Molly and Tenbrooks

Abstract

I. The Judge's Wife Believe me, sir, nothing makes a body feel finer on these hot summer days than sitting with my Judge right here on our veranda and thinking over the way things were in years gone by here in Boone County. But my goodness, here I am talking already and haven't even asked if you mightn't be thirsty from the long ride. Heavens no, it's no trouble at all. Wilhelmina's making a fresh pitcher of lemonade right this moment. Mr. Harrison and I both agree that our lemons are not so good this year, but Wilhelmina is making do. I've never seen anyone make do like our Wilhelmina. That's why it is so sad to watch her getting old; we're all of us getting old here. Poor Abraham. You knew about Abraham? No, how silly of me; you couldn't know about Abraham now could you? Well, Abra ham passed away last winter, not so very long after your last visit if I do re member properly. He caught a fever from exercising Tenbrooks in the rain one morning and though we put him to bed that same afternoon, he developed pneu monia and died in the next week. Then Wilhelmina herself took sick right after the services for Abraham and was in bed for two weeks. The Judge decided, with Abraham gone, that we had to sell the horses. Old man Graves wanted to keep them for us, but my Judge said he's so drunk all the time he can hardly keep himself. I didn't mind so much about the younger ones. I think the only one I ever really cared about was Tenbrooks. But, Lord, how I loved that Ten brooks. Ever since the day I first laid eyes on him at the fairgrounds before he and Molly had their race. Looking back over it, I think one of the happiest mo ments in my life was when the Judge came up to me that same day after they'd finished burying Molly, and said he'd bought Tenbrooks, that the fastest horse in the two states of Kentucky and California belonged to us. I was thinking about that day when his new owner came to take Tenbrooks away, and I didn't even get out of bed to watch him go. With all that sadness, I just thank God that we have such a beautiful summer and that neither the Judge or I have been ill. And now here's Wilhelmina with the lemonade. May I pour you a glass?