Receive Me Falling Read Online Free PDF Page B

the ride to the Great House.  
    The sharp crunch of crushed shells aroused James
from his trance.   The slave directed the
men to the veranda wrapped around the lower level of the house, and then
disappeared around the corner.   Moments
later, a round, glassy-eyed man with wind-swept gray hair pushed his way passed
a haughty, well-dressed slave at the front door and invited the Silwells into
the hall.  
    “Greetings, gentlemen.   I was just on my way to have the carriage
brought around when I learned of your early arrival.   I trust your journey afforded you a
breathtaking view of our beautiful island paradise.”
    “It did indeed,” remarked Albert.   “We apologize for taking the liberty of
venturing to your home before we were scheduled to arrive, but several
gentlemen at the hotel assured us of your hospitality.”
    “We are never bothered by visitors—especially
those coming to learn the sugar system.   We take great pride in our production and look forward to any
opportunity to boast about it,” said Cecil as he led them to the front parlor.
    “We understand that your plantation houses the
most abundant and productive slave population on the Leeward
Islands,” said Albert.   “This is the first time we’ve gazed upon these exotic Africans.   It is a much less dramatic prospect than the
stories have foretold.”
      “I know
that many grizzly tales have surfaced about slavery, but I assure you that our
slaves are treated kindly and accommodated fairly.   There are a small number of plantation owners
who have abused these poor beasts beyond what is reasonable, but I believe that
you will find it to be a much more humane prospect than you had imagined.   The slave is, after all, physically and
mentally designed for such servitude.   He
is happiest when productive and well cared for.”
    James glanced at the man who had driven them to
the Great House who had materialized in a dark corner of the front hall, and
the man quickly shifted his eyes to the well-polished wood floor.
    “I would like to look around while the two of you
talk,” said James.
    “Certainly,” said Cecil as he filled three glasses
with rum.   “Unfortunately, my daughter
and I will be leaving soon for Services.   You were a bit earlier than I had anticipated.”
    “I won’t venture far.   I plan to do a more thorough investigation
later in the week.   I’m eager to explore
some of this landscape on foot.”
    Cecil hesitated a moment and glanced out toward
the back of the house.   “The doors off
the dining room will allow you passage to the back lawn.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Dall.”
    James approached the doors and stepped out into
the morning sunlight.   The lawn was
quieter than the road.   Birds and insects
could still be heard, but their music was much more reverent, tame, and muted.   He passed over the trim green grasses and
onto a well-trodden dirt path.   Vines,
leaves, and flowers entombed the passageway, and the cool, dank smell of moss
and earth was pungent in the air.  
    James heard laughter flutter through the
vegetation. He crept into a clearing bathed in sunlight where he saw three
slave children running in circles around a blindfolded woman.   The children shrieked with delight as she
tried to chase and grab them.
    Large fruit trees formed a circular grove veiled
in the evaporating dew of the morning.   Hummingbirds and insects flew from their shelters as James stepped out
into the sunlight.   Upon seeing the white
man, the children started and scattered like birds, leaving the blindfolded and
breathless Catherine asking after them as she felt the air around her.
    “Children, I am going to find you,” she teased.
    James stared at Catherine with fascination. She
was tall for a woman, slender in form, and flushed from the heat.   Her fair hair was swept up, but many curls
escaped their confinement.  
    Catherine heard James’ movements over the lawn and
began creeping toward him, feeling the