call you the other young man put in note to Elsie never mind Clarence, I'll share your feelings but I don't think there is any risk there is only one of her and I am quite certain from this caret look, we switch elude into our wild beast that she never proposes to come again end of chapter 6 recording by Ellie October 2009 chapter 7 of in the high valley this is a lip-revox recording all lip-revox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer, please visit liprevox.org recording by Ellie in the high valley by Susan Coolidge chapter 7, Suns and Roses Choff, said Clover as they set a dinner two days later couldn't we start early when we go in tomorrow to meet Rose and have the morning at St. Helens they are quite a lot of little errands to be done and it's a long time since we so popular the hopes just as early as you like replied her husband it's a free day and I am quite at your service so they breakfasted at the quarter before 6 and by a quarter passed during the way to St. Helens passing is Clover remarked through three zones of temperature for it was crisply cold when they set out temporarily cool at the lower end of the youth pass and placing hot on the sandy plain we certainly took a lot of climate for our money out here, observed Choff they reached the town a little before 10 and went first of all to see Mrs. Marsh for whom Clover had brought a basket of fresh eggs she never entered that house without being sharply carried back to Farmer days and made to feel that the intervening time was dreamy and unreal so absolutely unchanged was it there was the rickety piass on which she and Phil had so often set and the bear on home like parlor the rocking chairs swinging all at once timed as it were to the companion but the occupants were not the same many sets of invalids had succeeded each other at Mrs. Marsh since those old days still the general effect was precisely similar Mrs. Marsh who only was unchanged gave them a warm welcome grateful little Clover never had forgotten the many kindnesses shown to her and Phil and regretted them in every way that was in her power more than once when Mrs. Marsh was poorly or overtired she had carried her off to the high valley for a rest and she had never failed to pay her a visit whenever she spent the day at St. Helens the next call was at the Hobbes they found Mrs. Hope dining stockings on the back piassa which commanded a few of the mountain range she always climbed the entire credit of Clover's match declaring that if she had not metronized her out to the valley and introduced her and Joff to each other they would never have met her troll heirs of proprietorship or the happiness were infinitely Clover I think we should have got at each other somehow even if you had not been in existence she told her friend marriage is a made in heaven as we all know nobody could have prevented ours my dear that is where you are mistaken nothing is easier than to prevent marriages a mere straw will do it look the countless old maids all over the world and probably nearly every one of them came within half an inch of perfect happiness and just missed it though depend upon it there is nothing like a wise, judicous, discriminating friend at such junctures to help matters along you may think that Joff isn't at this moment wedded to some stiff-necked British maiden and you eating your head off in single blessedness and burn it rubbish said Clover neither of us is capable of it but Mrs. Hope stuck to her convictions she was delighted to see them as she always was and no less the bottle of beautiful cream a basket full of fresh lattices and a bunch of Mary Poser Liliths which they had brought Clover never went into St. Helens empty-handed here they took luncheon number one consisting of sponge cake and claret cup partaken of a gazing across a Cheyenne mountain which was at one of its most beautiful moments all aerial blue strict with sharp sunshine at the summit it was the one effect of the high valley Clover saw that it gave no glimpse of Cheyenne luncheon number two came a little later with Mary and Chase whom everyone still called Poppy from preference and long habit she was perfectly well now but she and her family had grown so fond of St. Helens that there was no longer any talk of her going back to the east she had just had some beautiful California blumps St.Turber and admirer and insisted on Clover's eating them with an accompaniment of biscuits and natural soda water I want you and Alice Perham to come out next week for two nights said Clover while engaged in this agreeable occupation my friend Mrs. Brown arrives today and she is by far the greatest treat we have ever had to offer to anyone since we lived in the valley you will delight in her I know could you come on Monday in the stage to your hotel if we send the carol over to meet you why of course I never have any engagements when a chance comes for going to the dear valley and Alice has none I am pretty sure it will be perfectly delightful Clover you are an angel the angel of the pen testament I mean to call you cleansing at the great chief of purple and white flowers which Clover had brought it's a very good name as for Elsie, she is our lady of raspberries I never saw such beauties as she fetched in week before last some very multifarious shopping for the two households followed and by that time it was two o'clock and they were quite ready for lunch in number three soup and sandwiches who cured at the restaurant they were just coming away when an open carriage passed them silk lined with a crest on the panel jingling curved chains and silver-plated harnesses all of the latest modern fashion and drawn by a pair of fine grey horses inside was a young man who returned the stiff bow to Clover's salutation and a gorgeously round young lady with a rather handsome face Mr. and Mrs. Cerber-Wade I declare observed Joffrey I heard that they were expected yes, Mrs. Wade is so pleased to have them come for the summer we must go and call some day Joff when I happen to have on my best bonnet do you think we ought to ask them out to the valley? that's just as you please I don't mind if he doesn't what fine horses aren't you conscious of a little grub of regret Clover? what for? I don't know what you mean don't be absurd was all the reply you received or in fact deserved to go to the train the minutes seemed long while awaited but presently came the well-known shriek and rumble and there was Rose herself dimpled and smiling at the window looking at the bit older than on the day of Kate's wedding seven years before there was little Rose too but she was by no means unchanged as her mother and certainly no longer little surprisingly tall on the contrary with her golden hair-grown brown and braided in a pigtail actually a pigtail and the same sedate investigating look in her eyes there was Mr. Brown too but he was a brief joy for there was only time to shake hands and exchange dates and promises of return before the train started and