Part 4

Sunday, December 6

Sunday was a quiet day at the Manor House. The catering crew had cleaned up and emptied the trash from the party. All of the rented tables and chairs, as well as the furniture and television in the garage, were ready to be picked up first thing Monday. Miss Trask and Celia had supervised the return of the dining room to its usual state, and Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler both slept late. When Jim and Honey came in from an early morning ride with the Beldens at ten-thirty, they found their parents just settling down to a brunch buffet in the dining room, the Sunday Times spread out on the table before them. Both were dressed, but looked tired from the long day yesterday.

“Hello, children,” Mrs. Wheeler greeted them. “I hope you had a nice ride. Are you hungry? Cook has prepared a delicious brunch.” She waved a graceful arm toward the sideboard, where a fragrant breakfast casserole sat over a chafing dish, and hot buttered toast was crisp and warm in a portable toaster oven. With an urn of coffee, a pitcher of cream, a carafe of orange juice, and a bowl of yogurt with berries, it certainly looked appetizing. Jim had eaten a bowl of oatmeal and a couple of sausage patties before the ride, but the crisp cold air and vigorous exercise of riding the restive Jupiter had made him hungrier than he thought. His stomach growled suddenly.

Walking around the table to greet his parents, he admitted, “I think I could do some damage here.” He bent over to kiss his mother and then shook hands with his father before examining the offerings on the sideboard. Helping himself to a generous portion of breakfast casserole and toast, and more hesitantly to two slices of turkey bacon, he grabbed a napkin and walked back around the table to his usual place. Turkey bacon was a new test product that was supposed to be healthier than regular bacon made of pork. He wondered if it would have the same flavor.

He pulled out a chair for his sister. She had helped herself to a daintier portion of casserole and toast, skipping the bacon for a dollop of yogurt with strawberries. “Honey?” He pulled out a chair for her and sat down.

“Here’s some juice for you, Jim,” Honey said, setting a glass down before him. Jim was impressed that she’d somehow managed to carry a plate, napkin, flatware and two glasses of juice around the table.

“I just want to thank you both for your help at the party last night,” Matthew Wheeler said as Jim took his first bite of food. “You made a great impression on our executive team and board members.”

“Oh, Daddy, we were happy to do it!” Honey beamed at her father. “We’d gladly have done more if you had let us.”

“No, what you did was perfect. Whether or not you end up joining me in the company, it’s good to make the acquaintance of our top people. They do a lot of good for other people, especially during the holidays, as well as being damned fine businessmen who know how to grow their divisions. I want them to know you, and you to know them. The importance of networking can’t be overestimated.”

Honey nodded, and Jim followed suit. But suddenly, he felt like he had a lead weight in his stomach. He hoped the college discussion wasn’t going to be the next topic of conversation.

However, Matthew gathered the newspapers up and stacked them at the end of the table. “I hate to leave good company,” he said with a smile, “but there’s some paperwork waiting for me in my study. It shouldn’t take long, and this afternoon, if you kids aren’t too busy, I hoped we could spend some time decorating our family tree in the den.”

Honey clapped her hands. “Oh! That would be perfectly perfect. Can I get anything down from the attic?”

Her mother laughed. “No, darling. Miss Trask and Regan did all of that yesterday, in between getting ready for the party. I’ve given her the day off, and Regan is under orders to take it easy today.”

The tree decorating was fun, Jim had to admit. He and his dad took on the task of stringing the lights, and by a miracle there were no burned-out bulbs.

“Probably because they were all new this year,” Matthew said with a laugh.

Honey and her mother gave final approval to the even distribution of the multicolored miniature bulbs, and then Honey climbed up on the ladder to place a hand-decorated angel of translucent capiz shell at the very top.

“Does it show up well enough? Is it crooked?” Honey asked anxiously from the top of the ladder.

“I’ll see if I can scrunch up a few lights just underneath its gown as soon as you get down,” Jim offered. After she descended the ladder, he climbed up and rearranged a few of the top bulbs. “How is it now?”

“Perfectly…” Honey started to say.

“Perfect!” her parents and Jim chorused. Blue, red, yellow and green spots illuminated the angel’s gown.

