Page 56 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

Eli’s voice sounded hopeful. “Could you take her there if she wants to go?” Victor thought a moment. “Need ticket for boat and ticket for train. Cost fifty dollar.” “Back to fifty dollars again?” Eli asked. “Much better take there than home,” Victor replied. Eli nodded his agreement. Jim stood up and put his hand on Eli’s shoulder. “You aren’t really thinking of sending her there, are you?” “I am planning to do what I think will make her happy,” Eli replied. Victor pulled the pipe from his mouth. “And you pay Gratitude Dowry?” “I am not going to pay money for someone, as if they are a mere item to be bought or sold,” Eli answered. Victor eyed him narrowly. “Then she not be happy no matter where send her.” “Why not?” Eli asked. Victor was very somber, but stern. “Because she feel worthless.” Eli slammed his fist down forcefully on a stack of crates. “Somehow I’ve got to make her understand that the Gratitude Dowry is wrong!” They stood there for quite some time, the moon rising higher in the sky; each man caught up in his own thoughts. The path across the sea was no longer there; the driftwood had vanished, sailing to some unknown shore. The moon sparkled more and more on things around them. A slight frost was starting to spread across the ridges behind them, and the moonlight across the hills made the landscape look surreal. 53