"TINKERBELLE" |
|
|
Chapter 16 The fact that Virginia and Robin and Douglas had got to Falmouth ahead of me, were there now, made it hard to wait to see them and hear all about everything that had happened on shore since May 31st, when I had telephoned home from the Falmouth on Cap Cod to bid them and my mother goodbye.� In some ways it seemed like years since then; in other ways it seemed like hours. Naturally, I didn't hear about the things that had befallen members of my family until I got to England and was reunited with them.� However, this seems to be the appropriate place to tell that part of the story, so I shall do so.� What follows is quoted from Virginia's diary, with my comments set off by brackets. "Tuesday, June 1-Today Robert left.� He called last night to say goodbye.� Next time I hear his voice he will be calling me from Falmouth, England to say he made it. "Wednesday, June 2-We got up at 6:30 because Nana [my mother, Mrs. James C. Manry] had to catch an early bus home.� It was pouring and the freeway was bumper to bumper.� Then the bus was a half hour late. "David Losh [one of Robin's classmates] brought a harness for Puff [Douglas's iguana] to wear.� While he was telling me about it the phone rang.� It was George Barmann of the Plain Dealer.� Seems they had received Robert's letter telling them he was going alone and they wanted to know the details.� George was so excited he had to call back a couple of times for more facts. "Ray Matjasic [a P.D. photographer] came and took pictures of us toasting Robert in milk.� The kids didn't like all the fuss, but they cooperated.� On the 7 o'clock news Bud Dancey told about Robert. "Thursday, June 3-At 7:30 A.M. the Press called and asked to use the story.� A girl from the News-Herald came to interview me. "The phone rang and it was Bill Litzkow of the Falmouth marina [from which I had embarked].� He sounded concerned and wondered if I had heard from Robert.� I said no, and he asked if he could tell anyone now.� Bless his heart. "A few more minutes and the phone rang again.� It was John Hough of the Falmouth Enterprise.� He promised to pass on any word he might come by. "Monday, June 7-Just a week ago tonight I said bon voyage to my own dear Robert.� He's never far away from my thoughts.� Just sort of counterpoint to everything I say and do. "Tomorrow is Douglas's birthday.� Not much of a celebration without his Dad, but I'll try to make it a nice one. "Robin said today:� 'People speak about Dad as though he were dead.'� Won't they be surprised when he turns up 75 days from now, tanned, lean and fit. "The astronauts are back down.� I wish Robert were across.� I imagine he has begun to miss his nice bed, lumps and all. "I can't seem to accomplish much.� Lonesome, I guess. "Friday, June 11- I've been working in the back yard all day.� It's 9:30 and I've just crawled out of the tub and now I'm going to rest. "I discovered some little rosebushes sprouting around under the trees.� I've weeded around them and I hope they'll grow.� I cut the grass and I felt like The Neighbor in Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem:� I left 'the clover standing, And the Queen Anne's lace!' "Funny the things I remember about Robert and me.� While I was mowing around the lovely pink clover I remembered a field near a motel where we had stopped during a vacation trip.� We were walking Chris [our German Shepard] and the smell of clover brought the whole scene back so clearly.� Made me kind of sad. "I cleaned his dark room yesterday, too, and that brought him near. "Sunday, June 13-Mother and John [Virginia's mother and brother] came today [from their home in Pittsburgh, Pa.].� Mother will stay with me for as long as she can take us.� Poor Chris got a walk finally.� She pestered John so he took her for a nice long one. "Sunday, June 20-At about 10:15 P.M. the Plain Dealer called to tell me the Coast Guard received word from a Canadian freighter [the Exilona] that Robert was 500 miles out and needed no assistance.� It was wonderful to hear he is all right.� He's not making much time, 19 days out, but he will eventually, I'm sure.� Perhaps I'll even get a letter next time.� I'm glad Mother and John were here when the word came; they are so anxious.� Mother is not too fond of boats, but she is being very brave about Robert.� Of course, she has confidence in him and that means a lot. "Monday, June 21-Fred [the family cat] seems to like her name even though she is a girl.� She got out around 11:15 tonight and we had quite a time rounding her up. "Wednesday, June 23-I couldn't sleep last night.� All sorts of visions racing through my head.� I do wish we had enough in the bank to take us all to England to meet Robert.