Farnham’s Freehold By Robert A. Heinlein

“I understand you are using it as an excuse to bully me!”

“You’ve merely been assigned a job to fit your talents.”

“Kitchen drudge! I was your kitchen slave for twenty-five years! That’s long enough. I won’t do it! Do you understand me?”

“You are wrong on both points. You’ve had a maid most of our married life . . . and Karen washed dishes from the time she could see over the sink. Granted, we had lean years. Now we’re going to have more lean years-and you’re going to help. Grace, you are a fine cook when you want to be. You will cook. . . or you won’t eat.”

“Oh!” She burst into tears and fled into the shelter.

Her behind was disappearing when Duke got up to follow. His father stopped him. “Duke!”

“Yes.”

“One word and you can join your mother. I’m going exploring, I want you to go with me.”

Duke hesitated. “All right.”

“We’ll start shortly. I think your job should be ‘hunter.’ You’re a better shot than I am and Joe has never hunted. What do you think?”

“Uh- All right.”

“Good. Well, go soothe her down and, Duke, see if you can make her see the facts.”

“Maybe. But I agree with Mother. You were bullying her.”

“As may be. Go ahead.”

Duke turned abruptly and left. Karen said quietly, “I think so too, Daddy. You were bullying.”

“I intended to. I judged it called for bullying. Karen, if I hadn’t tromped on it, she would do no work. . . and would order Joe around, treat him as a hired cook.”

“Shucks, Hugh, I don’t mind cooking. It was a pleasure to rustle lunch.”

“She’s a better cook than you are, Joe, and she’s going to cook. Don’t let me catch you fetching and carrying for her.”

The younger man grinned. “You won’t catch me.”

“Better not. Or I’ll skin you and nail it to the barn. Barbara, what do you know about farming?”

“Very little.”

“You’re a botanist.”

“No, I simply might have been one, someday.”

“Which makes you eight times as much of a farmer as the rest of us. I can barely tell a rose from a dandelion; Duke knows even less and Karen thinks you dig potatoes out of gravy. You heard Joe say he was a city boy. But we have seeds and a small supply of fertilizers. Also garden tools and books about farming. Look over what we’ve got and find a spot for a garden. Joe and I will do the spading and such. But you will have to boss.”

“All right. Any flower seeds?”

“How did you know?”

“I just hoped.”

“Annuals and perennials both. Don’t look for a spot this afternoon; I don’t want you girls away from the shelter until we know the hazards. Joe, today we should accomplish two things, a ladder and two privies. Barbara, how are you as a carpenter?”

“Just middlin’. I can drive a nail.”

“Don’t let Joe do what you can do; those ribs have to heal. But we need a ladder. Karen, my little flower, you have the privilege of digging privies.”

“Gosh. Thanks!”

“Just straddle ditches, one as the powder room, the other for us coarser types. Joe and I will build proper Chic Sales jobs later. Then we’ll tackle a log cabin. Or a stone-wall job.”

“I was wondering if you planned to do any work, Daddy.”

“Brainpower, darling. Management. Supervision. Can’t you see me sweating?” He yawned. “Well, a pleasant afternoon, all. I’ll stroll down to the club, have a Turkish bath, then enjoy a long, tall planter’s punch.”

“Daddy, go soak your head. Privies, indeed!”

“The Kappas would be proud of you, dear.”

Hugh and his son left a half hour later. “Joe,” Hugh cautioned, “we plan to be back before dark but if we get caught, we’ll keep a fire going all night and come back tomorrow. If you do have to search for us, don’t go alone; take one of the girls. No, take Karen; Barbara has no shoes, just some spike heeled sandals. Damn. Moccasins we’ll have to make. Got it?”

“Sure.”

“We’ll head for that hill-that one. I want to get high enough to get the lay of the land-and maybe spot signs of civilization.” They set out-rifles, canteens, hand ax, machete, matches, iron rations, compasses, binoculars, mountain boots, coveralls. Coveralls and boots fitted Duke as well as Hugh; Duke found that his father had stocked clothes for him.