To Honor and Trust (15 page)

As the days passed into February, Callie's ankle healed, and though she and the children had not yet returned to the turtle nesting area, they had completed the necessities to perform their first puppet show. Callie and the girls had written the play, and all of them had worked hard on making the puppets and the scenery for the stage that Thomas had constructed, with a bit of help from one of the gardeners. All three of the children were delighted and filled with a sense of pride as they practiced and received applause from Callie, Lula, Maude, and other servants or workers who happened to be around during their rehearsals.

Callie consistently bolstered the children with enthusiasm and praise, and her approach had proved valuable. The children remained excited about the project and had worked together admirably. Now that they were well prepared, she hoped to reward their hard work with a proper audience. However, the recreational director at the clubhouse had been less than enthusiastic about having the children perform there.

Callie understood the director's decision. After the professional troupe's performance last month, an amateur production
might not hold the other children's interest. But Callie remained determined to find a receptive audience for the puppet show.

A tap sounded on the door as the children were completing their schoolwork. Callie straightened from helping Thomas with a math problem as Mrs. Bridgeport stepped inside. She, Maude, Lula, and Jane had been downstairs preparing for an afternoon card party and tea.

“You should finish quickly, Callie. I want you to attend the tea. We'll need you to make a fourth at one of the tables. I've told Maude she's to escort the children down to the beach.”

Callie pressed her hand down the front of her skirt. “I'm not dressed to attend the party. Why don't I take the children? I'm sure Maude is tired from helping prepare. Surely you can find someone else to sit in as a fourth.”

“I'm afraid not. When I extended invitations to Blanche Townsend and Helena Kennebec, I also invited Melody Townsend. However, I received word she's already returned home.” Mrs. Bridgeport smiled at Callie. “Besides, you enjoy the ladies, don't you?”

Callie didn't enjoy the idle gossip and would have preferred the children's company, but she knew such an answer wouldn't please Mrs. Bridgeport. While she loved both Mr. and Mrs. Bridgeport, she didn't like the pretentious attitudes she encountered with their friends—at least with most of them.

“Look, Mama.” After shoving one of the puppets over her hand, Daisy jumped up from her chair and skipped across the room. “This is the princess puppet. Her name is Princess Daisy. Isn't she beautiful?”

“Yes, dear. She's very pretty. And I'm sure she has a handsome prince who plans to marry her.”

“She does, but lots of stuff happens before he can marry her. Want to see our play?”

Mrs. Bridgeport stooped down in front of her daughter. “I would like to, Daisy, but I have guests coming this afternoon.”

“We could show it to them, too.” The child looked up at Callie. “Couldn't we, Miss Callie?” Daisy's face shone with expectation and delight.

“Why, that's a wonderful idea, Daisy. You could perform your puppet show at your mother's tea party. I'm sure the ladies would be charmed. What do you think, Mrs. Bridgeport? The play takes only fifteen minutes. The ladies could watch while they enjoy their tea before the first round of cards.”

“Well, I don't know. We've never before done anything like this. They may find it . . . odd.”

Callie could sense the older woman's hesitation. She worried far too much about what other people might think. Her children were staring at her with excited anticipation. Instead of concerning herself with what her guests might think, Mrs. Bridgeport needed to concentrate on her children and what they needed.

“I believe they would find it a delightful change. Who knows? You may set a new precedent. All of the other women might attempt to outdo you once they see the delightful presentation by the children.”

Callie gave a sideways glance toward the children. She hoped the subtle gesture would remind Mrs. Bridgeport her children were listening. “Thomas and I can go downstairs now and set up the stage.”

“Oh, I don't know about a stage. It might interfere with the tables and seating arrangements. Lula and Jane need to serve the ladies without having to move around something as large as a stage.”

Thomas shook his head and pointed across the room. “It's not so big. And we can put it in a corner where it won't get in the way. You and Miss Callie can pick out a spot, and I'll set it up without any help.” He hesitated. “Well, I might need some help getting it down the stairs.”

