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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Susanna and Sue, by Kate Douglas Wiggin

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Title' Susanna and Sue

(uthor' Kate Douglas Wiggin

)llustrator' (lice Barber Ste$hens

*" +" Wyeth

elease Date' ($ril -., -/0/ 1EBook 23-0456

&anguage' English

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Susanna and Sue. Illustrated by ALICE BARBER STEPHENS.



The Old Peabody Pew. Illustrated by ALICE BARBER STEPHENS.



Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm.



New Chronicles of Rebecca. Illustrated by F. C. YOHN.



Rose o' the River. Illustrated by GEORGE WRIGHT.



The ffair at the !nn. Illustrated by MARTIN JSTICE.



The "irds' Christmas Carol. Illustrated.



The Story of Patsy. Illustrated.



The #iary of a $oose $irl. Illustrated by C. A. SHEPPERSON.



Cathedral Courtshi% and Penelo%e's &nlish &(%eriences.Illustrated by CLIFFOR! CARLETON.



Cathedral Courtshi%. )oliday &dition. E"lar#ed$ a"d %&t' &llustrat&("s by CHARLES E.BROC) .



Penelo%e's Proress. E*+er&e",es &" S,(tla"d.



Penelo%e's !rish &(%eriences.



Penelo%e's &(%eriences. )oliday &dition. I" t'ree -(lues. Illustrated by CHARLES E.BROC) . I. E"#la"d/ II. S,(tla"d/ III. Irela"d.



*arm +isa.



The ,illae -atchTower. S'(rt St(r&es.



Polly Oliver's Problem. A St(ry 0(r G&rls. Illustrated.



Timothy's /uest. A St(ry 0(r A"yb(dy$ Y(u"# (r Old$ %'( ,ares t( read &t.



Timothy's /uest. )oliday &dition. Illustrated by OLI1ER HERFOR!.



Summer in a Ca0on. A Cal&0(r"&a St(ry. Illustrated by FRAN) T. MERRILL.



Nine +ove Sons and a Carol. P(es set t( us&, by MRS. WIGGIN.



BOSTON AN! NEW YOR)



SUSANNA AND SUE



COPYRIGHT$ 2343$ BY )ATE !OGLAS RIGGS

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Published October 1909



CONTENTS

I. M(t'er A""5s C'&ldre" 2

II. A S(" (0 Ada 67

III. !&-ers !(,tr&"es 87

I1. L(u&sa5s M&"d 9:

1. T'e L&ttle ;ua&l B&rd <:

1I. Susa""a s+ea=s &" Meet&"# 24:1II. >T'e L(%er Pla"e> 262

1III. C(",er"&"# Ba,=sl&ders 282

I?. L(-e Ma"&0(ld 297

?. Br(t'er a"d S&ster 2::

?I. >T'e O+e" !((r> 23@

?II. T'e H&lls (0 H(e 622

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ILLUSTRATIONS

L((=&"# u+ &"t( 'er (t'er5s 0a,ee*+e,ta"tly +a#e 246

Frontis%iec

e

!( y(u reeber t'e l&ttle Nels(" #&rl a"d'er (t'er 26

Susa""a sat &" 'er ,(r"er bes&de t'e a#edTab&t'a 226

Hetty l((=&"# at t'e lad %&t' all 'er 'eart &"'er eyes 274

MOTHER ANN'S CHILDREN

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I

IT %as t'e e"d (0 May$ %'e" >s+r&"# #(et' all &" %'&te.> T'e a++le trees %ere

s,atter&"# t'e&r del&,ate +etals (" t'e #r(u"d$ dr(++&"# t'e (-er t'e st("e %alls t(t'e r(ads&des$ %'ere &" t'e (&st +la,es (0 t'e s'ad(%s t'ey 0ell (" beds (0 s"(%y&""(,e",e. Here a"d t'ere a s&"#le tree %as t&"#ed %&t' +&"=$ but s( 0a&"tly$ &t %as as &0 t'e %'&te %ere blus'&"#. N(% a"d t'e" a t&"y %'&te butter0ly da",ed &" t'e su" a"d

+early ,l(uds strayed a,r(ss t'e s=y &" 0lee,y 0l(,=s.

E-ery%'ere t'e #rass %as (0 et'ereal #ree""ess$ a #ree""ess dre",'ed %&t' t'e +ale

yell(% (0 s+r&"# su"s'&"e. L((=&"# 0r( eart' t( s=y a"d 0r( bl(ss( t( bl(ss($t'e l&ttle %(rld (0 t'e a++le (r,'ards$ s'edd&"# &ts 0all&"# +etals l&=e 0a&rD%eat'er s"(%$ seeed ade (0 alabaster a"d +(r,ela&"$ &-(ry a"d (t'erD(0D+earl$ alls'&er&"# (" a ba,=#r(u"d (0 te"der #ree".

A0ter y(u +ass Alb&(" -&lla#e$ %&t' &ts streets s'aded by els a"d a+les a"d &ts(uts=&rts eb(%ered &" bl(ss(&"# (r,'ards$ y(u %&"d al("# a '&lly ,(u"try r(ad t'atru"s bet%ee" #rassy 0&elds. Here t'e %'&te%eed &s already budd&"#$ a"d t'ere are



+leasa"t +astures d(tted %&t' r(,=s a"d 0r&"#ed %&t' s+ru,e a"d 0&r/ stret,'es (0 %((dla"d$ t(($ %'ere t'e r(ad &s l&"ed %&t' #&a"t +&"es a"d y(u l&0t y(ur 0a,e#rate0ully t( ,at,' t'e ,((l balsa breat' (0 t'e 0(rest. C(&"# 0r( (ut t'&s s+le"d&ds'ade$ t'&s s&le",e t(( dee+ t( be d&sturbed by l&#'t breees (r -a#ra"t %&"ds$ y(u 0&"dy(ursel0 (" t'e br(% (0 a des,e"d&"# '&ll. T'e 0&rst t'&"# t'at str&=es t'e eye &s a la=e

t'at &#'t be a #reat blue sa++'&re dr(++ed &"t( t'e -erda"t '(ll(% %'ere &t l&es.W'e" t'e eye relu,ta"tly lea-es t'e la=e (" t'e le0t$ &t tur"s t( rest u+(" t'e l&ttleS'a=er Settlee"t (" t'e r&#'ta d(e" (r s( lar#e ,(0(rtable %'&te bar"s$ s'eds$a"d '(uses$ sta"d&"# &" t'e %&de (rderly s+a,es (0 t'e&r (%" s+read&"# a,res (0 0ara"d t&ber la"d. T'ere a#a&" t'e s+r&"# #(et' all &" %'&te$ 0(r t'ere &s "( s+(t t( 0le,= t'e dal&"# ual&ty (0 S'a=er +a&"t$ a"d t'e&r a++le$ +lu$ a"d +ear trees are s( %ell,ared 0(r t'at t'e s"(%y bl(ss(s are 0a&rly '&d&"# t'e bra",'es.

T'e +la,e &s -ery st&ll$ alt'(u#' t'ere are s&#"s (0 lab(r &" all d&re,t&("s. Fr( a%&"d(% (0 t'e #&rls5 bu&ld&"# a ua&"t l&ttle #rayD,lad 0&#ure &s beat&"# a bra&ded ru#/ a

b(y &" '(es+u"$ %&t' '&s 'a&r sl&#'tly l("# &" t'e ba,= a"d ,ut &" a stra&#'t l&"ea,r(ss t'e 0(re'ead$ &s ,arry&"# &l=D,a"s 0r( t'e da&ry t( ("e (0 t'e S&sters5 H(uses.Me" &" br(adDbr&ed 'ats$ %&t' ,lea"Ds'a-e"$ as,et&, 0a,es$ are +l(u#'&"# (r 'arr(%&"# 'ere a"d t'ere &" t'e 0&elds$ %'&le a #r(u+ (0 S&sters &s busy sett&"# (ut

+la"ts a"d -&"es &" s(e beds "ear a ,luster (0 "(ble trees. T'at ,luster (0 trees$ d&dt'e eye (0 t'e stra"#er real&e &t$ %as t'e -ery start&"#D+(&"t (0 t'&s S'a=er C(u"&ty$ 0(r &" t'e year 2:<@$ t'e -al&a"t Fat'er Jaes W'&tta=er$ ("e (0 M(t'er A"" Lee5s earl&est E"#l&s' ,("-erts$ st(++ed "ear t'e -&lla#e (0 Alb&(" (" '&s 0&rst-&s&t t( Ma&"e. As 'e a"d '&s Elders al&#'ted 0r( t'e&r '(rses$ t'ey stu,= &"t( t'e#r(u"d t'e %&ll(% %&t'es t'ey 'ad used as %'&+s$ a"d "(%$ a 'u"dred years later$ t'e

trees t'at 'ad #r(%" 0r( t'ese sle"der bra",'es %ere "early t'ree 0eet &" d&aeter.

Fr( %'ate-er a"#le y(u l((= u+(" t'e Settlee"t$ t'e 0&rst a"d str("#est &+ress&("&s (0 u&et (rder$ 'ar("y$ a"d a =&"d (0 austere +le"ty. N(%'ere &s t'e +ur&ty (0 t'es+r&"# s( a++are"t. N(t'&"# &s (ut (0 +la,e/ "(%'ere &s a"y ,("0us&("$ (r a++eara",e(0 l((se e"ds$ (r "e#le,ted tas=s. As y(u ,(e "earer$ y(u 0eel t'e (re surely t'at'ere t'ere 'as "e-er bee" u"due 'aste "(r %aste/ "( s'&r=&"#$ "( +utt&"# (00 t&ll t'e(rr(% %'at s'(uld 'a-e bee" d("e t(Dday. W'e"e-er a s'&"#le (r a ,la+b(ard %as"eeded &t %as +ut ("$ %'ere +a&"t %as reu&red &t %as used$t'at &s e-&de"t/ a"d al((= at t'e #reat bar"s st(red %&t' 'ay s'(%s '(% t'e 0&elds 'a-e bee"

,("s,&e"t&(usly edu,ated &"t( #&-&"# a 0ull ,r(+.

T( su,' a s+(t as t'&s &#'t a"y t&red (r s&"0ul 'eart ,(e 0(r rest/ '(+&"# s(e'(%$&" t'e &dst (0 su,' 0ru#al&ty a"d t'r&0t$ su,' sel0Dde"y&"# lab(r$ su,' te+erate use (0 G(d5s #((d #&0ts$ su,' s'&"&"# ,lea"l&"ess (0 (ut%ard t'&"#s$ t( re#a&" a"d %ear >t'e%'&te 0l(%er (0 a blaeless l&0e.> T'e -ery a&r (0 t'e +la,e breat'ed +ea,e$ s( t'(u#'tSusa""a Hat'a%ay/ a"d l&ttle Sue$ %'( s=&++ed by 'er s&de$ t'(u#'t "(t'&"# at allsa-e t'at s'e %as %&t' (t'er &" t'e ,(u"try/ t'at &t 'ad bee" rat'er a sad (ur"ey$



%&t' (t'er s( u&et a"d +ale$ a"d t'at s'e %(uld be -ery #lad t( see su++er$ s'(uld &tr&se l&=e a 0a&ry ba"uet &" t'e &dst (0 t'ese stra"#e surr(u"d&"#s.

It %as ("ly a &le a"d a 'al0 0r( t'e ra&l%ay stat&(" t( t'e S'a=er Settlee"t$ a"dSusa""a ="e% t'e r(ad %ell$ 0(r s'e 'ad dr&-e" (-er &t (re t'a" (",e as ,'&ld a"d

#&rl. A b(y %(uld br&"# t'e l&ttle tru"= t'at ,("ta&"ed t'e&r s&+le "e,ess&t&es later ("&" t'e e-e"&"#$ s( s'e a"d Sue %(uld ="(,= at t'e d((r (0 t'e '(use %'ere -&s&t(rs%ere ad&tted$ a"d be u"d&sturbed by a"y #(ss&+&"# ,(+a"y %'&le t'ey %ere

+lead&"# t'e&r ,ase.

>Are %e (st t'ere$ Mard&e> as=ed Sue 0(r t'e t%e"t&et' t&e. >L((= at e I5 be&"# a butter0ly$ (r +er'a+s a %'&te +&#e(". N($ I5d rat'er be a butter0ly$ a"d t'e" I,a" s=& al("# 0aster a"d (-e y %&"#s>

T'e a&ry l&ttle 0&#ure$ all l&#'t"ess a"d br&#'t"ess$ da",ed al("# t'e r(ad$ t'e %'&te,(tt(" dress r&s&"# a"d 0all&"#$ t'e %'&teDst(,=&"#ed le#s u,' &" e-&de",e$ t'e ars

(utstret,'ed as &0 &" 0l&#'t$ stra% 'at 0all&"# (00 yell(% 'a&r$ a"d a l&ttle %&s+ (0 s%a"sd(%" s,ar0 0l(at&"# (ut be'&"d l&=e t'e dra+ery (0 a baby Mer,ury.

>We are al(st t'ere$> 'er (t'er a"s%ered. >Y(u ,a" see t'e bu&ld&"#s "(%$ &0 y(u%&ll st(+ be&"# a butter0ly. !("5t y(u l&=e t'e>

>Yes$ I 5s+e,&ally l&=e t'e all s( %'&te. Is &t a t(%"$ Mard&e>

>It &s a -&lla#e$ but "(t u&te l&=e (t'er -&lla#es. I 'a-e t(ld y(u (0te" ab(ut t'e S'a=er Settlee"t$ %'ere y(ur #ra"d(t'er br(u#'t e (",e %'e" I %as ust y(ur a#e. T'ere%as a t'u"derDst(r/ t'ey =e+t us all "&#'t$ a"d %ere s( =&"d t'at I "e-er 0(r#(t t'e.

T'e" y(ur #ra"d(t'er a"d I st(++ed (00 (",e %'e" %e %ere #(&"# t( B(st(". I %aste" t'e"$ a"d I reeber (re ab(ut &t. T'e sae s%eet Eldress %as t'ere b(t't&es.>

>W'at &s a" ElDderDess$ Mard&e>

>A =&"d (0 e-eryb(dy5s (t'er$ s'e seeed t( be$> Susa""a res+("ded$ %&t' a ,at,' &"'er breat'.

>I5d 5s+e,&ally l&=e 'er/ %&ll s'e be t'ere "(%$ Mard&e>

>I5 '(+&"# s($ but &t &s e&#'tee" years a#(. I %as te" a"d s'e %as ab(ut 0(rty$ I s'(uldt'&"=.>

>T'e" (5 ,(urse s'e5ll be dead$> sa&d Sue$ ,'eer0ully$ >(r e&t'er s'e5ll 'a-e "( teet' (r 'a&r.>

>Pe(+le d("5t al%ays d&e be0(re t'ey are s&*ty$ Sue.>

>!( t'ey d&e %'e" t'ey %a"t t($ (r %'e" t'ey ust>



>Al%ays %'e" t'ey ust/ "e-er$ "e-er %'e" t'ey %a"t t($> a"s%ered Sue5s (t'er.

>But (5 ,(urse t'ey %(uld"5t e-er want t( &0 t'ey 'ad a"y l&ttle #&rls t( be t(#edder %&t'$ l&=e y(u a"d e$ Mard&e> A"d Sue l((=ed u+ %&t' eyes t'at %ere al%ays l&=et%( &"terr(#at&(" +(&"ts$ ea#er by tur"s a"d by tur"s %&st0ul$ but "e-er sat&s0&ed.

>N($> Susa""a re+l&ed br(=e"ly$ >(0 ,(urse t'ey %(uld"5t$ u"less s(et&es t'ey %ere%&,=ed 0(r a &"ute (r t%( a"d 0(r#(t.>

>!( t'e S'a=ers s'a=e all t'e t&e$ Mard&e$ (r ust (",e &" a %'&le A"d s'all I seet'e d( &t>

>Sue$ dear$ I ,a"5t e*+la&" e-eryt'&"# &" t'e %(rld t( y(u %'&le y(u are s( l&ttle/ y(ureally ust %a&t u"t&l y(u5re (re #r(%" u+. T'e S'a=ers d("5t s'a=e a"d t'e ;ua=ersd("5t ua=e$ a"d %'e" y(u5re (lder$ I5ll try t( a=e y(u u"dersta"d %'y t'ey %ere,alled s( a"d %'y t'ey =e+t t'e "ae.>

>Maybe t'e ElDderDess ,a" a=e e u"dersta"d r&#'t (00 "(%/ I5d 5s+e,&ally l&=e &t.>A"d Sue ra" breat'lessly al("# t( t'e #ate %'ere t'e N(rt' Fa&ly H(use st((d &" &tsstately$ %'&teDa"dD#ree" auster&ty.

Susa""a 0(ll(%ed$ a"d as s'e ,au#'t u+ %&t' t'e &+etu(us Sue$ t'e 0r("t d((r (0 t'e'(use (+e"ed a"d a 0&#ure a++eared (" t'e t'res'(ld. M(t'er a"d ,'&ld u&,=e"edt'e&r +a,e a"d %e"t u+ t'e ste+s$ Susa""a %&t' a '(+eless burde" (0 0ear a"debarrasse"t ,l(##&"# 'er t("#ue a"d dra##&"# at 'er 0eet/ Sue s( e*+e,ta"t (0 "e%d&s,l(sures a"d 0res' e*+er&e",es t'at 'er 0a,e beaed l&=e a 0ull ((".

Eldress Abby 0(r &t %as Eldress Abby 'ad &"deed sur-&-ed t'e 'ea-y %e&#'t (0 'er 0&0tyD0&-e (r s&*ty suers$ a"d l((=ed as &0 s'e &#'t rea,' a yet #reater a#e. S'e%(re t'e s&+le S'a=er a0ter"((" dress (0 drab al+a,a/ a" &rre+r(a,'able usl&"sur+l&,e e",&r,led 'er stra&#'t$ s+are s'(ulders$ %'&le 'er 'a&r %as al(st e"t&rely,(",ealed by t'e st&00ly %&red$ tra"s+are"t %'&teD"et ,a+ t'at ser-ed as a 0rae t( t'etra"u&l 0a,e. T'e 0a,e &tsel0 %as a "et%(r= (0 del&,ate$ 0&"e %r&"=les/ but e-ery%r&"=le ust 'a-e bee" as l(-ely &" G(d5s s&#'t as &t %as &" +((r u"'a++y Susa""aHat'a%ay5s. S(e (0 t'e %ere #ra-e" by sel0Dde"&al a"d 'ard %(r=/ (t'ers +er'a+sea"t t'e #&-&"# u+ (0 '(e$ (0 +are"ts a"d br(t'ers (r s&sters/ +er'a+s s(e %(rldlyl(-e$ t'e l(-e t'at Fat'er Ada beueat'ed t( t'e 'ua" 0a&ly$ 'ad bee" sla&" &"

Abby5s y(ut'$ a"d t'e s,ars st&ll rea&"ed t( s'(% t'e b(dy5s su00er&"# a"d t'e s+&r&t5str&u+'. At all e-e"ts$ %'ate-er 0(es 'ad e"a,ed 'er +ur&ty (r 'er tra"u&ll&ty 'ad

bee" ,("uered$ a"d s'e e*'aled sere"&ty as t'e r(se s'eds 0ra#ra",e.

>!( y(u reeber t'e l&ttle Nels(" #&rl a"d 'er (t'er t'at stayed 'ere all "&#'t$years a#(> as=ed Susa""a$ +utt&"# (ut 'er 'a"d t&&dly.



>!O YO REMEMBER THE LITTLE NELSON GIRL AN! HER MOTHER>

>W'y$ sees t( e I d($> asse"ted Eldress Abby$ #e"&ally. >S( a"y ,(es a"d #(es&t5s 'ard t( reeber all. !&d"5t y(u ,(e (",e &" a t'u"derDst(r>

>Yes$ ("e (0 y(ur bar"s %as stru,= by l&#'t"&"# a"d %e sat u+ all "&#'t.>

>Yee$ yee.2K I reeber %ell Y(ur (t'er %as a beaut&0ul s+&r&t. I ,(uld"5t 0(r#et 'er.>

>A"d %e ,ae (",e a#a&"$ (t'er a"d I$ a"d s+e"t t'e a0ter"((" %&t' y(u$ a"d %e"tstra%berry&"# &" t'e +asture.>

>Yee$ yee$ s( %e d&d/ I '(+e y(ur (t'er ,("t&"ues &" 'ealt'.>

>S'e d&ed t'e -ery "e*t year$> Susa""a a"s%ered &" a trebl&"# -(&,e$ 0(r t'e t&e (0 e*+la"at&(" %as "ear at 'a"d a"d 'er 'eart 0a&led 'er.

>W("5t y(u ,(e &"t( t'e s&tt&"#Dr(( a"d rest a%'&le Y(u ust be t&red %al=&"#0r( t'e dee+(t.>

>N($ t'a"= y(u$ "(t ust yet. I5ll ste+ &"t( t'e 0r("t e"try a &"ute.Sue$ ru" a"d s&t &"t'at r(,=&"#D,'a&r (" t'e +(r,' a"d %at,' t'e ,(%s #(&"# &"t( t'e b&# bar".!( y(u

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reeber$ Eldress Abby$ t'e se,("d t&e I ,ae$ '(% y(u sat e d(%" &" t'e =&t,'e"%&t' a b(%l (0 %&ld stra%berr&es t( 'ull 0(r su++er T'ey %ere -ery sall a"d r&+e/ Id&d y best$ 0(r I "e-er ea"t t( be ,areless$ but t'e b(%l sl&++ed a"d 0ell$y le#s%ere t(( s'(rt t( rea,' t'e 0l((r$ a"d I ,(uld"5t a=e a la+$s( &" try&"# t( +&,= u+t'e berr&es I s+&lled u&,e (" y dress$ a"d (" t'e %'&te a+r(" y(u 'ad t&ed (" 0(r e.

T'e" y 0&"#ers %ere sta&"ed a"d %et a"d t'e 'ulls =e+t 0all&"# &" %&t' t'e s(0t berr&es$ a"d %'e" y(u ,ae &" a"d sa% e y(u 'eld u+ y(ur 'a"ds a"d sa&d$ 5!ear$dear y(u have ade a ess (0 y(ur %(r=5 O'$ Eldress Abby$ t'ey5-e ,(e ba,= t(e all day$ t'(se %(rds. I5-e tr&ed 'ard t( be #((d$ but s(e'(% I5-e ade ust su,' aess (0 y l&0e as I ade (0 'ull&"# t'e berr&es. T'e b(%l &s br(=e"$ I 'a-e"5t u,'0ru&t t( s'(%$ a"d I a all sta&"ed a"d dra##led. I s'(uld"5t 'a-e ,(e t( Alb&(" ("t'e 0&-eD(5,l(,= tra&"t'at %as a" a,,&de"t/ I ea"t t( ,(e at "(("$ %'e" y(u ,(uldtur" e a%ay &0 y(u %a"ted t(.>

>Nay$ t'at &s "(t t'e S'a=er 'ab&t$> re("strated Abby. >Y(u a"d t'e ,'&ld ,a" slee+ &"

("e (0 t'e s+are ,'abers at t'e O00&,e Bu&ld&"# a"d be %el,(e.>

>But I %a"t u,' (re t'a" t'at$> sa&d Susa""a$ tear0ully. >I %a"t t( ,(e a"d l&-e'ere$ %'ere t'ere &s "( arry&"# "(r #&-&"# &" arr&a#e. I a s( t&red %&t' yd&sa++(&"te"ts a"d d&s,(ura#ee"ts a"d 0a&lures t'at &t &s "( use t( try a"y l("#er. Ia Mrs. Hat'a%ay$ a"d Sue &s y ,'&ld$ but I 'a-e le0t y 'usba"d 0(r #((d a"d all$a"d I ("ly %a"t t( s+e"d t'e rest (0 y days 'ere &" +ea,e a"d br&"# u+ Sue t( a (retra"u&l l&0e t'a" I 'a-e e-er 'ad. I 'a-e a l&ttle ("ey$ s( t'at I s'all "(t be a burde"t( y(u$ a"d I %&ll %(r= 0r( (r"&"# t( "&#'t at a"y tas= y(u set e.>

>I %&ll tal= t( t'e Fa&ly$> sa&d Eldress Abby$ #ra-ely/ >but t'ere are a #((d a"yt'&"#s t( settle be0(re %e ,a" say yee t( all y(u as=.>

>Let e ,("0ess e-eryt'&"# 0reely a"d 0ully$> +leaded Susa""a$ >a"d &0 y(u t'&"= I5t( blae$ I %&ll #( a%ay at (",e.>

>Nay$ t'&s &s "( t&e 0(r t'at. It &s (ur duty t( re,e&-e all a"d try all/ t'e" &0 y(u s'(uld be #at'ered &"$ y(u %(uld u"burde" y(ur 'eart t( G(d t'r(u#' t'e S&ster a++(&"ted t(re,e&-e y(ur ,("0ess&(".>

>W&ll Sue 'a-e t( slee+ &" t'e ,'&ldre"5s bu&ld&"# a%ay 0r( e>

>Nay$ "(t "(%/ y(u are ,(+a"y$ "(t a S'a=er$ a"d a"y%ay y(u ,(uld =ee+ t'e ,'&ld%&t' y(u t&ll s'e &s a l&ttle (lder/ t'at5s "(t 0(rb&dde" at 0&rst$ t'(u#' t'ere ,(es a t&e%'e" t'e t&es (0 t'e 0les' ust be br(=e" All y(u5-e #(t t( d( "(%5s t( be 5+ure a"d

+ea,eable$ #e"tle$ easy t( be e"treated$ a"d %&t'(ut 'y+(,r&sy.5 T'at5s ab(ut all t'ere &st( t'e S'a=er ,reed$ a"d t'at5s e"(u#' t( =ee+ us all busy.>

Sue ra" &" 0r( t'e +(r,' e*,&tedly a"d ,au#'t 'er (t'er5s 'a"d.



