A Call to Arms Read Online Free Page A

Heyden” Will confirmed. “But please call me Will. Everyone does.”
    â€œSo Mr. Endicott informed me. When he visited here last year, Will, he spent much time telling me about your family. From what he told me, andfrom what he has written to me since, there is much to admire.” His gaze shifted back to Caleb. “Will you join me in my office? It is, after all, your office, Mr. Cutler.
    Will looked about in appreciation as they entered the well-appointed room. Van der Heyden’s office was the size of a living room in a substantial Hingham home. Oriental carpets graced the floor, each carpet supporting either its own cast of sofas, rattan chairs, and tables, or a desk with a straight-backed chair. There were three desks in the room, each of fine wood. The most substantial was near a large mullioned window overlooking a colorful flower garden as well maintained as any English garden in Kent or Hampshire. The walls were replete with tapestries, bookcases neatly filled with leather-bound books, and oil paintings of Dutch statesmen of a bygone era. At Van der Heyden’s invitation, the three men settled comfortably on sturdy rattan chairs upholstered in a stylish red-and-yellow fabric.
    May I get you anything? Some food or drink, perhaps?”
    Caleb looked at Will, who shook his head. “Not at the moment, thank you. But Will and I hope to take supper with you this evening.”
    Van der Heyden made a small gesture toward the servant, who discreetly took his leave. When the door closed softly behind him, Van der Heyden turned back to his guests. “Mr. Cutler,” he said, “not only do I insist that you and your nephew join me for supper this evening, I also insist that you both stay in my home during your time in Batavia. It is near the city square that you passed on your way here. We will have a better opportunity to become acquainted, and a bed with clean sheets in your own rooms must seem a luxury after shipboard accommodations. Am I correct?”
    Caleb smiled. “You are. Will and I greatly appreciate your kind hospitality, Herr Van der Heyden.”
    â€œNot at all, Mr. Cutler.” The Dutchman returned the smile. “It is the least I can do for an employer who agreed to hire me without ever having met me.”
    â€œI have great faith in Mr. Endicott’s business judgment.”
    â€œAs do I, sir. As do I.”
    â€œSo,” the Dutchman said, “How do you find Batavia thus far?”
    â€œWill perhaps said it best on our way over here,” Caleb replied good-naturedly. “Batavia is not Boston.”
    Van der Heyden sent Will a humorous glance. “Since I have not had occasion to visit Boston, I cannot make the comparison. Certainly theclimate here is different from yours, yes? This is our dry season; be thankful you did not come here during our wet season, when we have drenching rains every day. And the humidity! Ach! Such misery!”
    Will and Caleb exchanged glances. The humidity could be worse?
    To break the ice, or rather to melt it, Van der Heyden said jovially, “Will, I understand from Mr. Endicott that you are soon to marry his eldest daughter, yes?” Will nodded. “How delightful. When is the wedding to occur?”
    â€œA year from now, in June.”
    Van der Heyden beamed. “June is an excellent month for a wedding. I understand that Adele is a very beautiful young woman, and as intelligent as she is beautiful. All of which makes you, my dear sir, a most fortunate young man. I hope someday you will sail with her to Batavia.”
    â€œOr you, sir, to Boston,” Will countered politely.
    â€œIt will be a grand affair,” Caleb commented, “which is why we must work diligently during our time here. On our return voyage we plan to sail across the Pacific and around the Horn—a circumnavigation for our schooner—and we plan to be back in Boston by early October. Can we conclude our business