INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 5

Ina and Jack had to go to town today to handle business in the next century. (They're trading one buggy for another.) Travel and errands will take most of the day. Arrangements have been made for Shirley Anne to stay with Aunt Bertha after school until Jack and Ina call for her on their way home. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT -- DAY 4

Monday was the first day of the new household routine brought about by Shirley Anne’s presence. While the oatmeal cooked on the old wood range, Shirley Anne pulled on heavy socks and a well-worn dress, an obvious hand-me-down. Still, she was neat and clean, and Ina decided she didn’t look different from the other students at the little country school.

Ina and Miss Johnson had agreed that it would be best for Shirley Anne to continue to attend school. We don’t need to know how she got there, do we? Students always get to school by whatever means.

It was laundry day, and as important as it was to stick to her schedule, Ina made quick work of the washing, wringing, and hanging. Jack, changing the water, was hard pressed to keep up with her, remarking that she had never done the laundry so fast. Then she dove head-first into her box of fabric remnants, searching for just the right piece to make a nice nightgown for “her girl.” Yes! This worn out pillowcase would do nicely.

Ina set to work, quickly cutting the pattern shapes from the pillowcase. Then away she flew to the corner of the dining room where her treadle machine sat – you know, where the wall furnace is today – and commenced to sew in double time. Pocketa whir, pocketa whir, pocketa whir. Again Jack was startled to see Ina working so fast and insisted she stop while he oiled the machine. All went well – no ripping necessary (a miracle in itself) – and the nightgown was hanging in the closet at 3:00 just as little Shirley Anne dashed into the house.

As promised, Shirley Anne was now allowed to open the closet door. Ina crept along behind to watch. Timidly, the child opened the door and peered in. The closet was like a narrow hallway – not at all like a clothes closet. A high window on this end provided daylight, now beginning to fade. At the other end and on the opposite wall was another door, which was closed. The closet was mostly empty, but hanging on an old-fashioned hook was the nightgown. “Oh, is it for me?” asked Shirley Anne.

“Yes, indeed,” answered Ina. “One of Santa’s helpers left it for you.”

“Oh, thank you!” said Shirley Anne, who couldn’t remember ever having a nightgown made just for her. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT, DAY 3

It was church day, and being the first Sunday of the month, the traveling minister was there to provide an inspiring post-Thanksgiving message that seemed also to prepare the heart for Christmas.

Back at home, Ina put the finishing touches on a special Sunday dinner – pot roast of beef with fresh rolls and apple pie for dessert. The minister and his wife joined them at table for a hearty midday meal.

When the guests had left, Ina and Shirley Anne spent an hour doing the dishes while Jack went to the barn to “feed the chores,” as Ina liked to say. He also filled the woodboxes. Daylight waned, so Ina lit the kerosene lantern in the sconce on the kitchen wall. She was pleased that Shirley Anne was mannerly and also a willing and efficient helper. When the dishes were finished, Ina produced a box of old puzzles that her children had enjoyed, and Shirley Anne sat at the dining room table, now reduced again to a round, and played happily while Jack and Ina read. It was lovely to feel like a family once again. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT, DAY 2

Saturday morning Ina bustled about the house making ready for their little charge. Since daughter Shirley was away from home indefinitely, visiting her brother Earle in Idaho Falls, Ina prepared her bedroom for this new Shirley Anne. It was such a bright, cheerful room, one of Ina’s favorites. She hoped little Shirley Anne would like it, but it didn’t really matter. It was too cold to spend much time upstairs anyway.

Shirley Anne, American Farm Girl

Promptly at noon, Ina answered a knock at the front door. There stood Miss Johnson holding the hand of a pretty little girl who was doing her best to be brave. Nothing less was expected of her, and she knew it. Her light blond hair and the sprinkling of freckles across her nose reminded Ina of her own little girls, now long grown. And just as her own children had been, the child was small for her age – even elfin-like. Bertha would have reached out and embraced the child immediately, but Ina was more reserved, though no less caring.