>T'e ,(%s 'a-e all #("e &"t( t'e bar"$> s'e ,'attered/ >a"d t'e S'a=er #e"tlee" are&l=&"# t'e$ a"d "(t ("e (0 t'e &s s'a=&"# t'e least b&t$ 0(r I 5s+e,&ally "(t&,ed/ a"dI l((=ed &" t'r(u#' t'e +(r,' %&"d(%$ a"d t'ere &s "&,e su++er (" a tablebread a"d

butter a"d &l= a"d dr&edDa++le sau,e a"d #&"#erbread a"d ,(tta#e ,'eese. Is &t 0(r us$Mard&e>

Susa""a5s l&+ %as trebl&"# a"d 'er 0a,e %as +ale. S'e l&0ted 'er s%&&"# eyes t(t'e S&ster5s a"d as=ed$ >Is &t 0(r us$ Eldress Abby>

>Yee$ &t5s 0(r y(u$> s'e a"s%ered/ >t'ere5s al%ays a S'a=er su++er (" t'e table 0(r all%'( %a"t t( lea-e t'e 'us=s a"d s'are t'e 0east. C(e r&#'t &" a"d 'el+ y(ursel-es. I%&ll s&t d(%" %&t' y(u.>

Su++er %as (-er$ a"d Susa""a a"d Sue %ere ly&"# &" a l&ttle u++er ,'aber u"der t'estars. It %as t'e -ery ("e t'at Susa""a 'ad sle+t &" as a ,'&ld$ (r t'at s'e 'ad bee" +utt( bed &"$ 0(r t'ere %as l&ttle slee+ t'at "&#'t 0(r a"y ("e. S'e 'ad lea"ed (" t'e%&"d(%Ds&ll %&t' 'er (t'er a"d %at,'ed t'e +&llar (0 0lae a"d s(=e as,e"d 0r(t'e bur"&"# bar"/ a"d (",e &" t'e early (r"&"# s'e 'ad st(le" (ut (0 bed$ a"d$="eel&"# by t'e (+e" %&"d(%$ 'ad %at,'ed t'e t%( s&le"t S'a=er br(t'ers %'( %ere#uard&"# t'e s(lder&"# ru&"s$ 0ear0ul lest t'e %&"d s'(uld r&se a"d bear a"y s+ar= t(t'e r((0s (0 t'e +re,&(us bu&ld&"#s t'ey 'ad lab(red s( 'ard t( sa-e.

T'e ,'aber %as s+(tless a"d de-(&d (0 (r"ae"t. T'e +a&"t %as r(b&"5s e## blue a"d(0 a sat&" #l(ss. T'e s'&"&"# 0l((r %as (0 t'e sae ,(l(r$ a"d "eat bra&ded ru#s,(-ered e*+(sed +la,es "ear t'e bureau$ %as'sta"d$ a"d bed. 1ar&(us use0ul art&,les (0 S'a=er a"u0a,ture &"terested Sue #reatly t'e e*u&s&te stra%D%(r= t'at ,(-ered t'e%'&s=Dbr((/ t'e e"d&"#Dbas=et$ +&",us'&("$ "eedleDb((=$ s+((l a"d %at,' ,ases$'a&rDre,e&-ers$ +&"Dtrays$ &#'t all 'a-e bee" +ut t(#et'er by 0a&ry 0&"#ers.

Sue5s +rayers 'ad bee" 0er-e"t$ but a tr&0le d&s(&"ted$ ,(-er&"# all sube,ts 0r( Ja,= a"d Fard&e$ t( Gra"da &" 'ea-e" a"d Au"t L(u&sa at t'e 0ar$ %&t' s+e,&alre0ere",es t( ElDderDess Abby a"d t'e S'a=er ,(%s$ a"d +et&t&("s t'at t'e "e*t day be0a&r s( t'at s'e ,(uld see t'e &l=ed. E*,&tee"t at 'er stra"#e$ u"a,,ust(edsurr(u"d&"#s 'ad +ut t'e ,'&ld5s &"d &" a -ery %'&rl$ a"d s'e 'ad ast("&s'ed 'er

(t'er %&t' a -ery "e% a"d d&sturb&"# -ers&(" (0 t'e L(rd5s +rayer$ e"d&"# >G(d #&-eus (ur debts a"d 'el+ us t( 0(r#et (ur debt(rs a"d t'e&rs s'all be t'e #l(ry$ Ae".>

N(% s'e lay u&etly (" t'e %all s&de (0 t'e ,lea"$ "arr(% bed$ %'&le 'er (t'er l&ste"ed t( 'ear t'e re#ular breat'&"# t'at %(uld ea" t'at s'e %as (00 0(r t'e la"d (0 dreas. T'e ,'&ld5s slee+ %(uld lea-e t'e (t'er 0ree t( sl&+ (ut (0 bed a"d l((= att'e stars/ 0ree t( +ray a"d l("# a"d %("der a"d su00er a"d re+e"t$"(t %'(lly$ but &"

+art$ 0(r s'e %as really at +ea,e &" all but t'e &""er(st ,&tadel (0 'er ,("s,&e",e. S'e



'ad le0t 'er 'usba"d$ a"d 0(r t'e (e"t$ at all e-e"ts$ s'e %as 0&er,ely #lad/ but s'e'ad le0t 'er b(y$ a"d Ja,= %as ("ly te". Ja,= %as "(t t'e 'el+less$ ,l&"#&"# s(rt/ 'e%as a l&ttle +&e,e (0 '&s 0at'er$ a"d '&s 0a-(r&te. Au"t L(u&sa %(uld surely ta=e '&$a"d Ja,= %(uld s,ar,ely 0eel t'e d&00ere",e$ 0(r 'e 'ad "e-er s'(%" a"y s+e,&ala00e,t&(" 0(r a"yb(dy. St&ll 'e %as 'er ,'&ld$ "(b(dy ,(uld +(ss&bly #et ar(u"d t'at

0a,t$ a"d &t %as a stubl&"#Dbl(,= &" t'e %ay (0 0(r#et0ul"ess (r ease (0 &"d. O'$ but0(r t'at$ %'at u"s+ea=able ,("te"t s'e ,(uld 0eel &" t'&s u&et 'a-e"$ t'&s sel0Dres+e,t&"# s(l&tude T( 'a-e 'er t'(u#'ts$ 'er e(t&("s$ 'er %(rds$ 'er self $ t( 'ersel0 (",e (re$ as s'e 'ad 'ad t'e be0(re s'e %as arr&ed at se-e"tee". T( #( t( slee+ &"

+ea,e$ %&t'(ut l&ste"&"# 0(r a ste+ s'e 'ad (",e 'eard %&t' #lad"ess$ but t'at "(%s(et&es stubled u"stead&ly (" t'e sta&r/ (r t( drea as 'a++y %(e" dreaed$%&t'(ut be&"# r(used by t'e -(&,e (0 t'e +rese"t J('"$ a -(&,e s( d&00ere"t 0r( t'at (0 t'e +ast J('" t'at &t ade t'e 'eart a,'e t( l&ste" t( &t.

Sue5s -(&,e br(=e t'e st&ll"ess >H(% l("# are %e #(&"# t( stay 'ere$ Mard&e>

>I d("5t ="(%$ Sue/ I t'&"= +er'a+s as l("# as t'ey5ll let us.>

>W&ll Fard&e ,(e a"d see us>

>I d("5t e*+e,t '&.>

>W'(5ll ta=e ,are (0 Ja,=$ Mard&e>

>Y(ur Au"t L(u&sa.>

>S'e5ll s,(ld '& a%0ully$ but 'e "e-er ,r&es/ 'e ust says$ 5P((' %'at d( I ,are5 O'$

I 0(r#(t t( +ray 0(r t'at -ery "&,est S'a=er #e"tlea" t'at sa&d 'e5d let e 'el+ '&0eed t'e ,al-es Had"5t I better #et (ut (0 bed a"d d( &t I5d 5s+e,&ally l&=e t(.>

>1ery %ell$ Sue/ a"d t'e" #( t( slee+.>

Sa0ely &" bed a#a&"$ t'ere %as a l("# +ause$ a"d t'e" t'e ea#er l&ttle -(&,e be#a"$>W'(5ll ta=e ,are (0 Fard&e "(%>

>He5s a b&# a"/ 'e d(es"5t "eed a"yb(dy.>

>W'at &0 'e5s s&,=>

>We ust #( ba,= t( '&$ I su++(se.>>T(D(rr(%5s Su"day/ %'at &0 'e "eeds us t(D(rr(%$ Mard&e>

>I d("5t ="(%$ I d("5t ="(% O'$ Sue$ Sue$ d("5t as= y(ur %ret,'ed (t'er a"y (reuest&("s$ 0(r s'e ,a""(t bear t'e t(D"&#'t. Cuddle u+ ,l(se t( 'er/ l(-e 'er a"d0(r#&-e 'er a"d 'el+ 'er t( ="(% %'at5s r&#'t.>

[1] >Yea> &s al%ays t'us +r("(u",ed by t'e S'a=ers.

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II

WHEN Susa""a Nels(" at se-e"tee" arr&ed J('" Hat'a%ay$ s'e 'ad t'e usual

,(#e"t reas("s 0(r s( d(&"#$ %&t' s(e rat'er (re u"usual ("es added t'eret(. S'e%as al("e &" t'e %(rld$ a"d 'er l&0e %&t' a" u",le$ 'er (t'er5s ("ly relat&-e$ %as a"u"'a++y ("e. N( ass&sta",e &" t'e '(use'(ld tas=s t'at s'e 'ad e-er bee" able t(



re"der ade 'er a %el,(e eber (0 t'e 0a&ly (r =e+t 'er 0r( 0eel&"# a burde"$a"d s'e bel("#ed "( (re t( t'e l&ttle ,&r,le at se-e"tee"$ t'a" s'e d&d %'e" s'e

be,ae a +art (0 &t at t%el-e. T'e '(+e (0 be&"# &"de+e"de"t a"d ear"&"# 'er (%"l&-&"# 'ad susta&"ed 'er t'r(u#' t'e last year/ but &t %as a -ery t&&d$ sel0Dd&strust0ul$l(-eDstar-ed l&ttle 'eart t'at J('" Hat'a%ay st(red a"d ,arr&ed by assault. Her #&rl5s

l&0e &" a ,(u"try s,'((l a"d 'er u",le5s -ery r&#&d a"d (rt'(d(* '(e 'ad bee" de-(&d(0 e(t&(" (r e*+er&e",e/ st&ll$ 'er (t'er 'ad early s(%" seeds &" 'er &"d a"d s+&r&tt'at e-e" &" t'e (st ar&d s(&l %ere ,erta&" t( 0l(%er &"t( beauty %'e" t'e t&e 0(r 0l(%er&"# ,ae/ a"d &"telle,tually Susa""a %as t'e ,le-er dau#'ter (0 ,le-er +are"ts.S'e %as -ery &ature$ be,ause$ a0ter early ,'&ld'((d$ 'er e"-&r("e"t 'ad "(t bee"0a-(rable t( 'er de-el(+e"t. At se-e"tee" s'e be#a" t( drea (0 a 0uture as br&#'t ast'e +ast 'ad bee" dreary a"d u"e-e"t0ul. 1&s&("s (0 'a++&"ess$ (0 #((d"ess$ a"d (0 ser-&,e 'au"ted 'er$ a"d s(et&es$ #lea&"# t'r(u#' t'e &sts (0 da%"&"#%(a"'((d$ t'e 0&#ure$ all lu&"(us$ (0 T'e Ma"

W'e" J('" Hat'a%ay a++eared (" t'e '(r&("$ s'e +r(+tly ,l(t'ed '& &" all t'e beaut&0ul #are"ts (0 'er dreas/ t'ey %ere a #r(tesue &s0&t$ but %'e" %e &"t&atet'at %(e" 'a-e ,("0used t'e drea a"d t'e real&ty be0(re$ a"d ay e-e" d( s(a#a&"$ %e a=e t'e ("ly +(ss&ble e*,use 0(r +((r l&ttle Susa""a Nels(".

J('" Hat'a%ay %as t'e -ery &a#e (0 t'e (uter %(rld t'at lay bey("d Susa""a5s-&lla#e. He %as a 0a&rly +r(s+er(us$ #e"&al$ 'a"ds(e y(u"# er,'a"t$ %'( l((=edu+(" l&0e as a +la,e 0ur"&s'ed by Pr(-&de",e &" %'&,' t( 'a-e >a #((d t&e.> H&s

+are"ts 'ad 0reue"tly t(ld '& t'at &t %as e*+ed&e"t 0(r '& t( >settle d(%"$> a"d 'esu++(sed t'at 'e &#'t 0&"ally d( s($ &0 'e s'(uld e-er 0&"d a #&rl %'( %(uld te+t

'& t( rel&"u&s' '&s l&berty. T'e l&"e t'at d&-&des l&berty a"d l&,e"se %as a l&ttle-a#ue t( J('" Hat'a%ay It &s ,ur&(us t'at 'e s'(uld "(t 'a-e ,'(se" 0(r '&s l&0eD

+art"er s(e t'(u#'tless$ r(sy$ r(+&"# y(u"# +ers("$ %'(se '&#'est ,(",e+t&(" (0 ,(""ub&al 'a++&"ess %(uld 'a-e bee" t( dr&-e t%e"ty &les t( t'e seas'(re (" aSu"day$ a"d 'a-&"# +arta=e" (0 all t'e seas("5s del&,a,&es$ s(l&d a"d l&u&d$ t( ,(e'(e '&lar&(us by (("l&#'t. T'at$ '(%e-er$ &s "(t t'e %ay t'e l&ttle l(-eD&+s d(t'e&r %(r= &" t'e %(rld/ (r &s &t +(ss&ble t'at t'ey are "(t &+s at all %'( +r(-(=e a"dst&ulate a"d arra"#e t'ese stra"#e arr&a#es"(t &+s$ but '("est$ ,'aste"&"# l&ttle,'ara,terDbu&lders I" a"y e-e"t$ t'e (e"t t'at J('" Hat'a%ay 0&rst be'eld Susa""a

Nels(" %as t'e (e"t (0 '&s surre"der/ yet t'e %((&"# %as as &",(+re'e"s&ble as

t'at (0 a 0ra#&le$ da&"ty l&ttle 'u&"#b&rd by a +(+(us$ #reedy$ b&#Dbreasted r(b&".

Susa""a %as l&=e a Ne% E"#la"d a"e("e. Her 0a,e %as (-al &" s'a+e a"d as s((t'a"d +ale as a +earl. Her 'a&r %as dar=$ "(t -ery 'ea-y$ a"d as s(0t as a ,'&ld5s. Her l&+s%ere del&,ate a"d se"s&t&-e$ 'er eyes a ,((l #ray$,lear$ steady$ a"d s'aded by dar=er las'es. W'e" J('" Hat'a%ay et 'er s'y$ a&de"ly #la",e a"d 'eard 'er +retty$d(-el&=e -(&,e$ &t &s stra"#e 'e d&d "(t see t'at t'ere %as a b&tt(( u,' sa&"t &" 'er t(a=e 'er a %&ll&"# ,(rade (0 '&s #ay$ r(&ster&"# l&0e. But as a atter (0 0a,t$ J('"



Hat'a%ay sa% "(t'&"# at all/ "(t'&"# but t'at Susa""a Nels(" %as a l(-ely #&rl a"d'e %a"ted 'er 0(r '&s (%". T'e ty+e %as ("e 'e 'ad "e-er et be0(re$ ("e t'at allured'& by &ts yster&es a"d +&ued '& by &ts s'y al((0"ess.

J('" 'ad a >%ay %&t' '&$>a %ay t'at s+eed&ly %(" Susa""a/ a"d a0ter all t'ere

%as a best t( '& as %ell as a %(rst. He 'ad a t%&"=l&"# eye$ a" &"0e,t&(us lau#'$ as%eet d&s+(s&t&("$ a"d %'&le 'e %as (-erDsus,e+t&ble t( t'e ,'ar (0 a +retty 0a,e$ 'e'ad a ,'&-alr(us ad&rat&(" 0(r all %(e"$ ,(u+led$ &t ust be ,("0essed$ %&t' ade,&ded la,= (0 d&s,r&&"at&(" &" -alues. H&s b(y&s' l&#'tD'earted"ess 'ad a ,'ar 0(r e-eryb(dy$ &",lud&"# Susa""a/ a ,'ar t'at lasted u"t&l s'e d&s,(-ered t'at '&s 'eart%as l&#'t "(t ("ly %'e" &t (u#'t t( be l&#'t$ but %'e" &t (u#'t t( be 'ea-y.

He %as -ery u,' &" l(-e %&t' 'er$ but t'ere %as "(t'&"# +art&,ularly e*,lus&-e$u"&ue$ &"d&-&dual$ (r &"terest&"# ab(ut '&s +ass&(" at t'at t&e. It %as (0 t'e e-eryDday s(rt %'&,' ,arr&es a %ellDea"&"# a" t( t'e altar$ a"d s(et&es$ &" ,ases (0

e*,e+t&("al 0er-(r a"d durat&("$ e-e" a l&ttle 0art'er. St(,= s&es (0 t'&s art&,le are,((" a"d &"e*+e"s&-e$ a"d J('" Hat'a%ay5s l(-e %'e" 'e arr&ed Susa""a %as$ ud#ed by t'e '&#'est sta"dards$ ab(ut as tr&-&al a" a00a&r as Cu+&d e-er +ut u+(" t'ear=et (r a a" e-er (00ered t( a %(a". Susa""a (" t'e sae day (00ered J('"$ (r t'e %((de" &d(l s'e %as %(rs'&+&"# as J('"$ 'er %'(le sel0&"d$ b(dy$ 'eart$ a"ds+&r&t. S( t'e ,(u+le %ere u"&ted$ a"d s&l&"#ly s&#"ed t'e arr&a#eDre#&ster$ a r&te by%'&,' t'e&r l(-e 0(r ea,' (t'er %as su++(sed t( be ade eter"al.

>W&ll y(u l(-e e> sa&d 'e.>W&ll y(u l(-e e> sa&d s'e.T'e" t'ey a"s%eredt(#et'er>T'r(u#' 0(ul a"d 0a&r %eat'er$Fr( su"r&se t( (("r&se$Fr( (("r&set( su"r&se$By 'eat' a"d by 'arb(ur$I" (r,'ard (r arb(ur$I" t'e t&e (0 t'e r(se$I" t'et&e (0 t'e s"(%s$T'r(u#' s(=e a"d t'r(u#' s(t'erWe5ll l(-e ("e a"(t'er>

C&"derella$ %'e" t'e l(-erD+r&",e d&s,(-ers 'er a"d 0&ts t'e ,rystal sl&++er t( 'er 0((t$a=es s'(rt %(r= (0 0l&"#&"# a%ay 'er ra#s/ a"d &" s(e su,' +retty$ a&ry$ u"t'&"=&"#%ay d&d Susa""a 0l&"# as&de t'e dull"ess$ &"'(s+&tal&ty$ a"d u#l&"ess (0 'er u",le5s'(e a"d de+art &" a ,l(ud (0 #l(ry (" 'er %edd&"# (ur"ey. S'e 'ad bee" l("ely$"(% s'e %(uld 'a-e ,(+a"&("s'&+. S'e 'ad bee" (0 "( ,("seue",e$ "(% s'e %(uld

be uee" (0 'er (%" sall d(a&". S'e 'ad bee" last %&t' e-eryb(dy$ "(% s'e %(uld be 0&rst %&t' ("e$ at least. S'e 'ad %(r=ed 'ard a"d re,e&-ed "e&t'er ,(+e"sat&(" "(r #rat&tude/ 'e",e0(r%ard 'er ser-&,e %(uld be #ladly re"dered at a" altar %'ere -(t&-e

(00er&"#s %(uld "(t be ta=e" as a atter (0 ,(urse. S'e %as ("ly a sl&+ (0 a #&rl "(%/arr&a#e a"d '(use%&0ely ,ares %(uld a=e 'er a %(a". S(e t&e +er'a+s t'e last#reat e*+er&e",e (0 l&0e %(uld ,(e t( 'er$ a"d t'e" %'at a ,r(%" (0 (ys %(uld be'ers$l(-e$ 'usba"d$ '(e$ ,'&ldre" W'at a -&s&(" &t %as$ a"d '(% s((" t'e ,'&e0 #l(ry (0 &t 0aded



Ne-er %ere t%( be&"#s (re '(+elessly u"l&=e t'a" J('" Hat'a%ay s&"#le a"d J('"Hat'a%ay arr&ed$ but t'e bl&ss lasted a 0e% years$ "e-ert'eless +artly be,auseSusa""a5s ,'ar %as dee+ a"d +e"etrat&"#$ t'e s(rt t( '(ld a 0alse a" 0(r a t&e a"da true a" 0(re-er/ +artly be,ause s'e tr&ed$ as a #&rl (r %(a" 'as seld( tr&ed

be0(re$ t( d( 'er duty a"d t( =ee+ 'er (%" &deal u"s'attered.

J('" 'ad al%ays bee" ,("-&-&al$ but Susa""a at se-e"tee" 'ad bee" at (",e t((&""(,e"t a"d t(( &#"(ra"t t( ud#e a a"5s te"de",&es truly$ (r t( rate '&s ,'ara,ter at&ts real %(rt'. As t&e %e"t ("$ '&s earl&er lea"&"#s #re% (re de0&"&te/ 'e s+e"t ("

+leasure 0ar (re t'a" 'e ,(uld a00(rd$ a"d '&s ,("du,t be,ae a by%(rd &" t'e"e&#'b(r'((d. H&s b(y 'e l(-ed. He 0elt (" a le-el %&t' Ja,=$ ,(uld u"dersta"d '&$

+lay %&t' '&$ +u"&s' '&$ a"d a=e 0r&e"ds %&t' '&/ but l&ttle Sue %as d&00ere"t.S'e al%ays seeed t( '& t'e ,(",e"trated esse",e (0 'er (t'er5s s(ul$ a"d %'e"u"'a++y days ,ae$ 'e "e-er l((=ed &" 'er rad&a"t$ sear,'&"# eyes %&t'(ut a,("s,&(us"ess (0 &"0er&(r&ty. T'e l&ttle ,reature 'ad l(-ed 'er (lly$ 'a"ds(e$ ,areless

0at'er at 0&rst$ e-e" t'(u#' s'e 0eared '&/ but (0 late s'e 'ad #r(%" s'y$ s&le"t$ a"dt&&d$ 0(r '&s &"d&00ere",e ,'&lled 'er a"d s'e 0lu"# 'ersel0 u+(" 'er (t'er5s l(-e%&t' a" al(st u",'&ldl&=e &"te"s&ty. T'&s u"'a++y relat&(" bet%ee" t'e ,'&ld a"d t'e0at'er #a-e Susa""a5s 'eart "e% +a"#s. S'e st&ll l(-ed 'er 'usba"d$"(t dearly$ but a#((d deal/ a"d (-er a"d ab(-e t'at re"a"t (0 t'e (ld l(-e %'&,' st&ll e"dured s'e#a-e '& u"st&"ted ,are a"d '(+e0ul ater"al te"der"ess.