� That's been my dream for years, to visit England and see all I've read about. "Seems Robert had gone 585 miles instead of 500. "Thursday, June 24-George called to tell me he had been to New York to talk to the captain of the freighter.� The captain thinks at his present rate of speed, it will take Robert 91 days to reach England. "Friday, June 25-A quiet day.� It's good to have one now and then.� Since the excitement began I've had trouble sleeping.� I know Robert will be all right, but when the captain said 91 days it conjured up all sorts of pictures.� If it took Crapo 51 days, Robert should surely make it in less than 91. "I hope he won't be too annoyed with all the publicity. "I'm planning to go to Pittsburgh for the Fourth of July.� I hate being away from home for so long.� Chris seems sad to me. "Thursday, July 1-If Robert were on schedule he'd be pretty close to eating his plum pudding.� I wish he were halfway there. "Poor Robert, I feel sorry for him, but then he may be enjoying it.� [I was, most of the time.] "Paid all our bills today and we're all set for another month, at least. "Sunday, July 4-People are beginning to ask me if we are going to England to meet Robert.� They're even talking about having a parade in his honor!� I can't imagine him sitting on the back of a car waving.� When I asked Robin if she would like to go to England to meet him she said that if she went the kids would think she was stuck-up.� I can't imagine why. "Monday, July 5-We're going to Pittsburgh tomorrow, John is coming for me.� Douglas is disappointed.� He wanted to take his vacation on a bus; says now it won't seem like one.� Wish I could take him to England.� Robin says she still wouldn't want to go to England because of the kids' attitude. "Wednesday, July 7-John is trying to figure out a way to get me to Cornwall.� He keeps giving me guidebooks to read, the rascal.� One of them, Rambles in Cornwall, calls Falmouth 'The Happy Harbour.'� I surely wish I could be there to meet Robert.� Maybe if I wish hard enough I can. "Friday, July 9-We heard from Robert again tonight.� Jo Talladino [one of our neighbors] called Pittsburgh to tell me someone had called when she was in our house feeding the menagerie.� She said a Mr. Larick from the Istmian Lines steamship company telephoned to tell me that the Steel Vendor had picked up 10 letters from Robert and that he was about 1,000 miles east of Boston.� All was well aboard and he expects to make England about August 15. "Last night before I went to sleep I looked at the full moon and thought that Robert was watching the same moon.� I wished on it and said a little prayer that we'd hear from him.� My prayer was answered. "Monday, July 12-Today began with a bang.� Three letters from Robert for me and two for the children.� Then began a struggle between the newspapers as to who should print them.� Of course, the Plain Dealer is his paper and they deserved first chance. "The family scolded me for permitting even the Plain Dealer to use them.� As they said, 'Dad won't like it a bit.'� [They were right; I didn't like it.]� I hope they don't use the entire letter, parts of it are personal.� [They used the whole thing.]� I should have typed out a passage and made them settle for that. "Robin was interviewed for the second time.� She sounded as though she had been doing it all her life. "Everything is fine with Robert except he is lonesome.� Says no more solo sails for him.� Also, he's losing weight.� Good. "Tuesday, July 13-A very exciting thing happened today.� A Mr. Davis from the London Daily Express called from New York asking for a story about Robert.� I told him how we envied his seeing England and we would have to be content just to hear about it, and how he had orders to stop at Liverpool to pick up just any old piece of soil that the Beatles might have stepped on once. "The battery in the car is dead again and the kids had a grand time pushing the car up and down driveways to Perkeys' [neighbors] for a booster to the battery. "I'm collecting the rocks the neighbors dig up in their yards when they have swimming pools put in.� I want to make a rock garden.� Can't seem to do much else about it, though.� Lonesome, I guess. "Wednesday, July 14-Victor Davis of the Daily Express called to tell me his paper carried the story.� He's sending me a copy. "I called the insurance company about extending Robert's special policies, in case he does take 90 days. �Also the lawyer about my will. "I blew myself to Mary Poppins tonight.� I needed to get away from the house and get my mind off things.� Goldfinger �is coming on July 28, at last.� Now Douglas can stop worrying about missing it.