"Well, now," Emeline observed with a grin, "there are indeed more reasons than food that men and women get together..." she felt a warm blush come to her cheeks, "and no, I don't mean...intimate relations..it's...common likes and goals, just a feeling that the other person is someone you don't want to live without."

She offered a smile, although it was a bit sad, as she took the plates and headed back out to the table.

"Here you are, Master Billy. Let me know if you need anything else."

Clara always hung on every word Emeline uttered and had to come close to a little smile herself at how the woman put it, but made a good point, it was certainly not just about intimate relations but life long companionship and partnership. That's what Clara wanted some day too. Her parents had had that til her mother was taken away too soon.

"Good luck with...............him," Clara remarked as Emeline headed back out.

She hadn't even reached his table yet when Billy grinned at the two pie slices, "Oh, big slices too. They look good."

"Here you are, Master Billy. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Master? That's a good one," he shook his head, "But yeah I need that Redmond girl out here once, just to talk to her. I ain't gonna do nothin'. Just talk."

"She's already made it clear that she doesn't want to talk to you," Emeline commented, "but I'll ask her one more time...and I can't promise she won't do something rash." Nor that she would stop her!

Back in the kitchen, she relayed the request to Clara again, adding, "There's no obligation, of course, and I'll go with you, if you like. And should something happen, I'd likely not see it." She chuckled.

Billy knew the woman was probably right, that stubborn Redmond gal was not going to come out to face him. But he had tried his best, as consolation there was always delicious pie. He dug in then with his fork.

Back in the kitchen, Emeline relayed the request to Clara again, adding, "There's no obligation, of course, and I'll go with you, if you like. And should something happen, I'd likely not see it." She chuckled.

Clara appreciated the offer for backup but actually Billy was right about her being rather stubborn.

"No, I have made up my mind and see no need to change it. He would only get his way then and I am determined he shall not have his way in this," Clara announced.

"Sorry you have to be the go between in all this drama," she sighed.

"I didn't expect you would," Emeline commented, "and it's good that you stick to your convictions." And likely avoid a scene should the boy overstep his bounds. "Just bear in mind," she chided gently, "that when it comes to marriage, you can't be so stubborn. In fact, sometimes it's better to be humble and give in, even though you know you are right!"

That was a key to a good marriage, not that marriage was in the close future for Clara, anyway, but eventually she may profit from that little tidbit!

"I didn't expect you would," Emeline commented, "and it's good that you stick to your convictions."

" I certainly try to," Clara nodded.

"Just bear in mind," the woman chided gently, "that when it comes to marriage, you can't be so stubborn.  In fact, sometimes it's better to be humble and give in, even though you know you are right!"  

"Interesting you should say that. My father has said in the past  he believed that the key to a good marriage was to always tell your wife she is right and that supper tasted great," Clara replied in a serious tone but her eyes gave away the humor in it.

"Oh, well, of course! He's a wise man." Emeline laughed. "Of course, on occasion, you may confess that you were wrong, but as ladies, we'll always know the truth of it!"

She gave the girl a playful wink, then grabbed the coffee pot and headed back to the dining room to let Billy know he was out of luck.