T'e ,ras' ,ae &" ,(urse (0 t&e. J('" tra"s,e"ded t'e b(u"ds (0 '&s %&0e5s +at&e",e(re a"d (re. S'e ade 'er last +r(tests/ t'e" s'e t((= ("e +ass&("ate day t( a=eu+ 'er &"d$a day %'e" J('" a"d t'e b(y %ere a%ay t(#et'er/ a day (0 ,(+lete

re-(lt a#a&"st e-eryt'&"# s'e %as 0a,&"# &" t'e +rese"t$ a"d$ s( 0ar as s'e ,(uld see$e-eryt'&"# t'at s'e 'ad t( 0a,e &" t'e 0uture. Prayer 0(r l&#'t le0t 'er &" dar="ess$ a"ds'e 'ad "( 'ua" ,reature t( ad-&se 'er. C("s,&e",e %as (-ert'r(%"/ s'e ,(uld see"( duty sa-e t( 'er (%" (utra#ed +ers("al&ty. O0te" a"d (0te" dur&"# t'e year ust +asts'e 'ad t'(u#'t (0 t'e +ea,e$ t'e #rate0ul s(l&tude a"d s'elter (0 t'at S'a=er Settlee"t '&dde" a("# Ne% E"#la"d (r,'ards/ t'at u&et 'a-e" %'ere t'ere %as"e&t'er arry&"# "(r #&-&"# &" arr&a#e. N(% 'er bru&sed 'eart l("#ed 0(r su,' a l&0e(0 "u"Dl&=e s&+l&,&ty a"d ,("se,rat&("$ %'ere e" a"d %(e" et ("ly as br(t'ersa"d s&sters$ %'ere t'ey %(r=ed s&de by s&de %&t' "( t'(u#'t (0 +ers("al +ass&(" (r

+ers("al #a&"$ but ("ly 0(r t'e ,((" #((d (0 t'e ,(u"&ty.

Alb&(" -&lla#e %as less t'a" t'ree '(urs d&sta"t by tra&". S'e 'ast&ly #at'ered 'er +la&"est ,l(t'es a"d Sue5s$ +a,=ed t'e &" a sall tru"=$ t((= 'er (t'er5s %at,'$ 'er (%" l&ttle st(re (0 ("ey a"d t'e t%e"tyDd(llar #(ld +&e,e J('"5s se"&(r +art"er 'ad#&-e" Sue (" 'er last b&rt'day$ %r(te a letter (0 #((dDby t( J('"$ a"d %e"t (ut (0 'er ,(tta#e #ate &" a st(r (0 0eel&"# s( tuultu(us t'at t'ere %as "( r(( 0(r re0le,t&(".Bes&des$ s'e 'ad re0le,ted$ a"d re0le,ted$ 0(r ("t's a"d ("t's$ s( s'e %(uld 'a-esa&d$ a"d t'e t&e 'ad ,(e 0(r a,t&(". Susa""a %as "(t u"lettered$ but s'e ,erta&"ly



'ad "e-er read Mered&t' (r s'e %(uld 'a-e lear"ed t'at >l(-e &s a" a00a&r (0 t%($ a"d("ly 0(r t%( t'at ,a" be as u&,=$ as ,("sta"t &" &"ter,(u"&,at&(" as are su"a"d eart'$ t'r(u#' t'e ,l(ud$ (r 0a,e t( 0a,e. T'ey ta=e t'e&r breat' (0 l&0e 0r( ea,'(t'er &" s&#"s (0 a00e,t&("$ +r((0s (0 0a&t'0ul"ess$ &",e"t&-es t( ad&rat&(". But as(l&tary s(ul dra##&"# a l(# ust a=e t'e l(# a G(d t( re(&,e &" t'e burde".> T'e

de&#(d t'at +((r$ bl&"d Susa""a arr&ed 'ad -a"&s'ed$ a"d s'e ,(uld dra# t'e l(# "(l("#er$ but s'e ade ("e &sta=e &" ud#&"# 'er 'usba"d$ &" t'at s'e re#arded '&$ att'&rtyDt%($ as a 0&"&s'ed +r(du,t$ a a" %'( %as 0&"ally t'&s a"d t'at$ a"d be'a-edt'us a"d s($ a"d %(uld "e-er be a"y d&00ere"t.

T'e >a#e (0 d&s,ret&("> &s a (-able 0east (0 e*tra(rd&"ary u",erta&"ty$ a"d J('"Hat'a%ay %as a l&ttle be'&"d'a"d &" (-erta=&"# &t. As a atter (0 0a,t$ 'e 'ad "e-er 0(r a" &"sta"t l((=ed l&0e suarely &" t'e 0a,e. He t((= a ,asual #la",e at &t "(% a"dt'e"$ a0ter 'e %as arr&ed$ but &t +rese"ted "( -ery d&st&"#u&s'able 0eatures$ "(t'&"# t(a=e '& st(+ a"d t'&"=$ "(t'&"# t( ar(use &" '& a"y s+e,&al se"se (0 res+("s&b&l&ty.

B(ys 'a-e a %ay (0 >#r(%&"# u+$> '(%e-er$ s(("er (r later$ at least (st (0 t'e'a-e$ a"d t'at +(ss&b&l&ty %as "(t su00&,&e"tly &" t'e 0(re#r(u"d (0 Susa""a5s &"d%'e" s'e 0&"&s'ed %'at s'e ,("s&dered a" e*'aust&-e study (0 'er 'usba"d5s ,'ara,ter.

>I a lea-&"# y(u$ J('" s'e %r(teK$ t( see &0 I ,a" =ee+ t'e l&ttle l(-e I 'a-e le0t 0(r y(u as t'e 0at'er (0 y ,'&ldre". I see t( 'a-e l(st all t'e rest (0 &t l&-&"# %&t' y(u. Ia "(t +er0e,tly sure t'at I a r&#'t &" #(&"#$ 0(r e-eryb(dy sees t( t'&"= t'at%(e"$ (t'ers es+e,&ally$ s'(uld bear a"yt'&"# rat'er t'a" desert t'e '(e. I ,(uld"(t ta=e Ja,= a%ay$ 0(r y(u l(-e '& a"d 'e %&ll be a ,(0(rt t( y(u. A ,(0(rt t(y(u$ yes$ but %'at %&ll y(u be t( '& "(% t'at 'e &s #r(%&"# (lder T'at &s t'e

t'(u#'t t'at tr(ubles e$ yet I dare "(t ta=e '& %&t' e %'e" 'e &s 'al0 y(urs. Y(u%&ll "(t &ss e$ "(r %&ll t'e l(ss (0 Sue a=e a"y d&00ere",e. O'$ J('" '(% ,a" y(u'el+ l(-&"# t'at blessed l&ttle ,reature$ s( u,' better a"d s( u,' (re #&0ted t'a"e&t'er (0 us t'at %e ,a" ("ly %("der '(% %e ,ae t( be 'er 0at'er a"d (t'er Y(ur s&" a#a&"st 'er &s #reater t'a" t'at a#a&"st e$ 0(r at least y(u are "(t res+("s&ble 0(r

br&"#&"# me &"t( t'e %(rld. I ="(% L(u&sa %&ll ta=e ,are (0 Ja,=$ a"d s'e l&-es s( "ear t'at y(u ,a" see '& as (0te" as y(u %&s'. I s'all let 'er ="(% y address$ %'&,' I'a-e as=ed 'er t( =ee+ t( 'ersel0. S'e %&ll %r&te t( e &0 y(u (r Ja,= s'(uld beser&(usly &ll$ but "(t 0(r a"y (t'er reas(".

>As 0(r y(u$ t'ere &s "(t'&"# (re t'at I ,a" say e*,e+t t( ,("0ess 0reely t'at I %as "(tt'e r&#'t %&0e 0(r y(u a"d t'at &"e %as "(t t'e ("ly &sta=e. I 'a-e tr&ed y -ery

best t( eet y(u &" e-eryt'&"# t'at %as "(t abs(lutely %r("#$ a"d I 'a-e used all t'ear#ue"ts I ,(uld t'&"= (0$ but &t ("ly ade atters %(rse. I t'(u#'t I ="e% y(u$J('"$ &" t'e (ld days. H(% ,(es &t t'at %e 'a-e tra-eled s( 0ar a+art$ %e %'( be#a"t(#et'er It sees t( e t'at s(e t&e y(u ust ,(e t( y(ur se"ses a"d ta=e u+y(ur l&0e ser&(usly$ 0(r t'&s &s "(t l&0e$ t'e s(rry t'&"# y(u 'a-e l&-ed lately$ but I,a""(t %a&t a"y l("#er I a t&red$ t&red$ t&red (0 %a&t&"# a"d '(+&"#$ t(( t&red t( d(



a"yt'&"# but dra# ysel0 a%ay 0r( t'e s&#'t (0 y(ur 0(lly. Y(u 'a-e %asted (ur ,'&ldre"5s substa",e$ &"dul#ed y(ur a++et&tes u"t&l y(u 'a-e l(st t'e res+e,t (0 y(ur

best 0r&e"ds$ a"d y(u 'a-e ade e%'( %as y(ur ,'(&,e$ y(ur %&0e$ t'e 'ead (0 y(ur '(use$ t'e %(a" %'( br(u#'t y(ur ,'&ldre" &"t( t'e %(rldy(u 'a-e ade ea" (be,t (0 +&ty/ a +((r$ "e#le,ted t'&"# %'( ,(uld "(t eet 'er "e&#'b(rs5 eyes

%&t'(ut blus'&"#.>

W'e" Ja,= a"d '&s 0at'er retur"ed 0r( t'e&r (ut&"# at e&#'t (5,l(,= &" t'e e-e"&"#$'a-&"# 'ad su++er at a %ays&de '(tel$ t'e b(y %e"t t( bed +'&l(s(+'&,ally$ l&#'t&"# '&sla+ 0(r '&sel0$ t'e ,(",lus&(" be&"# t'at t'e t%( (t'er ebers (0 t'e '(use'(ld%ere a l&ttle late$ but %(uld be &" +rese"tly.

T'e "e*t (r"&"# %as br&#'t a"d 0a&r. Ja,= %a=ed at ,(,=,r(%$ a"d a0ter ,all&"# t( '&s(t'er a"d Sue$ u+ed (ut (0 bed$ ra" &"t( t'e&r r((s t( 0&"d t'e e+ty$ t'e"

b(u",ed d(%" t'e sta&rs t%( at a t&e$ #(&"# t'r(u#' t'e s&tt&"#Dr(( (" '&s %ay t(

0&"d Elle" &" t'e =&t,'e". H&s 0at'er %as s&tt&"# at t'e table %&t' t'e st&llDl&#'tedstude"t la+ (" &t/ t'e table %'ere less("s 'ad bee" lear"ed$ b((=s read$ st(r&es t(ld$e"d&"# d("e$ ,'e,=ers a"d d(&"(es +layed/ t'e b&#$ r(u"d %al"ut table t'at %ast'e 0(,us (0 t'e 0a&ly l&0ebut (t'er5s table$ "(t 0at'er5s.

J('" Hat'a%ay 'ad "e-er le0t '&s ,'a&r "(r ta=e" (00 '&s 'at. H&s ,a"e lea"ed a#a&"st'&s ="ee$ '&s #l(-es %ere &" '&s le0t 'a"d$ %'&le t'e r&#'t 'eld Susa""a5s letter.

He %as aslee+$ alt'(u#' '&s l&+s t%&t,'ed a"d 'e st&rred u"eas&ly. H&s 0a,e %as'a##ard$ a"d be'&"d '&s ,l(sed l&ds$ s(e%'ere &" t'e ,e"tre (0 t'(u#'t a"d e(ry$a tra&" (0 0&ery %(rds bur"ed &" a" e-erD%&de"&"# ,&r,le$ r(u"d a"d r(u"d a"d r(u"d$

+l(u#'&"#$ sear&"# t'e&r %ay t'r(u#' s(e (bs,ure +art (0 '& t'at 'ad 'eret(0(re bee" %&t'(ut 0eel&"#$ but %as "(% all u&,= a"d al&-e %&t' se"sat&(".

>1ou have made me2who was your choice3 your wife3 the head of your house3 the

woman who brouht your children into the world2you have made me an ob4ect of

%ity5 a %oor3 nelected thin who could not meet her neihbors' eyes without

blushin.>

A"y ("e %'( %&s'ed t( +&er,e J('" Hat'a%ay5s ar(r at t'at +er&(d (0 '&s l&0e %(uld'a-e 'ad t( use a -ery s'ar+ a"d +(&"ted arr(%$ 0(r 'e %as %ell %added %&t' t'e

bel&e0 t'at a a" 'as a r&#'t t( d( %'at 'e l&=es. Susa""a5s s'a0t %as t&++ed %&t' trut'

a"d d&++ed &" t'e bl((d (0 'er (utra#ed 'eart. T'e st(redDu+ 0(r,e (0 s&le"t years %e"t&"t( t'e s+eed&"# (0 &t. S'e 'ad "e-er s'(t a" arr(% be0(re$ a"d 'er s=&ll %as&"st&",t&-e rat'er t'a" s,&e"t&0&,$ but t'e +(%ers %ere (" 'er s&de a"d s'e a&ed better t'a" s'e ="e%t'(se %'( t((= "(te (0 J('" Hat'a%ay5s be'a-&(r t'at suer %(uld'a-e test&0&ed %&ll&"#ly t( t'at. It %as t'e suer &" %'&,' '&s b(y&s' &rres+("s&b&l&tysl&++ed a%ay 0r( '& (",e a"d 0(r all/ a suer &" %'&,' t'e 0a,e (0 l&0e ,eased t(

be a" &"d&st&"#u&s'able ass (0 ea"&"#less e-e"ts a"d d&s,l(sed a" (rder$ a reas("$ a



+ur+(se '&t'ert( u"see" a"d u"de0&"ed. T'e b(y >#re% u+$> rat'er tard&ly &t ust be,("0essed. H&s s(ul 'ad "(t added a ,ub&t t( &ts stature &" su"s'&"e$ #ayety$ a"d

+r(s+er&ty/ &t t((= t'e s'(,= (0 #r&e0$ 'urt +r&de$ s(l&tude$ a"d re(rse t( a=e a a"(0 J('" Hat'a%ay.



III

IT %as a rad&a"t July (r"&"# &" Alb&(" -&lla#e$ a"d %'e" Sue 0&rst be'eld &t 0r(

t'e bedr(( %&"d(% at t'e S'a=er Settlee"t$ s'e 'ad %&s'ed arde"tly t'at &t &#'t"e-er$ "e-er #r(% dar=$ a"d t'at Ja,= a"d Fard&e &#'t be 'a-&"# t'e -ery saesu"s'&"e &" Far"'a. It %as "(t "((" yet$ but e*+er&e",e 'ad &" s(e %ay te+eredt'e ,(+lete"ess (0 'er (y$ 0(r t'e ar=s (0 tears %ere (" 'er +retty l&ttle 0a,e. S'e'ad "e&t'er bee" s,(lded "(r +u"&s'ed$ but s'e 'ad bee" dra##ed a%ay 0r( adel&,&(us +lay %&t'(ut a"y adeuate reas(". S'e 'ad d&sa++eared a0ter brea=0ast$%'&le Susa""a %as 'el+&"# S&ster Tab&t'a %&t' t'e beds a"d t'e d&s'es$ but as s'e %ast'e (st d(,&le (0 ,'&ldre"$ 'er (t'er "e-er t'(u#'t (0 a"*&ety. At "&"e (5,l(,= Eldress Abby t((= Susa""a t( t'e lau"dry '(use$ a"d t'ere u"der a s+read&"# a+le

%ere Sue a"d t'e t%( y(u"#est l&ttle S'a=eresses$ ,'&ldre" (0 se-e" a"d e&#'tres+e,t&-ely. Sue %as d&re,t&"# t'e +lays ,'atter&"#$ +la""&"#$ (rder&"#$ a"dsu##est&"# e*+ed&e"ts t( 'er sl(%erD&"ded a"d lessDe*+er&e",ed ,(+a"&("s. T'ey'ad dra##ed a lar#e b(* 0r( ("e (0 t'e s'eds a"d set &t u+ u"der t'e tree. T'e &"ter&(r 'ad bee" u&,=ly ,("-erted &"t( a ,((d&(us res&de",e$ ("e "(t &" t'e least (0 aS'a=er ty+e. Sall blu&"#Db(*es ser-ed 0(r bedstead a"d d&"&"#Dtable$ b&ts (0 br(=e",'&"a 0(r t'e d&s'es$ %'&le t&"y 0lat st("es %ere t'e seats$ a"d 0(ur ,l(t'esD+&"s$taste0ully ,lad &" 'a"d=er,'&e0s$ surr(u"ded t'e table.

>!( t'ey ="eel &" +rayer be0(re t'ey eat$ as all Bel&e-ers d(> as=ed S'a=er Mary.

>I d("5t bel&e-e Ada a"d E-e %as Bel&e-ers$ 5,ause %'( %(uld 'a-e tau#'t t'e t( be> re+l&ed Sue/ >st&ll %e &#'t let t'e +ray$ a"y%ay$ t'(u#' ,l(t'esD+&"s d("5t="eel "&,ely.>

>I5-e #(t a"(t'er ("e all dressed$> sa&d l&ttle S'a=er Ja"e.

>We ,a"5t 'a-e a"y (re/ Ada a"d E-e d&d"5t 'a-e ("ly t%( ,'&ldre" &" y Su"dayDs,'((l less("$Ca&" a"d Abel$> (be,ted Sue.

>Ca"5t t'&s ("e be a ,(+a"y> +leaded Mary$ a"*&(us "(t t( %aste t'e ,l(t'esD+&".

>But %'ere ,(uld ,(+5"y ,(e 0r(> uer&ed Sue. >T'ere %as"5t a"y (re +e(+lea"y%'eres but ust Ada a"d E-e a"d Ca&" a"d Abel. Put t'e ,l(t'esD+&" &" y(ur a+r("D+(,=et$ Ja"e$ a"d b&eby %e5ll let E-e 'a-e a l&ttle "e% baby$ a"d I5ll #etMard&e t( "ae &t r&#'t (ut (0 t'e B&ble. N(% let5s be#&". Ada &s a%0ully t&red t'&s(r"&"#/ 'e says$ 5E-e$ I5-e bee" %(r=&"5 all "&#'t a"d I ,a"5t eat y brea=0uss.5 N(%$Mary$ y(u be Ca&"$ 'e5s a l&ttle b(y$ a"d y(u ust say$ 5Fard&e$ +lay a l&ttle %&t' e$

+lease5 a"d Fard&e %&ll say$ 5C'&ld5e" s'(uld"5t tal= at t'e5>



W'at sube,ts (0 ,("-ersat&(" %(uld 'a-e bee" a&red at t'e Ada&, 0a&ly b(ard be0(re brea=0ast %as 0&"&s'ed %&ll "e-er be ="(%"$ 0(r Eldress Abby$ %&t' a 0&r but"(t u"=&"d #ras+$ t((= S'a=er Ja"e a"d Mary by t'e&r l&ttle 'a"ds a"d sa&d$>M(r"&"#5s "(t t'e t&e 0(r +lay/ ru" (-er t( S&ster Mart'a a"d 'el+ 'er s'ell t'e +eas/t'e" t'ere5ll be y(ur seas t( (-erse%.>

Sue %at,'ed t'e d&sa++ear&"# ,'&ldre" a"d sa% t'e 0abr&, (0 'er drea 0ade &"t( t'&"a&r/ but s'e %as a +ers(" (0 ,("s&derable &"d&-&dual&ty 0(r 'er years. Her l&+ u&-ered$tears rus'ed t( 'er eyes a"d 0l(%ed s&le"tly d(%" 'er ,'ee=s$ but %&t'(ut a #la",e atEldress Abby (r a %(rd (0 ,(e"t s'e %al=ed sl(%ly a%ay 0r( t'e lau"dry$ 'er ,'&" '&#'.

>Sue ea"t all r&#'t$ s'e %as ("ly +lay&"# t'e +lays (0 t'e %(rld$> sa&d EldressAbby$ >but y(u ,a" %ell u"dersta"d$ Susa""a$ t'at %e ,a"5t let (ur S'a=er ,'&ldre"

+lay t'at %ay a"d #et %r("# &deas &"t( t'e&r 'eads at t'e be#&""&"#. We d("5t

,("de" a" '("est$ (rderly arr&a#e as a %(rldly &"st&tut&("$ but %e ,la& &t 'as "( +la,e &" C'r&st5s =&"#d(/ t'ere0(re %e lea-e &t t( t'e %(rld$ %'ere &t bel("#s. T'e%(rld5s +e(+le l&-e (" t'e l(%er +la"e (0 Ada/ t'e S'a=ers try t( l&-e (" t'e C'r&st

+la"e$ &" -&r#&" +ur&ty$ l("#Dsu00er&"#$ ee="ess$ a"d +at&e",e.>

>I see$ I ="(%$> Susa""a a"s%ered sl(%ly$ %&t' a l&ttle #la",e at &"ured Sue %al=&"#t(%ard t'e '(use$ >but %e "eed"5t lea-e t'e ,'&ldre" u"'a++y t'&s (r"&"#$ 0(r I ,a"t'&"= (0 a +lay t'at %&ll ,(0(rt t'e a"d +lease y(u.C(e ba,=$ Sue Wa&t a&"ute$ Mary a"d Ja"e$ be0(re y(u #( t( S&ster Mart'a We %&ll +lay t'e st(ry t'atS&ster Tab&t'a t(ld us last %ee=. !( y(u reeber ab(ut M(t'er A"" Lee &" t'eE"#l&s' +r&s(" T'e s(a+Db(* %&ll be 'er ,ell$ 0(r &t %as s( sall s'e ,(uld "(t l&ed(%" &" &t. Ta=e s(e (0 t'e s'&"#les$ Ja"e$ a"d ,l(se u+ t'e (+e" s&de (0 t'e b(*. !(y(u see t'e lar#e br(%" s+(t &" ("e (0 t'e$ Mary Pus' t'at -ery 'ard %&t' a,l(t'esD+&" a"d t'ere5ll be a '(le t'r(u#' t'e s'&"#le/t'at5s r&#'t N(%$ S&ster Tab&t'a sa&d t'at M(t'er A"" %as =e+t 0(r days %&t'(ut 0((d$ 0(r +e(+le t'(u#'t s'e%as a %&,=ed$ da"#er(us %(a"$ a"d t'ey %(uld 'a-e bee" %&ll&"# t( let 'er d&e (0 star-at&(". But t'ere %as a #reat =eyD'(le &" t'e d((r$ a"d Jaes W'&tta=er$ a b(y (0 "&"etee"$ %'( l(-ed M(t'er A"" a"d bel&e-ed &" 'er$ +ut t'e ste (0 a ,lay +&+e &" t'e'(le a"d +(ured a &*ture (0 %&"e a"d &l= t'r(u#' &t. He a"a#ed t( d( t'&s daya0ter day$ s( t'at %'e" t'e a&ler (+e"ed t'e ,ell d((r$ e*+e,t&"# t( 0&"d M(t'er A""dy&"# 0(r la,= (0 0((d$ s'e %al=ed (ut l((=&"# al(st as str("# a"d %ell as %'e" s'ee"tered. Y(u ,a" +lay &t all (ut$ a"d a0ter%ards y(u ,a" a=e t'e s'&+ t'at br(u#'tM(t'er A"" a"d t'e (t'er S'a=ers 0r( L&-er+((l t( Ne% Y(r=. T'e ,l(t'esD+&"s ,a"

be%'( %&ll t'ey be$ Ja"e>

>W&ll&a Lee$ Na",y Lee$ Jaes W'&tta=er$ a"d I 0(r#et t'e (t'ers$> re,&ted Ja"e$ l&=ea" (bed&e"t +arr(t.



