Raising the Girl Right, Part Ii

She frowned at him, still dressed in his skins, then cast her gaze upon sweet Nell. “Why do you bring a savage with you? Long, lost, little brother, do tell?” Prent knew this would be a hard sell. “She’s your niece,”he informed,”My little girl. I came home so she could learn the ways of the world.” Annabeth laughed, then she glowered at him. “If only our father could see you now. Consorting with whores, laying with squaws, that’s how he figured you would turn out.” But Prent would let no one talk down. “I came here to settle, and do right by Nell. If you don’t want to help me, I’ll do it myself!” Annabeth sighed, and motioned them inside, but the scowl never did leave her face. “Mother, I’m afraid, was laid up by a stroke, I’ve taken over running this place. I guess you and your…child can stay. But I’m telling you now, just so you know, I’m not associating with folks in such ratty clothes!” The days that came transformed them both Into good facsimiles of civilized folk. Prent wore waist-coats, Nell put on a dress With a high collar that nearly choked, So tight it was that poor Nell spoke: “Daddy, daddy! It huwrts my neck!” Said Annabeth,”Child, you’ll get used to that.” Days went by and a tutor was hired, to try and teach the irrepressible girl. Annabeth grimly took it on herself to impart on her manners of the world, still scowling at her like a churl. While Prent went to his brother Ike, to see if the banker had a job he’d like. But luck was not with him at the bank, owned sixty years by his family. He still had no skill for business talk, or keeping the customers happy. He found his spirits soon flagging. Plus, when it came to finding a love, it seemed he was cursed by Heaven above. Some would walk with him if he called, but most ran when they learned of Nell. One was so shocked he’d married a squaw that she loudly condemned him to Hell. In truth, it was all just as well. A mother, he thought, Nell needed to grow, but none of these women would make that so. A month passed, and things grew strained, Annabeth seemed more and more disturbed. “She won’t learn her manners, and only talks about trapping, horses, and pet squirrels! That’s no kind of talk for a young girl!” She threw up her hands, and said,”I’m done! There is no helping that little one.” CONTINUES IN PART III...