Excerpt of Fearless Heart by Gail Cauble Gurley

"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!"