1890s: How to get two teenagers to go slow (and a few birthdays)

 

It has been a busy week in the Whittaker household, with two birthdays a holiday and, unexpectedly, an engagement to deal with. 

Step 1, of course, was asking for Emily's father's permission. Without this it did not matter how much Emily said yes. So after Sunday's service, Frank went with the Duncan's home for a heart to heart with Mr Duncan. 

 It goes surprisingly well, and Mr Duncan seemed happy to have the son of a rich and mildly famous writer as a a future son-in-law. However, Mr Duncan does tell him a 'funny story' with great animation, about someone who proposed and turned out to be non-committal and was then crushed like a... can? Frank isn't sure it's such a funny story, but he understands a warning when he sees one. 

 

Not that he'd change his mind when he has the prettiest (and richest) girl in town. He rushes out to find her in the snow and embrace her. She is so happy she steals a kiss, but the two aren't left alone for long. Mr Duncan and Mrs Sinclair, Emily's aunt, make sure to keep them company before long. What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? A father's promise, apparently. Frank is sent home with a happy heart that longs for more...physical contact. 

Back home, Joseph takes the chance at dinner to talk to his son about responsibilities. Now that he is engaged to be married, it's time he starts acting like an adult. He needs to pay more attention in school, and be nicer to his sister. More importantly he needs to act and behave like an adult, no more mood swings, hormonal outburst or phases. Frank only half listens, and starts fighting with his sister. But she started it!!!

The next day, Abigail invites Mrs Duncan over for a chat. After all, someone who is not high on hormones needs to decide what to do with this marriage. You cannot leave matters like this to young people! After talking deeply about the issue they decide that a long engagement is preferable at this age, let them grow up before rushing into something they cannot change their mind about. Both are still in high school and should remain so, naturally, especially Frank, and so they'll have to wait until they've graduated before the wedding. That said, there is nothing stopping them from being married when Frank is set to go to college. After all, too long of an engagement just isn't proper, and Emily is young now, and can just move in with them while Frank is away at college. Abigail promises she'll talk Joseph into the idea.

There isn't much time to talk, however, as they have two demanding girls in the house. Alice might be calm but she is struggling to learn how to crawl. Joseph has suddenly taken a greater interest in his little toddler, however, and she is learning how to wrap him around her little fingers as she gets him to play with her, and to his surprise, he finds he quite enjoy reading her to bed.

With both girls down for the night, Abigail finally has the time to speak to her husband, gently guiding him to come to the same conclusions that she and Mrs Duncan did.

The next day, it's time for Joseph's birthday. His sister has come to visit (over the day only, Abigail is relieved though she pretends otherwise to Mary of course). The Duncans, now set to be family, is of course invited, as are their usual friends. It's a successful event which ends in Joseph giving a small concerto on his violin to everyone's delight. The talk of the evening, however, is the fact that Mr Duncan flirted a bit with his sister-in-law, leaving her husband so furious that he actually slapped her right then and there! Such lack of decorum! (and so fast that no screenshots exist). This will surely be talked about for months to come.

Since gaining riches and a bit of fame, Joseph has been invited to join the Private Club, an exclusive gentleman's club for the very top of society. He has taken the invitation to heart, and visits the rich and luxurious club several times a week. It is here, that he finally has the chance to sit down with Mr Duncan, and discuss the engagement. They both agree that Frank's education is of the utmost importance, and that it is vital that he not only finish high school but attend college as well. And so as they play cards, they decide on a timeline that surprisingly is exactly the timeline that their wives agreed on two days ago. What Frank and Emily want? What does that have to do with anything? They're far too young to make decisions of this magnitude.

As the week is drawing towards its conclusion, it's time for one more birthday party. It's time for Ida to grow up into a young lady! All the proper children and teenagers of town are naturally invited to the affair. There is cake, singing and games being played.

And without further ado, let me introduce you all to young Ida Whittaker. A lady who loves art, is creative, and aspires to become a musical genius. A suitable aspiration for a young modern woman.