Somewhere in the World

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

 

Lovell, Massachusetts

February—October 1862

As the cold, blustery winter changed to a chilly spring where blossoms drooped from unexpected frosts, Margaret slipped into the rhythm of life at Chilton Mill. While Mrs. Thornton retained control of the household, she grudgingly began to share some duties with the younger Mrs. Thornton. Hannah Thornton had no intention of allowing Margaret to manage the staff or the larder or the laundry, judging her ill-equipped to do so. While she did let Margaret plan meals and attend to the comforts of her husband, the ring of keys for the storage rooms and larder remained firmly in Mrs. Thornton’s possession.

Unbeknownst to Mrs. Thornton, Margaret was secretly relieved not to assume these household duties. Not only had she a strong fear of running afoul of Mrs. Thornton’s wishes, but she wanted the time to assist at Mrs. Merriweather’s day school in Lovell and visit her parents. She had been pleasantly surprised to find that her husband insisted she continue with the work that was so important to her. When she expressed her gratitude, he had merely lifted one eyebrow and replied in a mild tone, “I am not a tyrant, Margaret. If it makes you happy to teach, who am I to tell you that you cannot? I only ask that you use the carriage, so that you do not walk the streets alone.”  She meekly agreed, remembering her promise to be a good wife and not embarrass him with her independent manners.

Her only source of regret was that, although she was welcome to visit Bessy Higgins and her family, she could not invite them to her home. Mr. Thornton had a decided antipathy for Nicholas Higgins and his pro-labor, abolitionist stances, and would not tolerate the man’s presence at his table. When Margaret had worked up her courage to broach the subject, she was met with a cold refusal which she sensed could not be overcome by any arguments or cajoling on her part. She regretted his stance, but understood it nonetheless.  Little did she know that jealousy was mixed with Mr. Thornton’s antipathy; he remembered Margaret parroting many of Higgins’ political sentiments, and felt a sting that she would trust and like such a man early on when she had kept him at arm’s length.

The Hales were accepted at his table, and were frequent guests for Sunday dinner, when Mrs. Hale’s health allowed her to travel. During her visits with her parents, Margaret grew increasingly alarmed at her mother’s waning health. From week to week, her mother grew frailer; her clothing hung upon her frame, and she complained of having no appetite. Margaret feared that the crisis would be all too soon upon them. She attempted by the gentlest means possible to alert her father, but he stubbornly refused to acknowledge the changes that were so evident to the daughter. He feared what such alterations might portend, and became blind to any changes in his wife. Margaret abandoned the topic, not wishing to alarm him when she recognized that the truth would be thrust upon him all too soon.

Margaret spent two days each week at Oatlands, helping her father with the small tasks he fussed over, and sitting with her mother. Mr. Hale had several new pupils to tutor, and was well pleased to be busy with translations once more. Margaret suspected that her husband had something to do with this occurrence, and confronted him over breakfast one morning on the rare occasion when Mrs. Thornton and Fanny were not present. “Father was telling me that he has several new pupils,” she remarked. “Would you know anything about that?” A small smile played about the corners of her mouth as she maintained an innocent expression.