� He is counting the days. "Thursday, July 15-The editor of the Falmouth Enterprise tells me Falmouth, Cornwall, is planning a royal reception for Robert. "Friday, July 16-Today started out badly.� The washer hose broke and I had a regular geyser of steaming water shooting all over the ceiling and then onto the washing.� What a mess.� The place was like a Turkish bath.� I got a new hose and installed it myself.� Robert would be so proud of bumbling me. "About 4:30 Ray Matjasic called to ask if I could hurry down to see a movie of Robert taken by the Steel Vendor's cook.� Douglas went with me.� Robert was all in the shadow, but he looked so dear and familiar, waving just as we used to see him doing on Lake Erie. "Next week Phil Porter [the P.D.'s executive editor[ and Russ Kane want to talk to me about a possible trip to Falmouth! "Julian Wilson, the Associated Press photographer, said:� 'He doesn't belong to just us now, he belongs to the world,' and he formed a huge circle with his arms.� Imagine, my husband!� I'm glad he belongs to me, too. "John Metcalfe said:� 'You have to watch these quiet ones.� They're the ones to stir things up,' or words to that effect. "It's hard for us to realize how famous he has become.� One thing is sure.� Life can't ever be the same for Robert.� With a taste of adventure, he's bound to want more; and so will we. "Monday, July 19-Today was hectic.� I'd rather have them that way, though; I don't miss Robert so much then. "This morning I took Chris to the veterinarian's for a blood sample.� Just as they thought, she has a serious infection and must have her uterus removed. "Doug and I went to town for some school clothes for him, and some to wear to England.� We're going there, it seems. "This evening we got the television picture tube fixed:� $33.� Tomorrow I have to have my tooth fixed.� More money.� Chris's operation will be at least $50, plus the additionals.� The bank account sure is disappearing fast. "Tonight Mother called to tell me she has my birth certificate (needed to get a passport).� I also splurged and bought two pairs of shoes, on sale, and a handbag and hose for my visit to the P.D. tomorrow. "Tuesday, July 20-Hectic is no word for today.� Fantabulous about fills it.� I got in early at the P.D., had a cup of tea and a cookie, talked to Mary Hirschfeld, who writes the 'Mary Hears' column, and then met Russ Kane, Phil Porter and Russ Reeves, day managing editor. 'Well, Robert is to receive his pay for the entire six weeks he's been gone, praise be!� They are talking about paying our way over, the whole family, and Russ Kane is even talking about returning Tinkerbelle by air freight. "Wednesday, July 21-I finally got a little cleaning done.� John is going to Miami for a few days and mother will come here while he's gone. "I can't find Robin's birth certificate.� I know we have one, but I can't find it.� I sent for both hers and mine. "We finally got to see Goldfinger.� At a drive-in.� James Bond is quite a fellow.� Doug was in ecstasy! "Wonder what Robert is doing now.� Sleeping, I guess.� Must not think past the present.� It's too thrilling. "Thursday, July 22-More phone calls.� Phil Porter called to tell me a check for six weeks pay will be here soon, with another one each week until Robert comes home.� We surely can use it. "Friday, July 23-Big day today.� At about 8:15 A.M. Chris had her operation.� Dr. [James F.] Robertson performed it.� He saved her life once before, too. "It's 90 degrees.� I went with Douglas for a dip in Perkeys' pool. "Chris came through her operation all right.� I'm exhausted.� Hope I can sleep. "Saturday, July 24-I brought Chris home today.� The doctor said she came through very well.� It was 99 degrees today, not a breath of air stirring.� I wish I could be out on the sea with Robert.� I'll bet it isn't this hot there.� A letter from Sheila Beveridge in Newcastle, England, says they think Robert will make it the third week in August.� They do a lot of sailing, so they may be right. "Monday, July 26-I couldn't sleep and finally took a pill. "I'm sort of boiling under a tight lid most of the time.� When things get too bad I sit down at the piano and play some hymns and any other simple music I can figure out. "I have to shop for Robin's birthday present tomorrow. "Thursday, July 29-We heard from Robert again today.� A West German ship [the Bischofstor] sighted his red sail and reported to Lloyd's of London.� He was 1,000 miles from Land's End. "I got our passports today.� Lucky Mother was along because my birth certificate wasn't right.� It hadn't been recorded until I was 25.� Mother had to sign a statement and swear I was born. "Friday, July 30-Mother and I took Chris to have her stitches removed.