BETTY McINNES continues her superb Story about the Kennedy family of Dundee .sx The River Calls Us Home .sx While other women were fighting for the vote , Chrissie was fighting for her family's approval to marry the man she loved .sx .. WHEN CHRISTINA KENNEDY promised DANNY MURPHY she would marry him , she knew there would be difficulties ahead .sx The only daughter of Dundee whaling captain , WILLIAM KENNEDY , she had been spoiled all her life .sx Her nurse , BESSIE McCUTCHEON , had tried to show her what life was like for poor folk by taking her to the home of her sister , BIDDY MURPHY , in a Lochee tenement .sx It was there , as a child , that Chrissie met Danny and , over the years , their friendship had turned to love .sx But whaling was on the decline and so were the fortunes of the Kennedy family .sx GEORGE , the eldest of William's three sons , married JEANNIE , who brought no dowry but gave him two children , GEORGINA , and HUGH .sx ARTHUR married ELIZABETH BOWERS , the strong-minded daughter of a jute merchant .sx Her sister , HARRIET , was to become Chrissie's best friend .sx ERNEST , quiet and bookish , did not follow his father and brothers to sea .sx He worked in Dundee and was engaged to a grocer's daughter .sx At Arthur and Elizabeth's wedding Chrissie had met CHARLES RANKINE , the son of a wealthy mill owner .sx He fell in love with her and obtained William's permission to court her .sx Chrissie was horrified .sx She'd already agreed to marry Danny - but , if she turned Charles down , her father wouldn't get the money to refit his ships .sx And the Christina K , named after her , would have to be sold !sx .sx So , reluctantly , she agreed to see Charles .sx He was kind and thoughtful and good company - but he'd never be Danny Murphy .sx .. And , besides , Harriet had confided that she had been in love with Charles for years .sx .. When Queen Alexandra visited Dundee Chrissie went with Charles to meet her .sx Leaving the station , they came face to face with a furious Danny Murphy .sx When Charles learned Chrissie's true feelings he insisted she choose between himself and the juteworker .sx To Chrissie there was no choice .sx She loved Danny and wanted to be his wife .sx Now all she had to do was tell her father .sx .. Harsh Words .sx THE news that a whaler's daughter had turned down the town's most eligible bachelor went round the drawing-rooms of Dundee with the speed of an outbreak of influenza .sx And , what was more , Chrissie Kennedy had rejected Charles Rankine in favour of a juteworker !sx .sx What would happen when the whaling fleet got back - and William Kennedy heard what his daughter had done ?sx The old men shook their heads despairingly in the shelter of the Town House pillars .sx News had arrived of another disastrous trip with foul weather and a ship lost .sx " Aye , the whaling's done for !sx " one old lad grumbled .sx Everyone knew demand for whale-oil had dwindled away now streets and houses were lit by gaslight .sx Why , even the Overgate , a cheery , narrow artery in the very heart of the town , was soon to be lit by the marvel of electricity .sx " Och , Captain Kennedy has enough to worry about , without a wilful daughter , " someone else agreed , puffing away on his pipe .sx Chrissie shed bitter tears in private , but she walked out in the September sunshine with her head held high .sx Most of her acquaintances shunned her , but not everyone condemned her .sx The bleachers who were embarked on a bitter strike against their employers , cheered as she passed the empty bleach-fields .sx " Good for you , lass !sx You show 'em !sx " someone shouted .sx But that was small comfort to Chrissie .sx She loved her father dearly , and , for the fist time in her life , dreaded his homecoming .sx .. Chrissie was on her knees , wrestling with weeds in the overgrown garden , when the jingle of harness brought her to her feet .sx " How nice to see you , Lizzie !sx " Chrissie greeted her sister-in-law warmly with a dutiful peck on the cheek .sx Lizzie tethered the pony and trap to the porch rail and slipped a nosebag over the placid little animal's head .sx She looked grim .sx " Could we go inside please , Christina ?sx " .sx Chrissie's heart sank , but she smiled brightly .sx " Yes , of course .sx " .sx She led the way , pausing by the kitchen door .sx " Here's Lizzie come to visit , Bessie .sx May we have tea and a piece of your shortbread , perhaps ?sx " .sx The two young women were no sooner in the parlour , with the door closed , than Lizzie rounded on Chrissie .sx " What's this I hear about your turning down Charles for a juteworker ?sx " .sx Chrissie lifted her chin mutinously .sx " It's true .sx I don't love Charles Rankine , and I'll not marry him .sx I'm pledged to someone else .sx " .sx Two angry spots of colour appeared on Lizzie's cheeks .sx " You're daft , Christina !sx Charles will be one of the richest men in Dundee one day , an you've humiliated him .sx Taking up with a juteworker , indeed !sx Who is the man ?sx " .sx " His name's Daniel Murphy and he works in the High mill , " Chrissie answered defiantly .sx " His father's a road-sweeper , and his mother's one of the kindest women I know .sx They live in a tenement in Lochee .sx " .sx " His father's a - a scavenger ?sx " Lizzie's voice rose to an outraged squeak .sx Chrissie was angry .sx Tutored by Danny , she was fluent in Dundee's distinctive dialect , and she slipped into it now .sx " Aye , Lizzie , Mr Patrick Murphy's a scaffie , and he's kept busy !sx There's plenty work for scaffies in this town !sx " .sx Lizzie all but wrung her hands .sx " The Kennedys will never live this down .sx I can only imagine you've been led astray by an unscrupulous rogue , Christina .sx " .sx " Danny is hard working and honest and I'll thank you not to insult him .sx Otherwise I shall ask you to leave .sx " .sx Lizzie plumped herself on the couch , glowering .sx " I'll not leave until I've made you see sense !sx I feel responsible in your father's absence , Christina .sx He'd be horrified if he knew how that woman - Bessie - has been letting you consort with rude , common folk !sx " .sx There was a muffled snort of indignation from the door .sx Lizzie was on her feet and had it wrenched open in an instant .sx Bessie was caught in the act , her ear at the keyhole .sx " So !sx I'm glad you heard that , Bessie McCutcheon , because when Captain Kennedy returns I shall insist you are dismissed .sx " .sx " Lizzie , no !sx Chrissie cried in horror .sx Bessie rose with as much dignity as she could muster .sx " That's for the master to decide , Mistress Lizzie .sx I did what I believed right .sx I wanted Chr - Miss Christina to see how other folk live .sx I'd no idea she and my nephew .sx .. To tell the truth I'm as heartsick as you are !sx I wish it hadn't happened .sx " .sx " Aah-hah !sx The man's your nephew .sx Now I understand !sx You hope to advance your family !sx " Lizzie exclaimed grimly .sx " Stop it !sx " Chrissie cried in dismay .sx Bessie's dander was up .sx She glared at Lizzie .sx " I'll tell you one thing for sure , Mistress Lizzie !sx " .sx " And what's that ?sx " .sx " You're no' getting a single bite of my good shortbread !sx " And with a sniff , she headed for the kitchen , slamming the door .sx Lizzie stared after her angrily .sx " Well , really !sx What cheek !sx Your father will hear this , Christina .sx That woman must go !sx " .sx Chrissie had never been so angry .sx To hear Lizzie threatening dear , loyal Bessie was more than she could bear .sx She held the door wide open .sx " Please leave , Lizzie !sx It's none of your business how I live my life .sx " .sx Lizzie gathered up her gloves with dignity .sx " There's gratitude for you .sx I only wanted to help .sx I needn't have bothered !sx " And with that she swept outside .sx Chrissie's anger quickly evaporated and now she was sorry she'd been so unkind to Arthur's wife .sx She followed her outside .sx Lizzie was busy with the pony .sx Stony - faced , she untethered the beast and climbed aboard the trap .sx Chrissie touched her arm hesitantly .sx " Lizzie - I'm so sorry about the baby dying .sx .. " .sx For a moment Lizzie Kennedy was caught unawares , and Chrissie had a startling glimpse of the depth of her sorrow and suffering .sx Then she nodded quickly and gathered up the rains , urging the little pony on to the Dundee road .sx 'Votes For Women !sx ' .sx HARRIET BOWERS didn't know what to