Summary of Events:
Chapter 17:
Samuel and Robert got up early to work at one of the mines in the area in spite of Samuel's fears of silicosis. Charlotte and Deborah went to visit Mrs. Guest and met Ella and Verbena; she had a lengthy conversation with them about God as well.
Chapter 18:
Samuel and Robert went to work in spite of a snowstorm — lest they suffer consequences that unnerved Samuel. Charlotte and Deborah engaged in discussion while waiting out the snowstorm at Deborah's house. Samuel and Robert then got paid and Robert nearly went to the saloon and started drinking again.
Excerpt of the Day:
"Arriving in the office and into warm air out of the bitter cold wind, Samuel relaxed his shoulders and slowly moved forward with the line toward the arrogant man who looked to be reluctantly doling out money to the rough and tumble miners lined up before him.
Finally Samuel's turn came and he was given a bill and a handful of coins. Samuel stepped aside and counted the money. He nearly went back to protest — but caught himself before he lost the money, or even his job — he'd made as much money as they'd paid him for a week's work in one day driving trains! He'd made about this much money for two days at that ranch, and even working in construction! Mr. Baril had paid him about three times this much for the same amount of time he'd worked here at the butcher shop!
Looking up, Samuel tried to find Robert, but Robert wasn't anywhere to be seen. Not in the lineup, not in the few men milling around elsewhere. Had Robert set out alone? He shoved his money into his pocket and strode out the door.
A group of men was walking ahead. Samuel hurried to catch up with them as they walked along the boardwalk. Samuel just about froze when he saw they were heading for the saloon. He hoped desperately that Robert wasn't already there.
The group of men kept just enough of ahead of Samuel and walked into the saloon. Arriving at the door, Samuel peered in, not sure if he wanted to commit unless he was sure that Robert was there, but he couldn't tell.
Samuel strode in and looked around, he couldn't see Robert anywhere.
"Robert!" Samuel called out sharply. Most every man turned and looked at him, and he saw what he'd feared. Robert was sitting on one of the stools along the main counter, money in hand.
Samuel strode briskly forward and seized Robert's arm. Without protest Robert let Samuel drag him out of the saloon and all the way back to the Guests' house before he said anything.
"What were you doing?" Samuel snapped.
"Getting something to drink," Robert replied flatly.
"Mrs. Guest has water," Samuel said, he then waited until Robert had taken off his coat and hat and led Robert up to their room.
Robert instantly went over to his bed and sat down, looking completely shamed.
"We're being paid a – pittance by that swindler and you were just going to blow it doing exactly what you're not supposed to be doing?" Samuel asked.
"At least you were there to notice," Robert replied.
Samuel startled and thought about it. If he would've been working another job he wouldn't have been able to notice if Robert would've gone with the rest of the men and blown his pay on liquor."
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