Mrs. Wheeler held a box of delicate glass ornaments from Italy, and she carefully placed each one among the branches. “Now, what else?” she asked.

“Jim and I have made some ornaments,” Honey offered shyly. “There are some paper stars, dipped in paraffin and sprinkled with glitter, and we also strung some popcorn and cranberries. Would it be all right to use them?”

“Of course!” Matthew’s face wore a broad smile.

Honey scampered upstairs while Jim and her parents admired the tree. In a few minutes she returned, carrying a box of handmade ornaments. There were only six of the paraffin-coated stars, but the long string of popcorn and cranberries would give a cheery homespun look to the tree, Jim decided.

Once the stars were hung and the popcorn string was gracefully draped around the tree by Mrs. Wheeler and Honey, they all agreed the tree was just right.

“I believe Cook has prepared some hot chocolate and a special Christmas treat,” Madeleine Wheeler said.

“What’s the treat?” Matthew asked, with a quirk of one ginger eyebrow.

“Fruitcake!” Her voice held an unmistakable ring of excitement. “I’ve been looking forward to this ever since Thanksgiving!”

“Fruitcake.” Matthew’s voice lacked the same excitement. “Plastic fruit, yum!” he said with a grimace.

“Just concentrate on the rum that’s infused into it,” his wife chided. “But actually, she also made a Buche de Noel—and I know that’s your favorite.”

“What’s a Buche de Noel?” Jim asked. “It sounds like a Christmas bush.”

“You’ll see, Jim!” Honey’s eyes sparkled. “It’s a roll of chocolate sponge cake, with whipped cream cheese filling and covered with chocolate frosting, with lines like bark dragged through it, and usually sprinkled with powdered sugar to look like snow. I’ve seen it made with little meringue mushrooms placed along the side, and sometimes one end is cut off and laid on the top or side of the cake to look like a cut branch. It’s the best!” She looked quickly at her mother. “I’m sorry, Mother! I like fruitcake, but not as much as Buche de Noel. That rum flavor can be too much for me.”

Jim was surprised to notice that it was nearly four o’clock. Outdoors, he could see that twilight was settling in. “We probably should exercise the horses again before it gets dark,” he remarked.

“You’re right, Jim,” Honey agreed. “Let’s go ahead and do that, and we can have hot chocolate and cake for dessert. If that’s all right, Mother?” She glanced hesitantly at her mother.

“My goodness, I didn’t notice how late it was getting. Yes, you probably should get a short ride in. Maybe just ride around the paddock, since it’s starting to get dark. I’ll let Cook know we’re going to wait on the hot chocolate.”

“Go ahead, kids. I’ll test the Yule Log and make sure it’s satisfactory.” Matthew winked at Jim and chuckled.

Jim felt his spirits rise at the prospect of exercise in the crisp, cold air, as always. Regan met them in the stable, and told them the Beldens had come over earlier and taken Starlight, Strawberry and Susie out while the Wheelers were decorating their tree.

“I wish they had come in and joined us,” Honey said with a slight frown.

“I suggested it, but when I told them what you were doing, Brian said it might be better to let you do the tree as a family. After all, it’s your first time.” Regan crossed his arms and leaned against Lady’s stall, slipping her a piece of carrot when she nuzzled his shoulder.

“It probably was for the best.” Honey sighed, but her smile returned. “And we had fun.”

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Jim proposed. “Mother thought maybe we should just stay in the paddock, since it’s getting dark.”

In a few minutes, the brother and sister were outside, circling the paddock on Jupiter and Lady. Jim gave Jupiter his head, and the big gelding galloped around the perimeter of the paddock for a couple of laps before pawing the snow that had packed on the usual path, and then he moved out into the center of the paddock, prancing and throwing up the softer snow with his hooves. Lady, more sedate, kept to a smooth canter. Jim kept an eye on his watch, and after twenty minutes he pointed Jupiter back toward the stable. By the time they had groomed both horses and cleaned the tack, he was ready for supper.

Miss Trask and Regan were missing from the table again; Regan had gone to Mr. Maypenny’s and Miss Trask, deep in the task of addressing Christmas cards, was taking supper in her room. Jim hoped that his dad had decided to drop the subject of his college choices. But with the family alone being present, over a delicious dinner of prime rib with mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed broccoli, and a green salad, the penny dropped.

