Page 79 of Head Room
“Not an idea in the world,” she said cheerfully.
“But your husband—.”Maggie stopped that, too.Though she couldn’t stop wondering about how a woman could keep a husband from getting hitting angry without knowing how to do the most basic things to keep his life running.
“He knew well that the lady he was marrying knew nothing of such practicalities.”
Maggie didn’t even let the first of the words bubbling into her brain out this time.
“I suspect he rather liked the idea that I’m such a frivolous creature.”Shadows moved across her eyes.Then she looked at Maggie.“But this is not a frivolous place, is it, Mrs.Fletcher?”
Maggie considered that.“I don’t know any frivolous places, Ma’am, so I can’t be saying if this is one or not.”
Sympathy showed on the other woman’s face, but without the shrinking back from her that so often accompanied it.
“No, I don’t suppose you do.Would you rely on my much greater experience with frivolousness in taking my word for it that this is not a frivolous place?”
“Yes’m.”
The woman blinked and swallowed.
But Maggie had her own thoughts to untangle before she could tackle this strange creature’s words or actions.
“But then why’d you come here, if you’re frivolous and this place isn’t?”Belatedly, she recalled the relative ranks of their husbands, as well as their ranks in the world.“Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am.I shouldn’t’ve—”
“No, no, it’s an excellent question, Maggie.A keen question.”
(Start Notes: She explains.She comes from a wealthy and social family.Her family objected to her choice of husband.She married him anyway.Her father got her husband sent West.
“My father thought this would send me scurrying home to him.As well, I’m certain, he thought to put (husband) in a position where his career would be stifled.But it won’t be, for I’m quite determined not only that I shall be with him every step of the way but that he shall end as a general!”
“I see.”
“Do you, Maggie?Do you see that in addition to being quite a frivolous, useless creature I am mercenary as well?”
“So that is why you married your husband?Because you were certain he would be a general someday?”
Suddenly serious, she said.“No, I married him because I realized that I didn’t care if he should ever become a general.No, that’s not quite right — I do care.I should like him to become a general, and I should like to have nice things and ease once more.But I would never trade any of that for my (husband).Why did you marry your Ransom Fletcher?”
Maggie considered that.“Because he had traded horses for me.”
Eyes huge.“He traded horses for you?”
“Yes.”Wondering about her reaction.“To the Indians.To gain my freedom.”
Lets a breath out.“Oh.But...But did he make you feel you had to—?I find it hard to believe of him, but if he demanded that you marry him—”
“No.”Stops washing.Holds her head up.Proud.“No, he did not demand it as payment for the horses.He asked if I would marry him.And I said yes.”
They look at each other.Other woman sees more in her.
“I see.”
Maggie’s acceptance that she did, indeed, see.Gave them a common footing...
“And because Corporal Fletcher asked you to marry him, and you agreed, you now feel it your duty to work beside him, and carry his banner high.”
Could see that last phrase unsettled Maggie a little, like a new fence for a training horse not yet accustomed to a variety of jumps.But she cleared it.
“I suppose so.”