Mrs. Bridgeport appeared more resigned than enthused, but she gave a slight nod. “Don't move anything until Callie and I go downstairs and check the space. I'm not giving a definite yes until we see how much room is left.”

The children whooped and hollered as though their mother had uttered a resounding yes. And in their minds, that's what her simple nod meant to them. They hadn't heard a word she'd said about available space. So if Callie had to completely rearrange the room, she was determined to locate adequate space for the puppet show.

After making a few alterations to the arrangement of the tables, she helped Thomas carry the stage downstairs and, along with the girls, arranged the puppets in proper order behind the structure.

“You must go upstairs and be very quiet until time for your presentation.” Callie tucked a strand of Lottie's hair behind her ear. “I'll come upstairs to get you, but if you make a lot of noise before then, your mother may change her mind and send you off with Maude.”

Thomas agreed to take charge, and all three of the children promised they would be quiet. Callie arranged paper, pencils, and crayons on the table to keep them busy before she hurried to her room and changed into a white dress of fine lawn. After quickly arranging her hair, she hurried down the hallway. The guests had already begun to arrive when she descended the staircase.

“Would you show the ladies to their proper seats while I continue to greet here at the door, Callie?”

She'd attended enough social activities on the island that the ladies accepted her as one of them—at least they'd accepted the fact that Mrs. Bridgeport would bring her along whether they approved or not. None of the other women ever brought tutors or maids with them, and Callie's sense of discomfort never diminished while among the women. Truth be told, the more Callie was around them, the more she understood why her mother had written that she had no desire to return to the life of a society matron.

Unfortunately, Callie didn't feel any more comfortable in the company of the servants. Some of them disliked the idea that she received what they called “special privileges.” And though she considered mingling with the guests a chore, there were some on the staff who envied her.

Perhaps by the end of winter, God would show her where she belonged. With each passing day and each uncomfortable social function, she wondered if God was calling her to leave this materially comfortable life and join her parents in Africa.

Lydia Albright grasped Callie's hand as she took her seat not far from the puppet stage. “Whatever is that thing sitting in the corner?”

“It is a stage, Mrs. Albright. We have some special entertainment for you ladies this afternoon.” Callie smiled at the woman.

“But I thought we were going to play cards. Didn't our invitation state this would be an afternoon of cards and tea?”

Callie sighed. She hoped she wouldn't have to go through this with every one of the guests. “There will be tea, and there will be cards, as well, but Mrs. Bridgeport thought you ladies might enjoy some additional entertainment while you enjoy your tea.” The woman appeared totally flummoxed by the possibility of any additional entertainment, but Callie patted her
arm and smiled. “I'm sure I can depend upon you to spread the word that you ladies will enjoy an exciting treat this afternoon.”

“Well, of course. You can depend upon me.” Armed with the idea that she would be the bearer of special news, Mrs. Albright's disposition immediately improved, and Callie hurried off to seat the other guests.

There was only a smattering of applause when Mrs. Bridgeport announced the children would be entertaining the ladies with a puppet show. After the less than enthusiastic response, Callie began to worry she'd made a mistake. After all, several of the women had been present at the professional show, including Mrs. Albright. She could only pray the women would be kind and encouraging. Once she had the children arranged behind the stage, Callie greeted the ladies.

She forced a generous smile. “The children have worked very hard on their presentation. They created the stage and the puppets, and they even wrote the play. I hope as you watch their show, you will be reminded of your childhood days and the delightful world of make-believe.”

She stepped to the side of the stage and leaned down to make sure the children were ready before opening the small cloth curtains. While the children commenced with the puppet show, the women drank their tea and ate their sandwiches and cookies. Callie surreptitiously watched the women's reactions. At first they appeared more interested in their tea, but soon their attention was drawn to the stage. By the time the children completed their show, the women were standing and applauding.

“Absolutely delightful,” Mrs. Albright called to the children.

