Soldier at the Door(159)

“Sir, would you have wanted to marry your wife if she were . . .” Shem paused to try to phrase it correctly, “minimizing her clothing in public to get your attention?”

Perrin chuckled. “Mahrree was never that kind of girl. At your age she was still scaring off men, not trying to attract them. There’s much more to her than her looks.”

“That’s what I mean! I want more than just looks, but all they have is—” Unable to find the right words, he instead wiggled his shoulders like Sareen had and rolled his eyes in disgusted embarrassment.

Perrin winced in agreement. “Rather relieved you’re not interested in her. That giggling—I never knew a sound to be so grating. And I’m stuck hearing it every evening as she cleans up after the boys. I’m afraid Jaytsy might start picking it up.”

Shem chuckled. “Sareen’s incredibly persistent. I don’t want to be impolite, but—”

“Keep being polite,” Perrin advised. “Rudeness simply isn’t your nature. But also be very brief. Eventually she may lose interest when she realizes you’re not expressing any.”

“Did that work for you?”

Half of Perrin’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Now what makes you think I ever had young women infatuated with me?”

“Just stands to reason,” Shem shrugged. “I imagine that with your father’s position and that fact that you’re . . . um, I suppose that women found—or rather, still find you . . . What I mean is—”

Perrin chuckled as his corporal grew red.

“Enough digging your own latrine, Zenos. But yes, there was a girl or two. And occasionally you have to firmly tell one that you really aren’t interested, but usually they pick that up on their own.”

Shem sighed. “I sure hope so. She’s getting a bit annoying.”

“To put it politely,” Perrin said. “Well, there are some nice girls at Luntings’ congregation.”

Shem nodded reluctantly. “I’ve seen a few. But it’s hard to meet them. Rector Lunting doesn’t have those smaller meetings like Rector Densal had. Everyone’s just packed into that large barn now. Maybe we can convince a third rector to move here, with smaller meetings again, or get Mr. Metz to come back and start a congregation?”

Perrin looked down at his horse as it plodded to the next tower station.

“Shem,” he began hesitantly, “I think the problem may be Mahrree and I. Maybe you shouldn’t sit with us, or take the children out when they fuss. Since we’re the only soldiers there, maybe we should spread out a little. Let some of those girls find their way next to you?”

“Actually, sir,” Shem watched his horse too, “sitting with your family is the best part of my week.”

Perrin would never admit it out loud, but it was his favorite part, too. If ever he’d had a little brother, he would have been exactly like Shem.

“Sir, I’d hate to sit alone,” the corporal said. “Besides, most of the girls aren’t really listening, always passing little notes to their friends,” he murmured. “They’re not quite right either. What I want is a girl that thinks, that cares, that talks to me like . . . like . . . like . . .”

“My wife?” Perrin suggested carefully.

“Yes! But probably younger, sir. Oh,” Shem cringed. “That did not come out right—”

Perrin laughed. “It’s all right, Shem. I’d be more concerned if you didn’t say that!”

Shem glanced at him to make sure the major’s amusement was genuine. He sighed in relief. “And someone like my sister, sir. She and your wife are so alike. And their opinions are very important to me. Almost as important as yours.”

Perrin smiled. “She feels the same way about you, you know. Mahrree thinks of you as a little brother.” He didn’t feel the need to admit anything more than that.

“I know sir, and I appreciate that. It makes being away from home easier. I never had a mother that I remember, but my sister took care of me the same way your wife does.” He chuckled. “A few weeks ago when I visited them, my sister gave me my brother-in-law’s pillow to sleep on!”

“Ah, so you’re used to stealing other men’s pillows,” Perrin glared at him playfully. “How old is your sister?”

“About the same age as you and Mrs. Shin.”

Perrin nodded thoughtfully, surprised to finally hear something about Shem’s family. He rarely spoke about them. “That’s quite a range between children.”

“Not that much. Ten years. But it turned out well. My sister helped care for me after my mother died when I was two. I often thought the Creator did that span in our ages on purpose. Still, my father complains he had to wait ten years to get his boy.”