AFTER STARTING ANEW
Chapter Nine
Excerpts from Ruth’s Journal
November 19, 1914
“This has been a most incredible week. I’ve been
in bed almost the whole time with a wretched cold. I spent the time alone as I
asked Rose and Jack not to come and risk getting sick. About seven days ago
now, I was at my worst. I was feverish, stuffy and my face and nose all red.
There was a knock at the door and I went to answer it thinking that was one of
the neighbors was checking on me. I found instead a tall and handsome gentleman
standing on my door step. He thought that a kitten he had heard meowing under
my bushes belonged to me. That chance incident brought Arthur Hall into my
life. And I say into my life, because I have seen him everyday since then.
I blush when I think of him putting me into
bed when I passed out a few minutes after we met. But he seems to have taken it
all in stride. He was so kind and sat with me, until I came too. And he fussed
about making sure I was alright before he left. He returned to check on me the
next morning, true to his word.
I’ve not ever met anyone like him. He has
come to look in on me several times a day all week. Each time bringing soup,
muffins or a box of imported tea. I know not where he gets these delicacies,
nor can I figure out when the man works. He comes at all hours of the day.
I have become accustomed to his visits and
actually feel a sense of loneliness and concern if he is late. When I am in his
presence, I sometimes feel as if my tongue is tied in knots. But he smiles at
me and does not press for conversation. I no longer feel embarrassed about him
seeing me in my dressing gown. Of course, it is very modest and covers more of
me than a ball gown would.
I don’t know what is going to happen now that
I am feeling better. Perhaps he is only being kind to a lonely woman. But when
I think that I may never see him once this illness is over, I am overcome with
sadness. What is happening to make me to feel this way?
I would assume that he is not married. I fear
to think that he is. But he does not seem like the kind of person who would
betray a relationship. So I hope for the best.
The precious kitten that arrived with Arthur
seems to have adopted me. Unbelievable as it seems, I find the little thing
very agreeable. Its companionship is quite welcome. When the babies come to
visit it will be something to entertain them.
I allowed Jack to stop by on the way home
from work the other day. He was happy to see me in a much improved state. He
seemed surprised to see a kitten here, but asked no questions. That is the one
of the things I love about Jack. The fact that he just accepts things.
Today I got dressed and tidied up the house.
I feel almost fully recovered. I wonder what Arthur will think when he sees
that I am better.”
November 20, 1914
“I am in a state of shock. Arthur has asked
me to dine with him at a restaurant downtown, on Friday evening. I recklessly told
him yes. But what shall I do? How shall I act? What will I wear?
I have not mentioned this to Rose and Jack. I
don’t want them to get any ideas and this is probably just for the one time.
Arthur did say it was to celebrate my recovery, after all. Maybe a culmination
of our acquaintance.”
November 24, 1914
“Arthur and I dined at a small Italian
restaurant downtown this evening. It was a tiny, cellar like place, lit with
candles. I guess one could say it was romantic. We both ordered spaghetti with
clam sauce. It tasted heavenly. For dessert he insisted that we each have a
dish of spumoni ice cream and a cup of coffee. I haven’t had such a meal in a
long time.
He picked me up in his motorcar and drove to
the restaurant. I was not aware that he had such a vehicle. But considering
that I have not been out in awhile, it was a real luxury not to have to walk.
The conversation was very nice, but very
general. We talked about books that we liked to read. He too is a fan of Jules
Verne. He seems to be well educated, being able to quote Shakespeare quite
easily. We discussed how we had spent Thanksgiving. I told him that I had gone
to Rose and Jack’s. He said only that he had been with his very large family.
I did get a little nervous at one point
during dinner. He looked at me and said that I was very beautiful in the
candlelight. Not to mention that I feel like melting when I look at him. I felt
my heart start to pound. Then he smiled, his beautiful gray eyes, twinkling and
we continued talking.
I told him all about the babies. I do hope
that I didn’t bore him with that. He truly did seem interested in the antics of
Molly and Edy and three month old Frank.
When we arrived back here, he helped me from
the car. My body tingled when he touched the small of my back. I tried not to
show that I felt any sensation. He looked down at me through those lovely eyes.
When he does that, I start to feel weak. I don’t understand. Even Edwin never
made me feel like this. Is it normal? After all I only had dinner with the man.
My little kitten Chance seems to be thriving.
I don’t know a thing about cats, but she seems to make me understand her needs.
I do enjoy her company. Of course I named her Chance because of the way she
came to me and my “chance” meeting with Arthur.”
December 3, 1914
“Arthur came for me this afternoon. We went
out into the country to chop down a Christmas tree. He said that the place he
works at always donates a large tree to St. Ann’s Orphanage and that he was
delegated to pick it out and deliver it.
During the ride to get the tree, I learned a
bit more about him. He told me that he is fifty one and that once long ago he
was married. But that he and his wife never had any children. He has been a
widower for many years. I told him that I too had been married a long time ago.
He said that he assumed that since I had a daughter. We both laughed.
We spent an hour tramping in the woods trying
to find just the right tree. He said that it needed to be tall. At least seven
feet high. We were finally successful. I must say that I was quite impressed
with his strength as he chopped down the tree and dragged it to the automobile.
He pushed it onto the top and tied it in place. Then we were on our way back to
town. I hadn’t had such fun in a long time. I had never envisioned myself
enjoying an hour of fresh air and exercise. In the woods and alone with a man.
It was on the return trip that he told me
that he worked in a bank. Certainly admirable work. He must have a fairly good
position there to afford a motorcar. But then if he has no family to support,
that would account for his ability to splurge a bit. I have noticed that his
clothes are very well cut, if not in fact custom made.
We delivered the tree and it was heartwarming
to see how excited the children got when it was carried in. They all swarmed
over Arthur, thanking him. I was puzzled that they were thanking him as if he
were the donor, not the place he worked, but children do tend to misinterpret
things sometimes.
Before he took me home, he insisted that we stop
at the Buffalo Ice Cream Palace and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa. He is so
considerate. I am afraid I am getting used to this kind of treatment.
He walked me to the door of the house and
today when he thanked me, he put his hand on my shoulder and told me how much
he had enjoyed the day. I almost stopped breathing. Is this what Rose felt in
those days when she first met Jack? Now I can understand how all of that
happened.
Arthur wants to take me ice skating next
Friday evening. I haven’t done that in years. He said that he hadn’t either,
but that being with me makes him want to do the things he used to enjoy. He
told me that being in my company was a real pleasure.
I think I have to tell Rose. Someone is
liable to see us and it will get back to Rose and Jack. I don’t want them to
misunderstand all of this. What will they think?”