Weedy nodded, but he was frowning. "I reckon, Addy says school's important, too."
"I know how you feel about it, I was never one to appreciate school until I went on to finishing school. There were no universities that catered to women much, oh I suppose there were, I just went on to a buisness school that would have me." Leah smiled, "Now that was hard, believe me. And, no fun either, but it has paid off for me. There will be a hospital and an orphanage as a result of my staying in school." Not a brag so much as an example.
"I reckon, Addy says school's important, too." Well, he really hadn't expected Alice, or any adults for that matter, to say that school didn't count. "I guess parts of school aren't so bad, I do like learning about history, and some of math and geography. Not too much writing and civics."
"Well now, there are parts of school that interest you, and school is the only place you could learn about the things you like, at least for now." Leah pointed out, "A lot of the things most important, like math are dry and dull, but ever so important for the rest of your life. In fact, if you like I can help you with math, should you run into problems there. I'm pretty good at numbers."
"Egg bound? Addy, you are priceless!" Leah responded as she chuckled at the most appropriate remark about some of those ladies in town. "But dare I ask why we should shy away from a shopping trip? A person needs to get some things, why should we be the ones to go early or late? Though I am sure the Andersons would be happy to open a wee bit early, or even stay after. It would seem like we were sneaking around, don't you think?"
"Some'a th' things, like boots, is better from th' boy's choices, same thing, only th' sizes are smaller." She held up a booted foot, then, as an afterthought, pulled it off and let it drop on the floor by the door, followed by the other. "Won't be needin' those again tonight! May as well be comfortable." To that end, she peeled off her shirt and skirts, leaving a faded union suit, her usual sleep-wear. "Gotta git ya one'a these, too," she told Leah, "keep ya warm in th' winter!"
"You know, I've never thought about boot sizes, and by golly, I believe you're right! Same boot, same quality, just smaller sizes to choose from. Makes perfect sense to me." She said. "And I can't tell you how often I have thought about union suits, and trying to get one on under all the falderal women seem to be expected to wear day in and day out. Although granted, they have their place, the dresses I had found so important to have and wear, yet there are things going on that call for a change, and I am prepared to make it."
"Well now, there are parts of school that interest you, and school is the only place you could learn about the things you like, at least for now." Leah pointed out, "A lot of the things most important, like math are dry and dull, but ever so important for the rest of your life. In fact, if you like I can help you with math, should you run into problems there. I'm pretty good at numbers."
"Yeah, I guess." Weedy shrugged, then looked up at Alice with a grin. "Mr. Redmond says the same thing, and Miss Leah and Addy and th' Marshal...is that something grown-ups tell each other to say?" He was kidding, of course, but it was odd that they all said the same...well, unless it was true!
"Guess you are probably right." He looked at Speed's sleeping form again, then back to Alice. "You have to be able to read wanted posters and write reports, and I guess you need to do math in case a few people split a reward." Why did everything have a boring side to it?
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"You know, I've never thought about boot sizes, and by golly, I believe you're right! Same boot, same quality, just smaller sizes to choose from. Makes perfect sense to me." She said. "And I can't tell you how often I have thought about union suits, and trying to get one on under all the falderal women seem to be expected to wear day in and day out. Although granted, they have their place, the dresses I had found so important to have and wear, yet there are things going on that call for a change, and I am prepared to make it."
"Well, I don't know as there's room fer a union suit under all th' corsets an' bustles, an' it wouldn't do ta lift yer skirt ta step over somethin' an' show a flash'a red!" Addy couldn't help but laugh at the picture of a proper lady, all gussied up, hiding work boots and a union suit under all that finery!
"Just gotta find a good seamstress who can add some bits'a lace, make it all pretty fer ya." It really wasn't unreasonable to have something baggy like that fitted so that it was a little more fashionable, not that anyone else should be seeing it! "An' ya don't gotta be all ratty, neither." She shrugged. "I'm most'a th' time in clothes meant fer work that's gonna get 'em dirty an' torn. But ya don't gotta look like a waif...look at Miz Emeline, Miz Clara..." They both wore 'practical' clothing, but looked nice doing it!