>A"d &t %&ll be s+le"d&d t( 'a-e Jaes W'&tta=er$ 0(r 'e really ,ae t( Alb&("$> sa&dMary.

>Per'a+s 'e st((d (" t'&s -ery s+(t (re t'a" (",e$> used Abby. >It %as M(t'er A""5s -&s&(" t'at br(u#'t t'e t( t'&s la"d$a -&s&(" (0 a lar#e tree %&t'

(utstret,'&"# bra",'es$ e-ery lea0 (0 %'&,' s'("e %&t' t'e br&#'t"ess (0 a bur"&"#t(r,' O' &0 t'e -&s&(" %(uld ("ly ,(e true I0 Bel&e-ers %(uld ("ly ,(e t( us asa"y as t'e lea-es (" t'e tree$> s'e s&#'ed$ as s'e a"d Susa""a (-ed a%ay 0r( t'e#r(u+ (0 ,'atter&"# ,'&ldre"$ all as ea#er t( +lay t'e '&st(ry (0 S'a=er&s as t'ey 'ad

bee" t( draat&e t'e 0a&ly l&0e (0 Ada a"d E-e.

>T'ere ust be s( a"y e" a"d %(e" %&t'(ut t&es$ l&-&"# useless l&-es$ %&t' "(a& (r (be,t &" t'e$> Susa""a sa&d$ >I %("der t'at (re (0 t'e d( "(t 0&"d t'e&r %ay 'ere. T'e +ea,e a"d #((d"ess a"d 'el+0ul"ess (0 t'e l&0e s&"= stra&#'t &"t( y'eart. T'e Br(t'ers a"d S&sters are s( 0r&e"dly a"d ,'eery %&t' ("e a"(t'er/ t'ere &s

"e&t'er #(ss&+ "(r 'ard %(rds/ t'ere &s +leasa"t %(r=$ a"d y(ur t'(u#'ts see t( be alls( ,(",e"trated u+(" r&#'t l&-&"# t'at &t &s l&=e 'ea-e" bel(%$ ("ly I 0eel t'at t'e ,r(ss&s t'ere$ bra-ely as y(u all bear &t.>

>T'ere are r(ses (" y ,r(ss (st beaut&0ul t( see$As I tur" 0r( all t'e dr(ss 0r(%'&,' &t sets e 0ree$>

u(ted Eldress Abby$ de-(utly.

>It &s easy e"(u#' 0(r e$> ,("t&"ued Susa""a$ >0(r &t %as "( ,r(ss 0(r e t( #&-e u+y 'usba"d at t'e t&e/ but ('$ &0 a %(a" 'ad a ,("s&derate$ l(-&"# a" t( l&-e %&t'$

("e %'( %(uld stre"#t'e" 'er a"d 'el+ 'er t( be #((d$ ("e %'( %(uld +r(te,t a"d,'er&s' 'er$ ("e %'( %(uld be a" e*a+le t( '&s ,'&ldre" a"d br&"# t'e u+ &" t'e0ear (0 t'e L(rdt'at %(uld be 'ea-e" bel(%$ t((/ a"d '(% ,(uld s'e bear t( #&-e &tall u+ %'e" &t sees s( #((d$ s( true$ s( r&#'t M&#'t"5t t%( +e(+le %al= t(#et'er t(G(d &0 b(t' ,'(se t'e sae +at'>

>It5s y bel&e0 t'at ("e ,a" 0&"d t'e r(ad better al("e t'a" %'e" s(eb(dy else &s#(&"# al("#s&de t( d&stra,t t'e. N(t t'at t'e L(rd &s #(&"# t( tur" a"yb(dy a%ay$ "(te-e" %'e" t'ey br&"# H& a l(t (0 bur"edD(ut tras' 0(r a #&0t$> sa&d Eldress Abby$

blu"tly. >But d("5t y(u bel&e-e He sees t'e d&00ere",e bet%ee" a +ers(" t'at ,(es t(H& %'e" t'ere &s "(%'ere else t( tur"a +ers(" t'at5s tr&ed all a"d 0(u"d &t %a"t&"#

a"d ("e t'at #&-es u+ 0reely +leasure$ a"d #a&"$ a"d 'usba"d$ a"d '(e$ t( 0(ll(%t'e C'r&st l&0e>

>Yes$ He ust$ He ust$> Susa""a a"s%ered 0a&"tly. >But t'e ,'&ldre"$ Eldress AbbyI0 y(u 'ad"5t a"y$ y(u ,(uld +er'a+s =ee+ y(ursel0 0r( %a"t&"# t'e/ but &0 y(u 'ad$'(% ,(uld y(u #&-e t'e u+ Jesus %as t'e #reat Sa-&(ur (0 a"=&"d$ but "e*t t(



H& &t sees as &0 t'e ,'&ldre" 'ad bee" t'e l&ttle sa-&(urs$ 0r( t'e t&e t'e 0&rst ("e%as b(r" u"t&l t'&s -ery day>

>Yee$ I5-e "( d(ubt t'ey =ee+ t'e %(rst (0 t'e %(rld5s +e(+le$ t'(se t'at are l&-&"# &",ar"al arr&a#e %&t'(ut a t'(u#'t (0 #(dl&"ess$I5-e "( d(ubt ,'&ldre" =ee+ t'at s(rt

0r( #(&"# t( t'e l(%est +erd&t&("$> all(%ed Eldress Abby/ >a"d t'(se %e br&"# u+ &"t'e C(u"&ty a=e t'e best ,("-erts/ but t( a S'a=er$ t'e #reater t'e sa,r&0&,e$ t'e#reater t'e #l(ry. I %&s' y(u %as #at'ered &"$ Susa""a$ 0(r y(ur 'a"ds a"d 0eet areu&,= t( ser-e$ y(ur 0a,e &s tur"ed t(%ard t'e trut'$ a"d y(ur 'eart &s all ready t(re,e&-e t'e re-elat&(".>

>I %&s' I "eed"5t tur" y ba,= (" ("e set (0 dut&es t( ta=e u+ a"(t'er$> ururedSusa""a$ t&&dly.

>Yee/ "( d(ubt y(u d(. Y(ur bus&"ess &s t( 0&"d (ut %'&,' are t'e '&#'er dut&es$ a"dt'e" d( those. Just a=e u+ y(ur &"d %'et'er y(u5d rat'er re+le"&s' eart'$ as y(u5-e

bee" d(&"#$ (r re+le"&s' 'ea-e"$ as %e5re try&"# t( d(.But I ust #( t( y %(r=/te" (5,l(,= &" t'e (r"&"#5s a +((r t&e t( be d&s,uss&"# d(,tr&"e Y(u5re 0(r %eed&"#$Susa""a$ I su++(se>

Br(t'er A"sel %as seated at a #r&"dst("e u"der t'e a++le trees$ tea,'&"#&"ter&tte"tly a ,(u+le (0 b(ys t( #r&"d a s,yt'e$ %'e" Susa""a ,ae t( 'er %(r= &"t'e 'erbD#arde"$ Sue %al=&"# d&s,reetly at 'er 'eels.

A"sel %as a sl(%D(-&"#$ 'u(r(uslyD&",l&"ed$ easyD#(&"# Br(t'er$ %'( %as dr&0t&"#&"t( t'e =&"#d( (0 'ea-e" %&t'(ut a"y s+e,&al e00(rt (" '&s +art.

>I5d 5b(ut as l&-es be a S'a=er as a"yt'&"# else$> 'ad bee" '&s rat'er dub&(us statee"t(0 0a&t' %'e" 'e reuested ad&tta",e &"t( t'e ba"d (0 Bel&e-ers. >N( (re ,r(sses$a,,(rd&"5 t( y "(t&("$ a"5 ,("s&d5able (re ,'a",e (5 ,r(%"s>

H&s e*+er&e",e (0 l&0e >(" t'e Ada&, +la"e$> t'e '(ly estate (0 atr&("y$ be&"# t'e,'&e0 s&" (0 t'&s %ay (0 t'(u#'t$ 'ad d&s+(sed '& t( re#ard %(a" as a" a++are"tly"e,essary$ but "(t es+e,&ally des&rable$ be&"#. T'e t'e(ry (0 '(ld&"# +r(+erty &",((" 'ad "( terr(rs 0(r '&. He %as #e"er(us$ u"ab&t&(us$ 0ru#alD&"ded$s(e%'at la,=&"# &" e"er#y$ a"d ust as a,t&-ely &"terested &" '&s br(t'er5s %el0are as&" '&s (%"$ %'&,' &s +er'a+s "(t say&"# u,'. S'a=er&s %as t( '& "(t a ,ra-&"# (0

t'e s+&r&t$ "(t a l("#&"# (0 t'e s(ul$ but a s&+le$ +rude"t t'e(ry (0 e*&ste",e$lesse"&"# t'e -ar&(us r&s=s t'at a" &s e*+(sed t( &" '&s (ur"ey t'r(u#' t'&s -ale (0 tears.

>W(e"D0(l=s a=es s+le"d&d S'a=ers$> 'e %as %("t t( say. >T'ey5re all r&#'t asS&sters$ 5,ause t'e&r bel&e0 a=es 5e sa0e. It =&"d (5 s'ears 5e (5 t'e&r stre"#t'/ taest'e&r s+er&ts/ ta=es t'e st&"# (ut (0 5e a"5 =ee+s 5e 0r( be&"5 sassy a"5 d(&"eer&"5.Jest as l("# as t'ey t'&"= arr&a#e &s riht $ t'ey5ll arry ye s+&te (0 a"yt'&"# ye ,a"



d( (r say0(ur (0 5e arr&ed y 0at'er ("e a0ter a"(t'er$ t'(u#' 'e 0&t 5e (00 as'ard as 'e ="e% '(%. But &0 ye ,a" (",e #et t'e 0a&t' (5 M(t'er A"" &"t( 5e$ t'ey5reas #((d a0ter%ards as t'ey %as %&,=ed a0(re. T'ere5s "( st(++&"5 %(e"D0(l=s (",eye #et 5e started/ t'ey d("5t =eer %'et'er &t5s 'ea-e" (r t'e (t'er +la,e$ s( l("# ast'ey #et %'ere t'ey %a"t t( #(>

Elder !a"&el Gray 'ad 'eard Br(t'er A"sel state '&s rel&#&(us t'e(r&es (re t'a" (",e%'e" 'e %as 0&rst >#at'ered &"$> a"d se,retly lae"ted t'e la,= (0 s+&r&tual&ty &" t'e"e% ,("-ert. T'e Elder %as a" &"strue"t (re 0&"ely attu"ed/ s(ber$ 'uble$ +ureD&"ded$ eal(us$ ,("se,rated t( t'e trut' as 'e sa% &t$ 'e lab(red &" a"d (ut (0 seas("0(r t'e 0a&t' 'e 'eld s( dear/ yet as t'e years %e"t ("$ 'e "(ted t'at A"sel$"(t%&t'sta"d&"# '&s e,,e"tr&, -&e%s$ l&-ed a" '("est$ te+erate$ G(dD0ear&"# l&0e$tal=&"# "( s,a"dal$ d%ell&"# &" u"&ty %&t' '&s bret're" a"d s&sters$ a"d u+'(ld&"# t'e

ba""er (0 S'a=er&s &" '&s (%" +e,ul&ar %ay.

As Susa""a a++r(a,'ed '&$ A"sel ,alled (ut$ >T'e ya&rbs are all ready 0(r ye$Susa""a/ t'e %eeds 'a-e bee" (" t'e ra+a#e se",e yesterday5s ra&". Sees l&=e t'e(re uselesser a t'&"# &s$ t'e (re &t 0l(ur&s'es. T'e ya&rbs #r(%/ ('$ yes$ t'ey a=e(ut t( row/ but y(u d("5t see 5e ,(e lea+&"5 a"5 tear&"5 (ut (5 t'e a&rt' l&=e %eeds.T'e" t'ere5s t'e b&rds I5-e est bee" st(++&"5 y #r&"d&"5 t( l((= at 5e ,arry (". Ta=e5e all &" all$ t'ere a&"5t "(t'&"5 s( lay a"5 a&less a"5 busy5b(ut"(t'&"5 as b&rds. T'ey#( =&t&"5 5r(u"5 0r( tree t( tree$ '(++&"5 a"5 ,'&r+&"5$ 0ly&"5 'ere a"5 t'ere 5t'(ut "(a&rt'ly (be,= 5,e+t&"5 t( 0ly ba,= a#5&". T'ere5s a 'ea+ (5 useless ,r&tters &" t'eu"&-arse$ but I #uess b&rds are 5b(ut t'e uselyest$ 5less &t5s #rass'(++ers$ ebbe.>

>I d("5t ,are %'at y(u say ab(ut t'e #rass'(++ers$ A"sel$ but y(u s'a"5t abuse t'e b&rds$> sa&d Susa""a$ st((+&"# (-er t'e beds (0 ta"sy a"d sa#e$ t'ye a"d suer sa-(ry. >Weeds (r "( %eeds$ %e5re #(&"# t( 'a-e a #reat ,r(+ (0 'erbs t'&s year$A"sel>

>Yee$ s( %e be We s(%ed (re5" usual s(5s t( =ee+ t'e t%( 5&"ers5 at %(r= l("#5s %e,(uld.Ta=e t'at s,yt'e (-er t( t'e bar"$ Ja,(b$ a"5 0et,' e a"(t'er$ a"5 ste+ s+ry.>

>W'at5s a &"er$ A"sel>

>W&"ter S'a=ers$ I ,all 5e. T'ey5re re#5lar ,("st&t((s'a"al dyedD&"Dt'eD%((l &"ers$ &"&"5 (st a"yt'&"# a"5 '((=&"5 (" (st a"y%'eres. T'ey &"e %'e" &t ,(es (" t((

,(ld t( slee+ (utd((rs$ a"5 t'ey ("&"e %'e" &t ,(es (" s+r&"#. Elder Gray5s al%ays'(+&"5 t( #at'er &" "e% s(uls$ s( 'e #&-es t'e best (0 5e a 0e% ("t's5 tr&al. H(% areye$ Ha""a'> 'e ,alled t( a S&ster +ass&"# t'r(u#' t'e (r,'ard t( sear,' 0(r a"y

+(ss&ble #ree" a++les u"der t'e trees. >Ma=e us a #((d (ldD0as'&("ed dee+Dd&s' +a"d(%dy a"5 %e5ll all d( (ur best t( eat &t>



>I su++(se t'e 5&"ers5 #et d&s,(ura#ed a"d 0ear t'ey ,a"5t =ee+ u+ t( t'e sta"dard. N(t e-eryb(dy &s #((d e"(u#' t( lead a sel0Dde"y&"# S'a=er l&0e$> sa&d Susa""a$ +us'&"# ba,= t'e ,l(se su"b(""et 0r( 'er %ar 0a,e$ %'&,' 'ad #r(%" y(u"#er$s((t'er$ a"d s%eeter &" t'e last 0e% %ee=s.

>Nay$ I s5+(se l&=ely/ 5less t'ey5re sae as e$ a b(r" S'a=er$> A"sel re+l&ed. >I d("5t'a"=er a0ter str("# dr&"=/ d("5t l&=e t(ba,,er al%ays ,(uld =ee+ y te+er 5t'(uts(=&"5$ a&"5t +art&,5lar 5b(ut eatDeat&"5$ d("5t =eer 5b(ut 'ea+&"5 u+ r&,'es$ ,a"5t5sta"d t'e %ays (5 %(rldly %(e"D0(l=s$ est as l&-es ,("0ess y s&"s t( t'e Elder as"(t$ 5,ause I 'a&"5t s&""ed a"y t( a(u"t t( a"yt'&"# se",e I ade y 0&rst ,("0ess&("/t'ere I be$ a "atural 0(llerer (5 M(t'er A"" Lee.>

Susa""a dre% 'er S'a=er b(""et 0(r%ard (-er 'er eyes a"d tur"ed 'er ba,= t( Br(t'er A"sel u"der t'e +rete"se (0 rea,'&"# (-er t( t'e r(%s (0 s%eet ar(ra. S'e 'ad"e-er su++(sed &t +(ss&ble t'at s'e ,(uld lau#' a#a&"$ a"d &"deed s'e seld( 0elt l&=e

&t$ but A"sel5s &"ter+retat&("s (0 S'a=er d(,tr&"e %ere al(st t(( u,' 0(r 'er late"tse"se (0 'u(r.

>W'at are y(u s&l&"# at$ a"d e s( sad$ Mard&e> ua-ered Sue$ +&te(usly$ 0r( t'el&ttle +l(t (0 easy %eed&"# 'er (t'er 'ad #&-e" 'er t( d(. >I =ee+ reeber&"# y#ae It %as su,' a Christian#ae$ t((. L(ts "&,er t'a" M(t'er A"" &" +r&s("/ 0(r Ja"e sa&d 'er (t'er a"d 0at'er %as b(t' Bel&e-ers$ a"d "(b(dy %as #((d e"(u#' t(

+(ur &l= t'r(u#' t'e =eyD'(le but 'er. I %a"ted t( #&-e t'e ,l(t'esD+&"s st(ry "aes$l&=e H&lda a"d Per,y$ but I ,alled t'e Ada a"d E-e a"d Ca&" a"d Abel ust be,auseI t'(u#'t t'e S'a=ers %(uld 5s+e,&ally l&=e a B&ble +lay. I l(-e Elderess Abby$ but s'ed(es st(+ y 'a++&"ess$ Mard&e. T'at5s t'e se,("d t&e t(Dday$ 0(r s'e t((= M(sesa%ay 0r( e %'e" I %as =&ss&"# '& be,ause 'e +&",'ed '&s t'ub &" t'e %&"d(%.>

>W'y d&d y(u d( t'at$ Sue> re("strated 'er (t'er s(0tly$ reeber&"# A"sel5s +r(*&&ty. >Y(u "e-er used t( =&ss stra"#e l&ttle b(ys at '(e &" Far"'a.>

>M(ses &s"5t a b(y/ 'e5s ("ly s&*$ a"d t'at5s a baby/ bes&des$ I l&=e '& better t'a" a"yl&ttle b(ys at '(e$ a"d t'at5s t'e reas(" I =&ssed '&/ t'ere5s "( 'ar &" b(yD=&ss&"#$&s t'ere$ Mard&e>

>Y(u d("5t ="(% a"yb(dy 'ere -ery %ell yet/ "(t %ell e"(u#' t( =&ss t'e$> Susa""aa"s%ered$ rat'er '(+eless as t( t'e best %ay (0 &",ul,at&"# t'e u"des&rab&l&ty (0 t'e

Ada&, +la"e (0 t'(u#'t at t'&s early a#e. >W'&le %e stay 'ere$ Sue$ %e (u#'t b(t' t( be -ery ,are0ul t( d( e*a,tly as t'e S'a=ers d(.>

By t'&s t&e (t'er a"d ,'&ld 'ad rea,'ed t'e (r,'ard e"d (0 a r(%$ a"d Br(t'er A"sel %as t'&rst&ly %a&t&"# t( del&-er a l&ttle (re (0 t'e &"0(rat&(" %&t' %'&,' '&s&"d %as al%ays tee&"#.



>T'e B(st(" +e(+le t'at ,(e (-er t( (ur +ubl&, eet&"5 last Su"day$> 'e be#a"$>t'ey %as dret0ul s,a&rt 5b(ut %'at %(uld be,(e (5 t'e 'ua" ra,e &0 &t s'(uld alltur" S'a=ers. 5I #uess y(u "eed"5t %(rry$5 I says/ 5&t5ll ta=e ,("s&d5able (0 a s+ell t(,("-ert all y(u ,&ty 0(l=s$5 I says$ 5a"5 a0ter all$ %'at &0 t'e %(rld s'(uld ,(e t( a"e"d5 I says. 5I0 'al0 %e 'ear &s true 5b(ut t'e %ay 0(l=s ,arry (" &" Ne% Y(r= a"d

C'&,a#($ &t5s 5b(ut t&e &t st(++ed$5 I says$ 5a"5 I #uess t'e L(rd ,(uld d( a ,("s&d5able better (b (" a se,("d ("e$5 I says$ 5a0ter 0&"d&"5 (ut t'e %ea= +la,es &" t'&s.5 T'ey ,a"5tsta"d #&-&"5 u+ t'e&r +(ssess&("s$ t'e %(rld5s 0(l=s/ t'at5s t'e +r&",&+al tr(uble %&t'5e I0 y(u d("5t 'a-e "(t'&"5 t( #&-e u+$l&=e s(e (5 t'e tra+s t'at 'a++e" al("#'ere a"d ,("-&",e t'e Elder t'ey5re est bust&"5 %&t' t'e 0ear (5 G(d$%'y$ (5 ,(urse 5ta&"5t "( tr&,= at all t( be a Bel&e-er.>

>!&d y(u 'a-e u,' t( #&-e u+$ Br(t'er A"sel> Susa""a as=ed.

>5B(ut5s u,' as a"y s&""er e-er 'ad t'at &"ed t'&s C(u"&ty$> re+l&ed A"sel$

,(+la,e"tly. >T'e l&st (5 %'at I ,("se,rated t( t'&s S(,&ety %'e" I %as #at'ered &"%as O"e '(rse$ ("e %a#("$ ("e t%(DyearD(ld 'e&0er$ ("e a*e$ ("e saddle$ ("e +adl(,=$ ("e bed a"d bedd&"#$ 0(ur tur=eys$ ele-e" 'e"s$ ("e +a&r (5 +l(u#'D&r("s$ t%(,'a&"s$ a"d ele-e" d(llars &" ,as'.Ca" y(u beat t'at>

>O'$ yes$ thins> sa&d Susa""a$ abse"tD&"dedly. >I %as t'&"=&"# (0 0a&ly a"d0r&e"ds$ +leasures a"d e(r&es a"d ab&t&("s a"d '(+es.>

>I #uess &t d("5t +&",' y(u a"y %(rse t( #&-e u+ a '(+e t'a" &t %(uld a #((d t%(DyearD(ld 'e&0er$> ret(rted A"sel/ >but t'ere$ y(u ,a"5t "e-er tell %'at 0(l=s5ll 'a"# (" t( t'e'ardest T'e a" t'at dr(-e t'e B(st(" 0(l=s (-er 'ere last Su"day$d&d y(u "(t&,e

'& t'e ("e t'at 'ad t'e s&ster %&t' a br&#'t red dress a"5 'at ("La"d I ,(uldt'&"= ust '(% 'ell ust l((= %'e"e-er y eye l&#'ted (" t'at #&rl5s #&tDu+Well$ Id("e y best t( e*'(rt t'at dr&-er$ be&"5 as '(% %e 'ad a #((d ,'a",e t( tal= %'&le%e %as '&t,'&"5 a"5 u"'&t,'&"5 t'e tea/ a"5 Elder Gray al%ays says I a&"5t ear"este"(u#' &" +rea,'&"5 t'e 0a&t'/but 'e d&d"5t lear" a"yt'&"# 0r( t'e eet&"5. )e+5 '&seye (" t'e S'a=er bu""&ts$ a"5 t((= "(t&,e (5 t'e ar,'&"5 a"5 da",&"5$ but 'e d&d"5t ,are"(t'&"5 5b(ut d(,tr&"e.

>5I dra% t'e l&"e at be&"5 a ,erebrate$5 'e says. 5I5 %&ll&"5 t( sell all y #((ds a"5 d&-&de%&t' t'e +((r$5 'e says$ 5but I a&"5t #(&"5 t( be "( ,erebrate. I0 I d("5t 'a-e "( (t'er

lu*ur&es$ I %&ll 'a-e a %&0e$5 'e says. 5I5-e 'ed t'ree$ a"5 &0 t'&s ("e d("5t last e (ut$I5ll #et a"(t'er$ &0 &t5s ("ly t( start t'e =&t,'e" 0&re &" t'e (r"&"5 a"5 +ut t'e ,at &" t'es'ed "&#'ts5>



IV

LOUISA (t'er%&se Mrs. Adla& Ba"=s$ t'e elder s&ster (0 Susa""a5s 'usba"d$ %as a

r(,=Dr&bbed %&d(% (0 0(rtyD0&-e suers$0(rtyD0&-e %&"ters %(uld see a better +'rase &" %'&,' t( assert 'er a#e$%'( res&ded (" a sall 0ar t%e"ty &les 0r(t'e a"u0a,tur&"# t(%" (0 Far"'a.