bore him away toward Pueblo now said Rose who seemed quite unquench by her three days of travel don't let's utter one word till we are in the carriage and then don't let's stop one moment for two weeks in the first place she began as the carol mounting the hair turn into Monument Avenue where numbers of new houses happened both of late years Queen Anne Cottages in Brick and Stone Timber in Concrete with here and there a more ambitious well of pink granite all surrounded with lawns and rosaries and wine-hung verandas and tinkling fountains in the first place I wish to learn where all these people and houses come from I was told that you lived in a lodge in the Wilderness but though I see plenty of lodges the Wilderness seems wanting and settlement it really is that is it hasn't come of age yet being not quite 21 years old oh you have no notion about our western towns Rose they are born and grown up all in a minute like Hercules drinking the snakes in his cradle I don't wonder at all that you are surprised surprise doesn't express it flabbergasted to low comes nearer my meaning I have been priceless since we left Albany first there was that enormous Chicago all of a heap then Denver and then chanting Hyde over the divide and now this never did I see such flowers or such colored rocks never did anyone breathe such air sweeps all the dust and fatigue out of one in a minute Boston seems quite small and dull in comparison doesn't it Roslyn? it isn't so big but I love it the most replied that small person from the front seat where she said sobolly taking all things in Mama Uncle Choff says I may drive when we get to the foot of a long hill where we are just coming to you won't be afraid will you? no not if Uncle Choff will keep his eye on the reins and stand ready to see them if the horses begin to run Rose just expresses my feelings she continued but this is as beautiful as it is big what is the name of the enchanting mountain over there? Cheyenne? why yes that is the one that you used to write about in your letters when you first came out I remember you never made much impression on me mountains never seem high in letters somehow but now I don't wonder it is the loveliest thing I ever saw Clover was much pleased at Rose's appreciation of her favorite mountains and also with the intelligent way in which she noted everything that passed her eyes were as quick as her tongue chattering all the time she had missed nothing of interest the poppy's drone plane the great levels of mesa delighted her so did the wide stretches of blue distance and she screamed with joy at the orange and red pineaclos in Odin's garden it is a land of wonders she declared when I think her all my life I have been content to emble across the coming and down winter street to Hovis and now and then by way of adventure take the car to the black bay and that I felt all the while as if you're getting the cream and pick of everything I'm astonished at my own stupidity Rose and your clad it didn't let you catch whooping cough from Margaret Lynn you were bent on doing it you remember? if I had given you your way we should not be here now Rose only smiled in reply she was used to a little mother's vagaries and treated them in general with an indulgent intention the sun was quite gone from the ravines but still lingered on the snow powder peaks above when the carriage climbed the last steep zigzag and threw up before the hut whose upper windows clinked with the waning light Rose looked about her and threw a long press of surprise and pleasure it isn't a bit like what I thought it would be she said but it's heaps and heaps more beautiful I simply put it at the head of all the places I ever saw then Elsie came running on the porch and Rose jumped out into her arms I thank the goodness and the grace that on my birth has smiled and brought me to this blessed place a happy Boston child she cried hugging Elsie rapturously hear their sing how well you look and how perfect it is all up here and this is Mr. Rage whom I've known all about ever since the hills over days and this is dear little chos clover his eyes are exactly like yours and where's your baby Elsie little wretch she would go to sleep I told her you were coming and it all I could shut off pinching to keep her awake saying and repeated verses and then stay up and down but it was all of no use she would put her knuckles in her eyes and whimper and fret and at last I had to give in babies are perfectly unmanageable and sleepy most of us are it's just as well they can't half take in as it is it is much better to keep something for tomorrow the drive was perfect and the valley is twice as beautiful as I expected it to be and now I want to go into the house Elsie had devoted her day to setting for us the heart to advantage she and Roxy have been to the very top of the east canyon for flowers and the return loaded with spoil bunches of quarryopsis and family brush down the chimney piece tall spikes of yucca rose from an indian chine one corner of the room and a splendid sheaf of yellow colombines from another fresh clinic clinic was looped and fressed about the pictures and on the tiny table stood most beautiful and fragile of all a bowl full of Mary posa lilies the delicate lilac creek bell's poisons stems so slender that the fairy shapes seem to float in air supported at the on sweet well there were roses too and fragrant little knots of heliotrope and mignonette with these rose was familiar the wild flowers were all new to her she ran from ways to ways in a rapture they could scarcely get upstairs to take off her things such a bright evening followed clover declared that she had not loved so much in all the seven years since departed Roxy seemed to fit at once and perfectly into the life of the place while at the same time she brought the press of her own while in different life to freshen and widen it the only great that they never had a visitor who gave them so much and enjoyed so much she and Joffrey made friends at once greatly to clover's delight in clearance took to her in a manner astonishing to his wife for he was apt to ask her strangers and escape them when he could they all walk in the morning to a sense of holiday boys said earlier breakfast this isn't at all a common everyday day and they don't want to do everyday things in it I want something new and unusual to happen can't you show the wretched beast of yours for once and come with us to the sweet little canyon at the far end of the youth when we went the summer after he was married we want to show it to Rose the weather is simply perfect yes if you'll give us half an hour or so to ride up and speak to Manuel alright it will take at least as long as that to get ready so chuloo hastily pulled chickens and filled bottles with coffee and cream and by half past nine they were off children and all some on horseback and some in the carol with the baskets to else a sweet little canyon over which spikes beacross a lonely majesty like a sentinel at