She grew even more solemn. “My papa’s not here, and Mama’s not feeling well.”
“I was afraid of this,” Mitch mumbled to her as he helped her out of the buggy and they made their way into the house. Priscilla had brought a basket of food items, not at all sure what she was going to find.
Mrs. Beeker was lying on a sofa in the parlor, bundled up in blankets and looking quite miserable. Mr. Beeker was nowhere in sight.
Priscilla removed her coat and knelt down alongside the woman. “Mrs. Beeker, I’m Emily’s teacher, Miss Cochran. I don’t think we’ve met.”
The woman stared to rise on one elbow and fell back down again. “Oh, Lordy, am I embarrassed as all get out to have you see me and my place looking like this.” Tears formed in her eyes and slid down her gaunt cheeks.
“It looks to me like you’re ill.”
She nodded. “I think it’s the influenza that’s got me. I can’t hardly get off this sofa to even take care of Emily. Every time I stand up I feel like I’m about to fall over.”
“Where’s Emmet?” Mitch said.
“Last week he went to Denver to see his own ma who’s been feeling poorly, to help her out since he’s all caught up with the farm work for a while. Me and Emily were taking care of the animals just fine until I got sick, now she’s doing it all.” She bent from the waist and coughed, falling back on the pillows.
“Tell us what we can do, Mrs. Beeker.” Priscilla took the woman’s hand in hers.
“The best thing you can do is to bring Emily to my sister’s house so she can take care of her until I’m feeling better.”
Priscilla turned to Mitch. Do you know where Mrs. Beeker’s sister lives?”
“Isn’t she out there by Milkens’s farm?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I know it’s a bit out of
your way, going the opposite direction from town and all, but I feel I can get better if I know my little girl is taken care of, and that way I won’t have to worry that she’ll catch this, too.”
“Ma, I don’t want to go to Aunt Suzie’s. I want to stay here and take care of you.” Emily wiped a tear from her face.
Priscilla stood and put her arm around the little girl. “Your mama is right, Emily. If you stay here you might catch what she has. Also, your mama is worried about taking care of you. You want her to get better fast, don’t you?”
Emily nodded.
“Mr. Beaumont and I will take care of her now, and your mama will start to feel better if she knows someone is looking after you.”
“What about school? I can’t walk to school from Aunt Suzie’s house.”
“I told the child not to walk to school by herself each day, but I know she’s been going.” Mrs. Beeker said before another fit of coughing took over.
“I’ll give you work to do while you’re at your aunt’s house, and I’ll stop in a few days from now and bring you more. You’ll catch up.”
Emily’s shoulders slumped. “Okay. I’ll go.”
Priscilla patted her on the head. “Good. Now go and pack a few things to take with you while I fix something for your mama.”
“Mrs. Beeker, I was down with influenza a few years ago. What I remember the most was the doctor told me to drink a lot of liquids. That’s the best thing you can do. But it should be nutritious things, like soup, broth, and tea with milk and sugar. If you feel up to it, you might have some toast.” Priscilla stood and removed her gloves, ready to go to work.
“I’ll check to see what you have and maybe I can put together a soup for you.” She turned to Mitch. “Can you check her firewood supply? Maybe chop some for her? We need to get this room warmer.”
With Emily packing and Mitch off to the woodpile, Priscilla made tea for Mrs. Beeker and forced her to drink almost the entire cup. She placed a glass of water by her side and ordered her to drink.
In the kitchen she found a soup bone in the icebox, along with some vegetables that she put into a pot of water to make a soup. Emily came into the kitchen and helped her make biscuits and cookies. Pricilla scrambled up some eggs for the child, which she devoured, along with the biscuits and cookies
Mitch came in a few times, filling up the firewood box by the door. Taking Priscilla aside, he said, “It’s looking more threatening out there every minute. We should probably finish up so we can get Emily to her aunt’s house and us back to town.”
“Emily is all packed, and I have soup on the stove and the biscuits and cookies are done. I think we can leave Mrs. Beeker now.”