W'e" t'e Fates %ere best(%&"# ual&t&es (0 &"d a"d 'eart u+(" t'e Hat'a%ay bab&es$ t'ey #a-e t'e (re #ra,e0ul$ #e"&al$ l&=able ("es t( J('"$"(t real&&"#$ +er'a+s$ %'at bad use 'e %(uld a=e (0 t'e$a"d e"d(%ed L(u&sa %&t' #reatde+(s&ts (0 '("esty$ s&",er&ty$ e"er#y$ +&ety$ a"d 0ru#al&ty$ all s( yster&(usly,(+(u"ded t'at t'ey tur"ed t( #ra"&te &" 'er 'a"ds. I0 s'e 'ad bee" ,("sulted$ &t

%(uld 'a-e bee" all t'e sae. S'e %(uld "e-er 'a-e a,,e+ted J('"5s ,'ar (0 +ers("al&ty at t'e e*+e"se (0 be&"# saddled %&t' '&s %ea="esses$ a"d 'e %(uld "(t'a-e ta=e" 'er ,astD&r(" -&rtues at a"y +r&,e %'ats(e-er.

S'e %as s%ee+&"# 'er +(r,' (" t'at day &" May %'e" Susa""a a"d Sue 'ad %a=e"ed&" t'e bare u++er ,'aber at t'e S'a=er Settlee"tSue ,learDeyed$ ub&la"t$e*+e,ta"t$ u"a0ra&d/ Susa""a +ale 0r( 'er 0&t0ul slee+$ %eary %&t' t'e burde" (0 'er 'eart.

L((=&"# d(%" t'e r(ad$ Mrs. Ba"=s es+&ed t'e 0(r (0 'er br(t'er J('" %al=&"# &"

'er d&re,t&(" a"d lead&"# Ja,= by t'e 'a"d.T'&s %as a (st u"usual s&#'t$ 0(r J('"5s ,alls 'ad bee" u",(("ly 0e% (0 lateyears$ s&",e a a" rarely -&s&ts a lady relat&-e 0(r t'e ere +ur+(se (0 'ear&"# >a +&e,e(0 'er &"d.> T'&s +&e,e$ lar#e$ s(l&d$ '&#'ly 0la-(red %&t' +e++er$ a"d as a,&d ase"tal -&"e#ar ,(uld a=e &t$ %as L(u&sa Ba"=s5s ("ly ,("tr&but&(" t( ,("-ersat&("%'e" s'e et 'er br(t'er. S'e ,(uld "(t st(+ 0(r a"y a&ry +ers&0la#e ab(ut %eat'er$,r(+s$ (r +(l&t&,s %'e" 'er ("e des&re %as t( tell '& %'at s'e t'(u#'t (0 '&.

>G((dD(r"&"#$ L(u&sa. S'a=e 'a"ds %&t' y(ur au"t$ Ja,=.>

>He ,a"5t t&ll I5 t'r(u#' s%ee+&"#. G((dD(r"&"#$ J('"/ %'at br&"#s y(u 'ere>

J('" sat d(%" (" t'e ste+s$ a"d Ja,= 0le% t( t'e bar"$ %'ere t'ere %as #e"erally a"a&able '&red a" a"d a ,'eer0ul ,(%$ b(t' &"0&"&tely better ,(+a"y t'a" '&s '&#'lyres+e,ted a"d %ealt'y au"t.

>I ,ae be,ause I 'ad t( br&"# t'e b(y t( t'e ("ly relat&(" I5-e #(t &" t'e %(rld$> J('"a"s%ered tersely. >My %&0e5s le0t e.>

>Well$ s'e5s bee" a #reat %'&le d(&"# &t$> rear=ed L(u&sa$ d&##&"# 'er br(( &"t( t'e,ra,=s (0 t'e +&aa 0l((r a"d a=&"# "( +ause 0(r re0le,t&(". >I0 s'e 'ad"5t 'ad t'e

+at&e",e (0 J(b a"d t'e ee="ess (0 M(ses$ s'e5d 'a-e #("e l("# be0(re. W'ere5d s'e#(>

>I d("5t ="(%/ s'e d&d"5t say.>

>!&d y(u ta=e t'e tr(uble t( l((= t'r(u#' t'e '(use 0(r 'er I a&"5t ,erta&" y(u 0a&rly="(% 'er by s&#'t "(%adays$ d( y(u>



J('" 0lus'ed ,r&s("$ but b&t '&s l&+ &" a" atte+t t( =ee+ '&s te+er. >S'e le0t aletter$> 'e sa&d$ >a"d s'e t((= Sue %&t' 'er.>

>T'at %as all r&#'t/ Sue5s a "er-(us l&ttle t'&"# a"d "eeds at least ("e +are"t/ s'e 'as"5t bee" used t( (re$ s( s'e %("5t &ss a"yt'&"#. Ja,=5s l&=e (st (0 t'e Hat'a%ays/

'e5ll #r(% u+ '&s (%" %ay$ %&t'(ut a"yb(dy5s 'el+ (r '&"dra",e. W'at are y(u #(&"#t( d( %&t' '&>

>Lea-e '& %&t' y(u$ (0 ,(urse. W'at else ,(uld I d(>

>1ery %ell$ I5ll ta=e '&$ a"d %'&le I5 ab(ut &t I5d l&=e t( #&-e y(u a +&e,e (0 y&"d.>

J('" %as 0&#'t&"# 0(r sel0D,("tr(l$ but 'e %as t(( %ret,'ed a"d re(rse0ul 0(r ra#e t('a-e a"y real s%ay (-er '&.

>Is &t t'e sae (ld +&e,e$ (r a d&00ere"t ("e> 'e as=ed$ sett&"# '&s teet' #r&ly. >Is'(uld"5t t'&"= y(u5d 'a-e a"y &"d le0t$ y(u5-e #&-e" s( a"y +&e,es (0 &t t( ealready.>

>I 'a-e s(e le0t$ a"d +le"ty$ t(($> a"s%ered L(u&sa$ das'&"# &"t( t'e '(use$ ba"#&"#t'e br(( &"t( a ,(r"er$ ,(&"# (ut a#a&" l&=e a breee$ a"d sla&"# t'e d((r

be'&"d 'er. >Y(u ,a" lea-e t'e b(y 'ere a"d %el,(e/ I5ll ta=e #((d ,are (0 '&$ a"d&0 y(u d("5t se"d e t%e"ty d(llars a ("t' 0(r '&s 0((d a"d ,l(t'es$ I5ll tur" '&(utd((rs. T'e (re res+("s&b&l&ty (t'er 0(l=s r&d y(u (0$ t'e (re y(u5ll let 5e$ a"d I%("5t ta=e a 0eat'er5s %e&#'t (00 y(u 0(r 0ear y(u5ll s&"= &"t( e-erlast&"# +erd&t&(".>

>I d&d"5t e*+e,t a"y sy+at'y 0r( y(u$> sa&d J('"$ drear&ly$ +ull&"# '&sel0 u+ 0r(t'e ste+s a"d lea"&"# a#a&"st t'e '("eysu,=le trell&s. >Susa""a5s ust t'e sae. W(e"are all as 'ard as t'e "et'er &llst("e. T'ey5re 'ard &0 t'ey5re a"#els$ a"d 'ard &0 t'ey5re de-&ls/ &t d(es"5t a=e u,' d&00ere",e.>

>I #uess y(u5-e 0(u"d a 0e% s(0t ("es$ &0 re+(rt says true$> retur"ed L(u&sa$ blu"tly.>Y(u5d better #( a"d #et s(e (0 t'e&r sy+at'y$ t'e =&"d y(u ,a" buy a"d +ay 0(r.T'e %ay y(u5-e ru&"ed y(ur l&0e tur"s e 0a&rly s&,=. Y(u 'ad a #((d 0at'er a"d(t'er$ #((d edu,at&(" a"d ad-a"ta#es$ e"(u#' ("ey t( start y(u &" bus&"ess$ t'e

best (0 %&-es$ a"d t%( ,'&ldre" a"y a" ,(uld be +r(ud (0$ ("e (0 5e es+e,&ally.Y(u5-e t'r(%" 5e all a%ay$ a"d %'at 0(r H(rses a"d ,ards a"d #ay ,(+a"y$ latesu++ers$ %&t' %&"e$ a"d 0(r au#'t I ="(%$ %'&s=ey$y(u t'e s(" (0 a a" %'( d&d"5t="(% t'e taste (0 #&"#er beer Y(u5-e s+e"t y(ur days a"d "&#'ts %&t' a +a,= (0 ,ar(us&"# e" a"d %(e" t'at %(uld ta=e y(ur last ,e"t a"d "(t lea-e y(u e"(u#'0(r '("est bur&al.>



>It5s a +&ty %e d&d"5t a=e a tra-el&"# +rea,'er (0 y(u> e*,la&ed J('"$ b&tterly.>L(rd Al&#'ty$ I %("der '(% su,' %(e" as y(u ,a" l&-e &" t'e %(rld$ y(u ="(% s(l&ttle ab(ut &t$ a"d s( l&ttle ab(ut e".>

>I ="(% all I %a"t t( ab(ut 5e$> ret(rted L(u&sa$ >a"d +re,&(us l&ttle t'at5s #((d.

T'ey5re a #lutt("(us$ sel0D&"dul#e"t$ e*tra-a#a"t$ re,=less$ +leasureDl(-&"# l(t My'usba"d %as ("e (0 t'e best (0 5e$ a"d 'e %(uld"5t 'a-e a(u"ted t( a '&ll (0 bea"s&0 I 'ad"5t de-(ted 0&0tee" years t( d&s,&+l&"&"#$ u+l&0t&"#$ a"d stre"#t'e"&"# '&>

>Y(u a"a#ed t( stre"#t'e" '& s( t'at 'e d&ed be0(re 'e %as 0&0ty>

>It d("5t atter %'e" a a" d&es$> sa&d t'e re(rseless Mrs. Ba"=s$ >&0 'e5s su,,eeded&" l&-&"# a de,e"t$ G(dD0ear&"# l&0e. As 0(r y(u$ J('" Hat'a%ay$ I5ll tell y(u t'e trut' &0 y(u are y br(t'er$ 0(r Susa""a5s t(( u,' (0 a sa&"t t( s+ea= (ut.>

>!("5t be a0ra&d/ Susa""a5s s+(=e" (ut at last$ +la&"ly e"(u#' t( +lease e-e" y(u>

>I5 #lad (0 &t$ 0(r I d&d"5t su++(se s'e 'ad s+u"= e"(u#' t( rese"t a"yt'&"#. I s'all bes(rry t(D(rr(%$ 5s l&=ely as "(t$ 0(r 0ree&"# y &"d as u,' as I 'a-e$ but yte+er5s u+ a"d I5 #(&"# t( be t'e 'uble &"strue"t (0 Pr(-&de",e a"d try t( tur"y(u 0r( t'e err(r (0 y(ur %ays. Y(u5-e de0a,ed a"d de#raded t'e te+le t'e L(rd

bu&lt 0(r y(u$ a"d &0 He s'(uld ,(e t'&s &"ute a"d try t( tur" (ut t'e ,r(%d (0 e-&lDd(ers y(u5-e =e+t &" &t$ I d(ubt &0 He ,(uld>

>I '(+e He5ll a++r(-e (0 t'e %ay y(u5-e used y(ur 5te+le$5> sa&d J('"$ %&t' st&"#&"#e+'as&s. >I s'(uld"5t %a"t t( l&-e &" su,' a "(&sy ("e ysel0/ I5d rat'er be a bat &" a

bel0ry. G((dDby/ I5-e 'ad a +leasa"t ,all$ as usual$ a"d y(u5-e bee" a real s&ster t( e

&" y tr(uble. Y(u s'all 'a-e t'e t%e"ty d(llars a ("t'. Ja,=5s ,l(t'es are &" t'at-al&se$ a"d t'ere5ll be a tru"= t(D(rr(%. Susa""a sa&d s'e5d %r&te a"d let y(u ="(%'er %'ereab(uts.>

S( say&"#$ J('" Hat'a%ay str(de d(%" t'e +at'$ ,l(sed t'e #ate be'&"d '&$ a"d%al=ed ra+&dly al("# t'e r(ad t'at led t( t'e stat&(". It %as a u&et r(ad a"d 'e et0e% +ers("s. He 'ad "e&t'er dressed "(r s'a-ed s&",e t'e day be0(re/ '&s 0a,e %as'a##ard$ '&s 'eart %as l&=e a lu+ (0 lead &" '&s breast. O0 %'at use t( #( t( t'e e+ty'(use &" Far"'a %'e" 'e ,(uld st&0le '&s &sery by a "&#'t %&t' '&s 0r&e"ds

N($ 'e ,(uld "(t d( t'at$ e&t'er T'e -ery t'(u#'t (0 t'e br(u#'t a se"se (0 sat&etya"d d&s#ust/ t'e ,ra-&"# 0(r %'at t'ey %(uld #&-e '& %(uld ,(e a#a&" &" t&e$ "(d(ubt$ but 0(r t'e (e"t 'e %as s&,= t( t'e -ery s(ul (0 all t'ey st((d 0(r. T'e0eel&"# (0 ,(+lete 'el+less"ess$ (0 desert&("$ (0 be&"# al("e &" &dD(,ea" %&t'(ut asa&l (r a star &" s&#'t$ (u"ted a"d s%e+t (-er '&. Susa""a 'ad bee" '&s sa&l$ '&s star$alt'(u#' 'e 'ad "e-er 0ully real&ed &t$ a"d 'e 'ad ,ut '&sel0 adr&0t 0r( 'er +ure$stead0ast l(-e$ bl&"d&"# '&sel0 %&t' ,'ea+ a"d -ul#ar ,'ars.



T'e "e*t tra&" t( Far"'a %as "(t due 0(r a" '(ur. H&s ste+s 0altered/ 'e tur"ed &"t( a,lu+ (0 trees by t'e %ays&de a"d 0lu"# '&sel0 (" t'e #r(u"d t( ,ry l&=e a ,'&ld$ 'e%'( 'ad "(t s'ed a tear s&",e 'e %as a b(y (0 te".

I0 Susa""a ,(uld 'a-e see" t'at (0te" l("#edD0(r burst (0 des+a&r a"d re(rse$ t'at

sudde" re,(#"&t&(" (0 '&s s&"s a#a&"st '&sel0 a"d 'er$ t'at #us' (0 +e"&te"t tears$ 'er 'eart &#'t 'a-e s(0te"ed (",e a#a&"/ a 0l&,=er (0 0lae &#'t 'a-e l&#'ted t'e as'es(0 'er dy&"# l(-e/ s'e &#'t 'a-e ta=e" '&s 'ead (" 'er s'(ulder$ a"d sa&d$ >Ne-er &"d$ J('" Let5s 0(r#et$ a"d be#&" all (-er a#a&">

Matters d&d "(t l((= a"y br&#'ter 0(r J('" t'e "e*t %ee=$ 0(r '&s se"&(r +art"er$ J(elAtterbury$ reuested '& t( %&t'dra% 0r( t'e 0&r as s((" as atters ,(uld bele#ally arra"#ed. He %as t(ld t'at 'e 'ad "(t bee" d(&"#$ "(r ear"&"#$ '&s s'are/ t'at

'&s %ay (0 l&-&"# dur&"# t'e year ust +ast 'ad "(t bee" a"y ,red&t t( >t'e ,(",er"$>a"d t'at 'e$ Atterbury$ sy+at'&ed t(( 'eart&ly %&t' Mrs. J('" Hat'a%ay t( ta=e a"y

+leasure &" d(&"# bus&"ess %&t' Mr. J('".

J('"5s re"a"t (0 +r&de$ ,(+letely 'ubled by t'&s last %&t'dra%al (0 ,("0&de",e$%(uld "(t su00er '& t( tell Atterbury t'at 'e 'ad ,(e t( '&s se"ses a"d b&dde"0are%ell t( t'e (ld l&0e$ (r s( 'e '(+ed a"d bel&e-ed.

T( l(se a %&0e a"d ,'&ld &" a %ay &"0&"&tely %(rse t'a" deat'/ t( 'ear t'e u"%el,(etrut' t'at as a 'usba"d y(u 'a-e #r(%" s( (00e"s&-e as t( be bey("d e"dura",e/ t('a-e y(ur (%" s&ster tell y(u t'at y(u r&,'ly deser-e su,' treate"t/ t( be -&rtuallyd&s&ssed 0r( a -aluable bus&"ess ,(""e,t&("/all t'&s &s e"(u#' t( s(ber a"y a"ab(-e t'e #rade (0 a (ral &d&(t$ a"d J('" %as "(t t'at/ 'e %as s&+ly a sel0D&"dul#e"t$ +leasureDl(-&"#$ t'(u#'tless$ %&ll0ul 0ell(%$ %&t'(ut a"y #reat a(u"t (0

+r&",&+le. He t((= '&s ed&,&"e$ '(%e-er$ sa&d "(t'&"#$ a"d d&d '&s s'are (0 t'e bus&"ess 0r( day t( day d(##edly$ =ee+&"# a%ay 0r( '&s +art"er as u,' as +(ss&ble.

Elle"$ t'e 0a&t'0ul a&d (0 all %(r=$ stayed (" %&t' '& at t'e (ld '(e/ Ja,= %r(te t('& e-ery %ee=$ a"d (0te" ,ae t( s+e"d Su"day %&t' '&.

>Au"t L(u&sa5s real #((d t( e$> 'e t(ld '&s 0at'er$ >but s'e5s "(t l&=e (t'er. Seest( e (t'er5s =&"d (0 sel0&s' stay&"# a%ay 0r( us s( l("#. W'e" d( y(u e*+e,t 'er ba,=>

>I d("5t ="(%/ "(t be0(re %&"ter$ I5 a0ra&d/ a"d d("5t ,all 'er sel0&s'$ I %("5t 'a-e &tY(ur (t'er "e-er ="e% s'e 'ad a sel0.>



>I0 s'e5d ("ly le0t Sue be'&"d$ %e ,(uld 'a-e 'ad (re #((d t&es$ %e t'reet(#et'er>

>N($ (ur 0a&ly &s 0(ur$ Ja,=$ a"d %e ,a" "e-er 'a-e a"y #((d t&es$ ("e$ t%($ (r t'ree (0 us$ be,ause %e5re 0(ur W'e" ("e5s a%ay$ %'&,'e-er &t &s$ &t5s %r("#$ but &t5s

t'e %(rst %'e" &t5s (t'er. !(es y(ur Au"t L(u&sa %r&te t( 'er>

>Yes$ s(et&es$ but s'e "e-er lets e +(st t'e letters.>

>!( y(u %r&te t( y(ur (t'er Y(u (u#'t t($ y(u ="(%$ e-e" &0 y(u d("5t 'a-e t&e0(r e. Y(u ,(uld as= y(ur au"t t( e",l(se y(ur letters &" 'ers.>

>!( y(u %r&te t( 'er$ 0at'er>

>Yes$ I %r&te t%&,e a %ee=$> J('" a"s%ered$ t'&"=&"# drear&ly (0 t'e se&D%ee=ly"(tes +(sted &" Susa""a5s e+ty %(r=Dtable u+sta&rs. W(uld s'e e-er read t'e Hed(ubted &t$ u"less 'e d&ed$ a"d s'e ,ae ba,= t( settle '&s a00a&rs/ but (0 ,(urse 'es'(uld"5t d&e$"( su,' #((d lu,=. W(uld a a" d&e %'( brea=0asted at e&#'t$ d&"ed at("e$ su++ed at s&*$ a"d %e"t t( bed at te" W(uld a a" d&e %'( %(r=ed &" t'e #arde"a" '(ur e-ery a0ter"(("$ %&t' 'al0 a day Saturday/ t'at be&"# t'e tas= (std&sa#reeable t( '& a"d (st a++r(+r&ate t'ere0(re 0(r +e"a",e

Susa""a l(-ed 0l(%ers a"d 'ad al%ays %a"ted a #arde"$ but J('" 'ad bee" t((u,' (,,u+&ed %&t' '&s (%" ,(",er"s t( #&-e 'er t'e "eeded 'el+ (r ("ey s( t'ats'e ,(uld ,arry (ut 'er +la"s. T'e last year s'e 'ad l(st 'eart &" a"y %ays$ s( t'atl&ttle (r "(t'&"# 'ad bee" a,,(+l&s'ed (0 all s'e 'ad dreaed. It %(uld 'a-e bee"lau#'able$ 'ad &t "(t bee" +at'et&,$ t( see J('" Hat'a%ay d&#$ del-e$ #rub$ s(%$ %ater$

%eed$ tra"s+la"t$ #e"erally at t'e %r("# (e"t$ &" t'at dreaD#arde" (0 Susa""a5s.He as=ed "( ad-&,e a"d read "( b((=s. W&t' 0e-er&s' &"te"s&ty$ %&t' ,(+lete&#"(ra",e (0 Nature5s la%s a"d sall sy+at'y %&t' t'e&r &"tr&,a,&es$ 'e du#$ '(ed$ra=ed$ 0ert&l&ed$ a"d +la"ted dur&"# t'at l("ely suer. H&s abse"tD&"ded"ess,aused s(e e*+e"s&-e 0a&lures$ as %'e" t'e %&de e*+a"se (0 Susa""a5s dry&"##r(u"d$ %'&,' %as t( be -el-ety la%"$ >,ae u+> ,urly lettu,e/ but 'e r((ted (ut '&s0reue"t &sta=es a"d +at&e"tly +la"ted seeds (r r((ts (r bulbs (-er a"d (-er a"d (-er a"d (-er$ u"t&l s(et'&"# s+r(uted &" '&s beds$ %'et'er &t %as %'at 'e &"te"ded (r "(t. W'&le 'e %eeded t'e br&ll&a"t (ra"#e "asturt&us$ #r(%&"# bes&de t'e a#e"ta

+(rtula,,a &" a 0r&e"dly +r(*&&ty t'at ,erta&"ly %(uld "e-er 'a-e e*&sted 'ad t'e

&stress (0 t'e '(use bee" t'e 'eadD#arde"er$ 'e t'(u#'t (0 "(t'&"# but '&s %&0e. He="e% 'er +r&de$ 'er reser-e$ 'er se"s&t&-e s+&r&t/ 'e ="e% 'er l(-e (0 trut' a"d '("(r a"d +ur&ty$ t'e sta"dards (0 l&0e a"d ,("du,t s'e 'ad tr&ed t( '(ld '& t( s( -al&a"tly$a"d %'&,' 'e 'ad s( dra##ed &" t'e dust dur&"# t'e bl&"d"ess a"d t'e &"sa"&ty (0 t'elast t%( years.



He$ J('" Hat'a%ay$ %as a deserted 'usba"d/ Susa""a 'ad ,re+t a%ay all %(u"deda"d rese"t0ul. W'ere %as s'e l&-&"# a"d '(% su++(rt&"# 'ersel0 a"d Sue$ %'e" s'e,(uld "(t 'a-e 'ad a 'u"dred d(llars &" t'e %(rld Pr(bably L(u&sa %as t'e s(ur,e (0 &",(e/ ,("s,&e"t&(us$ &"0er"ally d&sa#reeable L(u&sa

W(uld "(t t'e ru(r (0 '&s ,'a"#ed 'ab&t (0 l&0e rea,' 'er by s(e ea"s &" 'er +la,e(0 '&d&"#$ s(("er (r later W(uld s'e "(t year" 0(r a s&#'t (0 Ja,= W(uld s'e "(t0&"ally #&-e '& a ,'a",e t( as= 0(r#&-e"ess$ (r 'ad s'e l(st e-ery tra,e (0 a00e,t&("0(r '&$ as 'er letter seeed t( &+ly He %al=ed t'e #arde" +at's$ %&t' t'ese a"d(t'er u"a"s%erable uest&("s$ a"d %'e" 'e %e"t t( '&s l("ely r(( at "&#'t$ 'e 'eldt'e la+ u+ t( a b&t (0 +(etry t'at 'e 'ad ,ut 0r( a a#a&"e a"d +&""ed t( t'el((=&"#D#lass. I0 J('" Hat'a%ay ,(uld be br(u#'t t( t'e read&"# (0 +(etry$ 'e &#'te-e" #la",e at t'e B&ble &" ,(urse (0 t&e$ L(u&sa %(uld 'a-e sa&d. It %as &" May t'atSusa""a 'ad #("e$ a"d t'e 0&rst l&"e (0 -erse 'eld '&s atte"t&(".