Once the teacher had gone, Shirley Anne’s face darkened, and Ina sought to change the subject. “Well, now,” she said, “let’s go upstairs and see your room.”

Sleeves -- much better

Shirley Anne didn’t eat much dinner that afternoon, but once or twice she grinned broadly at Jack’s old jokes. Ina was relieved when she tagged along with Jack to the barn. Meanwhile Ina lengthened the sleeves on Shirley Anne’s coat by six rows.

In the evening, Ina helped Shirley Anne bathe and get ready for bed – it was Saturday, you know. Her nightgown was just adequate, that’s all.  Afterwards, they sat together in the big rocking chair and listened to an entertaining program on the radio. Then it was off to bed. Carrying a small lantern, they climbed the stairs.

As Ina was leaving the room, Shirley Anne asked, “What’s that door there?”

“That,” answered Ina, “is a closet, but you mustn’t open the door until Monday after school. Mind now! If you do, you’ll spoil the magic.”

“Oh no,” thought Ina to herself, “what have I done? What can I put in the closet for her to find on Monday?”

But little Shirley Anne forgot her worries and drifted off to sleep wondering about that magic closet. KW

INA AND THE GINGERBREAD PAGEANT, DAY 1

Santa’s message had given Ina the inspiration she needed to move ahead with plans for Christmas. The day was cold, perfect timing for some cookie baking. At the prospect of fresh cookies, Jack happily stoked the fire in the old wood stove, and Ina tried a new recipe for oatmeal molasses cookies.

Meanwhile, Miss Dorothy Johnson, teacher at the one-room schoolhouse, trudged along the snowy road on her way to visit “Aunt” Ina Dobson, bracing herself against the cold wind. As she passed “Aunt” Bertha’s house, Miss Johnson lamented that she didn’t have time to stop and visit. Aunt Bertha was lively and fun. Not so her sister Ina, whose stern demeanor belied a generous heart. She had her standards, and you wouldn’t find her gossiping – well, mostly not. It was quietly said with knowing glances that the two sisters – Bertha and Ina – might conger up a little magic if the situation were right. Secretly, Miss Johnson hoped so.

 

Sitting now at Ina’s dining room table nibbling delicious fresh oatmeal molasses cookies, Miss Johnson stated the matter at hand.

“Aunt Ina, you know of the Smith family, I’m sure. Well, they lost the crop and are on the verge of losing the farm. Mr. Smith is obliged to leave in order to seek work elsewhere, and the missus wants to go with him, but little Shirley Anne must stay behind.”

It wasn’t a new story, Ina reflected. People had been coming and going almost since she and Jack had settled here in 1896. The community had dwindled after the first influx of homesteaders, and the post office had closed years ago.

“Perhaps they just need a little time to work through things,” the teacher continued, “and I happened to think . . . Well, I know that your Shirley isn’t here just now, and I wondered if their little Shirley Anne could stay with you until the home situation is resolved.”

Ina and Bertha Dobson, 1922

Ina was forming a negative answer in her mind when she remembered Santa’s plea. Wasn’t she dreading the prospect of a lonely Christmas? Hadn’t she longed to make a magic Christmas for a child? “Why, yes!” Ina heard herself saying. “We’d be glad to care for the child.”

“What did the teacher want,” asked Jack, as he and Ina ate their supper of chicken soup and fresh bread.

Ina explained that she had agreed to care for little Shirley Anne Smith while her parents left the area to look for work. Jack might bluster a bit, she thought, but in the end he loved children and wouldn’t complain.

“Well, that’s another mouth to feed, Ina,” observed Jack.

“A mighty small mouth,” said Ina, defensively. “We might not have much, but we do have plenty to eat. And I know you don’t mind, so don’t pretend you do.”

“You’re right, Ina,” said Jack. “When will the girl be here?”

“Tomorrow at noon.” KW