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Show Page 111 Island come spring, so perhaps next year our needs will be met. The fine autumn weather has turned the tobacco a mellow golden-brown. Soon it will be time to carry it upriver to James Towne. ******************** The clerk of the court exploded into nasal laughter, his nostrils flapping, one hand held against his thin chest. "A landholder! The lady wishes to be a landholder!" he chortled. "Indeed, this job is a revelation." I could feel my color rising and my tongue swell into uselessness. I had come upriver to James Towne early that morning on a shallop so loaded with barrels of tobacco there was no room for my lumps of soap ashes, which I had hoped to exchange at the Magazine. But at least I would be able to file my claim-if I could convince Edward Sharpless I was in earnest. "Is there any law that states the lady may not claim her headright?" asked Richard calmly. How glad I was he had insisted upon accompanying me to the clerk's. Sharpless seemed not to hear and his laughter did not cease. I could see Richard was becoming vexed at the man and I was about to suggest we leave, when the door opened and round John Pory entered. |