>May ,(es$ day ,(es$O"e %'( %as a%ay ,(es/All t'e eart' &s #lad a#a&"$)&"da"d 0a&r t( e.

>May ,(es$ day ,(es$O"e %'( %as a%ay ,(es/Set 'er +la,e at 'eart' a"d b(ardAs &t used t( be.

>May ,(es$ day ,(es$O"e %'( %as a%ay ,(es/H&#'er are t'e '&lls (0 '(e$Bluer &s t'e sea.>

T'e Hat'a%ay '(use %as &" t'e suburbs$ (" a r&se (0 #r(u"d$ a"d as J('" tur"ed t( t'e%&"d(% 'e sa% t'e 0ull ((" 'a"#&"# yell(% &" t'e s=y. It s'("e (" t'e -erda"t

sl(+es a"d l(% %((ded '&lls t'at surr(u"ded t'e t(%"$ a"d ,ast a #l&tter&"# +at'%ay(" t'e (,ea" t'at bat'ed t'e bea,'es (0 t'e "earDby s'(re.

>H(% l("# s'all I 'a-e t( %a&t$> 'e %("dered$ >be0(re y '&lls (0 '(e l((= '&#'er$a"d y sea bluer$ be,ause Susa""a 'as ,(e ba,= t( 5'eart' a"d b(ard5>



V

SUSANNA 'ad 'el+ed at -ar&(us '(use'(ld tas=s e-er s&",e 'er arr&-al at t'e

Settlee"t$ 0(r t'ere %as "( r(( 0(r dr("es &" t'e S'a=er '&-e/ but a0ter a 0e% %ee=s&" t'e =&t,'e" %&t' Mart'a$ t'e 'erbD#arde" 'ad bee" ass&#"ed t( 'er as 'er +art&,ular

+r(-&",e$ t'e S&sters t'&"=&"# 'er better 0&tted 0(r &t t'a" 0(r t'e +reser-&"# a"d +&,=l&"# (0 0ru&t$ (r t'e bas=etD%ea-&"# t'at "eeded s+e,&al a++re"t&,es'&+.



T'e S'a=ers %ere t'e 0&rst +e(+le t( ra&se$ +ut u+$ a"d sell #arde" seeds &" (ur +rese"tDday 0as'&("$ a"d &t %as t'ey$ t(($ %'( be#a" t'e +re+arat&(" (0 b(ta"&,al ed&,&"es$ra&s&"#$ #at'er&"#$ dry&"#$ a"d +re+ar&"# 'erbs a"d r((ts 0(r ar=et/ a"d t'&s &"dustry$dr&-e" 0r( t'e 0&eld by (der" a,'&"ery$ %as st&ll a -aluable s(ur,e (0 &",(e &"Susa""a5s day. Pla"ts 'ad al%ays #r(%" 0(r Susa""a$ a"d s'e l(-ed t'e l&=e 0r&e"ds$

'u(r&"# t'e&r %ea="ess$ "(ur&s'&"# t'e&r stre"#t'$ st&ulat&"#$ ,(a*&"#$ d&s,&+l&"&"#t'e$ u"t&l t'ey ,(uld d( "( less t'a" 0l(ur&s' u"der 'er =&"d a"d '(+e0ul 'a"d.

O'$ t'at s%eet$ '("est$ ,(0(rt&"# l&ttle #arde" (0 'erbs$ %&t' &ts %'(les(e0ra#ra",es Heal&"# lay &" e-ery r((t a"d ste$ &" e-ery lea0 a"d bud$ a"d t'e str("#ar(at&, (d(rs st&ulated 'er 0la##&"# s+&r&t (r 'er a,'&"# 'ead$ a0ter t'e slee+less"&#'ts &" %'&,' s'e tr&ed t( de,&de 'er 0uture l&0e a"d Sue5s.

T'e +la"ts %ere set (ut &" "eat r(%s a"d ,lu+s$ a"d s'e s((" lear"ed t( ="(% t'estra"#e ("es,'a(&le$ l(bel&a$ bl((dr((t$ %(r%((d$ l(-a#e$ b("eset$ le(" a"d

s%eet bal$ la-e"der a"d rue$ as %ell as s'e ="e% t'e (ld a,ua&"ta",es 0a&l&ar t(e-ery ,(u"tryDbred ,'&ld+e""yr(yal$ +e++er&"t (r s+ear&"t$ yell(% d(,=$ a"dt'(r(u#'%(rt.

T'ere %as '(e&"# a"d %eed&"# be0(re t'e #at'er&"# a"d dry&"# ,ae/ t'e" Br(t'er Cal-&"$ %'( 'ad ,'ar#e (0 t'e #reat +ress$ %(uld (&ste" t'e dr&ed 'erbs a"d +resst'e &"t( uarter a"d 'al0D+(u"d ,a=es ready 0(r S&ster Mart'a$ %'( %(uldsu+er&"te"d t'e y(u"#er S'a=eresses &" +a+er&"# a"d label&"# t'e 0(r t'e ar=et.Last (0 all$ %'e" 'ar-est&"# %as (-er$ Br(t'er A"sel %(uld (u"t t'e "e%ly +a&"tedseedD,art a"d lea-e (" '&s dr&-&"# tr&+ t'r(u#' t'e ,(u"try. A"sel %as a ,a+&talsalesa"$ but Br(t'er Issa,'ar$ %'( (",e t((= '&s +la,e a"d s(ld al(st "(t'&"#$

br(u#'t '(e a lad (" t'e seedD,art$ %'( a0ter%ard be,ae a s'&"&"# l&#'t &" t'e,(u"&ty. >T'us$> sa&d Elder Gray$ >d(es G(d tea,' us t'e d&-ers&ty (0 #&0ts$%'ereby all ay be u"as'aed.>

I0 t'e Alb&(" S'a=ers %ere '("est a"d arde"t &" 0a&t'$ Susa""a t'(u#'t t'at t'e&r >%(r=s> %(uld &"deed bear t'e str&,test e*a&"at&(". T'e Br(t'ers ade br((s$0l((r a"d d&s' (+s$ tubs$ +a&ls$ a"d ,'ur"s$ a"d &"deed al(st e-ery trade %asre+rese"ted &" t'e -ar&(us Ne% E"#la"d C(u"&t&es. P'ys&,&a"s t'ere %ere$ a 0e%$

but "( la%yers$ s'er&00s$ +(l&,ee"$ ,("stables$ (r s(ld&ers$ ust as t'ere %ere "(,(urts (r sal(("s (r a&ls. W'ere t'ere %as +er0e,t eual&ty (0 +(ssess&(" a"d "(

+r&-ate s(ur,e (0 #a&"$ &t aaed Susa""a t( see t'e ,'eery lab(r$ (0te" ,("t&"ued lateat "&#'t 0r( t'e s'eer (y (0 &t$ a"d t'e ear"est des&re t( a=e t'e Settlee"t

+r(s+er(us. W'&le t'e Br(t'ers %ere 'aer&"#$ "a&l&"#$ +la"&"#$ sa%&"#$ +l(u#'&"#$a"d seed&"#$ t'e S&sters %ere ,ard&"# a"d s+&""&"# ,(tt("$ %((l$ a"d 0la*$ a=&"#=er,'&e0s (0 l&"e"$ stra% S'a=er b(""ets$ a"d d(e"s (0 (t'er use0ul ar=etablet'&"#s$ "(t 0(r#ett&"# t'e&r 0a(us S'a=er a++le sau,e.



Was t'ere e-er su,' a busy suer$ Susa""a %("dered/ yet %&t' all t'e early r&s&"#$,("sta"t lab(r$ a"d s&+le 0are$ s'e %as str("#er a"d 'ard&er t'a" s'e 'ad bee" 0(r years. T'e S'a=er +alate %as "e-er t&,=led %&t' del&,a,&es$ yet t'e 0((d %as %ell,((=ed a"d su00&,&e"tly -ar&ed. At 0&rst t'ere 'ad bee" t'e %&"ter -e#etables suas'$yell(% tur"&+s$ beets$ a"d +ars"&+s$ %&t' (",e a %ee= a s+e,&al S'a=er d&""er (0 salt

,(d0&s'$ +(tat(es$ ("&("s$ a"d &l= #ra-y. Ea,' S&ster ser-ed 'er tur" as ,((=$ but allal&=e 'ad a %("der0ul 'a"d %&t' 0l(ur$ a"d t'e %'(leD%'eat bread$ ,((=&es$ #&"#er ,a=e$ a"d &l= +udd&"#s %ere ar-els (0 l&#'t"ess. Mart'a$ &" +art&,ular$ ,(uld %ea"t'e "(-&t&ate S'a=er 0r( a t(( r&(t(us de-(t&(" t( eatDeat&"# better t'a" (st

+e(+le$ 0(r e-ery d&s' s'e se"t t( t'e table %as del&,ate$ sa-(ry$ a"d attra,t&-e.

!ear$ +at&e"t$ de-(ted Mart'a H(% Susa""a lear"ed t( l(-e 'er as t'ey %(r=edt(#et'er &" t'e b&# su""y$ s'&"&"# =&t,'e"$ %'ere t'e ,((=&"#Dst(-e as %ell as e-eryt&" +late a"d +a" a"d s+((" &#'t 'a-e ser-ed as a &rr(r Mart'a 'ad (&"ed t'eS(,&ety &" 'er (t'er5s ars$ be&"# #&-e" u+ t( t'e L(rd a"d +la,ed &" >t'e ,'&ldre"5s

(rder> be0(re s'e %as ("e year (ld.

>I0 y(u s'(uld u"&te %&t' us$ Susa""a$> s'e sa&d ("e "&#'t a0ter t'e early su++er$ %'e"t'ey %ere +eel&"# a++les t(#et'er$ >y(u5d be t'a"=0ul y(u be#u" early %&t' y(ur l&ttleSue$ 0(r s'e5s #(t a "atural attra,t&(" t( t'e %(rld$ a"d 0(r &t. N(t but t'at s'e5s ate"der$ l(-&"#$ (bed&e"t l&ttle s(ul/ but %'e" s'e5s a("# t'e (t'er y(u"# ("es$ t'ere5sa 0lya%ay l((= ab(ut 'er t'at a=es 'er see (re l&=e a 0a&ry t'a" a ,'&ld.>

>S'e5s 'a-&"# rat'er a 'ard t&e lear"&"# S'a=er %ays$ but s'e5ll d( better &" t&e$>s&#'ed 'er (t'er. >S'e ,ae t( e (0 'er (%" a,,(rd yesterday a"d as=ed 5Bette"t I'a-e y ,urls ,ut (00$ Mard&e5>

>I "e-er +ut t'at &dea &"t( 'er 'ead$> Mart'a &"terru+ted. >S'e5s a -&s&t(r a"d ,a" %ear 'er 'a&r as s'e5s bee" br(u#'t u+ t( %ear &t.>

>I ="(%$ but I 0ear Sue %as (-ed by (t'er t'a" rel&#&(us reas("s. 5I #et u+ s( early$Mard&e$5 s'e sa&d$5a"d &t ta=es s( l("# t( u"s"arl a"d u"ta"#le e$ a"d I #et s( '(t%'e" I5 'el+&"# &" t'e 'ay0&eld$a"d t'e" I 'a-e t( be ,urled 0(r d&""er$ a"d ,urleda#a&" 0(r su++er$ a"d s( &t sees l&=e %ast&"# b(t' (ur t&es5 Her 'a&r %(uld be allt'e str("#er 0(r ,utt&"#$ I t'(u#'t$ as &t5s s( l("# 0(r 'er a#e/ but I ,(uld"5t +ut t'es'ears t( &t %'e" t'e t&e ,ae$ Mart'a. I 'ad t( ta=e 'er t( Eldress Abby. S'e sat u+

&" 0r("t (0 t'e l&ttle l((=&"#D#lass as st&ll as a (use$ %'&le t'e ,urls ,ae (00$ but%'e" t'e last ("e 0ell &"t( Abby5s a+r("$ s'e sudde"ly +ut 'er 'a"ds (-er 'er 0a,e a"d,r&ed 5O'$ Mard&e$ %e s'all "e-er be t'e sae t(#edder$ y(u a"d I$ a0ter t'&s5S'eseeed t( see 'er 5l&ttle +ast$5 'er ,'&ld'((d$ sl&++&"# a%ay 0r( 'er$ all &" a" &"sta"t.I d&d"5t let 'er ="(% t'at I ,r&ed (-er t'e b(* (0 ,urls last "&#'t>

>Y(u d&d %r("#$> rebu=ed Mart'a. >Y(u s'(uld"5t a=e a" &d(l (0 y(ur ,'&ld (r y(ur ,'&ld5s beauty.>



>Y(u d("5t t'&"= G(d &#'t +ut beauty &"t( t'e %(rld ust t( #&-e H&s ,'&ldre" (y$Mart'a>

Mart'a %as "( ,("tr(-ers&al&st. S'e 'ad ta=e" 'er (+&"&("s$ readyDade$ 0r( t'(ses'e ,("s&dered 'er su+er&(rs$ a"d alt'(u#' s'e %as %&ll&"# t( a=e a"y sa,r&0&,e 0(r

'er rel&#&("$ s'e d&d "(t %&s' t( be ,("0used by t(( a"y (++(s&"# t'e(r&es (0 G(d5s&"te"t&("s.

>Y(u ="(% I "e-er ar#ue %'e" I5-e #(t a"yt'&"# ba=&"#$> s'e sa&d/ a"d ta=&"# t'e s+&ll(0 a ,(r"Dbr(( 0r( a tableDdra%er$ s'e (+e"ed t'e (-e" d((r a"d del&,ately +lu"#ed&t &"t( t'e l(a0. T'e"$ #a&"# at t'e stra% as s'e %&t'dre% &t$ s'e sa&d >Y(u ust tal= d(,tr&"e %&t' Eldress Abby$ Susa""a$ "(t %&t' e/ but I #uess d(,tr&"e %("5t 'el+ y(us( u,' as t'&"=&"# (ut y(ur l&0e 0(r y(ursel0.>

>N( ("e ,a" s&"# y +sal 0(r e$Re%ard ust ,(e 0r( lab(r$I5ll s(% 0(r +ea,e$a"d rea+ &" trut'G(d5s er,y a"d H&s 0a-(r>

Mart'a %as t'e ,'&e0 us&,&a" (0 t'e C(u"&ty$ a"d 'ad ,(+(sed a"y 'y"sa"d tu"ess(e (0 t'e u"der ,&r,usta",es t'at s'e bel&e-ed &#'t e"t&tle t'e t(

be ,("s&dered d&re,tly &"s+&red. Her ,lear 0ull -(&,e 0&lled t'e =&t,'e" a"d 0l(ated (ut&"t( t'e a&r a0ter Susa""a$ as s'e ,alled Sue a"d$ dar"&"#Dbas=et &" 'a"d$ %al=eda,r(ss t'e r(ad t( t'e #reat bar".

T'e 'erbD#arde" %as ("e +la,e %'ere s'e ,(uld t'&"= (ut 'er l&0e$ alt'(u#' "(de,&s&(" 'ad as yet bee" b(r" (0 t'(se t'(u#'t0ul (r"&"#s.

A"(t'er s+(t 0(r ed&tat&(" %as t'e #reat bar"$ rel&, (0 t'e %("der0ul earl&er days$

a"d +r&de (0 t'e +rese"t Settlee"t. A 'u"dred a"d se-e"tyD0&-e 0eet l("# a"d t'reea"d a 'al0 st(r&es '&#'$ &t d(&"ated t'e la"ds,a+e. F&rst$ t'ere %as t'e ,ellar$ %'ereall t'e re0use 0ell$ t( d( &ts duty later (" &" 0ert&l&&"# t'e 0ar la"ds/ t'e" ,ae t'e0&rst 0l((r$ %'ere t'e stalls 0(r '(rses$ (*e"$ a"d ,(%s l&"ed t'e %alls (" e&t'er s&de.T'e" ,ae t'e se,("d 0l((r$ %'ere 'ay %as =e+t$ a"d t( rea,' t'&s a br&d#e 0(rty 0eetl("# %as bu&lt (" st("e +&ers te" 0eet &" 'e&#'t$ sl(+&"# u+ 0r( t'e #r(u"d t( t'ese,("d st(ry. O-er t'e easy sl(+e (0 t'&s br&d#e t'e 0ull 'ay,arts %ere dr&-e"$ t( addt'e&r se-eral burde"s t( t'e #(lde" 'ay(%s. H&#' at t'e t(+ %as a" e"(r(us #ra&"r(($ %'ere (u"ds (0 yell(% ,(r"Dears rea,'ed 0r( 0l((r t( ,e&l&"#/ a"d at t'e

ba,= %as a #reat %&"d(% (+e"&"# (" Massabes&, P("d a"d )"&#'ts5 H&ll$ %&t' t'e

W'&te M(u"ta&"s t(%er&"# blue (r s"(%D,a++ed &" t'e d&sta",e. T'ere %as a" (ldD0as'&("ed$ l&stDb(tt(ed$ stra&#'tDba,=ed S'a=er ,'a&r &" 0r("t (0 t'e (+e" %&"d(%$ a,'a&r as u",(0(rtable as S'a=er d(,tr&"es t( t'e dau#'ter (0 E-e$ a"d t'ere Susa""a(0te" sat %&t' 'er se%&"# (r e"d&"#$ Sue at 'er 0eet bu&ld&"# ,astles (ut (0 ,(r"D,(bs$ +la&t&"# t'e 'us=s &"t( l&ttle ats$ (r ta=&"# (ut bast&"# t'reads 0r( 'er (t'er5s %(r=.



>My 'ead 0eels a%0ully u"dressed %&t'(ut y ,urls$ Mard&e$> s'e sa&d. >I5 (sta0ra&d Fard&e %("5t l&=e t'e l((=s (0 e/ d( y(u t'&"= %e (u#'t t( 'a-e as=ed '&

be0(re %e s'&"#led eHe d(esdes%ise u"D+retty t'&"#s s(>

>I t'&"= &0 %e 'ad as=ed '& 'e %(uld 'a-e sa&d$ 5!( as y(u t'&"= best.5>

>He al%ays says t'at %'e" 'e d(es"5t ,are %'at y(u d($> (bser-ed Sue$ %&t' ("e (0 'er startl&"# bursts (0 &"tu&t&(". >S&ster Mart'a 'as a +r&"ted ,ard (" t'e %all &" t'e,'&ldre"5s d&"&"#Dr(($ a"d I5-e #(t t( lear" all t'e +(etry (" &t be,ause I "eed &t%(rse t'a" a"y (0 t'e (t'ers

>W'at %e dee #((d (rder$ %e5re %&ll&"# t( state$Eat 'earty a"d de,e"t$ a"d ,lear (uty(ur +late/Be t'a"=0ul t( 'ea-e" 0(r %'at %e re,e&-e$A"d "(t a=e a &*ture (r,(+(u"d t( lea-e.

>We (0te" 0&"d le0t (" t'e sae C'&"a d&s'$Meat$ a++le sau,e$ +&,=le$ br(%" bread a"d

&",ed 0&s'A"(t'er5s re+le"&s'ed %&t' butter a"d ,'eese$W&t' +&e$ ,a=e$ a"d t(ast$ +er'a+s$ added t( t'ese.>

>Y(u say &t -ery "&,ely$> ,(e"ded Susa""a.

>T'ere5s (re

>N(% &0 a"y -&rtue &" t'&s ,a" be s'(%"$By +easa"t$ by la%yer$ (r =&"# (" t'et'r("e/We 0reely %&ll 0(r0e&t %'ate-er %e5-e sa&d$A"d ,all &t a -&rtue t( %aste eata"d bread.>

>T'ere5s a #reat deal t( lear" %'e" y(u5re be&"# a S'a=er$> s&#'ed Sue$ as s'e 0&"&s'ed'er r'ye.

>T'ere5s a #reat deal t( lear" e-ery%'ere$> 'er (t'er a"s%ered. >W'at -erse d&dEldress Abby #&-e y(u t(Dday>

>F(r l&ttle tr&++&"# a&ds ay 0(ll(% G(dAl("# t'e %ays t'at sa&"tly 0eet 'a-e tr(d$>

u(ted t'e ,'&ld. >A I a tr&++&"# a&d$ Mard&e> s'e ,("t&"ued.

>Yes$ dear.>

>I0 I tr&+ t(( u,'$ &#'t"5t I 0all>>Yes$ I su++(se s(.>

>Is tr&++&"# t'e sae as s=&++&"#>

>Ab(ut t'e sae.>

>Is &t +(l&te t( tr&+a"s=&+ %'e" y(u5re 0(ll(%&"# G(d>



>It ,(uld"5t be &+(l&te &0 y(u ea"t t( be #((d. A tr&++&"# a&d ea"s ust a y(u"#("e.>

>W'at &s a a&d>

>A l&ttle #&rl.>

>W'e" a a&d #r(%s u+$ %'at &s s'e>

>W'ys'e5s a a&de"$ I su++(se.>

>W'e" a a&de" #r(%s u+$ %'at &s she>

>Just a %(a"$ Sue.>

>W'at &s sa&"tly 0eet>

>Feet l&=e t'(se (0 Eldress Abby (r Elder Gray/ 0eet (0 +e(+le %'( 'a-e al%ays tr&ed

t( d( r&#'t.>

>Are Br(t'er A"sel5s 0eet sa&"tly>

>He5s a #((d$ =&"d$ 'ardD%(r=&"# a".>

>Is #((dD=&"dD'ardD%(r=&"# sae as sa&"tly>

>Well$ &t5s "(t s( -ery d&00ere"t$ +er'a+s.N(%$ Sue$ I5-e as=ed y(u be0(re$ d("5t lety(ur &"d #r(+e$ a"d y(ur l&ttle t("#ue %a#$ e-ery &"sta"t/ &t &s"5t #((d 0(r y(u$ a"d &t,erta&"ly &s"5t #((d 0(r e>

>All r&#'t/ but 5less I #r(+ea"%a# s(et&es$ I d("5t see '(% I5ll e-er lear" t'e t'&"#s I5s+e,&ally %a"t t( ="(%> s&#'ed Sue t'e &"sat&able.

>S'all I tell y(u a S'a=er st(ry$ ("e t'at Eldress Abby t(ld e last e-e"&"#>

>O'$ d($ Mard&e> ,r&ed Sue$ ,r(ss&"# 'er 0eet$ 0(ld&"# 'er 'a"ds$ a"d l((=&"# u+ &"t('er (t'er5s 0a,e e*+e,ta"tly.

