"By the time they arrived in the city, the snow was to
the bottom of the front bumper. Both men knew there was no
way that Walter could get back to the country in this
blizzard, especially after taking the wood out of the
trunk. Walter made the decision Robert was dreading before
any words or offers escaped Robert's lips.
"Looks like you're going to have company tonight,
Robert. I hope your wife doesn't mind uninvited guests."
"Oh, no, not at all." Robert hesitated only
briefly. "We'll be honored and proud to have you, but I
must warn you that it's not much. Certainly not what
you're used to. Of course, it beats being out in the cold."
Walter recognized that his friend was embarrassed and
apologizing for his home. He was touched but wisely made
no comment. No matter how bad it was, he was determined
not to further embarrass Robert or his family. He would
graciously accept their hospitality in the spirit in which
it was given. He felt certain that the Blairs would give
the very best that they had to everyone, no matter how
little that was.
"I need to stop somewhere and call Miss Molly so she
doesn't worry. Is there a phone somewhere close?"
"Yes, down at the market where we get our groceries.
Cletus, our neighbor and friend, works there so I'm
certain it'll be okay to use it."
"Good, I'll pick up some groceries too. We might be
stuck for a couple of days."
Robert explained to Cletus what was happening as Walter
spoke to Miss Fulton on the phone. Walter began gathering
up groceries quickly as they prepared to leave. The stack
of wares accumulating on the counter amazed the two
friends. There was a whole ham, a large bag of potatoes,
onions, two dozen eggs, three pounds of sliced bacon from
the meat counter, a pound of real coffee, butter, milk,
cabbage, carrots, cheese, three loaves of bread, a pack of
rolls and enough pork chops to feed half the block! In
addition, he placed two large bags of coal at the counter
along with a fresh pound cake, ice cream and chocolate
sauce.
"Can you think of anything else we might need, Robert?"
"No, sir, I think you've pretty well covered
everything. There might not be room for all of us in the
apartment with all this food!"
"How about candles? Do you have candles? The power may
go off."
"No, we don't."
Soon the bill was added up and it came to $12.74.
Robert and Cletus were stunned. Robert attempted to give
money to Walter, but he refused. They had never
known anyone to spend that much at one time at the
grocery store. Even in the good days.
Walter paid for the groceries and they struggled to
get them to the car. Mr. Schmidt came downstairs as they
were leaving.
"We'd better close up early, Cletus. You go on home
before it gets any worse. If anybody needs anything and
can get here, I'll hear them knocking and can come down.
Do you need to take anything else with you?"
"No, sir, thank you very much. I have a bag already so
we'll be fine." He didn't mention in front of Walter that
it was discards and nearly spoiled food that filled his
bag. He, too, had his pride.
"Come on and get in the car with us, Cletus," Walter
offered. "We may all have to push if we don't soon get
started."
Robert agonized for the few blocks to the apartment
building. He couldn't help but be anxious about the
situation in which Walter was walking. Their flat was
clean (or as clean as it could be made given its
condition) but to say it was humble was an understatement.
Actually, it was uninhabitable if the truth be told, but
it was somewhat better than the night shelter and
considerably more positive than living on the street. He
attempted to comfort himself with that logic as they
stopped in front. Walter was, after all, a fair and kind
man who seemed non–judgmental and unpretentious, so,
hopefully, he would have compassion for the plight of the
family. Surely he wouldn't be afraid to stay with them!
His anxiety and nervousness increased as that thought
entered his mind!
Robert ran ahead to forewarn Ellen while Walter and
Cletus unloaded some of the groceries. He rushed to their
door without his customary whistling from the third floor,
alarming both his family and the Dantons, as he knocked
hurriedly.
"What's wrong?" Ellen asked with alarm as she opened
the door.
"I'm sorry, Ellen, but we have a guest. Walter can't
get back to the country tonight and must stay with us. I
know it's a terrible imposition to drop this on you but I
really had no choice. He's been so good to me and we can't
expect him to sleep in his car." Robert threw out his
hands in a gesture of helpless resignation.
Ellen smiled warmly at her husband, understanding
immediately his concern. He was incredibly sensitive to
the fact that he was unable to provide adequately for his
family, even though he knew logically that there was
nothing else which would improve their circumstances.
Common sense and logic also assured him that their lot was
not unique, and they were, in many ways, among the more
fortunate within their society. They did, after all, have
a roof, such as it was, over their heads, he had a job,
they were together, and they had their health.
"It's fine, Robert," she soothed her husband
gently. "We're proud to have him, and we'll make him as
comfortable as possible. And how like you to be so kind as
to invite him in out of the cold!"