As time went on, they shared more and more mutual interests. Ethan was familiar with the practical aspects of farming, carpentry, blacksmithing, and life in the forests and swamps, and took pleasure in teaching Kindred what he knew. They felt at ease, learning from each other. Ethan borrowed one of the Morrises’ most treasured books, written by Linnaeus, whom Kindred had mentioned when they’d first met under the mill. Ethan tried to learn more about how plants and animals were named and related to one another.

Although she didn’t say anything, Epsey looked forward to planting time, when she knew that Ethan would not neglect his duties in their own fields. On occasion, when the men were away and their own household chores were not pressing, the women visited with each other, always at the Pratt cabin. They found it pleasant to spend these hours together, with at least a small cooking fire going on the hearth, fed with more logs during cool or rainy days. Without prior arrangement, Mavis would walk the mile or so, usually bringing with her some of the raw materials used for making cloth.

Epsey was a skilled weaver, and Mavis asked how she had learned the craft.

“My mother had a loom in our house in Philadelphia and would sometimes weave as much as three yards a day. She taught me how to use it as soon as my feet would reach the pedals, and I’ve always enjoyed the work. Except for a little calico, I’ve woven almost all our cloth since I left home. The biggest job is the carding and spinning.”

“I hope you will teach me how to do it all. What kind of fibers are your favorites?”

“I’ll be glad to show you. Wool and flax are the easiest, and I mix in some cotton, but it’s tedious to separate the seeds.”

While the baby crawled around the cabin, they sat side by side carding fibers, and Mavis watched closely when Epsey was spinning or weaving, asking questions and trying to learn the techniques herself. Later, while Epsey was carding or preparing food, Mavis soon learned to turn the large spinning wheel with a foot pedal, leaving both hands free to spin the carded and rolled fibers into thread.

The crafting of a spinning wheel and loom required a lot of skill, and Epsey was especially proud that Ethan had made the one she used. He was now helping Kindred make another one for Mavis, using Epsey’s as a pattern. Together, they had split out a thin piece of white oak eleven feet long and had it drying slowly in a circular shape, later to become the wheel itself. The wheel hub, spokes, posts, and spindles were turned on Ethan’s lathe.