This thorn was inexplicably removed.
As time went on, new gossip would naturally replace the rumors about Whitaker Scarlett.
William breathed a sigh of relief:
“If I’m quick, I’ll be gone for a month; if I’m slow, it’ll be more than two months. You three women and Michael stay at home. Don’t shoulder burdens alone; ask the villagers for help.”
William was anxious; his friend had been urging him, and he had already delayed long enough.
Now that Elizabeth was divorced, the mother and daughter had moved their household registration, and Whitaker Scarlett was back in school, and those thugs were sentenced. William couldn’t delay any longer.
Why do rural people want sons? It’s not just due to feudal ideas, and not just because rural areas need labor. Without a man at home, it’s easy to be bullied. Forget about fighting for benefits; if William wasn’t home, leaving three women, including a delicate flower like Whitaker Scarlett, wouldn’t lecherous men take advantage?
Of course, the Whitaker family wasn’t short of men; the three Whitaker brothers were all strong and healthy. However, Whitaker Scarlett’s reputation had been ruined, and Whitaker men hadn’t stood up for her, which was almost worse than having no men at all.
Before William left, he not only brought back two dogs to guard the house, but also told his neighbors, asking them to look after his family.
“Michael’s dad, take care of yourself while you’re away. I’m here!”
Amanda’s eyes were a little red.
She certainly didn’t want William to go on a long trip, but William was the head of the family, and the burden on his shoulders was heavy. He couldn’t stay home without earning money.
If a couple wanted to stay together all day, they would have to be poor. It’s fine for adults to be poor, but William and his wife also had a son, and parents always have to consider their children’s future.
William told everyone he was going out to do bricklaying work.
Whitaker Scarlett thought that her uncle was being secretive; he didn’t seem like a bricklayer who did hard labor. Everyone has secrets, and Whitaker Scarlett just hoped that William would have a smooth trip!
…
William was gone, but life went on as usual.
At Village Chief Uncle Daniel’s house, there was also discussion about Whitaker Scarlett.
“How unruly was William before? Now he’s clearly making progress.”
Uncle Daniel’s daughter-in-law whispered to her husband.
Uncle Daniel had more than one son, but the village chief position would definitely be passed on to the eldest son. Harris’s eldest son and his wife had a good son, Carson, the eldest grandson, and the future college student of the Harris Family.
Harris’s eldest son used scraps of paper his son had used for homework to roll tobacco, a common practice in rural areas. A pack of cigarettes wasn’t cheap, and rural areas didn’t distribute cigarette coupons, so people were used to smoking dry tobacco or rolling their own cigarettes. Cigarettes without filters were strong, and Harris’s eldest son puffed away:
“He was unruly, but he never harmed the village. Since he’s not home, we should take care of his family.”
William had brought gifts when he visited before leaving.
There were cigarettes and alcohol, a very respectable gift.
His wife softly hummed, “Fortune changes. I think William’s family will be fine in the future.”
William was making progress. He brought his married sister Elizabeth back to live with them. Originally, they had a girl with a bad reputation, but it turned out that she wasn’t as bad as rumored; she was capable and smart.
The teachers from Greenfield County East High School even came to the village to ask Whitaker Scarlett to go to school, saying that she had a great chance of getting into university next year.
Harris’s wife was thinking about this matter. She could tell what kind of look her son Carson had for Whitaker Scarlett.
Before, she would have absolutely disagreed.
But if Whitaker Scarlett got into university, it wasn’t impossible.
For this reason, she naturally wanted to take care of William’s family. Harris’s wife nudged her husband:
“The land Elizabeth and Scarlett share, doesn’t the village have a say in that?”
Uncle Daniel, in front of the Whitaker family, declared his intention to help Elizabeth and Whitaker Scarlett settle in Wellwater village, promising them land. His words were firm, leaving no doubt about his sincerity.
This required village approval first, followed by reporting to the township. Uncle Daniel had a clear procedure.
Elizabeth and Whitaker Scarlett wouldn’t pressure him. Whitaker Scarlett wasn’t particularly attached to land, but if the village allocated them farmland and a homestead, she wouldn’t foolishly refuse.