“Jim, I know you feel like you have to limit your college choices to in-state schools, because of the scholarship you earned in Albany,” Matthew started off. “But I wish you’d consider Harvard again. I can afford to send you anywhere you like, and as a legacy you’d easily be accepted. Whether or not you go into business, or teach, or even start your dream school, the contacts you make during the next few years can help you achieve your goals.”

Jim’s appetite vanished, and the aromatic slices of roast beef on his plate might have been a bologna sandwich. But he took a deep breath and hoped he could explain his point of view without insulting his new family.

“Dad, I know, and I understand where you’re coming from. But I don’t want to take advantage of your generosity. I believe in earning my own way and standing on my own two feet. I earned that scholarship, and it wasn’t because of anyone doing me a favor, or feeling sorry for me.”

Matthew’s face reddened slowly during this speech. Once Jim finished speaking, he used his napkin and laid his knife and fork neatly across his plate. His jaw clenched and a vertical crease appeared between his eyebrows. He pushed back his chair and stood up.

“I’ll be in my study, if you don’t mind joining me when you finish eating, Jim.” Looking at his wife, Matthew added, “Maddie, if you could come, too, I’d appreciate it. We two redheads may need your tactful presence.” He pushed his chair back into place and left the dining room.

Jim became aware of Honey staring at him, a troubled expression on her face. “Don’t worry, Honey,” he managed to say. “We’ll clear the air, one way or the other.”

“Yes, I have faith that you will.” Madeleine spoke for the first time. “Both of you are very independent, strong-willed people. But Matthew and I love you very much, Jim. I hope you understand that whatever he says or does, it’s coming from a place of love—not pity.”

“I don’t think I can eat any more, Mother.” Honey glanced down at her plate, which was still half-full. “May I be excused?”

“Of course, darling. I’ll let Cook know that we’ll have dessert later. That fruitcake and Buche de Noel is calling my name! I hope we’ll all be able to sit down and enjoy it.”

Honey stood and pushed her chair in. With a final look at Jim, she left the dining room and Jim could hear her going up the stairs. His own appetite gone, he copied the actions of his dad and left the table as well, Madeleine behind him. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll join you and Matthew as soon as I speak to Cook,” she said with a small smile. Jim nodded, not sure what the best response might be.

He found Matthew pacing around his desk in the study. “Come on in and have a seat.” He waved toward the pair of comfortable armchairs that flanked the cozy fireplace. Jim studied the new, crackling fire that his dad had obviously just started. At the moment, it looked rather puny, but as the smaller pieces of kindling began to catch fire, Jim knew the flickering flames would grow. He hoped the atmosphere in the room wouldn’t heat up along with the fire.

Madeleine entered and closed the door with a small click. She took a seat in the armchair opposite Jim, and Matthew pulled the chair from his desk around to face his wife and son with no obstacle between them.

“All right, let’s try to settle this now,” he said. “Now, Jim, obviously if you truly prefer SUNY Albany or Rochester, I’m not going to stand in your way. But your birth dad and I both went to Harvard. I don’t think there’s any field you could enter that those connections wouldn’t be helpful to you in the future, and I don’t think you could get a finer education anywhere. You haven’t given me any reason you wouldn’t like to enroll there, or any criticism of the education that would be available. Your only reason for refusing to consider my alma mater is that it’s out of state and your scholarship wouldn’t cover any of your costs there. Do I have that right?”

Jim took a deep breath. “Yes, sir. That’s it. But I don’t want to take advantage of your wealth, or your generosity. I earned that scholarship, fair and square, and it had nothing to do with who I am, or who my father is. I don’t want to be accepted just because of who you are, or your money.”

“Damn it!” Matthew stood and began to pace. “You’re as stubborn as Win, and now you’re just being selfish.” He glared at Jim.

“Selfish?” Jim was so shocked, he couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“Yes, selfish. It was a different story when you were fully dependent on Jonesy and had no resources of your own. You have every right to be proud of that accomplishment. But now, you have a real family. You have resources. And yet, you’re clinging to that scholarship and trying to scrounge around for work-study jobs when you have no need for them. Essentially, you’re depriving someone else who does have a need, from receiving a financial benefit because you’re using it.”

