Chapter 12. The Garden of Live Flowers

Despite her desire to visit in Princeton, Meg was unable to do so for several days. The day following Bessy's funeral, Mrs. Hale awoke with a fever and complained of increased pains in her chest. Each time she coughed, bright splotches of blood appeared on her handkerchief.

Meg sent for Dr. Donaldson, who told her in hushed tones that her mother was much worse. The disease had her in its relentless grip, and he doubted she would last much longer. He asked Meg quietly if she had written to her brother, and when she nodded, said grimly, "I only hope he may arrive here in time."

Meg was chilled at the thought that Mrs. Hale might never see her son again in this world, and said a hurried prayer that Frederick would hasten to Milton to fulfill his mother's most fervent desire. She wondered at Margaret Hale; what would she think if she returned home to find her mother dead?

Not long after Doctor Donaldson's visit, Meg returned from the clinic one day in time to see Mrs. Thornton departing the house in a carriage. She asked Dixon why Mrs. Thornton had visited, but Dixon would merely say that her mother desired to see her. Mystified, Meg asked her mother, but Mrs. Hale refused to respond, only saying that it was a personal matter between herself and Mrs. Thornton. Meg shrugged her shoulders; it was obviously not her concern. She let the matter drop.

Because Meg's conscience bothered her and in order to prepare her father for Frederick's eventual appearance, she confessed to Mr. Hale that she had written to Frederick. To her surprise, her father thanked her profusely. The blinders had been removed from his eyes at last; he recognized how ill his wife was, and he could see the faint shadow of death upon her features. As Dixon had grimly predicted months before, he was fretful and anxious, and Meg feared that he, too, would fall ill, given the degree of anxiety and guilt he felt. He had convinced himself that his wife's illness was solely due to their removal from Helstone to Milton. Nothing Meg said could sway him from this strong conviction, and he suffered great mental agonies. Meg could often hear him in his library muttering and pacing. To turn her father's thoughts from brooding about her mother, Meg finally asked him to accompany her to the Higgins' home so that they might pay their long overdue call.

When they arrived at the entrance to Francis Street, Meg was surprised to see Dr. Donaldson headed toward them. Before she could frame her question, Dr. Donaldson quietly said, "I am glad you are here. I have just had word that Mrs. Boucher has died, and her neighbors cannot find John Boucher. He knocked upon their doors early this morning, crying out that his wife was dead. When the women came to help with the children, he was gone. He did not come to work today at the clinic, and I am fearful of what he might do."

He lowered his voice and added, "He told Mrs. Jenkins that there was no point in him going on without his wife, and that his children would be better off without him."

"Dear God," exclaimed Mr. Hale, looking extremely frightened.

Meg said swiftly, "What would you have me do?"

Dr. Donaldson sighed. "I know you have only recently done so for your friend Bessy, and would not ask if it were not necessary, but I need you to help prepare Mrs. Boucher's body for burial. Mrs. Jenkins has agreed to help you. I must go look for Boucher."

Meg nodded. "I will go directly to the Boucher's home. Who is watching the children?"

Dr. Donaldson smiled slightly. "The neighbors have taken them into their home for the time being. I believe Tommy is with Mary Higgins." Thanking Meg for her assistance, he walked briskly away to scour the streets for signs of the missing widower.

Meg and her father hurried to the Higgins' house, and found Nicholas spinning a coin on the table for Tommy's enjoyment. Mary hurried to the door to welcome them in, and Nicholas rose to shake Mr. Hale's hand.

"A sad day," he remarked in a low tone to Meg and Mr. Hale. "Young Tommy has been asking for his father, and I don't know what to tell him."

Meg passed a light hand over Tommy's hair, and he smiled at her. "Where has my daddy gone?" he lisped.

"I don't know, sweetheart," Meg replied in a soft voice. "But Dr. Donaldson is looking for him, and if anyone can find him, it will be the good doctor."

Tommy regarded her. "Has Mommy gone to heaven?"

"Yes, she has," replied Meg with conviction. "Would you like to see her to say good-bye?"

"Oh, Meg, surely not-" her father protested feebly, but she gently interrupted him.

"I think it would be beneficial for Tommy to see his mother's body one last time, so he can see she is at peace and nothing or no one can harm her," Meg explained. "I will go attend to her first, and then send for Tommy so that he may say good-bye." She swiftly hugged Tommy before departing for the Boucher home.

