Coming of Age Book 2: James

the Crawleys live on

"Mama," James called.

"Yes, darling? How's Emma feeling and what did the doctor say?"

He grinned. "It's as you thought, Mama,Emma is pregnant."

"Oh, How Marvelous! Papa will be so excited!"

"I do hope to have a son."

"My darling, Please don't resent Emma if it's a girl. We do not control these things and putting anxiety and stress on your wife for something she can't control  is horrid."

"I shall be pleased as punch to have a daughter, Mama, especially if she's as splendid as you!"

Cora laughed, hugging her son. "You're such a flatterer, James."

"Well, you've raised the bar quite high while I serached for a wife. I love my Emma dearly, but no one can match my dear Mama."

"Oh, I think that's quite enough young man or  you'll make me look bad."

 James gave Cora a squeeze when he noted the frown on her face. "Do you want to tell him or shall I?"

He was pleased when the question had the desired effect on bringing out her smile. "You should, dear."

"Whatever are you both talking about?" Robert asked. 

"Papa, I'm going to be a father!"

"Golly Gumdrops, that's absolutely fantastic, James!" Robert said, glancing at Cora. He was surprised to see she was no longer smiling.  He had a feeling he knew why. He had been adament their first child were a boy and he overdid his excitement  in believing it must be. So much thay Cora became  so anxious and nearly died herself. Luckily James was born perfectly and Cora survived.

"And don't harp on Emma so much to have a son. Girls are just as special," he told James.

James noticed that Mama was quiet now and thought perhaps he'd leave their parents for a few minutes. "Papa, I'm going down to Bluehill Farm. Mr Billings wanted to talk about his pigs. Apparently their food trough was knocked over while he was at the farming convention in Ripon over the weekend. The pigs were collapsing from hunger and he needs help to keep the ones still alive from attacking the others."

"Oh, please do be careful, James," Mama said.

"I wil, Mama and i won't be the only one there. He's hired two men to help."

"Good," Robert replied. "I'll come by later to see how you're getting on."

Cora stopped to ask Carson if he heard from James or Robert yet. they missed tea and still hadn't returned. 

"I haven't Milady, but I shall send someone down to Blue hill Farm," he told her.