He said it say and picked up the tools and headed back toward the barn and Calder watched him go and understood in the way you come to understand things about people when you live alongside them that for Wesley okay was not a small word. It was the biggest one he had. 4 days later the town sent its official opinion in the form of a delegation. Three men from the county welfare board arrived on a Tuesday morning. Not Agnes, but the men who supervised Agnes, and they came with the specific and purposeful energy of people who have decided that something needs to be corrected and are being very official about correcting it.
Their leader was a man named Prescott who wore a good coat and carried himself with a confidence of someone who has never been wrong about anything important enough to matter. Calder met them in the yard. Mr. Boon Prescott said the board has become aware of the placement situation here and has concerns about its long-term suitability. What concerns?
Calder said. Multiple concerns. Prescott had a list. Of course, he had a list. The absence of female guardianship.
The lack of formal schooling arrangements. The financial capacity of a single income ranch to support. We have female members of the household. Calder said. Clara is 12 and capable.
Nelly is 11. The twins are eight. They are not guardians. They are children. But the concern about female presence is not accurate.
Prescott looked at him. A 12-year-old girl is not what the board means by female guardianship. Mr. Boon. Then what does the board mean?
An adult woman. A wife or at minimum a hired housekeeper. I am working on the schooling arrangements. Calder said. I've spoken to the school teacher about a temporary arrangement until a formal agreement can be drawn up and the financial situation.
He reached into his jacket and produced a folded paper which he held out is documented here. 3 years of ranch ledgers. We sold 30 head last fall and the winter provisions are covered. I'm not a rich man, but I'm not a struggling one. Prescott looked at the paper without taking it.