Indigo Christmas Read Online Free Page B

Patrick was here. Things would be all right. “It is Norah,” she said, keeping her hand in his. “She is upstairs.”
    â€œNot trouble with—she’s not—”
    â€œNo.” Hilda blushed. A forthcoming baby was not a subject she could discuss with her husband. Not yet. “No, she is—in good health, only tired and worried. It is Sean she is worried about, Patrick. He has been arrested, and we fear it may be for murder.”

The Citizens’ Bank, of North Liberty, this county,
failed to open its doors this morning.
    â€”South Bend Tribune
    December 1, 1904
    Â 
    Â 
    4
    D IVIL TAKE US!”
    â€œPatrick!” said Hilda and Molly in unison.
    â€œSorry, darlin’. Sorry, Aunt Molly. But ye’re never tellin’ me Sean o’neill killed someone, for I’ll not believe it. Sean’s the only Irishman I’ve ever known without a temper. It’s a joke in the family. Aunt Molly, you know yourself he’ll walk away from a brawl, if he can’t get everyone to calm themselves down.” In his agitation Patrick dropped Hilda’s hand, stood, and began to stride around the room.
    â€œSit down, Patrick, dear,” said Molly. She said it very quietly, but Patrick, looking abashed, sat. “We believe as you do. But you know very well that what we believe in the matter is of little consequence. It is what the police believe that is important, and we do not yet know what they are thinking.”
    â€œWell, then, I’m for findin’ out! I still have friends—”
    â€œHush, Patrick,” said Molly urgently. “norah is coming down.”
    Norah entered the room on Eileen’s supporting arm. She was still pale, but composed. She greeted Patrick with a half smile as he rose. “And it’s pleased I am to see you, Patrick.”
    He would have spoken, but Molly got in first. “norah, dear, we’re glad you’re feeling better. now sit, child, and we’ll talk of pleasant things until we’ve had our dinner. Then we will decide how best to solve your problem. Patrick, how was business today?”
    Molly had a gift for making a mountain into a molehill, or at least making her family believe that the transformation was possible. Patrick followed her lead. “Slow today. It’s only to be expected with the weather what it is. And times are hard. Seems we hear every day about another bank failin’. But Christmas is comin’ and things’ll pick up. We’ve got lots of new stock in— Hilda, darlin’, there’s some fine new dress goods, one in a color they call indigo, kind of a purpley-blue that’d go lovely with your eyes. And you haven’t looked at my present I brought you.”
    â€œI am not sure,” she began in a low tone, with a glance at Norah.
    Norah saw the glance. “open it, Hilda,” she said, with an attempt at interest. “I want to see, too.”
    Hilda was still clutching the small paper-wrapped parcel, so she pulled it open. Lace cascaded into her lap, many yards of exquisite Valenciennes edging. “ooh!” she said. “Look, Norah, how beautiful! There is enough to share. Let me give you some for—for anything you might be making just now. You are so much better at sewing than I am. You could make something very pretty with this.”
    Molly decided the time for euphemism had passed. “It will make a beautiful christening robe, Norah. Unless you have one already?”
    The shadow lifted from Norah’s face for a moment. “I’ve made the robe. Mrs. Hibberd gave me a piece of white silk she didn’t need. But I haven’t trimmed it yet.” She fingered the lace Hilda had dropped in her lap. “But this is too fine-looking. I can’t take such a costly gift.”
    â€œThere is so much,” said Hilda persuasively. “Take what you need, and then we can decide together what is to