an outpost and where flowers grow so sickly that as Rose wrote her husband it was harder to find the in-betweens than the blossoms they came back tired, hungry and happy just at nightfall so it was not till the second day that Rose met the youngs about whom her curiosity was considerably excited it seemed so odd, she said, to have only neighbors and it made them of so much consequence they had been asked dinner to meet Rose which was a very formal and festive invitation for the high valley though the dinner must perforce be much as usual and the party was inevitably the same Imogen felt that it was a occasion and wishing to do credit to it she unpacked the gown which had not seen the light before since her arrival and which had done duty as a dinner dress for two or three years at bitford in the land, made with a half-high top and elbow sleeves and trimmed with cheap lace a necklace of round coral beads adorned her throat and the comb of the same material her hair which was done up in a series of wonderful loops, filleted with narrow blue rhythms, she carried a pink fan Lionel her like bright colors was charming the effect and all together she set out in good spirits for the walk down the path though she was prepared to be afraid of Rose of whose brilliancy she had had a little too much to make the idea of meeting her quite comfortable the party had just gathered in the sitting home as they entered, clover and elves were in pretty cotton dresses as usual and Rose following their lead had put on what at home she would have considered a morning gown of linen long white with tiny bunches of forget-me-nots scattered over it and a shepherd of lace and blue ribbon, this toilet seemed unduly simple to Imogen who said within herself complacently there is one thing the Americans don't seem to understand and that is the difference between common dressing in the regular dinner dress, bringing herself the wile in the sky blue muslin the land and quiet unconscious the Rose was inwardly remarking My, where did you get that gown I never saw anything like it it must have been made for Mrs. Noah some years before the arc and her hair just the arc style too and calculated to frighten the animals into good behavior and obedience curing the bad weather, well I put it in the head of all extraordinary things I ever saw it is just as well on the whole the people are not able to read each other's thoughts in society you have only just come to America here, said Rose taking a chair near Imogen do you begin to feel at home yet? oh pretty well for that I don't fancy that one ever gets to be quiet at home anywhere out of their own country it's very different over here from England of course yes but some parts of America are different than some other parts you haven't seen much of us yet no but all the parts I've seen seem very much alike the high valley in New York for example oh I wasn't thinking of New York I mean the plains and mountains and western towns I didn't stop at any of them of course but seen from the railway they all look pretty much the same wooden houses you know and all that what astonished us most was the distance, said Rose of course we all learned from our maps when we were at school just how far it is across the continent but I never realized it in the least till I saw it it seemed so wonderful to go on day after day and never get to the end only about halfway to the end put in clover the question of distance is a great surprise and if it perplexes you Rose it isn't wonderful that it should perplex foreigners to recollect an Englishman shop whom we met at the table doted Lombari when we were in Wales and we accounted for the Charleston Earthquake by saying that he supposed it had something to do with those hot springs close by what hot springs did he mean I am sure you would never guess unless I told you the hot springs in the Yellowstone Park to be sure simply those and nothing more and when I explained that Charleston in the Yellowstone Park were about as distance from each other as Siberia and the place we were in he only started and remarked oh I think you must be mistaken and are they so far apart then Imogen innocently oh Moggy Moggy what were your geography teachers thinking about quite her brother it seems sometimes is if America were entirely left out of the maps used in English schools Lana said his sister how can you say such things it isn't at all but of course we learnt more about the important countries Imogen spoke quite heartlessly she had no intention of being rude great Scott made clearance under his press while Rose fleshed a look at Clover of course she said sweetly Burma and Afghanistan and New Zealand and the Congo states would naturally interest you more large eastern populations to Christianize and exterminate there is nothing like fire and sword to establish a bond oh I didn't mean that of course America is much larger than those countries plenty of us such as we are quoted the wicked Rose Im pretty good what there is of us and the Clover cladded the appearance of dinner just then to create the diversion that's quite a dreadful little person remarked Rose assisted the doorway two hours later watching the guests walk up the trail under the light of the glorious full moon her mind is just one inch across you keep falling off the edge and hurting yourself it is said that she should be your only neighbor I don't seem to like her bit and I predict that you really have some dreadful sort of a row with your Clovie indeed I shall not nothing of the kind she is really a good little thing at bottom this angularity and stiffness that you object is chiefly manner wait till she has been here long enough to learn the ways and wake up and you will like her I'll wait, said Rose Triley how much time should you save a benesessary Clover a hundred years I should think to take at least as long as that liner is a dear fellow we are all very fond of him I can understand you being fond of him easily enough Imogen, what a name for just a kind of girl image it ought to be what a figure of fun she was in that awful blue gown the two weeks of Rose's visit sped only too rapidly there was so much that they wanted to show her there were so many people who they wanted her to see and so many people who as soon as they saw her became urgent that she should do this and that with them that life soon became a tangle of impossibilities Rose was one of those shamas that cannot be hid she had been a barrel all her days and she would be so till she died of old age as Elsie told her her friends of the high valley clawed in her success but all the time they had a private longing to keep her more to themselves as one retires with two or three to enjoy a choice they entiered which there is not enough to go around in a larger party they took her to the Cheyenne canyons and to the top of Pike's Peak they carried her over the Marshall Pass into many smaller places less known to fame but no less charming in their way invitations poured in