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The old man's arguments to his son were persuasive and by the day of Carl's birthday, the
fourteenth of March 2476, Carl had yielded to his father's wish and agreed to take
Theresa as his wife. The old man was worried about the prospect of the coming War and
dejected at his loss of influence on the Town Council so his son had not the heart to
disappoint him and also he well understood by then that if he was ever to attain a position
of influence in the town he must marry a girl from a good family. So that day found him
walking through the square with Theresa by his side when the new Mayor, Preston Whelk,
emerged from the gate in the Mission wall and hailed him brusquely. Preston had his father's walleye and in addition he stuttered badly. But somewhere the gene for geniality, so dominant in his father, had been set aside. 'Carl, the P..Pastor has informed me that we are to make preparations for an..noumcement. You are to build a reviewing stand beneath the Mission wall. He has given me the plans. Also, we must st..string flags in the trees around the Square. I must also t..tell you that you are invited to an important meeting of the C..Council in three days.' 'What a rude man,' said Theresa as Preston walked off. 'He didn't even say hello.' 'I suppose this means they're going to tell us about the War,' said Carl. He knew this would upset Theresa. The War was not something she liked to think about. She was expecting to be married and soon after that to be the new Shopkeeper's wife, a position of prestige in the town. But these things might not happen if Carl went off the War as some had mocked her that he would. 'You don't think they'll really make you go, Carl?' She hugged his arm. 'I don't think they would leave the town without a Shopkeeper.' 'But you don't want to go?' 'I must do my duty, as all of us must if we are called. To gain God's love.' He put his arm about her waist and drew her to him, attempting to kiss her neck but, for all her ability to flirt, Theresa was rather cold and did not share her body easily. 'Well, it wouldn't be fair, that's all!' she pouted, pushing him back. 'And don't do that now. The Sister's coming.' Sister Helen was a small woman with a bit of a hooked nose and bright blue eyes, the same who had nursed Carl's mother at the end. She had gained a reputation for her forthright ways and dedication to her religion. Everyone was a bit afraid of her, even Carl. 'Good-day, Theresa, Carl. How are you today?' Sister Helen smiled benignly, 'Isn't it lovely out here? The Lord is smiling upon us, isn't that so?' 'Yes, Sister.' Theresa gave a small curtsey as she had been taught in school. The Sister looked at Carl, expecting a response but none was forthcoming. Because of his problems with the Sheriff he was not happy with the Pastor or any of his entourage just now. 'It will soon be time to begin preparing for your wedding,' said the Sister sweetly to Theresa, ignoring him. 'You must be looking forward to it, I'm sure.' 'Oh, Sister, thank you, yes, I am.' 'And Carl?' She turned upon him sternly. 'If the War doesn't get in the way first, Sister,' he said gruffly. 'Oh, I'm sure it won't!' The Sister spoke abstractly. 'But our deepest desire is to gain God's love. Isn't that so, Theresa?' 'Yes, Sister', responded Theresa weakly. 'And Carl, what you should do is pray. We don't see you in the Church often enough. I'm sure that if you pray God will give you the assistance you need and everything will turn out right.' 'Perhaps, Sister,' he said quite irritably. 'Though it seems at the moment He only helps those who help themselves.' Sister Helen chose to ignore this remark. She beamed again at Theresa. 'Well, my dear, do have a nice walk. And come and see us when you're ready.' 'Oh, I will, Sister, I will!' Theresa said desperately after the departing Sister. Then she turned angrily on Carl, 'what a thing to say! How could you?' and stalked off towards her home without him. |
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