>O",e t'ere %as a -ery #((d S'a=er "aed Elder Cal-&" Gree"$ a"d s(e ("e %r(te'& a letter as=&"# '& t( ,(e a l("# d&sta",e a"d 0(u"d a Settlee"t &" t'e %ester"

+art (0 Ne% Y(r= State. He a"d s(e (t'er Elders a"d Eldresses tra-eled 0&-e days$

a"d st(++ed at t'e '(use (0 a ,erta&" J(se+' Pel'a t( s+e"d Su"day a"d '(ld aeet&"#. O" M("day (r"&"#$ -ery t&red$ a"d %("der&"# %'ere t( stay a"d be#&" '&s

+rea,'&"#$ t'e Elder %e"t (ut &"t( t'e %((ds t( +ray 0(r #u&da",e. W'e" 'e r(se 0r('&s ="ees$ 0eel&"# str("#er a"d l&#'terD'earted$ a y(u"# ua&l ,ae u+ t( '& s( ,l(set'at 'e +&,=ed &t u+. It %as "(t a b&t a0ra&d$ "e&t'er d&d t'e (ld +are"t b&rds %'( %eresta"d&"# "ear by s'(% a"y s&#" (0 0ear$ t'(u#' t'ey are -ery t&&d ,reatures. T'eElder s((t'ed t'e y(u"# b&rd5s 0eat'ers a l&ttle %'&le a"d t'e" let &t #($ but 'e



t'(u#'t a" a"#el seeed t( say t( '&$ 5T'e ua&l &s a s&#"/ y(u %&ll ="(% be0(re"&#'t %'at &t ea"s$ a"d be0(re t(D(rr(% +e(+le %&ll be ,(&"# t( y(u t( lear" t'e%ay t( G(d.5

>S((" a0ter$ a 0l(,= (0 t'ese s'y l&ttle b&rds al&#'ted (" J(se+' Pel'a5s '(use$ a"d t'e

Elders %ere #lad$ a"d t'(u#'t &t s&#"&0&ed t'e 0l(,= (0 Bel&e-ers t'at %(uld #at'er &"t'at +la,e/ 0(r t'e S'a=ers see (re &" s&#"s t'a" (t'er +e(+le. Just at "&#'t a y(u"##&rl (0 t%el-e (r t'&rtee" ="(,=ed at t'e d((r a"d t(ld Elder Cal-&" t'at s'e %a"ted t(

be,(e a S'a=er$ a"d t'at 'er 0at'er a"d (t'er %ere %&ll&"#.

>5Here &s t'e l&ttle ua&l5 ,r&ed t'e Elder$ a"d &"deed s'e %as t'e 0&rst %'( 0l(,=ed t(t'e eet&"#s a"d (&"ed t'e "e% C(u"&ty.

>O" t'e&r retur" t( t'e&r (ld '(e a,r(ss t'e state t'e Elders t((= t'e l&ttle ua&l #&rl%&t' t'e. It %as N(-eber t'e"$ a"d t'e ,a"als t'r(u#' %'&,' t'ey tra-eled %ere,l(##ed %&t' &,e. O"e "&#'t$ 'a-&"# bee" 0err&ed a,r(ss t'e M('a%= R&-er$ t'ey t((=

t'e&r ba##a#e a"d %al=ed 0(r &les be0(re t'ey ,(uld 0&"d s'elter. F&"ally$ %'e" t'ey%ere %&t'&" t'ree &les (0 t'e&r '(e$ Elder Cal-&" s'(rte"ed t'e %ay by #(&"#a,r(ss t'e (+e" 0&elds t'r(u#' t'e s"(%$ u+ a"d d(%" t'e '&lls a"d t'r(u#' t'e #ull&esa"d (-er 0e",es$ t&ll t'ey rea,'ed t'e '(use at &d"&#'t$ sa0e a"d s(u"d$ t'e bra-el&ttle ua&l #&rl 'a-&"# trud#ed bes&de t'e t'e %'(le d&sta",e$ ,arry&"# 'er t&" +a&l.>

Sue %as tra"s+(rted %&t' &"terest$ 'er l&+s +arted$ 'er eyes s'&"&"#$ 'er 'a"ds ,las+ed.

>O'$ I %&s' I ,(uld be a bra-e l&ttle ua&l #&rl$ Mard&e W'at be,ae (0 'er>

>Her "ae %as P(lly Reed$ a"d %'e" s'e #re% u+$ s'e be,ae a tea,'er (0 t'e

S'a=er s,'((l$ t'e" a" Eldress$ a"d e-e" a +rea,'er. I d("5t ="(% %'at =&"d (0 a l&ttleua&l #&rl y(u %(uld a=e$ Sue/ d( y(u t'&"= y(u ,(uld %al= 0(r &les t'r(u#' t'e &,ea"d s"(% u",(+la&"&"#ly>

>I d("5 ="(%5s I ,(uld$> s&#'ed Sue/ >but$> s'e added '(+e0ully$ >+er'a+s I ,(uld tea,'(r +rea,'$ a"d t'e" I ,(uld #r(+ea"%a# as u,' as e-er I l&=ed.> T'e"$ a0ter a le"#t'y

+ause$ &" %'&,' 'er &"d %(r=ed 0e-er&s'ly$ s'e sa&d$ >Mard&e$ I %as ust #r(+&"# al&ttle b&t$ but I %("5t d( &t a"y (re t(D"&#'t. I0 t'e (ld ua&l b&rds &" t'e %((ds %'ereElder Cal-&" +rayed$ &0 t'(se (ld b&rds 'ad bee" S'a=er b&rds$ t'ere %(uld"5t 'a-e

bee" a"y l&ttle ua&l b&rds$ %(uld t'ere$ be,ause S'a=ers d("5t 'a-e ,'&ldre"$ a"d t'e"

+er'a+s t'ere %(uld"5t 'a-e bee" a"y l&ttle P(lly Reed.>

Susa""a r(se 'urr&edly 0r( t'e l&stDb(tt(ed ,'a&r a"d 0(lded 'er %(r=. >I5ll #( u+a"d 'el+ y(u u"dress "(%$> s'e sa&d/ >&t5s se-e" (5,l(,=$ a"d I ust #( t( t'e 0a&lyeet&"#.>



VI

IT %as t'e Sabbat' day a"d t'e Bel&e-ers %ere #at'ered &" t'e eet&"#D'(use$

Bret're" a"d S&sters seated u&etly (" t'e&r se+arate be",'es$ %&t' t'e ,'&ldre" byt'esel-es &" t'e&r (%" +la,e. As t'e e" e"tered t'e r(( t'ey re(-ed t'e&r 'atsa"d ,(ats a"d 'u"# t'e u+(" %((de" +e#s t'at l&"ed t'e s&des (0 t'e r(($ %'&le t'e%(e" t((= (00 t'e&r b(""ets/ t'e"$ a0ter sta"d&"# 0(r a (e"t (0 +er0e,t s&le",e$t'ey seated t'esel-es.

I" Susa""a5s t&e t'e Su"day ,(stue 0(r t'e e" &",luded tr(users (0 dee+ blue,l(t' %&t' a %'&te l&"e a"d a -est (0 dar=er blue$ e*+(s&"# a 0ullDb(s(ed s'&rt t'at



'ad a %&de tur"edDd(%" ,(llar 0aste"ed %&t' t'ree butt("s. T'e S&sters %ere &" +ure%'&te dresses$ %&t' "e,= a"d s'(ulders ,(-ered %&t' s"(%y =er,'&e0s$ t'e&r 'eads,r(%"ed %&t' t'e&r %'&te "et ,a+s$ a"d a lar#e %'&te +(,=et 'a"d=er,'&e0 'u"# (-er t'e le0t ar. T'e&r 0eet %ere s'(d %&t' ,ur&(us +(&"tedDt(ed ,l(t' s'(es (0 ultraar&"e

bluea 0as'&(" l("# s&",e #("e by.

Susa""a 'ad "(% be,(e a,,ust(ed t( t'e ,ur&(us s(le" ar,' (r da",e &" %'&,'(0 ,(urse "("e but t'e Bel&e-ers e-er (&"ed$ a"d 0(u"d &" 'er +rese"t e*alted ((dt'e s("#s a"d t'e e*'(rtat&("s stra"#ely &"terest&"# a"d "(t u"+r(0&table.

Tab&t'a$ t'e (st a#ed (0 t'e #r(u+ (0 Alb&(" S&sters$ ,("0essed t'at s'e &ssed t'e(ld t&es %'e" -&s&("s %ere ,(("$ %'e" t'e S+&r&t a"&0ested &tsel0 &"e*tra(rd&"ary %ays$ a"d t'e #&0t (0 t("#ues des,e"ded. S(et&es$ &" t'e Wester"Settlee"t %'ere s'e %as #at'ered &"$ t'e %'(le N(rt' Fa&ly %(uld ar,' &"t( t'e'&#'%ay &" t'e 0res' (r"&"# '(urs$ a"d %'&le s&"#&"# s(e sa,red 'y"$ %(uld +ass

(" t( t'e Ce"tre Fa&ly$ a"d t(#et'er &" s(le" yet #lad +r(,ess&(" t'ey %(uld (u"tt'e '&lls&de t( >Je'(-a'5s C'(se" Suare$> t'ere t( s&"# a"d da",e be0(re t'e L(rd.

>I %&s' %e ,(uld d( s(et'&"# l&=e t'at "(%> s&#'ed Hetty Ar"(ld$ a +retty y(u"#,reature$ %'( 'ad (e"ts (0 l("#&"# 0(r t'e +(+s a"d -a"&t&es. >I0 %e 'a-e t( #&-eu+ all %(rldly +leasures$ I t'&"= %e &#'t 'a-e (re rel&#&(us ("es>

>We %ere a y(u"#er ,'ur,' &" t'(se (ld t&es (0 %'&,' S&ster Tab&t'a s+ea=s$> sa&dEldress Abby. >Y(u ust reeber$ Hetty$ t'at %e %ere ,'&ldre" &" 0a&t'$ a"d "eededs&#"s a"d a"&0estat&("s$ +&,tures a"d (be,tDless("s. We5-e bee" tra&"ed t( t'&"= a"dreas(" "(%$ a"d %e5-e +ut a%ay s(e (0 (ur +&,tureDb((=s. T'ere 'a-e bee"

re-elat&("s t( tell us %e "eeded (-ee"ts a"d e*er,&ses t( u&,=e" (ur s+&r&tual +(%ers$ a"d t( #&-e e"er#y a"d u"&ty t( (ur %(rs'&+$ a"d t'ere 'a-e bee" re-elat&("stell&"# us t( #&-e t'e u+/ re-elat&("s b&dd&"# us t( s&"# (re$ re-elat&("s tell&"# us t(use %(rdless s("#s. T'e" a"t'es %ere #&-e" us$ a"d s( &t 'as #("e ("$ 0(r %e 'a-e

bee" led (0 t'e S+&r&t.>

>I5d l&=e (re +&,tureDb((=s$> +(uted Hetty$ u"der 'er breat'.

T(Dday t'e ser-&,e be#a" %&t' a s(le" s("#$ 0(ll(%ed by s+ea=&"# a"d +rayer 0r( a-&s&t&"# elder. T'e"$ a0ter a l("# a"d +r(0(u"d s&le",e$ t'e ,(+a"y r(se a"d (&"ed &"a r'yt'&, da",e %'&,' s&#"&0&ed t'e ("%ard tra-el (0 t'e s(ul t( 0ull rede+t&("/ t'e

(+e"&"# a"d ,l(s&"# (0 t'e 'a"ds ea"&"# t'e s,atter&"# a"d #at'er&"# (0 bless&"#.T'ere %as "( a,,(+a"&e"t$ a"d b(t' t'e us&, a"d t'e %(rds %ere t'e artlesse*+ress&(" (0 0er-e"t de-(t&(".



SSANNA SAT IN HER CORNER BESI!E THE AGE! TABITHA

Susa""a sat &" 'er ,(r"er bes&de t'e a#ed Tab&t'a$ %'( %(uld "e-er da",e a#a&" be0(re t'e L(rd$ t'(u#' 'er ua-er&"# -(&,e (&"ed &" t'e ,'(rus. T'e s+r&"# 0l((r r(se a"d 0ell u"der t'e u&,= r'yt'&, tread (0 t'e %(rs'&+ers$ a"d %&t' ea,'re-(lut&(" ab(ut t'e r(( t'e s("# #a&"ed &" +(%er a"d 0er-(r.



T'e ste+s #re% sl(%er a"d (re sedate$ t'e -(&,es d&ed a%ay$ t'e ars sa"= sl(%ly by t'e s&des$ a"d t'e 'a"ds ,eased t'e&r (-ee"t.

Susa""a r(se t( 'er 0eet$ s'e ="e% "(t '(% (r %'y. Her ,'ee=s %ere 0lus'ed$ 'er 'ead be"t.

>!ear 0r&e"ds$> s'e sa&d$ >I 'a-e "(% bee" a("# y(u 0(r "early t'ree ("t's$s'ar&"# y(ur l&0e$ y(ur %(r=$ a"d y(ur %(rs'&+. Y(u ay %ell %&s' t( ="(% %'et'er I



'a-e ade u+ y &"d t( (&" t'&s C(u"&ty$ a"d I ,a" ("ly say t'at alt'(u#' I'a-e +rayed 0(r l&#'t$ I ,a""(t yet see y %ay ,learly. I a 'a++y 'ere %&t' y(u$ a"dalt'(u#' I 'a-e bee" a ,'ur,' eber 0(r years$ I 'a-e "e-er be0(re l("#ed s(arde"tly t( +rese"t y b(dy a"d s(ul as a sa,r&0&,e u"t( t'e L(rd. I 'a-e tr&ed "(t t(

be a burde" t( y(u. T'e sall %ee=ly su t'at I +ut &"t( t'e treasury I %&ll "(t s+ea=

(0$ lest I see t( t'&"= t'at t'e 5#&0t (0 G(d ay be +ur,'ased %&t' ("ey$5 as t'eS,r&+tures say/ but I 'a-e e"dea-(red t( be l(yal t( y(ur rules a"d ,ust(s$ y(ur a&sa"d &deals$ a"d t( t'e ,("0&de",e y(u 'a-e re+(sed &" e. O'$ y dear S&sters a"dBr(t'ers$ +ray 0(r e t'at I be e"abled t( see y duty (re +la&"ly. It &s "(t t'e 0les'D

+(ts t'at %&ll ,all e ba,= t( t'e %(rld/ &0 I #($ &t %&ll be be,ause t'e dut&es I 'a-e le0t be'&"d ta=e su,' s'a+e t'at t'ey dra% e (ut (0 t'&s s'elter &" s+&te (0 ysel0. I t'a"= y(u 0(r t'e 'el+ y(u 'a-e #&-e" e t'ese last %ee=s/ G(d ="(%s y #rat&tude ,a""e-er be s+(=e" &" %(rds.>

Elder Gray5s -(&,e br(=e t'e s&le",e t'at 0(ll(%ed Susa""a5s s+ee,'. >I ("ly e,'( t'e

se"t&e"ts (0 t'e Fa&ly %'e" I say t'at (ur S&ster Susa""a s'all 'a-e su,' t&e ass'e reu&res be0(re de,&d&"# t( u"&te %&t' t'&s b(dy (0 Bel&e-ers. N( +ressure s'all be

br(u#'t t( bear u+(" 'er$ a"d s'e %&ll be$ as s'e e-er 'as bee"$ a %el,(e #uest u"der (ur r((0. S'e 'as bee" a" &"s+&rat&(" t( t'e ,'&ldre"$ a ,(0(rt a"d a&d t( t'e S&sters$a" &"tell&#e"t ,(rade t( t'e Bret're"$ a"d a s&",ere a"d ear"est stude"t (0 t'e trut'.May t'e S+&r&t dra% 'er &"t( t'e 1&r#&" C'ur,' (0 t'e Ne% Creat&(">

>Yee a"d ae"> e*,la&ed Eldress Abby$ de-(utly >F(r t'us sa&t' t'e L(rd (0 '(stsI %&ll s'a=e t'e 'ea-e"s$ a"d t'e eart'$ a"d t'e sea$ a"d t'e dry la"d/ a"d I %&ll s'a=eall "at&("s$ a"d t'e des&re (0 all "at&("s s'all ,(e a"d I %&ll 0&ll t'&s '(use %&t'

#l(ry$ sa&t' t'e L(rd (0 '(sts.>>O 1&r#&" C'ur,'$ '(% #reat t'y l&#'t$W'at ,l(ud ,a" d& t'y %ay>

sa"# Mart'a 0r( 'er +la,e at t'e e"d (0 a be",'/ a"d all t'e -(&,es t((= u+ t'e 'y"s(0tly as t'e ,(+a"y sat %&t' b(%ed 'eads.

T'e" Br(t'er Issa,'ar r(se 0r( '&s ,(r"er$ say&"# >Jesus ,alled u+(" '&s d&s,&+les t(#&-e u+ e-eryt'&"# '(uses$ la"ds$ relat&("s'&+s$ a"d e-e" t'e sel0&s'"ess (0 t'e&r (%"l&-es. T'ey ,(uld "(t ,all t'e&r l&-es t'e&r (%". 5 +o6 we have left all and followed thee$5sa&d Peter/ 50at'ers$ (t'ers$ %&-es$ ,'&ldre"$ '(uses$ la"ds$ a"d e-e" (ur (%" l&-es

als(.5 It &s a #reat +r&,e t( +ay$ but %e buy Hea-e" %&t' &t>>Yee$ %e d($> sa&d Br(t'er T'(as S,atter#((d$ de-(utly. >T( '& t'at (-er,(et's'all t'e #reat +r&e be #&-e".>

>G(d 'el+ t'e %ea=er bret're"> urured y(u"# Br(t'er Nat'a"$ &" s( l(% a -(&,et'at 0e% ,(uld 'ear '&.



M(-ed by t'e sae &+ulse$ Tab&t'a$ Abby$ a"d Mart'a burst &"t( ("e (0 t'e (sttr&u+'a"t (0 t'e S'a=er s("#s$ ("e t'at %as "e-er su"# sa-e %'e" t'e eet&"# %as>0ull (0 t'e S+&r&t>

>I dra% "( bla"= "(r &ss t'e +r&e$I see t'e %(r=$ t'e sa,r&0&,e$A"d I5ll be l(yal$ I5ll

be %&se$A 0a&t'0ul (-er,(er>

T'e ,(+a"y r(se a"d be#a" a#a&" t( ar,' &" a ,&r,le ar(u"d t'e ,e"tre (0 t'e r(($t'e Bret're" t%( abreast lead&"# t'e ,(lu"$ t'e S&sters 0(ll(%&"# a0ter. T'ere %as a%a-&"# (-ee"t (0 t'e 'a"ds by dra%&"# &"%ard as &0 #at'er&"# &" s+&r&tual #((da"d st(r&"# &t u+ 0(r 0uture "eed. I" t'e ar,'&"# a"d ,(u"terar,'&"# t'e %(rs'&+ers0reue"tly ,'a"#ed t'e&r +(s&t&("s$ ult&ately 0(r&"# &"t( 0(ur ,&r,les$ syb(l&,al (0 t'e 0(ur d&s+e"sat&("s as e*+(u"ded &" S'a=er&s$ t'e 0&rst 0r( Ada t( Abra'a/t'e se,("d 0r( Abra'a t( Jesus/ t'e t'&rd 0r( Jesus t( M(t'er A"" Lee/ a"d t'e0(urt' t'e &lle""&al era.

T'e ar,'&"# #re% l&-el&er/ t'e b(d&es (0 t'e s&"#ers s%ayed l&#'tly %&t' e(t&("$ t'e0a,es #l(%ed %&t' 0eel&"#.

O-er a"d (-er t'e 'y" %as su"#$ #at'er&"# stre"#t' a"d 0ull"ess as t'e Bel&e-erse"tered (re a"d (re &"t( t'e s+&r&t (0 t'e&r %(rs'&+. W'e"e-er t'e re0ra&" ,ae &"%&t' &ts &l&ta"t 0er-(r$ ,rude$ but s&",ere a"d e00e,t&-e$ t'e s&"#ers seeed 0a&t'D&"t(*&,ated/ a"d S&ster Mart'a &" +art&,ular &#'t 'a-e bee" tread&"# t'e 'ea-e"lystreets &"stead (0 t'e eet&"#D'(use 0l((r$ s( ,(+lete %as 'er abs(r+t&(". T'e -(&,esat le"#t' #re% s(0ter$ a"d t'e (-ee"t sl(%er$ a"d a0ter a 0e% (e"ts5 re-ere"ts&le",e t'e ,(+a"y 0&led (ut (0 t'e r(( s(le"ly a"d %&t'(ut s+ee,'.



>T'e L(rd a&"5t s'a=e" Susa""a 'ard e"(u#' yet$> t'(u#'t Br(t'er A"sel s're%dly0r( '&s +la,e &" t'e rear. >S'e a&"5t alt(#et'er #at'ered &"$ "(t by "( a""er (5ea"s$ be,ause (0 t'at u"re#e"erate s(" (0 Ada s'e5s le0t be'&"d/ but t'ere5s t'ea=&"5s (0 a +(%50ul #((d S'a=er &" Susa""a$ &0 s'e 0&"ally ta=es '(lt>

>W'at a""er (0 l&0e &s y 'usba"d l&-&"#$ "(% t'at I 'a-e deserted '& W'( &s be&"# a (t'er t( Ja,=> T'ese %ere t'e t'(u#'ts t'at tr(ubled Susa""a Hat'a%ay5ss(ul as s'e ,r(ssed t'e #rass t( 'er (%" bu&ld&"#.



VII

BROTHER Nat'a" Be""ett %as t%e"ty years (ld a"d S&ster Hetty Ar"(ld %as

e&#'tee". T'ey 'ad bee" le0t %&t' t'e S'a=ers by t'e&r res+e,t&-e +are"ts te" years be0(re$ a"d$ #r(%&"# u+ &" t'e 0a&t'$ t'ey 0(rally (&"ed t'e C(u"&ty %'e" t'ey



rea,'ed t'e a#e (0 d&s,ret&(". T'us t'ey 'ad ="(%" ea,' (t'er 0r( early ,'&ld'((d$"e-er &" t'e 0a&l&ar %ay ,((" t( t'e ,'&ldre" (0 t'e %(rld$ but %&t' t'e ,((l$,'eer0ul$ ,asual$ %'(lly &+ers("al att&tude (0 S'a=er 0r&e"ds'&+$ a relat&(" see&"#ly(uts&de (0 a"d su+er&(r t( se*$ a relat&(" (re l&=e t'at (0 t%( astral b(d&es t'a" t'e(re &"t&ate ("e (0 a budd&"# Ada a"d E-e.

W'e" a"d %'ere 'ad t'&s relat&("s'&+ ,'a"#ed &ts ,(l(r a"d ea"&"# Ne&t'er Nat'a""(r Hetty ,(uld 'a-e t(ld. F(r years Nat'a" 'ad sat at '&s e"d (0 t'e y(u"# e"5s

be",' at t'e 0a&ly (r t'e +ubl&, eet&"#$ %&t' Hetty e*a,tly (++(s&te '& at t'e e"d(0 t'e #&rls5 r(%$ a"d 0(r years t'ey 'ad l((=ed a,r(ss t'e d&-&d&"# s+a,e at ea,' (t'er %&t' u"st&rred +ulses. T'e r(%s (0 S&sters sat &" sere"e d&#"&ty$ ("e be",' be'&"da"(t'er$ a"d ea,' S&ster %as l&=e u"t( e-ery (t'er &" Nat'a"5s -a#ue$ dreay$ b(y&s'ly&"d&00ere"t eyes. S(e (0 t'e %ere se-e"ty a"d s(e se-e"tee"$ but ea,' (dest0&#ure sat &" &ts +la,e %&t' u&et 0(lded 'a"ds. T'e st&00 ,a+s '&d t'e 'a&r$ %'et'er &t%as s&l-er (r #(ld/ t'e %'&te sur+l&,es ,(-ered t'e s'(ulders a"d ,(",ealed beaut&0ul

,ur-es as %ell as a"#ular (utl&"es/ t'e t'r(ats %ere s,ar,ely -&s&ble$ %'et'er t'ey %ereyell(% a"d %r&"=led (r y(u"# a"d %'&te. T'e S&sters %ere s&+ly s&sters t( 0a&rD'a&red

Nat'a"$ a"d t'e Br(t'ers %ere but br(t'ers t( l&ttle bla,=Deyed Hetty.

O",e%as &t (" a Su"day (r"&"#Nat'a" #la",ed a,r(ss t'e se+arat&"# s+a,et'at &s t'e -ery esse",e a"d s&#" (0 S'a=er&s. T'e da",e 'ad ust ,eased$ a"d t'ere%as a l("#$ s(le" st&ll"ess %'e" G(d &"deed seeed t( be &" ("e (0 H&s '(lyte+les a"d t'e eart' %as =ee+&"# s&le",e be0(re H&. Sudde"ly Hetty #re% t( bes(et'&"# (re t'a" ("e (0 t'e 0&#ures &" a l("# r(% s'e ,'a&"ed Nat'a"5s eye a"d'eld &t.

