Texas Angel, 2-in-1 Read Free Page B

rest a night here in a hotel on a real bed.”
    Rebekah wearily pulled herself up so as to peer over the sideboards of the wagon. She nodded her head without enthusiasm. “As you say, Benjamin.”
    Benjamin was silent. He did not wish to rebuke his wife in front of the children or their heathen driver, but he would speak to her privately later regarding her attitude. Her negativity was affecting the children and making it difficult for him to hold to his vision. It was difficult enough for him to present an optimistic front, especially as he began to observe the town of Natchez more closely.
    It hardly warranted much enthusiasm. Nearing the docks, he viewed a squalid and unsavory expanse of saloons, crowded even in early afternoon. Dirty, foul-mouthed dock workers and disreputable women roamed the streets, as did characters who looked like the very highwaymen Benjamin had feared on the trail.
    “This ain’t no city,” Micah piped up sourly. “The slums of home looked better’n this.”
    “Hold your tongue, Micah.” Even if Benjamin agreed with his son, he would not abide such insolence and had no qualms about rebuking his son in public when it was deserving. How else would the boy learn humility?
    “Are we gonna live in a slum, Papa?” Isabel asked in a tremorous voice.
    “I will tolerate no more impudence from either of you children. Say no more until I give you permission to speak.”
    “I reckon the young’un asked a fair question,” Fife said.
    “No one asked you, sir,” Benjamin barked.
    “Well, I don’t need no permission to talk, Reverend,” Fife sneered, his curling lip revealing yellow and rotten teeth. “And I says ’tis a fair question, especially from someone who’s only knowed the likes of civilized Boston. But this is a long way from Texas, Issy,” Fife added pointedly to Isabel in a more tender tone. “And you can be thankful this ain’t your final abode.”
    Benjamin was perturbed that he had to agree with Fife. “That is true, Mr. Fife, but it is the very sin and immorality here that confirm the urgency of my calling.”
    Fife shrugged but said nothing. Benjamin knew the man was avoiding a discussion of spiritual matters. They had already engaged in several such discourses while on the road. Benjamin had made faithful attempts to convert the driver’s godless soul, but to no avail. Knowing such a debate would be useless, Benjamin fell silent also. No use wasting his breath. If Fife burned in eternal damnation, it could not be laid to Benjamin’s account.
    Five silent minutes later, Fife said, “I reckon I’ll take you to one of the steamship company offices where you can find out ’bout buying tickets.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Fife. That is most kind of you.” Benjamin spoke stiffly but politely, for he had yet another request to make of the driver.
    “Could I impose upon you to take me and my family from the office to a suitable hotel?” At Fife’s momentary hesitation, Benjamin added, “I know you are anxious to take your leave from us, but it should only mean another half hour of your time. I would not ask, but in a place like this it is difficult to know whom to trust.”
    “I’ll do it for the lady and the young’uns, but if ’n it were just you, Reverend, nothing would get me to go another mile with you! I would’ve deserted you like the last man if ’n it weren’t for your family. When I first heard what that feller done I was steamed, but I know now he just couldn’t take another minute of your uppity holy attitude, not to mention your durned—”
    “Please, Mr. Fife, watch your language in the presence of a woman and children!”
    “You drive me to it, Reverend! I been a patient man because I had no choice, but now I’ll tell you what I really think. You treat them sweet children like they was criminals. I ain’t seen you smile at them since we started. And that poor sufferin’ woman! What would possess a man to drag her away from home and