from St. Helens to lunch to dinner to afternoon teas but of these Rose would none she could lunch and dine in Boston she declared but she might never come to Colorado again and what she searched for was canyons and not less than one a day would content her insatiable appetite for them but though she would not go to St. Helens St. Helens in a measure came to her Mary and Chase and Alice made their promised visit Dr. and Mrs. Hope came out more than once and filled continually while smart Bostonians whom Clover had never heard of turned up a canyon creek into a huge valley and drove over to Cal having heard that Mrs. Danniston Brown was staying there the high valley became used to the roll of wheels and the triumph of horses feet and for the moment seemed a sociable accessible sort of place to which it was a matter of course the people should repair it was oddly different from the customary order of things but the change was in livening and nobody enjoyed it with one exception this exception was Imogen Young she was urged to join some of the excursion made by her friends below but on one excuse or another she refused she felt child left out where all the rest was so well acquainted and so solo it is and preferred to remain at home but all they seemed to have the other so game busy gave her a sense of loneliness and separation which was painful to bear Clover tried more than once to persuade her out of her solitary mood but she was much too occupied herself and too absorbed to take much time for coaxing reluctant guests and the others dispensed with her company quite easily in fact they were too busy to notice her absence much or ask questions so the fortnight which passed so quickly and brilliantly at the hut and was always after what eluded to us the delightful time when Rose was here was anything but delightful at the hutlet where poor Imogen was homesick and forlorn feeling left alone on one side of all the pleasant things realizing that it was her own choice in doing and wishing herself back in Davenshire Lion seems to be quite taken up with these people and that Mrs. Brown she reflected he is always going off with them to one place or another I might as well be back in Bitford for all the use I am to him this was unjust for Lionel was anxious and worried over his sister's depressed looks and in this position to share in the pleasures that were going on but Imogen just then saw things through a gloomy medium quite as they were she felt darling heavy-hearted and did not seem able to house herself from her lassitude and weariness out of the whole party no one was so perfectly pleased with her surroundings as the smaller Rose everything seemed to suit the little maid exactly she made a delightful play fellow for the babies telling them fairy stories by the dozen teaching them new games and washing and dressing Felidae with all the gravity and decorum of an old nurse they followed her about like two little dogs and never left her side for a moment if they could possibly help it it was all fish that came to her happy little net when it was playing with little Choff going on excursions with the elders scrambling up the steep side canyons and the first squad in search of flowers and curiosities arriving so bold merry-gold to the upper valley as she was sometimes allowed to do the only cloud in her perfect satisfaction was that she must someday go away it won't be very pleasant and I get back to Boston I don't have anything to do but just walk down Picnic Street with Mary Ann to school and slide a little bit on the comment when the snow comes and tell any big boys about will it mama? she said this consulately I shan't feel as if it were a great deal I think I'm afraid the high valley is a poor preparation for West Cedar Street after Rose it will seem a limited career for both of us at first but yeah pop it I'm going to put you in a dancing class this winter and very likely Christmas time Papa will treat us both to moral drama there are consolations even in Boston that even in Boston is the greatest compliment the high valley ever received the clover will happen to be within hearing such a moment will never come to it again and now the last day came as last day is well Mr. Brown returned from Mexico with 48 hours to spare for enjoyment which intervaled the employed enjoying him the two things that Rose loved most namely the high valley from top to bottom and the North Cheyenne canyon the last land she was taken at Mrs. Hope's recollected a few choice spirits in honor of the occasion and then they all took the roses to the train and sent them off loaded with fruit and flowers Miss Young was extraordinarily queer and dismal last night said Rose to clover as they stood a little aside from the rest on the platform I can't quite see what ails her she looks thinner than when we came and doesn't seem to know how to smile depend upon it she's going to be ill or something I wish you had a pleasant neighbour especially as she's likely to be the only one for some time to come poor thing I've neglected her late replied clover penitently I must make up for it now that you're going away really I couldn't take my time for her while you were here Rosie and I certainly couldn't let you I should have resented it highly if you had oh dear there's that whistle we really have to go I hope to the last that something might happen to keep us another day oh dear clover I wish we lived nearer each other this country of ours is a great deal too wide joff said clover as they slowly climbed the hill I never felt before that the high valley was too far away from people but somehow it do tonight it is quite terrible to have Rose go and to feel they may not see her again for years did you want to go with her and leave you no dearest but I'm quite sure that there are no distances in heaven and when we get there we shall find that we are all to live next door to each other it will be part of the happiness perhaps so meanwhile I'm thankful that my happiness lives close to me now I don't have to wait till heaven for that which is the reason perhaps that for some years past Earth has seemed so very satisfactory to me joff what an uncommonly nice way you have putting things said clover nestling her head comfortably on his arm on the whole I don't think the high valley is so very far away end of chapter 7 recording by Ali October 2009 chapter 8 of in the high valley this is a lipovox recording all lipovox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lipovox.org recording by Ali in the high valley by Susan Coolidge chapter 8 unconditional surrender using image and gong today was clover's first question on getting home no, Lionel was in for a moment at noon and said she was preserving raspberries so as they had a good deal to do I did not go up why? oh nothing in particular I only wanted to know well here we are left to ourselves is not the rose to our name how we shall miss them there's a letter from Johnny for you by way of consolation but the