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Show CHAPTER VIII ADviCE AND COUNSEL THE novelty of my situation in a polygamous household, together with the enjoyment of Cora's singing and playing, had made me forget my weariness. But the moment I stretched out in the clean soft bed provided for me by Amanda I fell into so deep and prolonged a sleep that I did not waken until noon of the next day. Nothing could have been better for me. I awoke refreshed in mind and body, conscious of fast returning strength, and with my brain more active than it had been for many weeks. While I bathed and dressed I ran over in my mind the events of my fi.rst day in Zion. The more I considered them the less reassuring they appeared. Even the glamour of my evening's entertamment disappeared as I reflected on the glimpse I had caught of the inner life of Brother Chilcott's household. The sad face of little Ann Jane haunted me. The child-wife's silent misery disquieted me even more than the recollection of Mrs. Senby's distraught manner. Somehow it lent force to the English lady's vague warnings of evil. Since learning the facts of spiritual wifeism from Waller, I had cherished the hope that my doubts would be cleared away as soon as I reached Zion. Instead, I now found myself criticizing every word and look and act of the Prophet Brigham and recalling my boyhood memories of his predecessor. Chilcott s remark to him regarding the Prophet Joseph's personal interest in my mother came into 74 THE MORMON LION 75 my mind at the same tim~ as the vision of the dreadful day in Nauvoo when my mother dted. I connected her last words with Chilcott's statement that Joseph had intended to exalt her. ... The truth flashed upon me in all its naked hideousness. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Joseph had told my mother that he intended to make her one of Ius plural wtves, and the shock had killed her. Amanda sat waiting for me in the parlour, her knitting needles clicking from her Impatience. She sprang up as I came out and hastened towards the front door. " Well, Dave," she said," I'd begun to think yo~'d never-- Land's sake 1 What's the matter? You re white as a sheet 1 " " Nothing, only- too close inside-outdoors-I'll soon be all right. I'm going to see-to buy some clothes." " Without eating fi.rst? You wait. I'll have something on in a jiffy." "No. I'll be better out in the air. You see, it's only- not used to sleeping in a close room," I muttered. Before she could reply I was at the door and passing out. Hardly conscious of what I was doing, I hurried into the street and set off at a sharp walk. The rapid movement fortunately brought me to myself. I turned about and walked down through the busy streets in search of Norton Senby's mercantile store. It proved to be one of the largest establishments in the city. The trade of the store was brisk. Three or four English clerks were nimbly waiting upon the many customers. I passed through to the rear and came upon a short stout middle-aged Englishman fitting a ball slipper on the pretty foot of Mrs. Cora Chilcott. The lady acknowledged my acquaintance with a gracious smile, but declined my escort to the door. The Englishman bowed her out and hastened back |