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“I’m trying.”
After lunch, Susan and Alice took the children upstairs for their naps. “Mrs. H is going to sit up here in case any of them wake up needing something,” Susan told Alice as they were laying little Clarissa down. “Now, let’s go find those dresses.”
Susan knelt in front of the same trunk where she’d found the dress Alice had been married in. “Are you sure you don’t want to save the dresses for your daughters?” Alice asked.
“Positive. The styles will be different by the time they’re grown.” Susan pulled four folded dresses from the chest. “I think that’s all, but if I find more, I’ll pass them along.”
Alice took the pile. “Thank you so much. I’m sewing as quickly as I can, but most of what I have are still the dresses I brought from home, and I didn’t take time to sew before I came like you did.”
“That’s because you were working in town!” Susan said. “How’s Ma?”
Alice smiled. “The same as ever. I think she honestly wishes she was still having babies, but the rest of us are thrilled that she seems to have stopped.”
Susan laughed. “I can understand that. I remember the day I found out she was carrying number thirteen was the day we went to town to talk to Harriett. There was no way I was going to stay there to raise another child who wasn’t my own.” She shook her head. “I was always so frustrated with the mischief you’d all get into.”
“I felt like the house was missing something for the longest time after you left,” Alice said. “You and Elizabeth were always there for us, and Ma was always off working or lying in bed because the baby was in danger.”
“Yeah. That’s how it was for the longest time before I left. I think you were the first of her difficult pregnancies, and the doctor kept telling her it was time to stop having babies, but she just wouldn’t.” Susan sighed. “I’m glad my pregnancies haven’t been as rough as hers always were.”
“I hope I take after you and not Ma then. I know Elizabeth hasn’t really had a difficult time, but Mary did.” Mary was the third eldest sister, who had married and had children before Elizabeth.
“Do you want a big family?” Susan asked.
Alice nodded. “I’m not sure what to do with myself in a house so empty. We need children.”
Susan smiled. “And I thought I would be happy with no children, but I wouldn’t trade any of them for all the riches in the world. Not even Albert.”
“It sounds like Albert was a true thorn in your side.”
“He was. He was the most difficult by far, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Oliver gave him a run for his money. Oliver is my wild child.”
“He seems so well behaved to me.”
“That’s because you’re not here at bedtime. He refuses to sleep.”
“I don’t remember that from the night I was here.”
Susan smiled. “That’s because you were so exhausted you fell asleep well before the children did.” She got to her feet. “We should go downstairs and wait for our guests. Mrs. H made some snacks for us, and Wilma is making the best cookies this side of the Mississippi.”
“That good, huh? Will she share her receipt? I haven’t made any sweets for Albert yet.”
“Oh, you need to. Sweets are definitely the way to that boy’s heart.”
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
When they got downstairs, Wilma was sitting in the parlor waiting for them. “No one heard me knock, so I just came in. I figured you two were upstairs on some sort of secret mission.”
Susan laughed. “I was finding dresses that fit me before the babies started coming, and I gave them to my baby sister who can still wear them.”
Alice smiled. “It’s good to see you again, Wilma.”
“You too, Alice.” Wilma held up her sewing. “I got started without you. Cookies are in the kitchen.”
“I’ve heard a lot about those cookies. I don’t suppose you’d share the receipt?”
“Of course, I will. Just promise you won’t take them to any of the church picnics, because I want to be the only one who makes them.”
Alice laughed and nodded. “I’ll happily make that promise.” She understood how women were with their special dishes for potlucks at church.