letter did not prove in the least consoling for it was to break to them a piece of disappointing news the datans have given up the western trip Rod Johnny miss his datans father is very ill at albaran she has gone to him and there is almost no chance of their getting away at all this summer it really is a dreadful disappointment for we had set our hearts on our visit and papa had met all his arrangement to be absent for six weeks which you know is a signal easily done or undone then Debbie and Richard had been promised a holiday and Dory was going in the yard with some friends to the Thousand Islands it all seemed so nicely settled and here comes this bloater and settle it well, to your disposal there is nothing for it but resignation and unpacking our hopes and ideas and putting them back up again in the usual shelves and corners we must make what we can of the situation and of course it isn't anything so very hard to have to pass the summer and burn it with papa still I was that wild with disappointment at first that they actually went to the lengths of suggesting that we should go all the same and pay our own travelling expenses you can judge from this how desperate my state of mind must have been papa, as you may naturally suppose promptly read to the proposal as impossible and no doubt he was right I am going gradually resigned to fate now but all the same I cannot yet think of the blessed valley and of all of you end and the happy time we are not going to have without feeling quiet like weeping a little weep how I wish we possessed the superfluous income now said Elsie and her voice too sounded as if a little weep were not far off isn't that too bad no papa this year and no Johnny I suppose we are spoiled but the fact is I have gone to count on the datans and their car is confidentially a story where the early and the latter rain her arch-little face look quite long and disconsolate so have I said Glover it doesn't be a talking about it does it she had been conscious of late of a great longing after her father she had counted confidentially on his visit and the sense of disappointment was bitter she put away her bonnet and folded her gloves with a very sober face a sort of disenchantment seemed to have fallen on the valley since the coming of this bad news and the departure of Rose this will never do she told herself at last after standing some moments at the window looking across at the peak through a blur of tears I must brace up and comfort Elsie but Elsie was not to be comforted all at once and the wills of that evening drove rather heavily next morning as soon as her usual tasks were dispatched Glover ordered Marygold settled and started for the Youngs Rose last remarked made her uneasy about Imogen and she remembered with compunction her little shit seen of her for a far-knit past November Chalto Lionel's great dear hand came out to meet her as she dismounted at the door his bark of welcome brought a leaf from the back of the house Missy not very well missing he observed Is Missy ill? Where is Mr. Young then?  Ask Glover tie Marygold in the shade please and I will go in and see her All light The bedroom door was closed and Glover tapped twice before she heard a language come in Imogen was lying on the bed in her morning dress with flushed cheeks and tumbled hair She looked at Glover with a sort of perplexed surprise My poor child, what is the matter? Have you a bad headache?  Ask Glover pulling off her gloves and taking Imogen's hand It was chilly rather than hot but the pearls seemed weak and quick Glover began to feel anxious but did her best to hide it under a cheerful demeanor lest she should startle Imogen Were you quite well yesterday? She asked Yes, that is, I wasn't ill I had no headache then but I think I haven't been quite right for some time back and I tried to do some raspberries and felt very tired I dare say it's only getting acclimated I'm really very strong Nothing ever was the matter with me at home Now, say Glover brightly I'll tell you what you're going to do and that is to put on your wrapper make yourself comfortable and take a long sleep I have come to spend the day and I will give Lion his luncheon and see to everything if only you will lie still A good rest would make you feel better, I'm sure Perhaps so, said Imogen doubtfully She was too miserable to object and with a docility foreign to her character submitted to be undressed to have her hair brushed and knotted up and the bandage of cold water and odiculon laid on her forehead This passive compliance was so unlike her that Glover felt her anxieties increase Metas must be serious, she reflected when Imogen Young increased meekly to any proposal from anybody She settled her comfortably shook up the pillows, darkened the window threw a light shawl over her and sat beside the bed feeling gentle till Imogen fell into a troubled sleep Then she stole softly away and busied herself in washing the breakfast things and putting the rooms to rights The young mistress of the house had evidently felt unequal to her usual tasks and everything was left standing just as it was Glover was recalled by a cry from the bedroom and hurry back to find Imogen sitting up looking confused and startled What is it, is anything the matter, she demanded Then before Glover could reply she came to herself and understood Oh, it's you, she said What a comfort, I thought you were gone away No indeed, I have no idea of going away I was just in the other room straightening things out a little It was settled that I was to stay to lunch in Keep Lionel Company, you remember? Ah yes, it's very good of you but I am afraid there isn't much for luncheon thinking back on her pillows again A little no, I don't seem able to think clearly of anything She sighed and presently was asleep again or seemed to be so, and Glover went back to her work So it went all day, broken slumbers confused wakenings, increasing fever and occasional moments of bewilderment Glover was sure that it was a serious illness and sent Lionel down with a note to say that either Jaffa Clarence must go in at once and bring out Dr. Hope that she herself was affixed to the other house for the night at least and would like a number of things sent up of which she enclosed a list This note saw the family into wild dismay Life in the high valley was only meant for well people as Elsie at once admitted Illness at once made the disadvantages of so lonely an inaccessible place apparent with the doctor sixteen miles distant and no medicines and other appliances of a sick room to be headshot of St. Helens Dr. Hope reached them late in the evening He pronounced that Imogen had an attack of mountain fever, a mild assault of typhoid not uncommon in the higher elevations of Colorado He hoped to be a light case, give full directions and promised to send out medicines and to come again in three days Then he departed in Glover as she watched him ride down the trail, felt as a shipwrecked mare in a might left alone on