| Subject: The New World - Part #21 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 06:46:49 06/10/03 Tue
PART #21
Catherine and Joshua had the driver pull off the road the first evening, and park the carriage under a tree. Joshua pulled out the picnic basket and spread a cloth on the grass. They ate the cheese that Manobo had packaged for them and some slices of ham, with French bread. There were various types of fruit, and a tin of crackers. After they had eaten, the driver pulled a harmonica out of his pocket, and began to play some music. Joshua and Catherine listened to the music for awhile, and then Joshua suggested they take a walk.
The moon was out and shining brightly so there was a faint light by which they could dimly see where they were walking. Catherine stumbled over a stone in the grass that the darkness had concealed. As she started to fall, Joshua caught her to keep her from falling. He pulled her close to him, and said softly, “Catherine, I do love you.” He started to kiss her, and at first she began to pull away. She was uncomfortable with the kiss for she felt Joshua was pushing the relationship too fast. In a pleading way, Joshua said, “Ahh, Catherine, please do not pull away from me. Don’t you know I long to hold you in my arms? I do want you to marry me.”
His voice and the sadness with which he spoke caused her to allow him to kiss her. The kiss was gentle at first, but became more passionate. Again, Catherine pulled away from Joshua; and said, “Joshua I would like to return to the carriage please.” Joshua laughed as he released her; and then he took her arm as they walked back to the carriage. Catherine wondered why he laughed when she asked to return to the carriage. The driver was still playing the harmonica when they returned to their campsite.
Catherine told Joshua she would sleep in the carriage for she was not a nature lover, and would be totally unsettled if she were to encounter any small or large creatures. Joshua asked, “Which are you the most concerned about, the two legged kind or the ones with four or more legs?” Catherine responded by saying, “I guess it would be a little of both.”
Joshua offered his hand to Catherine as she climbed back into the carriage. She thanked him, and said she would be fine. He said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay inside with you?” She said, “Joshua, thank you, but I will be fine by myself.” Again, she heard Joshua laugh. She wondered if he were playing a game of cat and mouse with her. Was that the way the men of the south treated women? She had felt that Bowregard had been playing a game with her as well.
She pulled a wooded box that Joshua had brought along to the center of the floor of the carriage; and decided she would prop her feet on the top. There were cushions in the carriage so she put some cushions behind her back, and tried to get as comfortable as possible. If it had not been for sleeping outside on the ground, she knew it would have been more comfortable lying flat. Somehow she managed to get some sleep through the night. At first light she sat up straight, and looked out the side of the carriage to see the driver and Joshua were still asleep. She thought she would try to be as quiet as possible, so as not to awaken them.
Catherine moved the wooden box somewhat to allow more room for her feet on the floor. She wondered what was in the box. Joshua had said this was a business trip. The box probably contained things pertaining to his business appointment. She noticed there was something wrapped that felt like it could be a painting. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she unwrapped the painting to see what was inside. When she saw the Monet, she gasped. She had heard about a Monet onboard the ship having been stolen by the pirates. How would Joshua have gotten this Monet?
Catherine heard some noise outside; and saw that Joshua and the driver were rolling up their blankets. Joshua came, and tapped lightly on the door of the carriage. Catherine opened the door and said, “Good morning, will we have any coffee?” Joshua smiled and said, “Catherine, we have a dry camp, so we will have to wait until we can stop at a country home along the way.” Catherine said, “I hope there is some way that I can wash myself.” Joshua said, “There is a stream nearby if you don’t mind using water out of a stream. I had Manobo throw in some towels for us, so you can bring along one of those if you like.”
They walked together toward the stream, and once again Joshua said, “Catherine, have you thought anymore about my proposal of marriage?” She responded, “Yes, I have Joshua, but I have not come to a conclusion as of yet. I really don’t feel I know you well enough to make a decision at this time. He apologized, then said, “I suppose you think I am being quite pushy on this marriage thing.” Catherine said, “To be perfectly honest, I do think you are pressing me for an answer.”
Joshua stopped, took Catherine by the arm, and said, “Catherine, when I know what I want, I let nothing get in my way until I have gotten it.” Catherine said, “Joshua, that might be all right in some things, but I am not so sure you can rush into a marriage that way. I take marriage very seriously, and I am not about to rush into marriage until I am sure. If this is a problem for you, and you push me for an answer, then I will have to tell you, ‘No.”
To be continued...
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