Meg worked quickly to wash Mrs. Boucher's face and hands, comb her tangled hair, and dress her in a soft calico dress donated by the kind-hearted Mrs. Jenkins. She thought of the young children who would grow up without a mother. She also fretted over the father, worrying over where Boucher could be. She prayed that Dr. Donaldson would be able to find him quickly.

When Mrs. Boucher was presentable, she asked one of the neighbor women watching from the doorway to please fetch Tommy; she deemed the other children too young to grasp what was happening. She lit several candles close to the coffin, so Tommy could see his mother in the lovely, soft light.

Tommy came hesitantly into the house, and stepped cautiously up to the coffin. Meg lifted him in her arms, and said gently, "Look, Tommy, isn't she beautiful? She is at peace."

Tommy nodded, and lisped, "Mommy looks happy."

Meg rested her chin on the top of Tommy's head. "She is safe with God in heaven."

"Good-bye, Mommy," the small boy said, and turning his face into her shoulder, hugged her. She returned the hug fiercely, as if she could protect him with her embrace.

After a time, she carried Tommy from the room and across the street to the Higgins' house. Mrs. Fletcher and several women had agreed to sit with the body until Mr. Boucher returned home.

Meg found Mr. Hale and Nicholas deep in conversation, and Mary tending to the younger Boucher children whom the neighbors had brought over so that they may all be together for the night. Tommy joined his brothers and sisters and told them that their Mommy had gone to heaven. Meg was restless, and within moments informed her father and Nicholas that she would join the search for Mr. Boucher. She had just wrapped her shawl about her shoulders when she heard a commotion in the courtyard.

Running outside, she spotted several officers carrying a body on a plank. The body was covered with a rough, dirty canvas, but ragged pants legs and thick work boots protruded from the bottom of the covering. Meg's heart sank, and she walked fearfully toward the group.

"Miss, we have found this body drowned in the canal. Can someone identify it?" With a jerk, he folded the cloth down and Boucher's lifeless eyes stared up from a bloated and stained face.

Meg covered her mouth with her hand and gave a harsh cry.

Her father and Nicholas came up beside her. She called over her shoulder to Mary, "Please, keep the children in the house."

"Boucher," Nicholas said in a hoarse voice, "That is John Boucher." He gazed up at Meg. "My God, all of those children are orphans now. Who will care for them?"

Meg shook her head in despair. Who would care for them indeed?

********

Less than a month after Bessy was laid to rest, Mr. and Mrs. Boucher were interred in the same small graveyard. The gathering at the grave was just as small as for Bessy, and many of the same mourners attended. Nicholas and Mary stood near the grave with the Boucher children. Nicholas felt extreme guilt and shame concerning the union's shunning of Boucher, which he had instigated. Upon reflection, he believed it had fueled the unfortunate man's despair and alienation, and led him to take his own life. In order to perform reparation, Nicholas had taken the Boucher children into his home and vowed to care for and raise them as his own.

Meg admired him for this kindness, but worried because Nicholas had no work. The only money coming into his home was Mary's wages from working for the Hales, and Meg was well aware those were not enough to feed so many mouths. She considered offering to take one or two of the poor orphans into her house; after all, she knew how it felt to be without either parent, and she longed to provide a home for them. However, she could not do so given her mother's condition and the practical fact that the children should stay together. She contented herself with visiting often with food and clothing, and helping Mary care for and feed the children.

She approached Nicholas about his situation, treading carefully lest she injure his pride. However, he understood that her concern was for him and the children, and how they would fare, and he managed to keep his temper under control.

"I don't know what to do, Meg," he confessed one afternoon as she dropped in on her way home from the clinic. "If it were warmer, I'd go south and work for paddy's wages, but I can't take all with me, and I can't leave them behind." He looked at his idle hands and balled them into fists in frustration.

"Do you think," Meg asked slowly, feeling her way, "that you might prevail upon Mr. Thornton to give you a job at Marlborough Mills?"

Nicholas snorted. "Thornton is more bull-headed than the rest of the masters put together. No, he'll not give me a job and I'll not ask."

"Would you consider helping us at the clinic until you can find a better-paying wage?" Meg asked.