a desert island astray and helpless and quieted the loss as to what first to do There were too many things to be done however to allow her long indulging this feeling and presently her wits cleared and she was able to confront the task for her with a customed sense and steadiness Imogen could not be left alone, that was evident and it was equally evident that she herself was the person who must stay with her as she could not be spared from her baby and choffery, beside being more especially interested in the youngs, would be far more amenable and less refractory than clearance and the curtailment of his domestic privileges So pluckily and reasonably she buckled to the work so plainly set for her established herself and her belongings in the spare chamber, gathered the reins of the household and the sick home into her hands and began upon what she knew might prove to be a long hard bout of patience and vigilance resolved to do her best each day as it came and let the next day take care of itself minding nothing, nor fatigue or homesickness or difficulty if only Imogen could be properly cared for and get well After the first day or two matters fell into regular grooves they take proof the light one as the doctor had hoped and was never actually in danger but there was a good deal of weakness and depression occasional wandering of mind and always the low and alloying fever that easily detected safe by the clinical thermometer In her semi delirious moments she would ramble about a bit more than the people there or hold Glover's hand tight calling her Isabel and imploring her not to like my stuff better than she liked her It was the first glimpse that Glover had ever caught of this unhappy tinge of jealousy in Imogen's mind but it also explained some things that had been perplexing and she grew very pitiful and tender with a poor girl away from home among strangers and so ill and desolate The most curious thing about it all was the extraordinary preference which the patient showed for Glover above all her other nurses If you think came to sit beside her or else you're even larnel or Glover took a rest Imogen was many fastly and easy and unhappy She never said she missed Glover but lay watching the door with a strained expectant look she melted into relief as soon as Glover appeared Then she would feebly move her fingers to lay hold of Glover's hands and holding it fast would fall asleep satisfied and content It seemed as if the sense of comfort which Glover's appearance that first morning had given continued when she was not quite herself and influenced her It's queer how much better she likes you than any of the rest of us said larnel one day Glover felt oddly pleased at this remark It was a new experience to be preferred by Imogen young and she could not be precredified Though very likely she told herself she will stiffen up again when she gets well so it must be prepared for it and not mind when it happens Meanwhile Imogen could not have been better cared for anywhere than she was in the high valley Glover had a natural aptitude for nursing She knew by instinct what the sick person would like and dislike what would refresh and what vary what must be remembered and what avoided Her inventive faculties also came into full play under the pressure of the little daily emergencies when exactly the thing wanted was sure not to be at hand It was quite wonderful how she devised substitutes for all sorts of deficiencies Elsie amazed at her cleverness declared herself sure that if Dr. Hope were to say that the rock's egg was needful for Imogen's recovery Glover would reply as a matter of course Certainly I will send it up directly and tear Pombrosito concoct one out of materials already in the house which would answer as well as the original article and to Imogen just as much good She cooked the nicest little sicko messes giving them variety mechanically devised flavours and she originated cooling drinks out of sargo and arrowroot and tamarins and fruit juices and ice which Imogen would take when she refused everything else Her lightness of touch and bright equal calmness were unfailing Dr. Hope said she would make the fortune of any ordinary hospital and that she was so evidently cut out for a nurse that it seemed a clear subversion of the plans of Providence that she should have married a speed for which the doctor got little of thanks from anybody for Glover declared that she hated hospitals and sick folks and never wanted to nurse anybody but the people she loved best and then only and she couldn't help herself while Joffre treated the facetious physician to the blackest of frowns and privately confided to Elsie that the doctor could fellow that she was dessert of the kicking and that she shouldn't mind being the one to administer it By the end of her fight the fever was conquered and then began the slow process of building up exhausted strength and fanning the dim spark of life once again into a generous flame This is apt to be the most trying part of an illness to those who nurse The excitement of anxiety and danger being passed the space between Convalence and complete recovery seems very wide and hard to bridge over Glover found it so Immigrant strength came back slowly all her old wicked decisions seemed lost She was listless and despondent and needed to be coaxed and encouraged and cheered as much as does an illing child She did not stiffen however as Glover had fear she might do, on the contrary her dependence upon her favorite nurse seemed to increase and on the days when she was most languid and hopeless she clung most to her There was a fistful look in her eyes as they followed Glover in her comings and goreings she would hear a tender tone in her voice when she spoke to her but she said little and after she was able to sit up just lay back in a chair and gazed at the mountains in a dreamy fashion for hours together This will never do, declared Lana We must harden her up somehow which she proceeded to do after the blundering fashion of the ordinary man by a series of thrilling anecdotes about cattle and the vagaries, refractory cows who turned upon their herders and horned them and wild steers who chased mounted men overtook and guard them how Felipe was tempted and paper-chest escaped with his life The result of this heartening process was that Imocen in her weak state conceived a horror of range work and passed hours of his absence in a subdued agony of apprehension concerning him He was very surprised and contrite and scolded by Glover Mocen had talked to her about then he demanded hopefully I can't be her to see her sit down in silent Poor Moggy, a cattle are the only subjects of devastation we have up here Talk about yourself and herself and the funny things that happened when you were little pet her all you can and prey don't allude to her and animals of any kind she is so quiet only because she is weak presently we shall see her brighten and so they did with the first press of autumn full of cool sparkly