"Don't mention this conversation to anyone else," she ordered. "And especially say nothing to Kenneth. I don't expect your loyalty, but I do expect your obedience," she said. "And I'm sure you know," she added, leaning closer toward me, her eyes filled with warning, "what is at stake should you disappoint me."
The threat hovered over me like a stoat cloud and then the judge and Grandpa Samuel stepped into the gazebo.
"Well now, did you two have a good womanly chat?" Grandpa Samuel kidded.
"I assure you, Samuel, our conversation was miles above the one you two jabbered through cigar smoke," she replied.
"Now, now, Olivia, no sexism," the judge chided. He and Grandma Olivia exchanged a quick look and I saw the question in his face. She shook her head slightly and I thought he looked relieved. Then he smiled at me.
"Well now," he said, sitting on the bench adjacent to me, "let's hear some more about my son's new art project."
"I think it would be easier if you came out and spoke to him about it yourself, Judge Childs," I said. "I don't mean to seem secretive about it," I quickly added. "It's just that I don't want to describe it incorrectly."
He held his smile a moment and then nodded.
"Of course," he said. "That's just what I intend to do. One of these days," he said. "One of these days."
Grandma Olivia had the maid serve us our tea and small cakes in the gazebo. The conversation drifted to political subjects again and I was practically ignored until the judge announced he had to leave. When he rose, he turned to me.
"It's been delightful spending the afternoon with you, Melody. Perhaps one day you'll visit me at my beach house. Do you play chess?"
"No, sir."
"Fine. I'll teach you. In no time you'll be able to beat your grandfather Samuel."
"I'm sure she has better things to do than waste her time with senile old men," Grandma Olivia said scowling.
"Maybe," the judge said and winked. "Say hello to my son for me. Olivia." He bowed.
I'll walk you out," she said and rose.
I suddenly realized it was the first time Grandpa Samuel and I had ever been alone. He quietly watched Grandma Olivia and the judge and then he turned to me.
"You mustn't be too quick to pass judgment on Olivia," he said, obviously noticing the disapproving look on my face. "She appears to be a very hard woman, but she has had more than her share of burdens to bear."
His sympathy for her took me completely by surprise.
"What burdens?"
"You know a little about the difficulties we had with her sister."
"My grandmother," I said.
"Yes, your grandmother." He shook his head sadly.
"Their father was a difficult man, according to what Olivia tells me. He made many demands on Olivia and tried to set a strict atmosphere. Belinda rebelled and became promiscuous; Olivia stood up to him and I suppose that was how she developed such a strong backbone."
"She's always snapping at you," I said. He shrugged.
"It's her manner. We get along better than many couples married as long as we've been married. Don't worry," he added with a smile. "I'm not as browbeaten as most people think. But that will be our little secret, okay? Now, I want you to come to me if ever you have any problems, especially with my son Jacob. I know he can be sterner than a constipated minister at times. You're a good girl, a talented and smart young woman. You'll be fine. I'm sure.
"We all have to find ways to rise above our bad luck from time to time," he added with a deep sigh.
"I'm going to visit my grandmother Belinda tomorrow," I said.
"Oh?" He looked toward the house. "Does Olivia know?"
"She's arranging for Raymond to take me."