Leah followed Weedy into the room with Alice and the Marshal when the boy said;
"Yeah, I guess." Weedy shrugged, then looked up at Alice with a grin. "Mr. Redmond says the same thing, and Miss Leah and Addy and th' Marshal...is that something grown-ups tell each other to say?" He was kidding, of course, but it was odd that they all said the same...well, unless it was true!
"I guess we've all sort of learned what's important in life, in our lives besides each other. We all have learned in time that what we were told was the truth and so we pass it along, hoping that the younger generation figures it out and gets a jump on life." Alice said easily, "You know Weedy, we, us grown-ups, have gone through that same thing you are right now about school and learning, and we've seen what happened to those who left school for whatever reason, and where that landed them. Not in a good place, and with few options."
"Guess you are probably right." He looked at Speed's sleeping form again, then back to Alice. "You have to be able to read wanted posters and write reports, and I guess you need to do math in case a few people split a reward." Why did everything have a boring side to it?
"See, you've already figured out a few of the things an education means in a man's life." Leah pointed out quickly. And if you think on it, there are more reasons to stay with school and learn all you can, right Alice?"
"Oh yes, deffinately. A man needs to know many things besides riding horses, or being the law people can depend on, that's for sure. History, so we don't repeat the mistakes made by our forefathers. Science, where we can learn so many useful things, and about discoveries being made that help everyone. Civics about how our government is supposed to run, right down to the kalispell Town Council." She smiled. "It's a lot, but you don't have to learn it all at once."
"Well, I don't know as there's room fer a union suit under all th' corsets an' bustles, an' it wouldn't do ta lift yer skirt ta step over somethin' an' show a flash'a red!" Addy couldn't help but laugh at the picture of a proper lady, all gussied up, hiding work boots and a union suit under all that finery!
"And that is a fact of life with such things as petticoats and bustles, hardly comfortable especially the corsets. They had to be designed by a man, no woman would do such a thing to other women!" Leah stated, "And thank God in heaven the hoops have gone away. My gosh a woman couldn't walk through a room without knocking things over! That was not a good period, but what came before appears to have been way worse."
"Just gotta find a good seamstress who can add some bits'a lace, make it all pretty fer ya." It really wasn't unreasonable to have something baggy like that fitted so that it was a little more fashionable, not that anyone else should be seeing it! "An' ya don't gotta be all ratty, neither." She shrugged. "I'm most'a th' time in clothes meant fer work that's gonna get 'em dirty an' torn. But ya don't gotta look like a waif...look at Miz Emeline, Miz Clara..." They both wore 'practical' clothing, but looked nice doing it!
"Oh no you don't! There'll be no bits of lace or ribbons or bows! Just plain clothes that work for comfort, and durability. Clothes that will allow me to get around without the swish of yards of material getting in my way. No Ma'am, this change is not going to be permanent, I'll still have need of the dresses and gowns, because of the projects, but I want to be comfortable day to day when being gussied up is not required." Leah ranted about frills and such.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Oh no you don't! There'll be no bits of lace or ribbons or bows! Just plain clothes that work for comfort, and durability. Clothes that will allow me to get around without the swish of yards of material getting in my way. No Ma'am, this change is not going to be permanent, I'll still have need of the dresses and gowns, because of the projects, but I want to be comfortable day to day when being gussied up is not required." Leah ranted about frills and such.
"Well, we'll surely find ya somethin'," Addy declared, "but I think it's well an' time you an' yer brother got ta bed!" It wasn't particularly late, but it had been a long afternoon for everyone. "Go on an' fetch him an' I just might have a bedtime story fer ya!"
She figured, too, that Alice was ready to settle in for the night and not be pestered by little-boy questions any more!