Читать книгу Piau - Bruce Monk Murray - Страница 14

Overnight I became a mason’s assistant. I joined my brother Charles and Benjamin the following morning and sailed into the harbour at Annapolis to begin my quest. Charles proceeded to the shipyard while Benjamin and I walked to René’s building site in the lower town. When we arrived, Bernard Gaudet and his brother were already directing the workers where to place the large pieces of timber. Benjamin hesitated to interrupt them, but the Gaudets were vigilant enough to note the presence of a new worker on the site. Before we could utter a word, Bernard Gaudet spoke.

“Bonjour, Benjamin. It is a perfect day for laying stones. I see you have a new assistant. Young Pierre Belliveau, I believe.”

I could barely contain my surprise. I stood there motionless.

“You made quite an impression the other evening. Your grandmother was much pleased with your gift of song and, I would say, exceedingly proud. Allow me to introduce myself and my brother. I am Bernard Gaudet and this is Denys.”

We shook hands, and he continued, “I knew your father very well when we were young boys. He was a very courageous man who ended his short life a hero. You look very much like him.”

The only response I could muster was, “I appreciate your kind words, monsieur.”

That being said, we proceeded to do our work.

As the day progressed, I realized I had the situation and the goal but not the plan. How was I going to manage an introduction to Jeanne Gaudet? When we finally completed our work for the day, I took the opportunity to question Gaudet about his family.

“Monsieur Gaudet, did your family accompany you to my grandmother’s celebration or did they remain in Gaudet Village? It is quite a distance to travel.” My tone was intentionally one of casual interest.

I noticed a quizzical look come across his face, perhaps in response to a question that appeared to come right out of nowhere. But his response was congenial.

“Indeed, my wife and children all sailed downriver for the occasion. Living so far away, we do not often have the opportunity to attend large community gatherings. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and now have returned home. You may have noticed them and not known who they were.”

Benjamin smiled but remained silent. Gaudet began to sense something from the conversation, and he certainly noticed my cousin’s knowing look.

“Perhaps you caught sight of my three beautiful daughters.” He paused to study my reaction. “Isabelle is the most beautiful by any standard. Perhaps, if you are unmarried, you might be able to wait a few years and court her.”

The unfamiliar name left me speechless. I began to feel uncomfortable.

“In twelve years you will be how old? Thirty, perhaps? Isabelle is only seven years old. For certain every girl grows to be a woman. Are you in any particular hurry to find a bride, young man?”

At that point, I was aware that I was being trifled with, but with a playful spirit. This fed my courage. I thought at this point it probably would be the best policy to be honest about my intent. That should be evidence of my good character and honourable motives.

“I must be perfectly honest, monsieur, that it was your older daughter, Jeanne, who caught my eye. She appeared to have such a sense of mystery about her. At the party, she was conspicuous by her reserve and calm.”

Gaudet seemed stunned by my honesty. And for the first time that day, he was the one who was speechless.

Sensing his sudden lack of ease, I continued without restraint. “I realize you must find my manner and words extremely forthright, even a bit impertinent. But I have always been afflicted with bold speech. It has more than once gotten me into trouble but it is not something I find easy to contain. In my family, speaking your mind is encouraged. My grandmother insists on it.”

Gaudet looked at his brother, then Benjamin. He suddenly burst into a laughter that could be heard as far away as the fort.

“Your grandmother insists on it, does she?” He continued to laugh so uproariously that I thought he might collapse from apoplexy.

Benjamin and I returned home that day, not having resolved the dilemma I had found myself in. But there would be another day. Bernard Gaudet was without a doubt aware that I had put a stake in the ground where his daughter was concerned.