and exhilaration Imocen began to rally colors stole back to her lips weaker to her movements each day she could do a little and a little more going out to dinner was treated as a grand event she was placed in a cushioned chair and served like a queen Lionel was enraptured at seeing her in her old place at the head of the table better than you as you asserted and certainly Imocen had never in her life been so pretty they had cut her long hair during the illness because it was falling out so fast the short rings around her face were very becoming the sunburn of the summer had worn off and her complexion was delicately fair Glover had dressed her in a loose jacket of pale pink flannel which Elsa had fitted and made for her it was trimmed to soft frills of lace and knots of ribbon and Chauvet brought up a half-opened T-Rose which exactly matched it I shall carry you home with me when I go she told Imocen as she held her dress you must come down and make us a long visit I can't and won't have you left alone up here to keep the house and sit for long hours every day imagining that Lionel is being brought by wild bulls when you go and Imocen in a dismayed tone but yes, of course you must go what was I thinking of not while you need me, the Glover suzingly but you are nearly well now and will soon be able to do everything for yourself I am absolutely silly that Imocen with her eyes full of tears what extraordinary things Fivas are I declare I am as bad as any child it is absurd but the mere idea of having to give you up makes me quite cold and miserable but you won't have to give me up we are going to be neighbors still and see each other every day and you won't be ill again, you know you are acclimated now, Dr Hope says yes, I hope so I am sure I hope so and yet, do you know, I almost think I would go through the fever all over again for the sake of having you take care of me why, my dear child, what is thing to say it is the greatest compliment I have ever had in my life but yet, it's not compliment at all I should never think of paying your compliments I couldn't that is sad for me compliments are a nice thing, I think Imocen suddenly nailed down and put her arms on Clover's lap as she sat by the window I want to tell you something she said in a broken voice I was so unjust when I came over so rude and unkind in my thoughts you will hardly believe it but I didn't like you I can't believe it without any particular difficulty everybody can't like me, you know the best, dearest, truest person I ever knew oh, I can't half say what you are but I know you have heaped calls of fire on my head perhaps that's the reason my hair has fallen off so with a merciless laugh I used to feel them burn and burn on those nights when I lay all scratching up this fever and you sat beside me so cool and sweet and patient and there is more still I was jealous because I fancied that either I liked you better than you did me did you ever suspect that never tell you were ill some little things that you matter when you want to quiet yourself put the idea into my head I can't think why I was so idiotic about it of course she liked you best who wouldn't, her heart was in me to feel so I used to try hard not to but it was of no use I kept on all the same but you are not jealous now I hope no indeed, shaking your head the feeling seems all burnt out of me if I am jealous ever again it will be just the other way you will care for her and not at all for me I do believe you are making a declaration of attachment guide clover amazed beyond expression at this outburst but inexpressibly pleased the stiff, reserved emoji and sim transformed her face glowed with emotion her words came in a torrent she was altogether different from her usual self attachment, if I were not attached to you I should be the most ungrateful wretch going here you have stayed away from home all these weeks and worked like a servant, making me all those lovely lemon squashes and things letting your own affairs go to wreck and ruin and you never seem to remember that you had any affairs or that there was such a thing as getting tired never seem to remember anything except to take care of me, you are an angel there is nobody like you I don't believe anyone else in the world would have done what you did for a stranger who had no claim upon you that is absurd, said clover frightened the probable effect of all this excitement on her patient and trying to treat the matter lightly you exaggerate things dreadfully we all have a claim on each other especially here in the valley where there are so few of us if I had been ill you would have turned to and helped to nurse me as I did you, I am sure I shouldn't have known how you would have learned how just as I did emergencies are wonderful teachers now the emoji you must get to bed if you excite yourself like this you will have a bad night and be put back oh I'll sleep I promise you that I will sleep if only you will let me say just one more thing I won't go on anymore about the things you have done though it's all true and I don't exaggerate in the least for all that you say I do but never mind that only please tell me that you forgive me I can't rest till you say that for what? for not liking me at first for being jealous of Isabel both for natural enough I think Isabel was your dearest friend I was a newcomer and interloper I never meant to come between you I am sure but I dare say that I seem to do so and I can understand it all easily there is no question of forgiving us dear only forgetting we are friends now and we both love Isabel and I will love you if you will let me and you shall love me how good you are cried emoji as clover bent over for a good night kiss she put her arms around clover's neck and held her tight for a moment yes indeed she sighed I don't deserve it after all my bad behavior but I shall be only too glad if I may be your friend I don't believe any other girl in the world who is too so good as you and Isabel don't lie awake to think wow perfectures the clover as she was through with the candle go to sleep and remember that you are coming down to the hut with me for a visit whenever I go doctor hope however negative the suggestion decidedly he was an autocrite with his sick people and no one dared to dispute his decisions what your young woman needs is to get away from the valley for a while into lower air and what you need is to have her go and forget that you have been nursing her he told clover there's a look of tension about both of you which is not the correct thing she will improve much faster than here and besides I won't turn my eye for a while Mary shall send up an invitation tomorrow and mind you that you make her accepted so the next day came the most quartile of notes for mrs. Hope asking emoji to spend a fortnight with her doctor hope wishes to consider you his patient a little longer she wrote and says the lower level will do you good and I want you as much as he does for other reasons St. Helens