Somewhat against her will, Mavis was excluded from some of the men’s forays, but she always joined in the discussions when they were in the Morris cabin comparing their notes with the texts and illustrations in the books. Having helped John Bartram for several years with preparation for his lectures, she was often more familiar with the specimens than Kindred, and it was she who tabulated the collected data and added the final sketches to the notebooks. She was always eager to teach Ethan when he lingered after an excursion in the woods and swamps.

As the spring progressed, much of Ethan’s time had to be spent in his own fields and pastures, and his relationship with Epsey became more natural again as they shared common chores. There were times of excitement when their son stood alone, took his first steps, and finally began to say a few words. But during planting and harvest seasons, it was inevitable that the two families would find it convenient to cooperate in some tasks that related to their farmwork. The men shared a small still, which produced enough whiskey for their families’ medicinal needs, and they planned to make a few gallons of wine each summer from the wild muscadines and fox grapes that were plentiful in the forest. They also worked together on the forge, where Kindred usually pumped the bellows and Ethan, at his anvil, would do the rudimentary blacksmithing jobs required on their farms. They shod their own horses, made and sharpened iron points to fit on the wooden plowshares, and crafted tools and a few other items, including the hinges and latches for the main doors of their two houses. They made andirons for their fireplaces, where they cooked all meals, along with fire pokers and tongs, iron hooks, ladles, and large forks.

•  •  •

During their visits together, Mavis was willing and even eager to discuss any subject with Epsey. Although Mavis had made some initial frank comments, she realized that the older woman was reticent to share information about anything personal except the achievements of little Henry.

One afternoon, however, while the baby was sleeping, Mavis surprised Epsey by asking, “Epsey, do you and Ethan sleep together?”

After some hesitation, she replied, “As you can see, we have separate cots.”

“That’s really not what I mean. As between husband and wife?”

Not wanting to discuss her most intimate affairs or admit how seldom they had intercourse, Epsey responded, “Well, how do you suppose we got little Henry?”

“Well, that’s what I meant, but I don’t know if we’ll ever have children. After we were married I tried everything I could—in a decent way, of course—but Kindred didn’t seem to find me attractive in that way. Finally I got him to talk about it, and he said he looked on me more like his sister. I guess I’m just not physically attractive to him.”