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Show 24-3 "Yes?" He still smiled. "I want to ask about this plan. You spoke of a monument. One that will be built." "Yes, ma'am. You know the one in the park to the dead from the Civil War? Something along those lines. Very tasteful." "Don't forget the cannon down on Park Street for the boys from the Spanish War." Mr. George half stood as he spoke and then turned and bobbed to my mother. "Excuse me, ma'am." She stood quiety and waited. "I see," she said finally. "It seems we have monuments a plenty. Did the committee suggest any other form of remembrance? Other than another monument?" "Why no, Mrs. Metcalf. That has always been the traditional form." He straightened his robe on his shoulders. "Would you like to be on the committee? I'm sure they would have no objection to a woman serving. And you could take part in choosing ..." "Thank you, Reverend Bingham. I will take no part in any way in this monument." And Mother sat down. Silence. The minister looked around him in bewilderment. Then he spread his arms wide as if to gather us all to him and closed the meeting with a prayer. The congregation filed out but my family sat. Mrs. Crawford turned to my mother before she left. "Katherine, what were you thinking of, to speak to Reveread Bingham like that?" "Of Paul. And of others," Mother answered. "Well, you were very rude. And you're not too old to be told that. Good-bye Mary. James." She nodded to my grandparents, to my father, and to me and swept away. |
