Whatever It Takes: Day 8

 Word Count: 48,107

Summary of Events:

Josiah went back to Linlithgow for the weekend and found a reply letter from Evangelina, who was utterly delighted by Josiah's statement that he would be inclined to go to the Navigator Islands with her — although he was unnerved when he realised this meant he had to tell his mother he wasn't going to China. The following day his mother asked to speak with him about Evangelina . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“As much as I can see a desire to do good works in Evangelina,” Mother said. “I just don’t think that she is a suitable woman for you.”

“Why not?” Josiah asked, feeling cold fingers of fear seize about his breastbone.

“She was only able to join us for two meals before she had to retire and was unable to do anything with us for the rest of the time that she was visiting,” Mother replied. “A woman who cannot handle the rigours of socialisation here in Scotland is going to be even less able to handle life in China, you need a stronger woman.”

“But doesn’t her heart matter?” Josiah asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” Mother replied. “If her heart doesn’t have the strength for her to be able to socialise more than half a day with people then it’s not going to be able to keep her alive long at all in China, and I don’t want you to become a widower nearly before you can consummate the marriage. Overall she is a reasonably decent young woman, the best candidate we’ve found so far, but I still think that you could do better because of those health concerns. I know you are studying to be a doctor and will be able to give her, thus, the health care that she is going to need, but I really can’t say you’re likely to be all that effective of a missionary when you’re constantly having to attend to your invalided wife, if she even lasts that long.”

That wasn’t what Josiah had meant, but he said nothing.

“Now I certainly think it would be best for you to go to the field as a married man, as I’ve already said that you need a wife to keep you steady,” Mother continued. “But if a weak-hearted woman is the best that you can find, then I think maybe you need to wait a bit longer, see if there isn’t a young woman when you go to take your training before you leave, or maybe you’ll even find a suitable young woman in China, I really don’t think you need to settle for such a feeble creature when there are assuredly stronger women whom you could marry.”

Josiah nodded, hoping that Mother wasn’t noticing how uncomfortable he was getting.

“Of course, her desire to be a missionary shouldn’t be stifled,” Mother went on. “But there are just some people who, despite their desire, are unfit to do what they wish, and should be informed that they need to find something else to do with their lives. You are fit and young, it would be no good for you to be weighed down and burdened by a wife who simply cannot serve alongside you as you deserve. You need a better woman than her.”