think when she heard Chrissie had turned Charles down .sx She admired Chrissie's devotion to Danny , and pitied Charles because he'd been rejected .sx She couldn't stop hoping he might turn to her for comfort , but .sx .. She was still determined to be a doctor .sx She loved Charles , but she didn't want to be married - yet .sx Someday .sx .. maybe .sx .. she thought as she strolled among the roses .sx " Penny for them , Harriet ?sx " .sx Charles was leaning against the summerhouse in the sunshine .sx Smiling , he held out a penny , which she took gravely .sx " I was thinking about you and Chrissie , " .sx " Oh !sx That's something I try not to think about !sx I work harder than usual , smoke and drink more than I ought , but I still find myself - " He broke off .sx Harriet remained silent , studying his tall , spare frame , the quirky curve to his lips , the kindness of his steady , intelligent eyes .sx He returned her stare .sx " Chrissie tells me you want to be a doctor ?sx " .sx " Yes , I've been accepted on the strength of my exam results .sx Are you shocked , Charles ?sx Mama had to be revived with smelling salts when I told her !sx " .sx " No , I'm not shocked .sx " He grinned .sx " A liberal dose of Harriet Bowers' commonsense is just what the medical profession needs .sx " .sx " You're teasing me !sx " .sx " No , I'm not !sx " .sx Charles looked down into Harriet's wide eyes .sx He was very fond of her and they got on well .sx He knew he must marry one day , and if he couldn't have the woman he loved , perhaps .sx .. " What about marriage - and children ?sx " .sx Harriet's heart gave a wild leap , but she paused gravely to consider the question .sx " I think it would be a great wrench , " she answered honestly .sx " But if I truly loved the man , I would do it for him .sx " .sx four-stars .sx The mild , misty spell of September weather broke at last , and the suffragettes marched along the High Street on October 1 in chilly rain .sx Chrissie was with them , persuaded against her better judgement by Harriet's infectious enthusiasm .sx " Don't you want the vote , Chrissie ?sx " Harriet had challenged her .sx " Well , yes , I suppose so , but - " .sx Chrissie wasn't sure what she'd do with a vote if she had it .sx Surely her small mark upon a ballot paper wouldn't change anything ?sx She said as much to Harriet .sx " Of course , it would !sx Imagine a whole army of women with the power to vote .sx We could change the world !sx There would be women in Parliament keeping an eye on the men .sx A woman Prime Minister even !sx " Harriet's eyes glowed with fervour .sx " The Prime Minister a women ?sx Och , Harriet , what nonsense !sx " Chrissie giggled .sx " Well , maybe that's going a wee bit far , " her friend agreed with a grin .sx " But you must come , Chrissie , to help hold my banner .sx It's huge , and I can't manage on my own !sx " .sx So Chrissie marched , holding one end of a rain-soaked banner which proclaimed in red paint VOTES FOR WOMEN .sx .. NOW !sx They marched to the vigorous beat of Daisy Marchmont's big drum , shepherded dourly by most of Dundee's impressively tall policemen .sx Chrissie felt horribly conspicuous and embarrassed .sx She spotted a disapproving group waiting for a tram outside the Town House pillars , and recognised some of the ladies who'd been her sternest critics .sx Her feet began to drag reluctantly .sx Suddenly the interested crowd began to swell .sx The shifts had changed at the mills .sx There was Danny with a group of mill - workers , as cheering loudly !sx .sx He caught her eye and waved furiously , blowing a kiss .sx " Look , lads , there's Chrissie , my bonnie lass .sx Votes for women , say I !sx " Danny waved his cap , and all the millworkers cheered themselves hoarse .sx Chrissie felt a lump in the throat .sx With Danny she wouldn't sit aimlessly at home with an embroidery frame .sx She would be his companion and helpmate , working shoulder to shoulder with him to make ends meet .sx It would be hard , she knew , but she would be the equal of any man .sx She would earn her right to vote .sx Chrissie hoisted the banner higher , giving it a defiant shake as the procession wound past the scandalised group by the Town House .sx