“Indeed. You children did a wonderful job.” Vanetta Brown glanced about the room and led the ladies in a second
round of applause while Callie signaled for the children to take another bow.

Callie had never been so proud of them. “You were wonderful,” she whispered as Maude entered to take them for their outing to the beach. “Did you hear the ladies saying how much they liked the show? They were very impressed with your production.”

Daisy and Lottie bobbed their heads and smiled. Callie waved to them as they departed out the back door. The children had worked diligently, and she was pleased to see their hard work rewarded with praise from the ladies.

Soon the usual chatter commenced. Though the women were there to play cards, they were also interested in any tidbits of gossip that might be passed from table to table.

The ladies had exchanged a few comments, mostly about the women who weren't present, when Margaret Willoughby tapped her fan on the table. “Ladies, I'm not one to stir things up, but I think you all know that we have a thief running amok on this island.”

There were muffled gasps along with numerous murmurs of agreement.

Blanche Townsend glanced about the room. “Has anything like this happened before? I assumed there was adequate security to prevent criminal activity.”

“We're told there's security, but one wouldn't know it exists if such happenings can occur,” Margaret replied.

“Must we discuss such an unpleasant topic when we're supposed to be having an enjoyable afternoon, Margaret?” Vanetta Brown wrinkled her nose and curled her lips as if she'd smelled something quite foul.

“Of course we must. Something needs to be done about
this thievery. If something is stolen from your home, I'm sure you'll adopt a different attitude, Vanetta.” Margaret slapped her fan on the table.

Mrs. Brown narrowed her eyes and looked directly at Mrs. Willoughby. “This isn't something a group of guests can resolve. Any criminal activity requires the attention of Mr. Crocker. As superintendent, it's his responsibility to unravel this issue. In my opinion, that's what he is paid to do.”

Lydia Albright waved her fan in the air. “I was told that most of the thefts seem to happen when families are busy at the lodge or are gone from their homes to attend special events.”

“I think that's true. Our cottage was robbed while we were at the horse races yesterday.” Frances Daly touched a lace-edged handkerchief to her eye. “My favorite brooch, a ring, and two necklaces were taken.” A collective gasp filled the room. “When we built our cottage, I told my husband he should have a safe installed like the one at our home in Pennsylvania, but he said there was no danger of theft on Bridal Veil.” Mrs. Daly daubed her other eye. “Now he knows I was correct, and he's going to take my advice.”

Vanetta Brown
tsk
ed. “As I said, this isn't something we can solve, but it seems your husband has decided to lock the barn door after the horse has already been stolen, Frances.”

Mrs. Daly's lips drooped into a downward position that formed deep creases along the sides of her mouth. “Well, at least he's doing
something
, which is more than I can say for Mr. Crocker or any of the other staff.”

“No need to take umbrage. I'm merely speaking the truth, Frances.” Mrs. Brown straightened her shoulders and directed a haughty look across the room.

“I understand Mr. Crocker and the board of directors met,
and there is a general consensus that a team of law enforcement officers will be hired.” Jeanette Osbourne looked around the room as she made the statement.

“Well, you should know, Jeanette. Your husband is on the board, isn't he?” Mrs. Willoughby arched her brows.

“Yes, but don't mention I've told you. I'm sure a formal announcement of some sort will be made.” Mrs. Osbourne's eyes clouded. “My husband wouldn't be pleased to know I've divulged what happened at the board meeting, but I wanted to set your minds at ease.”

“Quite right. We shouldn't breathe a word, ladies. Jeanette has been kind enough to take us into her confidence, and we need to show our appreciation by keeping our lips sealed.” Mrs. Willoughby gazed about the room, a defiant look in her eyes.

In spite of Mrs. Willoughby's warning, Callie knew that the minute they departed, each one would be looking for someone to tell. These women delighted in being the first to pass along a tidbit of gossip. Callie was certain Mrs. Osbourne's news wouldn't remain a secret for long. And Mr. Osbourne would likely discontinue his practice of sharing any board meeting information with his wife in the future.