He looked at her gratefully. "Yes, I would. And what's more, I'll thank you for it." She outlined his duties for him, and told him the hours he would be needed, having discussed this plan with Doctor Donaldson earlier. Nicholas nodded. "Thank you, Meg," he said solemnly. "I don't know what I would have done without you these past weeks, and here you are, offering me work."

She waved him off, rising to go. "Thank Doctor Donaldson; he will be the one paying your wages." She smiled saucily at him. "Mind you keep your times, we don't tolerate dalliers."

He laughed and walked her to the door. "I'll be on time, don't you worry."

********

A week after the Bouchers' funeral service, Meg sat in the kitchen in Crampton making a list of food staples to purchase and take to Francis Street. It was early evening, and she had just lit a candle. She was trying to decide on a small treat for the children, thinking perhaps she could cajole Dixon into baking a small cake, when a tap sounded on the back door.

Meg glanced up, frowning. No one came to the back door, except Mary, and she would not be coming this time of night unless it was an emergency.

Rising from the table, Meg approached the door cautiously, slid open the bolt, and opened the door a crack.

"Is Mr. Hale in?" a young man hidden in shadow asked. He moved closer to the door, removing his cap, and a shaft of light illuminated the side of his face. The features were familiar, and Meg realized that this must be her long-lost brother.

"Frederick?" Meg gasped, and surged forward to grasp his hand and pull him into the house.

"Margaret!' the young man cried, and they fell into each others' arms.

"Oh, Frederick, you have come!" Meg exclaimed, and tears sprang into her eyes.

The young man laughed. "Yes, Margaret, it is me. But why are you calling me Frederick? You have never done so unless you were angry with me. Am I that much of a stranger to you now?"

He clasped her close, and she returned his embrace. Oh, Mother, she thought, your true child is home at last.

"Meg?" she heard her father call out from the hallway, and she sprang back from Frederick's embrace as he entered the kitchen. He gazed at his son, speechless, and his face crumpled with emotion.

"My boy," he sobbed, and shambling forward, fell into his son's arms. "I never thought I would see my boy again." Father and son held each other, while Meg wiped tears from her eyes and laughed softly.

Fred looked up at Meg. "Mother?" he asked, and the question hung in the air, pregnant with meaning.

"She still lives," Meg replied quietly, "but you have come in time. Did you have my letter?"

He nodded. "I came as soon as I received it-it was misdirected, but finally made its way to me. May I go up to see her?"

"Let me tell Dixon first, and she and I will break the news to Mother, so it will not be such a shock," Meg suggested, and left father and son in the kitchen.

She met Dixon on the steps, and told her the news. Dixon agreed with Meg that the news must be broken gently to Mrs. Hale before Fred was brought to her. Meg volunteered to be the bearer of the news.

Meg paused with her hand upon the newel and said slowly, "Dixon, we must be vigilant to let no one into the house while Fred is here. We must let no hint of his presence pass out of these walls. I think we may trust Mary, but beyond that it must be just the five of us until Fred leaves. His safety must be paramount."

Dixon nodded sagely. "You are right, Miss Meg. Master had better send word to his pupils that he will not be giving lessons for awhile."

Meg nodded. "We can say that Mother is dying, and father must stay close by her side. That is the truth, after all. I will remind Father to send word to Mr. Thornton."

Meg woke her mother from her nap, and helped her to sit up in bed and freshen up. She washed her face with lavender water, and dressed her hair, putting a clean lace cap upon her head.

"Goodness, Meg, is it time for tea already?" Mrs. Hale asked in a weak voice.

"No, Mother," Meg replied tenderly. "You have a visitor."

Mrs. Hale looked inquiringly at Meg, and caught a hint of her great news in her bright expression. Her chin began to quiver and she caught at Meg's hand. "My boy," she asked in a weak whisper, "has my boy come home?"

At that moment, Dixon, who had been listening at the keyhole, pushed the door open and revealed Fred. Mrs. Hale sobbed out her son's name, and held out her arms as tears coursed down her face. Fred's face crumpled, and he threw himself upon the bed and into his mother's embrace.

Meg felt hot tears on her own cheeks, and walking quietly about the bed, placed an arm about Dixon's shoulders. Both women left the room so that mother and son might have their reunion in private. Some moments are too inviolable to be witnessed by others, no matter how loving the observers, Meg thought wistfully as she and Dixon descended to the kitchen to prepare tea.

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