� She had taken all but one out herself. "Saturday, July 31-The AP in Rotterdam is going to talk to the captain of the West German ship to see whether he was able to talk to Robert. "Phyllis Verity wrote saying her husband has called off his voyage to Ireland in his 12-foot boat.� The weather is too bad.� He's had a terrible time. "Sunday, August 1-I dreamed Robert came home last night. He needed more film.� Came in on a train.� He looked nice and brown and had lost some weight.� I don't remember whether he had a mustache.� He told me he was 641 miles from England.� [That was pretty close.� I was actually about 650 miles from England.]� We talked awhile and then he said he had to get back to Tinkerbelle and finish sailing to England. "When I read this morning's paper, I saw that the Coast Guard in Boston says he was probably 635 miles from England when he met the German ship.� Maybe Robert and I are still in tune with 2,500 miles of water between us.� Or ESP, maybe??? "Monday, August 2-Boy, has this been a day!� Falmouth, England cabled that they sighted a boat with two men in it and they think it is Robert's.� I said it couldn't be, unless he had picked up a hitchhiker, but everyone is all shook up.� That boat is blue, too, ours is red.� Oh, well. "The RAF will be going out to look for him at dawn and George [Barmann] will call London at noon to hear the results.� I can't imagine he has picked up so many miles in such a little while. "Russ Kane is off on vacation in North Carolina and they can't find him.� He didn't expect to be leaving for a couple of weeks. "My passport hasn't come yet and the wires have been burning between here and Washington.� The phone rang almost constantly from 4 until 8 today.� Washing, dry cleaning, shopping, house cleaning, all in one big jumble because of Robert's arriving early-if he is! "Tuesday, August 3-Holy cow, what a day!� First it looked as though we might not go until Thursday and Mother and John went home.� Then I sort of went to pieces for the first time.� Just nerves.� One minute we're going, then we aren't, and still no passport. "About 4 P.M. Ted Princiotto [the Plain Dealer's city editor] called to tell me to begin packing.� We're leaving at 6:30 A.M. tomorrow.� They say Robert is practically there. "My ear has a callus from talking on the phone so much.� I called Beverly Banci [one of Virginia's very good friends] to come over because I was in such a state.� She took charge and soon things began to even out a little. "During all of this the assistant superintendent of the Willowick post office, Mr. [Charles] Rittenhouse, appeared at the door holding my passport.� He had had every available person looking for it.� I was talking to Ted Princiotto for the umpty-leventh time when it came, and I gladly put Mr. Rittenhouse on the line. "In the midst of this chaos the dumb iron stopped working, and me with scores of things to iron.� Lee Orpse [another neighbor] brought her iron over and while she was here told me that Frank is hard at it planning a reception to greet Robert on his return! "Jean [Perkey] and Will [Hughes], friends of Robin's, were here to help Robin pack.� They will take care of Chris and Fred.� David Losh came for Puff yesterday. "Russ [Kane] has been located and will join our little band in Washington.� Surely broke up his family's vacation.� I'll be so glad to see Robert. "Poor Chris. �She knows something is up and we can't explain that soon her beloved Daddy will be back.� I do wish we could communicate better with animals. "I really must stop, but to paraphrase Eliza Doolittle, 'I could just write all night,' and I very nearly have.� Its' 2 o'clock, and I have to be up and going in three hours.� Such fun.� I do wish Robert were here, but he soon will be.� I miss him so at times like this.� He is so levelheaded and plans seem to go more smoothly for him.� I've never had to plan even a vacation without him and here I am trying to organize our departure for England.� At least the Plain Dealer is handling all the important decisions and thinking. "Wednesday, August 4-I haven't written a line in here until today.� Everything has moved so fast I haven't begun to catch my breath. "We left Cleveland at 8:55 A.M.� Mike Roberts, a reporter from the Plain Dealer, came for us and drove us to the airport.� Jean and Willie came to see us off at the house, and to clean up the mess we left. "We flew to Washington and, since we were to be there a few hours, we got a room at the Willard.� It was huge, almost as big as our whole house. "We drove to Baltimore by taxi and then to Philadelphia where we left for London.� I don't know why the change in plans, unless it was for secrecy.