is rather empty chest now in this betwixton between season and the visitor will be a real godsend to me I am so afraid that you will be disobliging and say no that I have made the doctor put it in the form of a prescription and please tell clover that we count upon her to see that you begin to take the remedy without delay and true enough on the doctor's prescription paper is the regular appeal to Jupiter which has all prescriptions and formula was enclosed setting forth with your professional precision that Ms. Imogen Gang must be put in a carry-all well shaken all the way down and taken in 14 daily doses in the town of St. Helens immediate I am very good of them said Imogen everybody is so wonderfully good to me I think America must be the kindest country in the world she made no difficulty but accepting the invitation and resigned herself to the will of her friends with a docility that was astonishing to everybody except clover who was in the secret of her newborn resolves depicting that once and Lana drove her down to St. Helens the day after the reception of Mrs. Hope's note Imogen parted from the sisters with the warm embrace but she clung long as to clover you will let me come for a night or two before I sadly again at home won't you? she said I shall be half-staffed to see you and a mile is a goodish bit to get over when you are not strong why of course the clover delighted we shall count on it and Lana has promised to stay with us all the time you are away I do think the girl has experienced a change of heart remarked Elsie as to turn to go indoors she seems really fond of you and almost fond of me it is no wonder Im sure after all you have done for her and I was opposed she could look so pretty or come so near being agreeable as she does now evidently Mountain Fever is what the English emigrant of the higher classes needs to tow him out and to tune him to American ways it's a pity they can't all be inoculated with it on landing now clovey, my dear sweet old clovey what fun it is to have you at home again she went on giving her sister a rapturous embrace I wouldn't mention it so long as you had to be away but I missed you horribly there is no luck about the house when you are not in it we have all been out of sorts choff quite down in the mouse little choff not at all contented with me as a mother even your feign has won a long face and exhibited a tendency to revert to the Isle of Man which you never showed so long as you were to the foe as for me I felt like a person with one lung or half a head all broken up and unlike myself oh dear how good it is to get you back and be able to consult you and look at you come upstairs at once and unpack your things you will play that you have never been away and that the last month is nothing but a disagreeable dream from which we are faked up it is delightful to get back committed clover sterile romance has had its nice side too Emochen is so sweet and grateful and demonstrative that it would astonish you she is like a different girl I rarely think she has grown to love me I should say that nothing was more probable but don't let's talk of Emochen now I want you all to myself the day had an ending as happy as unexpected this was the letter that Lionel Young brought back that evening from Johnny at Burnett dearest sisters what do you think has happened something as enchanting as it is surprising I wrote to you about Doris having the grippe but I would not tell you what the serious affair it was because you were also anxious and occupied about Miss Young that they did not like to add to your war is more than a good help he was pretty ill for nearly a week and though on demand now he is much weakened and run down and Papa, I can see, considers him still in a poor way there is no chance of his being able to go back to the works for a couple of months yet and we were casting about as to the best way of giving him a change of air when last night came a note from Mr. Dayton to say that he is to take a business run to Salt Lake is a couple of his directors and they are two places in car 47 at our service any of us still care to make the trip to Colorado late as it is we had to answer it once and it took only 10 minutes to make about 1 Doris and I are to start for Chicago tomorrow and will be with you on Thursday if all goes well and for a good long visit as the company have given Doris two months vacation we shall come back like common folks at our own charges which is an unusual extravagance for the car family but Papa says sickness is a valid reason for spending money while mere blesser isn't he thinks the journey will be the very thing for Doris it has all come so suddenly that I am quite bewildered in my mind I don't at all like going away and leaving Papa alone but he is quite excited about it and there is just a bare chance that Katie may run out for a week or two so I am going to put my scruples in my pocket and take the good that Gods provide prepared to be very happy how perfect the charming it will be to see you all somehow I never pine for you and the valley so much as I haven't laid it really was an awful blow when the August plane came to nothing but fate is making amends Thursday only think of it you will just have time to put towels in our home and fill the pictures before we are there we speak for the best corner of one in the guest cabins which I had last year our dear love to you all your affectionate Johnny P.S. please tell Mr. Young how happy we are that his sister is recovering this is too delicious said Elsie when she had finished reading this letter Dory who never has been here and John and folk dober when you so rarely have anybody I think it is the sort of reward of merit for you Glover for taking such good care of Imogen Young it's the most delightful one if it is I have wished now that we hadn't asked Lyon to stay while his sister is gone he said dear good fellow but it would be nice to have the others quiet to ourselves don't you think so said Elsie looking very wise and significant did it never occur to you that there might be a little something like a sentiment or tenderness between Johnny and Larner are you sure that you would be so sorely pleased if we sent him off and kept it to ourselves certainly not I never thought of such a thing you never do think of such things I am much sharp about them than you are and I have observed the tendency on the part of Miss John to send messages to that young man in her letters in post-scripts mark the post-scripts there is something very suspicious in post-scripts and he invariably perishes immensely when I deliver them you are a good deal too sharp responded Glover loving you see so many stones that don't exist it would be very nice if it were so but it isn't I don't believe a word about your post-scripts and plashes you have imagined it all some people are born stupid in these directions retarded Elsie against the first two the Jofilus is the dime-ride End of chapter 8 Recording by Ellie October 2009