An Ordinary Morning: Georgina Hall & Nathaniel Mather
Who: Georgina Hall & Nathaniel Mather What: Tuesday Breakfast Where: The Parsonage When: A Tuesday in September Warnings: None. Summary: An ordinary breakfast, on an ordinary day.
Georgie was lost in thought as she sliced the apples for breakfast. Unlike other families, they never prepared a rich breakfast. Meals were always simple at the parsonage, even when other pastors or acquaintances dined with them. Nathaniel was a firm believer that plain, simple food was pleasing to God. Since Nathaniel was installed at Old South Congregation and Georgie and her brother had moved into the neighboring parsonage, Georgie had been instructing the new cook, Hannah, on her brother's beliefs. Even though Hannah might not like Nathaniel's refusal to use sugar, citing the atrocious conditions of the farmers -- "It's un-Christian for any man to enslave another man. We will have no sugar in this house," -- Georgie was determined to support her brother's beliefs.
Nathaniel never had a large appetite. Even when they were younger and their mother would instruct the cook to prepare some treat to tempt the solemn boy, he was never interested. Inspired by her older brother, Georgie would also refuse the cakes or dainties, but she would often sneak into the kitchen after supper. The cook would usually insist that the small girl take a cookie or sweet up to her room.
Georgie sighed, her thoughts drifting from her childhood to the house that she shared with her husband. Unlike Nathaniel, Matthew Hall had enjoyed his sweets, and Georgie had always been careful to include at least one dessert with any meal they served.
Georgie finished slicing the applies and she carefully arranged them on a plate. Hannah had finished the oatmeal and the two women arranged the table for breakfast. There were no guests this morning, and thus there were only three places to set. Though Georgie knew that other pastors did not approve of servants eating with the family, Nathaniel was insistent -- and thus Hannah always ate with them.
Georgie lifted her head at the heavy tread on the stairs and quickly removed her apron and returned it to its place in the kitchen. She and Hannah both moved to stand by their seats, waiting quietly with their hands folded.
Nathaniel walked down the stairs and along the narrow hallway into the dining room. He was pleased to see his that sister and Hannah already prepared breakfast and he walks over to Georgie. Dropping a light kiss on her forehead, their customary morning greeting, he walked to take his place at the head of the table.
"Good morning, Hannah," he murmured in his low voice. Hannah ducked in a small curtsy, her usual form of greeting. Nathaniel nodded and then bowed his head. Both women followed his movement and Georgie closed her eyes as her brother began to speak. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be always acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. O send out Thy light and Thy truth, that they may lead me, and bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling. Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." Nathaniel paused, allowing a moment of silence to fill the dining room before continuing.
Georgie listened to Nathaniel's prayer, keeping a strict control on her mind. When she was younger, she would often let her mind wander, thinking about books or her friends. Nathaniel had only to reprimand her once when she confessed to him that she didn't always find church or prayers interesting. Once he had instructed her on the devious nature of sin and evil, Georgie struggled to always reign in her thoughts. It had taken years, but Georgie is better able to concentrate on Nathaniel's prayers and sermons.
The silence lengthened and Georgie reached out to nudge Hannah. The two women's voices joined with Nathaniel's lower one, ending the prayer. "O Lord, open thou our lips. And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."
Without speaking to either of the women, Nathaniel seated himself, draping the napkin over his lap. Georgie and Hannah seated themselves and they wait for Nathaniel to pour the milk over his hot cereal. Once he has begun to eat, the women also start. Hannah poured the tea for Georgie, Nathaniel and herself, and looks longingly around the table for the sugar bowl.
They ate in silence, each thinking to themselves; and after the cereal and fruit was eaten and the entire pot of tea finished, Nathaniel looked up. "What are your tasks of the day?" he asked Georgie as Hannah cleared the dishes. Georgie smiled up at Hannah before addressing her brother. "There is a City Mission Society meeting this afternoon," she murmured. "And Mrs. Lacey needed to speak to me about shoes for her two boys." She smiled at the thought of a busy, productive afternoon. What she hadn't told him is the daily running of the house that also occupies the majority of her day. Georgie doesn't think it necessary to inform her brother about the mundane day-to-day business of the house.
Nathaniel nodded with approval at his sister's schedule. "I will be meeting with the Chaplin from Grantmore School in the morning." Nathaniel's brow furrowed with concentration. "There are certain radical elements within that school which greatly concern me." Over the previous weeks, Nathaniel has become increasingly worried about the students at the school. It is his opinion that the Chaplin is too permissive with the students. In Nathaniel's experience, it takes prayer and diligence to encourage young men in their Christian duties and responsibilities.
Standing, Georgie followed Nathaniel to the parlor where Hannah sits. Georgie knows how the rest of the morning will go: they will sit for nearly an hour as Nathaniel reads from Scripture. They will conclude with a prayer, asking for God's direction and influence in their lives for the day. She takes her seat without a word.