� I'm being guarded like I was an atomic secret. "It's a strange feeling to leave at dusk and see the sun set and a bit later see the sun rise from the same side.� They say it's because of the earth's curvature. "Russ was still wearing his fishing clothes, those being all he had.� He had a plaid shirt, tan levis and suède sheepskin-lined hushpuppies.� Hardly the outfit in which to arrive in London, but he had no other and no time to buy any. "He and Bill Ashbolt spent almost the whole trip trying to fix a secondhand movie camera they had bought in Washington, and whose footage indicator wouldn't work.� They never knew how much film there was left.� Bill took some pix of us in the plane. "Thursday, August 5-Our first day, the only one, really, in London, was a dilly.� The minute we stepped off the plane, on which we had slept not a wink, there were about six photographers all snapping away.� Interviews by reporters with those heavenly British accents, and then a drive to the Whitehall Hotel on Bloomsbury Square.� Bloomsbury Square sounds so storybookish. "Eric Piper, a Daily Mirror photographer, told Robin all about her beloved Beatles.� He had even taken pictures of them! "London is busy and exciting.� I'd love to see it when we have all the time in the world.� Everything we saw was through the windows of a taxi or the bus on the way from the airport. "Friday, August 6-We were supposed to meet Russ and Bill in the lobby at 8 A.M., eat and leave from Paddington Station for Falmouth. "I slept as one drugged and when Russ knocked on the door I awoke as though I'd been raised from the dead.� We tore around washing, dressing, packing.� Then we found that with the new clothes we had bought on Oxford Street there wasn't enough room in our suitcase.� Russ waved his magic wand and there were cardboard cartons for us. "Russ and Bill bought us a huge bag of fruits and candy bars to eat on the train because it was a five-hour ride.� After some confusion arising from uncertainty as to which track our train was on, we got in the compartment and slid through Paddington on our way to the Cornish Riviera, pulled by an engine called the Western Trooper. "We felt as though we were playing parts in an English movie.� As Robin said, we hardly dared to speak for fear of breaking the spell. "When the train pulled into Truro, George [Barmann, who had flown to England earlier] appeared.� Seems he and Vic Roberts, a transplanted Londoner, had come from Falmouth to take us the rest of the way by car. "I'll always remember our first glimpse of the Greenbank Hotel in Falmouth.� We came into a conservatory-like entryway leading off a lovely flower garden in front of the hotel.� From it we could look straight through the lobby onto a blue, blue harbor with sailboats anchored peacefully and sea gulls wheeling about, the sun streaming into the glassed-in lounge. "The manager, Avon Tregenna, has arranged for Robert and me to have a lovely room at the top of the hotel overlooking the harbor.� He said it is so quiet Robert will be able to get a good rest. "Tom Reedy, the AP man from London, an American from Pennsylvania, by the way, told me over our tea:� 'This will be another Dunkirk.' "Saturday, August 7-Frank Goldsworthy of the Daily Express, London, has converted his hotel quarters into a chart room.� We call him admiral and keep track of Robert on his charts. "CBS television news and United Press called.� The reporters say this is nothing to what it will be when Robert gets here.� I do wish he'd come soon.� It's so hard to wait now that we are actually here and it'll be more fun to explore Cornwall with him. "Sunday, August 8-A Belgian ship [the Belgulf Glory] saw him today.� The best guess now is a week from today, just as he had said, on August 15. "I guess his beard isn't too long.� There seems to be some dispute about it.� Some captains say he has one and others don't mention it.� Just so he has a mustache. "The crowd seems to be gathering; the dining room is more crowded.� After dinner we took a taxi and visited Pendennis Castle where Bill [Ashbolt] took some pix of us hanging onto the battlements.� Shades of King Arthur! "Monday, August 9-Things are moving right along.� Today some sailors [and Bill Jorgensen and Walter Glendenning] from Penzance saw Robert.� Soon he will be meeting ships every day.� Russ had Bill and Eddie Worth [an AP photographer] drop a letter from me to Robert today.� [Actually, it was dropped by the R.A.F.] "A man from the BBC named Robert Forbes came over from Plymouth to interview me.� He also drove Robin and me [Douglas was shopping in town] over to Plymouth to be on TV." |
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS | NEXT CHAPTER |
|