Galore - Michael Crummey [149]
—Don’t be a sook, Abel.
He walked along the hall and through the kitchen, pulling off his coat as he went. Certain it was all a lie, the life she’d given him, her mouth on his, her hands, the preposterous little history she’d spun to make him feel at home in the world. He felt he’d been made to look a fool.
Eli and Coaker rose early the next morning, both men all business over their breakfast. They discussed the general council at Port Union, the progress of bills in the House of Assembly, what would become of the price of fish when the war ended. —What did Abel say about signing up? Coaker asked finally.
—He’s going to think about it.
Coaker looked up from the bread he was buttering.
—He seemed interested, Eli insisted.
Coaker set his food down and sat with his hands beside the plate. Eli turned to the stove so as not to see the panic Coaker was just managing to tamp down. They had so much to lose now, Port Union, Coaker’s cabinet position in the coalition government, the new fisheries regulations that might save the industry from itself. So much the union had fought for on the verge of realization and Coaker already fearful it might slip away in the bog of the country’s petty politics. —I know it’s a lot to ask, Coaker said. —But he’d never see action, Eli, I promise you that. We can have him assigned a stretcher-bearer, he’ll be safe as houses.
Eli couldn’t help thinking Abel’s volunteering to carry stretchers was a trifle in the grand scheme and he said as much. —It hardly matters one way or the other, does it?
—Everything matters, Coaker said. —Perception is half the game.
They were still eating when Tryphie put his head around the door. They’d both noted him absent the day before though neither had mentioned it. Coaker said, I was starting to think you were trying to keep clear of us, Tryphie.
Eli went to fetch him a mug but Tryphie waved him off. He refused even to take a chair. —I just come by to let you know, he said, if Hannah haven’t already mentioned it. Levi Sellers come around to see us.
—When was this?
—Before Christmas. He was looking for something on Mr. Coaker.
—He only has to read the St. John’s papers if it’s gossip he wants, Coaker said. —Reprobate, abuser of the fairer sex, delinquent father, it’s all in there.
—He was after something a little different than that, Mr. Coaker. Offered me a third of his estate to swear out an affidavit.
—An affidavit stating what exactly?
—Something that would implicate you—Tryphie made a motion with his hand—in acts. Unnatural acts.
Coaker was staring steadily at Tryphie, as if daring him to elaborate.
—He claimed he was acting on behalf of more than just himself, Tryphie said. —I thought you ought to know.
—I have nothing to be ashamed of, Coaker said.
—You’ll want to watch out to yourselves, just the same.
—Levi went to Hannah? Eli asked.
—Right after he spoke to me.
Eli reached for the table edge and looked away out the window, caught sight of Abel coming across the garden at a run. Moments later the boy slammed through the door. —I wants to join up, he said. —Father says you can get me in, Uncle Will, is that right?
Coaker managed a smile as he stood from his chair. He seemed happy for the distraction. —I might be able to pull some strings, he said.
A series of telegraphs went back and forth between Paradise Deep and several government departments in St. John’s and by mid-afternoon arrangements were all but made. There was a meeting of the local union executive that evening where Coaker announced Abel’s intentions and made a show of him in front of the group. He’d be traveling into St. John’s with them at the end of the week to sign up, Coaker told the assembly, and men lined up to shake Abel’s hand and wish him well.
The news reached Selina’s House before Abel walked the hundred yards back from the F.P.U. Hall. Hannah waiting at the door for him when he came in. —You made a promise to me, Abel Devine.
—I didn’t know Mr. Coaker wanted me to join the regiment.