softly. “You must be a very special friend for
Tom to have confided such knowledge.” Catherine reddened again at his words but
she felt encouraged to continue with her speech: “It is my wish, Captain, to
assist Martha with her schooling. I would like to arrange for her tuition, as
well as room and board, at a proper school for girls so she might train to
become a teacher. I expect,” she said haltingly, “that there may also be the
requirement for some sum as compensation to her father for her loss .” Catherine’s
face twisted in anger a moment at her own words before she continued; “My hope,
Captain, is that you might help me to do this thing without Tom knowing. He is
a very proud boy and I fear he would be offended if I made this offer directly
to him.”
Catherine felt somewhat breathless as
she finished her speech. She anxiously awaited a response from the captain who
had remained silent to this point. Knight looked at Catherine a long time
before he finally spoke: “I am familiar with Tom’s town, Miss Gibson, and a
school such as you desire is not far off. However,” he continued, his face now
becoming somber; “I must tell you that such an undertaking is not inexpensive.
I do not wish to question your judgment but this would be a matter of
considerable effort and expense.” Catherine boldly met the captain’s gaze and
nodded in understanding: “I am well prepared, Captain, for any expense or
effort that may be required. I am more than able to meet those needs. What I
lack is the proper local connections to accomplish such a task, or the
knowledge of how to make such an arrangement with Tom’s father. I hope you
might be willing to assist me in this regard.”
Catherine paused, sensing the hesitation
in Captain Knight’s posture. She braced herself for the inevitable question
that she knew the captain would ask. Knight drummed his fingers a moment on the
arm of the leather chair before catching her with his penetrating gaze; “You
seek my help in this matter, Miss Gibson, but I think it my duty to enquire why
you do not employ your father’s assistance instead? His connections are
obviously extensive, and he may have some wish to direct your hand in a matter
of this… significance” he finished brusquely. Catherine’s face darkened and she
launched to her feet at his words. She swept past Captain Knight and angrily paced
the room, her usually serene features betraying strong emotion. Twice she
crossed the room in complete silence before she could compose herself once
more. Turning to face him, Catherine drew herself up to her full height, every
inch of her slender frame speaking proud defiance. Although she attempted to remain
calm, beneath Catherine’s response was a barely disguised anger; “The money I
offer, Captain, is solely at my discretion. It is a sum left to me by my mother
after her death. My father has no claim upon it, nor has he any right to
inquire as to its use. I choose to spend it in this way and I hope that you
will help honor my wish.”
Catherine’s impassioned speech hung sharply
in the air a moment, then a heavy silence settled over the room. Catherine remained
standing at the cabin’s centre, her body held in a stiff attitude of unease.
She could not bring herself to look at Captain Knight, dared not for fear of
finding a look of amusement or, even worse, derision. This mission on Tom’s
behalf was of vital importance to Catherine for so many reasons and she feared
lest she had made a mistake in approaching Captain Knight. As the silence
lengthened, Catherine clasped and unclasped her hands, nervously awaiting some
response to her request.
From his position on the far side of
the room, Captain Knight sat in silence, his face unreadable as all manner of
thoughts passed through his mind. Catherine’s strange request, her subsequent
outburst about her father, could only serve to drive his curiosity about her personal
situation. He longed to know more about her
Tom to have confided such knowledge.” Catherine reddened again at his words but
she felt encouraged to continue with her speech: “It is my wish, Captain, to
assist Martha with her schooling. I would like to arrange for her tuition, as
well as room and board, at a proper school for girls so she might train to
become a teacher. I expect,” she said haltingly, “that there may also be the
requirement for some sum as compensation to her father for her loss .” Catherine’s
face twisted in anger a moment at her own words before she continued; “My hope,
Captain, is that you might help me to do this thing without Tom knowing. He is
a very proud boy and I fear he would be offended if I made this offer directly
to him.”
Catherine felt somewhat breathless as
she finished her speech. She anxiously awaited a response from the captain who
had remained silent to this point. Knight looked at Catherine a long time
before he finally spoke: “I am familiar with Tom’s town, Miss Gibson, and a
school such as you desire is not far off. However,” he continued, his face now
becoming somber; “I must tell you that such an undertaking is not inexpensive.
I do not wish to question your judgment but this would be a matter of
considerable effort and expense.” Catherine boldly met the captain’s gaze and
nodded in understanding: “I am well prepared, Captain, for any expense or
effort that may be required. I am more than able to meet those needs. What I
lack is the proper local connections to accomplish such a task, or the
knowledge of how to make such an arrangement with Tom’s father. I hope you
might be willing to assist me in this regard.”
Catherine paused, sensing the hesitation
in Captain Knight’s posture. She braced herself for the inevitable question
that she knew the captain would ask. Knight drummed his fingers a moment on the
arm of the leather chair before catching her with his penetrating gaze; “You
seek my help in this matter, Miss Gibson, but I think it my duty to enquire why
you do not employ your father’s assistance instead? His connections are
obviously extensive, and he may have some wish to direct your hand in a matter
of this… significance” he finished brusquely. Catherine’s face darkened and she
launched to her feet at his words. She swept past Captain Knight and angrily paced
the room, her usually serene features betraying strong emotion. Twice she
crossed the room in complete silence before she could compose herself once
more. Turning to face him, Catherine drew herself up to her full height, every
inch of her slender frame speaking proud defiance. Although she attempted to remain
calm, beneath Catherine’s response was a barely disguised anger; “The money I
offer, Captain, is solely at my discretion. It is a sum left to me by my mother
after her death. My father has no claim upon it, nor has he any right to
inquire as to its use. I choose to spend it in this way and I hope that you
will help honor my wish.”
Catherine’s impassioned speech hung sharply
in the air a moment, then a heavy silence settled over the room. Catherine remained
standing at the cabin’s centre, her body held in a stiff attitude of unease.
She could not bring herself to look at Captain Knight, dared not for fear of
finding a look of amusement or, even worse, derision. This mission on Tom’s
behalf was of vital importance to Catherine for so many reasons and she feared
lest she had made a mistake in approaching Captain Knight. As the silence
lengthened, Catherine clasped and unclasped her hands, nervously awaiting some
response to her request.
From his position on the far side of
the room, Captain Knight sat in silence, his face unreadable as all manner of
thoughts passed through his mind. Catherine’s strange request, her subsequent
outburst about her father, could only serve to drive his curiosity about her personal
situation. He longed to know more about her
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