“That’s not…” Jim sputtered. As Matthew’s words sank in, he began to see his own feelings and desires in a different light. His dad was basically saying the same thing Dan had said.

“Instead of insisting on keeping this scholarship, restricting yourself to in-state schools, and trying to get on-campus work that another student might really need, you could donate that scholarship award back to the awarding body to help another student who doesn’t have your resources. I’ll be glad to match the amount, whatever it may be—so together, we could help more than one student.”

Jim felt a little disgruntled. “I just don’t like to ask for help. I want to work for what I get.” He felt he was losing the high ground, but wasn’t quite ready to back down.

“If you want to earn your way, I can give you a summer job with Wheeler Enterprises,” Matthew said. “I promise you’ll earn your pay. It won’t be a gravy job, just because you’re the boss’s son. In fact, I have a job in mind for you—and the rest of the Bob-Whites—right after Christmas if you’re up for it.”

“Jim, think of it in this way.” Madeleine spoke up for the first time. “By accepting the money from us—your parents—you’re allowing us the opportunity to pay something forward.” She leaned forward and reached out to lay a graceful hand on his arm. “It’s good that you want to be self-reliant, but it’s also good to learn to graciously accept the generosity of others. It allows the other person to be a giver. And in turn, you can give to others who are in need. Look around yourself, and see if there are others who are less fortunate. What can you do for them, with your talents, your education, and your money?”

“Milton Hershey failed time and again,” added Matthew. “He lost his candy business twice before succeeding. But he maintained a positive attitude. He was resilient, and when he did succeed, first with caramels and then with chocolate, he looked around to see how he could give back. We both know the Hershey School was the result. But before he succeeded, he accepted help from family and friends to achieve his dream.”

Jim nodded, a bit unwillingly. He was familiar with Hershey’s story and had read of the Hershey School, which was one of the models for his own dream school.

“Andrew Carnegie was another wealthy man—by some accounts the wealthiest man in the world,” Madeleine said. “He started as a poor immigrant, who was willing to work hard to make his own way—like you, Jim—and didn’t have a wealthy family or a good education to back him. But when he went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad, a citizen of the town—Allegheny, Pennsylvania—opened his extensive library to the working boys of the town. Andrew accepted that gift, and took full advantage of the opportunity to educate himself by reading. He never forgot how he’d been helped by that chance. The Carnegie Free Libraries were his way of paying forward the gift he’d received. Of course, Andrew Carnegie used his fortune to establish a variety of philanthropic ventures, and even to donate organs to hundreds of churches.

“But before he became the wealthiest man in the world, he accepted the generous offer of the use of Colonel James Anderson’s library, which allowed him to educate himself far beyond what he was able to learn in the short time he was able to attend school.”

Matthew sat back down and took his wife’s hand as he looked at Jim. “There’s a famous saying,” he said. The line had smoothed out between Matthew’s ginger brows, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with a return of good humor. “You’ve probably heard it before. ‘To those whom much has been given, much will be expected.’ You’ve given us so much, Jim. We want to give back to you, and we expect you to give to others. You can give someone else a wonderful gift now, by donating your scholarship back. And you can give us the gift of accepting our help in getting the very best education possible.”

Jim nodded again. He’d heard the saying. It had been uttered by President Kennedy, who came from a wealthy family and had given the best years of his life in service to his country. In fact, had given his life itself. President Kennedy was a product of Harvard, but he had not taken the easy path that he probably could have taken, based on his family circumstances. I guess I could do it, too, he thought.

“All right,” he agreed. “Christmas is supposed to be all about the spirit of giving. If I’m willing to give to others—even if it’s just care packages for the nursing home, like the Bob-Whites are doing, I need to be open to receiving, too.” He reached to shake hands with Matthew. “Thank you for helping me see that, Dad.”

He turned to Madeleine to clasp her hand, too. But she surprised him by extending both arms and enfolding him in a hug. “Merry Christmas, Jim! I know you’re going to do great things. And I know you will be more able to give, because you can put yourself in the place of the receiver as well.”