"I am afraid not, Julien," Sid responds.
Julien looked at their faces, observing their disappointment, feeling pleased with himself, he said without remorse, "So, what you're all saying is Shawney only communicated with Uncle Daniel", he questioned.
Ken was angry with his son's attitude, realising he intended to stir up problems with the siblings, with his continuous questions, "Julien! What does it matter, and why do you concern yourself about Shawney? When she was home, you all took advantage of her kindness. I once overheard Daniel telling her that the only way for her to be free from this house was for her to get married, and you all know this. If you all recall, Daniel got a few suitable matches for her, but Shawney was not interested. All Shawney ever wanted to do was to make sure you all had the opportunity to have a good education."
Unable to hold his tongue, Julien replies, "That is true, Dad. I recalled clearly when you and Mom could not help us, Mom used to ask Shawney to help us with our home lessons."
Train observed how red Ken's face became with rage as he slammed his hand on the table, cutting Julien's words short. "You mean she demanded that Shawney teach you two?"
Joan becomes angry with Ken's hasty words and for disregarding all the efforts she made to ensure her children's education, "Ken, don't be an idiot," Joan's voice raised angrily. "You always exaggerate and make things look so ugly."
Ken clenched his fist under the table, feeling the itch to punch Joan in her mouth, "So, now I am being an idiot, you all had that child working like she was your hired paid servant, slaving after you all day and night. I often saw Daniel brush the tears away and walk out of the room.
"Yesterday, you told the child she was responsible for Daniel's death. The truth is, if you all had never taken advantage of her, Daniel wouldn't have had any reason to send her away.
"When Daniel thought all of you had gotten married and she wouldn't have much work any longer, it was then you all sat with your spouses and ordered her around without thinking that she had a life of her own."
Ken unclenched his fingers, feeling relieved and pleased that he had revealed what was in his heart for the last three years.
Meg was not pleased to hear Uncle Ken's harsh words, wanting desperately to defend herself, "That's not true, Uncle Ken," Meg said without any reservation or remorse in her voice.
Ken becomes disgusted when she tries to deny the truth, "Not true, Meg, remember that Sunday morning you wanted bacon? Shawney had just completed your dad's breakfast.
When Lance walks into the kitchen, ordering Shawney as though he were her husband. After both of you had just left, expecting your breakfast on the table. No one seems to care if she has eaten or not. Isn't that how the rich people in the city treat the servants?"
"I remembered Uncle Ken," Sid replies. "But try to understand, Uncle Ken, Shawney was the only one who could fix our meals just the way we liked them. Now, look at this breakfast that is set before us. Who would have thought we would be enjoying such a lavish and delicious breakfast after so many years? I do miss the taste, don't you all agree?"
Train notices as Shawney's eldest brother waves his hand proudly with a smile, saying, "Uncle, only Shawney could prepare such a lavish meal like this in such a short space of time, don't you think so?"
"Yes, Sid, we all know that, and there isn't another person to replace her, but no one took the initiative to assist or learn. That's why your father sends her away." Ken snapped.
"Uncle Ken, you are mistaken, Dad didn't send Shawney away," Curtis replies, feeling hurt hearing those words from Uncle Ken.
As he reflects on his past and what Uncle Ken was saying about Shawney, there is so much truth, yet he ignores the nagging thought in his heart. We used to have her do all the chores while we got to do our studies, then we got married, and we never allowed our spouse to lift a broom. Shawney took care of everything from cleaning, cooking, and managing the funds.
Without thinking twice, Ken responded, "He did, Curtis. I heard it myself, and he blamed himself for the heavy burden that he had laid upon her shoulders. When she left home, many times, I heard him repeat that it was all his mistake. If only he knew he would miss her so much, when you all got married, he would have let you all find your place and not burden her."
Joan couldn't hold her anger any longer, and as her rage flared up, she blurted out, "Ken, just shut your mouth. She was the eldest, so who did Daniel expect to do the chores, me?"
Ken stood up as his chair skated backwards. The noise pierces the eardrum, and he notices all eyes on him. "Good, it seems as though I got all of their attention"
He was so furious with Joan's outburst and the others' behaviour, thinking what kind of mother figure is she, and how could she and the others be so shameless, "I am sure you will like that, Joan. Being the Mother figure in the house, you were supposed to lift the heavy burden, but what did you do instead? You create more work for her and the others following fast behind, not lifting a finger"
Joan could not believe her ears. In shock, she also noticed how the others were also looking at Ken with their mouths open 'Did your brother think I signed up for that heavy task?'
Observing her expression, Ken suspected what she was thinking, and his heart was aggrieved,
What was worse, all these hard-hearted people are so merciless. "Joan, have you ever considered that maybe that was why Daniel sheltered us, but instead, you shun your responsibilities? Causing her to do your washing and bathing of the children.
She had to fix their meals and help them with their lessons. I should have never listened to Daniel and stayed quiet. All of you, I am disappointed in you; you all know Shawney never complains about you ordering her around. I hope you all remember the morning we all woke up expecting our breakfast. What happens when everyone is waiting at the table? I know you all could recall what chaos that was?"