>T'r(u#' 'er #are"ts t'e #ra,e (0 'er #l(%ed.> He sa% t'at$ &" s+&te (0 t'e %ay 'er 'a&r 'ad bee" ,ut a"d stret,'ed ba,= 0r( t'e 0(re'ead$ a s'(rt dus=y te"dr&l$ s(0te"eda"d ,(a*ed by t'e suer 'eat$ 'ad ade &ts %ay ut&"(usly bey("d t'e ,("0&"es (0 'er ,a+. Her eyes %ere ,ast d(%"$ but t'e las'es t'at s%e+t 'er r(u"d y(u"# ,'ee= %ere u&te d&00ere"t 0r( a"y (t'er las'es &" t'e S&sters5 r(%. Her breat' ,ae a"d%e"t s(0tly a0ter t'e e*ert&(" (0 t'e r'yt'&, (-ee"ts$ st&rr&"# t'e %'&te usl&"0(lds t'at %ra++ed 'er 0r( t'r(at t( %a&st. He l((=ed a"d l((=ed$ u"t&l '&s b(dyseeed t( be all eyes$ abs(lutely u"a%are (0 a"y ,'a"#e &" '&sel0/ u&te (bl&-&(us (0 t'e 0a,t t'at 'e %as re#ard&"# t'e #&rl &" a"y "e% a"d da"#er(us %ay.

T'e s&le",e ,("t&"ued$ l("# a"d +r(0(u"d$ u"t&l sudde"ly Hetty ra&sed 'er beaut&0ullas'es a"d et Nat'a"5s #ae$ t'e #ae (0 a b(y ust tur"ed t( a" arde"t$ %ar$,(+ell&"#. T'ere %as a startled (e"t (0 re,(#"&t&("$ a treul(us a++r(a,'$al(st a" ebra,e$ (0 re#ard/ ea,' se"t a" ele,tr&, ,urre"t a,r(ss t'e +r(te,t&-ese+arat&"# s+a,e$ t'e t%( +a&rs (0 eyes et a"d sa&d$ >I l(-e y(u$> &" su,' ,lear t("est'at Nat'a" a"d Hetty ar-eled t'at t'e Elder d&d "(t 'ear t'e. S(eb(dy says t'atl(-e$ l&=e a s,arlet s+&der$ ,a" s+&" a t'read bet%ee" t%( 'earts al(st &" a" &"sta"t$ s(



0&"e as t( be al(st &"-&s&ble$ yet &t %&ll '(ld %&t' t'e te"a,&ty (0 a" &r(" ,'a&". T'et'read 'ad bee" s+u"/ &t %as s( del&,ate t'at "e&t'er Nat'a" "(r Hetty 'ad see" t'es,arlet s+&der s+&""&"# &t$ but t'e stre"#t' (0 b(t' %(uld "(t a-a&l t( s"a+ t'e b("dt'at 'eld t'e t(#et'er.

T'e (e"ts +assed. Hetty5s =er,'&e0 r(se a"d 0ell$ r(se a"d 0ell tuultu(usly$ %'&le'er 0a,e %as su00used %&t' ,(l(r. Nat'a"5s ="ees u&-ered u"der '&$ a"d %'e" t'eElder r(se$ a"d t'ey be#a" t'e sa,red ar,'$ t'e lad ,(uld 'ardly sta"d 0(r trebl&"#.He dreaded t'e (e"t %'e" t'e l&"es (0 Bel&e-ers %(uld eet$ a"d 'e a"d Hetty%(uld %al= t'e le"#t' (0 t'e l("# r(( al(st bes&de ea,' (t'er. C(uld s'e 'ear '&s'eart beat&"#$ Nat'a" %("dered/ %'&le Hetty %as +al+&tat&"# %&t' 0ear lest Nat'a" see'er blus'es a"d d&-&"e t'e&r ea"&"#. O'$ t'e (y (0 &t$ t'e terr(r (0 &t$ t'e stra"#ee*'&larat&(" a"d t'e sudde" se"sat&(" (0 s&" a"d re(rse

T'e eet&"# (-er$ Nat'a" 0lu"# '&sel0 (" t'e 'ay(% &" t'e #reat bar"$ %'&le Hetty

sat %&t' 'er >Sy"(+s&s (0 S'a=er T'e(l(#y> at a" (+e" %&"d(% (0 t'e #&rls5 bu&ld&"#$see&"# "(t'&"# &" t'e l&"es (0 +r&"t but -&s&("s t'at s'(uld "(t 'a-e bee" t'ere. It %as Nat'a" %'( 0elt (st a"d su00ered (st a"d %as (st ,("s,&(us (0 s&"$ 0(r Hetty$ at0&rst$ s,ar,ely ="e% %'&t'er s'e %as dr&0t&"#.

S'e %e"t &"t( t'e 'erbD#arde" %&t' Susa""a ("e (r"&"# dur&"# t'e %ee= t'at0(ll(%ed t'e 0atal Su"day. Ma"y (0 t'e +la"ts t( be used 0(r seas("&"#sa#e$suer sa-(ry$ s%eet ar(ra$ a"d t'e l&=e%ere u&te ready 0(r #at'er&"#. As t'et%( %(e" %ere busy at %(r=$ Susa""a as 0ull (0 'er t'(u#'ts as Hetty (0 'ers$ t'es(u"d (0 a ste+ %as 'eard brus'&"# t'e #rass (0 t'e (r,'ard. Hetty #a-e a "er-(usstart/ 'er ,'ee=s #re% s( ,r&s(" a"d 'er breat' s( s'(rt t'at Susa""a "(t&,ed t'e,'a"#e.

>It %&ll be Br(t'er A"sel ,(&"# al("# t( t'e #r&"dst("e$> Hetty staered$ bury&"#'er 'ead &" t'e lea-es.

>N($> Susa""a a"s%ered$ >&t &s Nat'a". He 'as a l("# +(le %&t' a sa% (" t'e e"d. Heust be #(&"# t( ta=e t'e dead bra",'es (00 t'e a++le trees/ I 'eard A"sel tell '&yesterday t( d( &t.>

>Yee$ t'at %&ll be &t$> sa&d Hetty$ be"d&"# (-er t'e +la"ts as &0 s'e %ere a0ra&d t( l((= else%'ere.

Nat'a" ,ae "earer t( t'e 'erbD#arde". He %as a tall$ stal%art$ 'a"ds(e e"(u#'0ell(%$ e-e" &" '&s ua&"t %(r=&"# #arb. As t'e S&sters s+u" a"d %(-e t'e ,l(t' as %ellas ,ut a"d ade t'e e"5s #are"ts$ a"d as t'e Br(t'ers t'esel-es ade t'e s'(es$t'ere %as "aturally "( #reat a&r (0 0as'&(" ab(ut t'e S'a=er ra&e"t/ but Nat'a",arr&ed &t better t'a" (st. H&s s=&" %as 0a&r a"d r(sy$ t'e d(%" (" '&s u++er l&+s'(%ed da%"&"# a"'((d$ a"d %'e" 'e t((= (00 '&s br(adDbr&ed stra% 'at a"d



stret,'ed t( '&s 0ull 'e&#'t t( rea,' t'e u++er bra",'es (0 t'e a++le trees$ 'e ade a +&,ture (0 ,lea"$ %'(les(e$ -&#(r(us y(ut'.

Sudde"ly Susa""a ra&sed 'er 'ead a"d sur+r&sed Hetty l((=&"# at t'e lad %&t' all 'er 'eart &" 'er eyes. At t'e sae (e"t Nat'a" tur"ed$ a"d be0(re 'e ,(uld ,(",eal t'e

telltale ard(r (0 '&s #la",e$ &t 'ad s+ed t( Hetty. W&t' t'e &"st&",t (0 sel0D+reser-at&("'e st((+ed &"sta"tly as &0 t( steady t'e sa% (" t'e +(le$ but &t %as t(( late t( e"datters '&s tale %as t(ld s( 0ar as Susa""a %as ,(",er"ed/ but &t %as better s'es'(uld sus+e,t t'a" ("e (0 t'e Bel&e-ers (r Eldress Abby.

HETTY LOO)ING AT THE LA! WITH ALL HER HEART IN HER EYES

Susa""a %(r=ed (" &" s&le"t a"*&ety. T'e l&=el&'((d (0 su,' ,r&ses as t'&s 'ads(et&es ,r(ssed 'er &"d$ a"d ="(%&"# '(% 0ra&l 'ua" "ature &s$ s'e (0te"ar-eled t'at &"sta",es seeed s( &"0reue"t. Her &"st&",t t(ld 'er t'at &" e-eryC(u"&ty t'e r&s= ust e*&st$ e-e" t'(u#' all %ere d(ubly %ar"ed a"d areda#a&"st t'e te+tat&("s t'at 0les' &s 'e&r t(/ yet "( '&"t (0 da"#er 'ad s'(%ed &tsel0 dur&"# t'e ("t's &" %'&,' s'e 'ad bee" a eber (0 t'e S'a=er 0a&ly. S'e 'ad'eard t'e Elder5s +lea t( t'e y(u"# ,("-erts t( ta=e u+ >a 0ull ,r(ss a#a&"st t'e 0les'>/



s'e 'ad l&ste"ed t( Eldress Abby %'e" s'e t(ld t'e t'at t'e "atural l&0e$ &ts t'(u#'ts$ +ass&("s$ 0eel&"#s$ a"d ass(,&at&("s$ ust be tur"ed a#a&"st (",e a"d 0(re-er/ but 'er 'eart elted &" +&ty 0(r t'e t%( +((r y(u"# t'&"#s stru##l&"# 'el+lessly a#a&"st&"st&",ts (0 %'&,' t'ey 'ardly ="e% t'e ea"&"#$ s( ,l(&stered 'ad bee" t'e l&0e t'eyl&-ed. T'e =&"d$ ,("s,&e"t&(us 'a"ds t'at 'ad 0ed t'e %(uld "(% see 'ard a"d

u"rele"t&"#/ t'e +la,e t'at 'ad bee" '(e %(uld tur" t( a +r&s("/ t'e l&0e t'at Elder Gray +rea,'ed$ >t'e l&0e (0 a +urer #(dl&"ess t'a" ,a" be atta&"ed by arr&a#e$> 'adseeed d&00&,ult$ +er'a+s$ but +(ss&ble/ a"d "(% '(% ,(ld a"d '(+eless &t %(ulda++ear t( t'ese t%( y(u"#$ u"d&s,&+l&"ed$ 0la&"# 'earts

>Hetty dear$ tal= t( e> %'&s+ered Susa""a$ s(0tly t(u,'&"# 'er s'(ulder$ a"d%("der&"# &0 s'e ,(uld s(e'(% 0&"d a %ay t( ,(u"sel t'e #&rl &" 'er +er+le*&ty.

Hetty started rebell&(usly t( 'er 0eet as Nat'a" (-ed a%ay 0art'er &"t( t'e (r,'ard.>I0 y(u say a s&"#le t'&"# t( e$ (r a %(rd ab(ut e t( Eldress Abby$ I5ll ru" a%ay t'&s

-ery day. N(b(dy 'as a"y r&#'t t( s+ea= t( e$ a"d I ust %a"t t( be let al("e It5s all-ery %ell 0(r y(u$> s'e %e"t (" +ass&("ately. >W'at 'a-e y(u 'ad t( #&-e u+ N(t'&"# but a 'usba"d y(u d&d"5t l(-e a"d a '(e y(u d&d"5t %a"t t( stay &". L&=e as "(t y(u5ll be a S'a=er$ a"d t'ey5ll ta=e y(u 0(r a sa&"t/ but a"y%ay y(u5ll 'a-e 'ad y(ur l&0e.>

>Y(u are r&#'t$ Hetty$> sa&d Susa""a$ u&etly/ >but (' y dear$ t'e %(rld (uts&de &s"5tsu,' a Parad&se 0(r y(u"# #&rls l&=e y(u$ (t'erless a"d 0at'erless a"d +e""&less. Y(u'a-e a #((d '(e 'ere/ ,a"5t y(u lear" t( l&=e &t>

>Out &" t'e %(rld +e(+le ,a" d( as t'ey l&=e a"d "(b(dy t'&"=s (0 ,all&"# t'e%&,=ed> s(bbed Hetty$ 0l&"#&"# 'ersel0 d(%"$ a"d +utt&"# 'er 'ead &" Susa""a5s

a+r("ed la+. >Here y(u5-e #(t t( l&-e l&=e a" a"#el$ a"d &0 y(u d("5t$ y(u5-e #(t t(,("0ess e-ery %r("# t'(u#'t y(u5-e 'ad$ %'e" t'e t&e ,(es.>

>W'ate-er y(u d($ Hetty$ be (+e" a"d ab(-eb(ard/ d("5t be 'asty a"d 0((l&s'$ (r y(uay be s(rry 0(re-er a0ter%ards.>

Hetty5s ((d ,'a"#ed a#a&" sudde"ly t( ("e (0 ut&"y$ a"d s'e r(se t( 'er 0eet.

>Y(u 'a-e"5t #(t a"y r&#'t t( &"ter0ere %&t' e a"y%ay$ Susa""a/ a"d &0 y(u t'&"= &t5sy(ur duty t( tell tales$ y(u5ll ("ly a=e atters %(rse>/ a"d s( say&"# s'e t((= 'er

bas=et a"d 0led a,r(ss t'e 0&elds l&=e a 'u"ted 'are.

T'at e-e"&"#$ as Hetty le0t t'e &"0&rary$ %'ere s'e 'ad bee" se"t %&t' a b(ttle (0 l&"&e"t 0(r t'e "urs&"# S&sters$ s'e ,ae u+(" Nat'a" sta"d&"# #l((&ly u"der t'es+ru,e trees "ear t'e ba,= (0 t'e bu&ld&"#. It %as e&#'t (5,l(,= a"d u&te dar=. It 'ad

bee" ra&"&"# dur&"# t'e late a0ter"((" a"d t'e trees %ere st&ll dr&++&"# drear&ly. Hetty,ae u+(" Nat'a" s( sudde"ly$ t'at$ alt'(u#' 'e 'ad bee" &" 'er t'(u#'ts$ s'e #a-e a0r&#'te"ed l&ttle ,ry %'e" 'e dre% 'er +ere+t(r&ly u"der t'e s'ad(% (0 t'e bra",'es.T'e rules t'at #(-er" t'e S'a=er C(u"&ty are -ery str&,t$ but &" real&ty t'e true



Bel&e-er "e-er t'&"=s (0 t'e as rules$ "(r &s traeled by t'e. T'ey are 0&*ed'ab&ts (0 t'e bl((d$ as ,(("$ as "atural$ as s&tt&"# (r sta"d&"#$ eat&"# (r dr&"=&"#.

N( Br(t'er &s all(%ed t( '(ld a"y le"#t'y &"ter-&e% %&t' a S&ster$ "(r t( %(r=$ %al=$(r dr&-e %&t' 'er al("e/ but t'ese +r(te,t&-e ,ust(s$ %'&,' all are b(u"d &" '("(r t(=ee+$ are t(( u,' a atter (0 e-eryDday l&0e t( be stra"#e (r &r=s(e.

>I ust s+ea= t( y(u$ Hetty$> %'&s+ered Nat'a". >I ,a""(t bear &t a"y l("#er al("e.W'at s'all %e d(>

>!(> e,'(ed Hetty$ trebl&"#.

>Yes$ do.> T'ere %as "( +rete"se (0 as=&"# 'er &0 s'e l(-ed (r su00ered$ (r l&-ed &"t(rture a"d sus+e"se. T'ey 'ad "(t uttered a %(rd t( ea,' (t'er$ but t'e&r eyes 'ad>s'ed ea"&"#s.>

>Y(u ="(% %e ,a"5t #( (" l&=e t'&s$> 'e ,("t&"ued ra+&dly. >We ,a"5t eat t'e&r 0((d$

stay al("#s&de (0 t'e$ +ray t'e&r +rayers a"d a,t a l&e all t'e t&e$%e can't >>Nay$ %e ,a"5t> sa&d Hetty. >O'$ Nat'a"$ s'all %e ,("0ess all a"d see &0 t'ey %&ll 'el+us t( res&st te+tat&(" I ="(% t'at5s %'at Susa""a %(uld %a"t e t( d($ but (' Is'(uld dread &t.>

>Nay$ &t &s t(( late$> Nat'a" a"s%ered drear&ly. >T'ey ,(uld "(t 'el+ us$ a"d %e s'(uld be 'eld u"der sus+&,&(" 0(re-er a0ter.>

>I 0eel s( %&,=ed a"d &serable a"d u"0a&t'0ul$ I d("5t ="(% %'at t( d(> s(bbedHetty.

>Yee$ s( d( I> t'e lad a"s%ered. >A"d I 0eel b&tter a#a&"st y 0at'er$ t((. He br(u#'te 'ere t( #et r&d (0 e$ be,ause 'e d&d"5t dare lea-e e (" s(eb(dy5s d((rste+. He(u#'t t( 'a-e ,(e ba,= %'e" I %as #r(%" a a" a"d as=ed e &0 I 0elt &",l&"ed t(

be a S'a=er$ a"d &0 I %as #((d e"(u#' t( be ("e>

>A"d y ste+0at'er %(uld"5t 'a-e e &" t'e '(use$ s( y (t'er 'ad t( #&-e ea%ay/ but t'ey5re b(t' dead$ a"d I5 al("e &" t'e %(rld$ t'(u#' I5-e "e-er 0elt &t$

be,ause t'e S&sters are s( =&"d. N(% t'ey %&ll 'ate et'(u#' t'ey d("5t 'atea"yb(dy.>

>Y(u5-e #(t e$ Hetty We ust #( a%ay a"d be arr&ed. We5d better #( t(D"&#'t t(t'e &"&ster &" Alb&(".>

>W'at &0 'e %(uld"5t d( &t>

>W'y s'(uld"5t 'e S'a=ers ta=e "( -(%s$ t'(u#' I 0eel b(u"d$ 'a"d a"d 0((t$ (ut (0 #rat&tude. I0 a"y (t'er t%( y(u"# 0(l=s %e"t t( '&$ 'e %(uld arry t'e/ a"d &0 'ere0uses$ t'ere are t%( (t'er &"&sters &" Alb&("$ bes&des t%( (re &" Bury0&eld$ 0&-e



&les 0art'er. I0 t'ey %("5t arry us t(D"&#'t$ I5ll lea-e y(u &" s(e sa0e '(e a"d%e5ll %al= t( P(rtla"d t(D(rr(%. I5 y(u"# a"d str("#$ a"d I ="(% I ,a" ear" (ur l&-&"# s(e'(%.>

>But %e 'a-e"5t t'e +r&,e (0 a l(d#&"# (r a brea=0ast bet%ee" us$> Hetty sa&d

tear0ully. >W(uld &t be s&"0ul t( ta=e s(e (0 y bas=etD%(r= a"d se"d ba,= t'e("ey "e*t %ee=>

>Yee$ &t %(uld be s($> Nat'a" a"s%ered ster"ly. >T'e least %e ,a" d( &s t( #( a%ay ase+tyD'a"ded as %e ,ae. I ,a" %(r= 0(r (ur brea=0ast.>

>O'$ I ,a"5t bear t( d&sa++(&"t Eldress Abby$> ,r&ed Hetty$ brea=&"# a"e% &"t( tears.>S'e5ll say %e5-e ru" a%ay t( l&-e (" t'e l(%er +la"e a0ter a#ree&"# t( ,ru,&0y Naturea"d 0(ll(% t'e a"#el&, l&0e>

>I ="(%/ but t'ere are 0&-e 'u"dred +e(+le &" Alb&(" all l&-&"# &" arr&a#e$ a"d %e

s'a"5t be t'e ("ly s&""ers> Nat'a" ar#ued. >O'$ S&ster Hetty$ dear Hetty$ =ee+ u+ y(ur s+&r&ts a"d trust t( e>

Nat'a"5s 'a"d st(le (ut a"d et Hetty5s &" &ts %ar ,las+$ t'e 0&rst 'a"d t(u,' t'at t'et%( &#"(ra"t y(u"# ,reatures 'ad e-er 0elt. Nat'a"5s ="(%led#e (0 l&0e 'ad bee" a

(ur"ey t( t'e Ca"terbury S'a=ers &" Ne% Ha+s'&re %&t' Br(t'er Issa,'ar/ Hetty5s%as l&&ted t( a 0e% dr&-es &"t( Alb&(" -&lla#e$ a"d 'al0 a d(e" ,'ats %&t' t'e %(rld5s

+e(+le %'( ,ae t( t'e Settlee"t t( buy bas=etD%(r=.

>I a "(t able t( bear t'e S'a=er l&0e> s&#'ed Nat'a". >Elder Gray all(%s t'ere besu,'>

>N(r I$> urured Hetty. >Eldress Harr&et ="(%s I a "( sa&"t>

Hetty5s 'ead %as "(% (" Nat'a"5s s'(ulder. T'e st&00 S'a=er ,a+ 'ad res&sted bra-ely$ but t'e #&rl5s 'ead 'ad y&elded t( t'e s%eet +r(*&&ty. Y(ut' ,alled t( y(ut'tr&u+'a"tly/ t'e S+&r&t %as u"'eard$ a"d all t'e t'e(r&es (0 ,el&ba,y a"d t'e a"#el&,l&0e t'at 'ad bee" +(ured &"t( t'e&r ears -a"&s'ed &"t( t'&" a&r. T'e t'&,= s'ade (0 t'es+ru,e tree '&d t'e =&ss t'at %(uld 'a-e bee" s( &""(,e"t$ 'ad t'ey "(t #&-e"t'esel-es t( t'e 1&r#&" C'ur,'/ t'e dr&+$ dr&+$ dr&+ (0 t'e bra",'es (" t'e&r y(u"#'eads +assed u"'eeded.

T'e"$ ("e 0(ll(%&"# t'e (t'er s&le"tly al("# t'e '&#'r(ad$ 'urry&"# al("# &" t'es'ad(%s (0 t'e tall trees$ steal&"# &"t( t'e ed#e (0 t'e %((ds$ (r '&d&"# be'&"d at'&,=et (0 alders at t'e 0a",&ed s(u"d (0 a 0((tste+ (r t'e d&sta"t ruble (0 a %a#("$

Nat'a" a"d Hetty 0(rs((= t'e 0a&t' (0 M(t'er A"" a"d %e"t (ut &"t( t'e %(rld asAda a"d E-e le0t t'e #arde"$ %&t' t'e ="(%led#e (0 #((d a"d e-&l &+la"ted &" t'e&r 'earts. T'e -(&,e (0 Eldress Abby +ursued Hetty &" 'er 0l&#'t l&=e t'e -(&,e &" adrea. S'e ,(uld 'ear &ts ,lear &+ass&("ed a,,e"ts$ say&"#$ >T'e ,'&ldre" (0 t'&s



%(rld arry/ but t'e ,'&ldre" (0 t'e resurre,t&(" d( "(t arry$ 0(r t'ey are as t'ea"#els.> T'e s(le" t("es #re% 0a&"ter a"d 0a&"ter as Hetty5s ste+s led 'er 0art'er a"d0art'er a%ay 0r( t'e u&et S'a=er -&lla#e a"d &ts drabD,lad S&sters$ a"d at last t'eyal(st d&ed &"t( s&le",e$ be,ause Nat'a"5s -(&,e %as "earer a"d Nat'a"5s -(&,e %asdearer.

VIII



THERE %as "( %(r= &" t'e 'erbD#arde" "(%$ but t'ere %as "e-er a (e"t 0r(

da%" t&ll l("# a0ter dus= %'e" t'e busy 0&"#ers (0 t'e S'a=er S&sters %ere st&ll. W'e"

all else 0a&led t'ere %as t'e ="&tt&"# s(,=s 0(r t'e Br(t'ers a"d st(,=&"#s 0(r t'eS&sters a"d s(,=s a"d st(,=&"#s (0 e-ery s&e 0(r t'e ,'&ldre". O"e (0 t'e ua&"t s&#'ts(0 t'e Settlee"t t( Susa""a %as t'e ,lu+ (0 y(u"# S&sters (" t'e +(r,' (0 t'e #&rls5

bu&ld&"#$ ="&tt&"#$ ="&tt&"#$ &" t'e a0ter"((" su". E-e" l&ttle S'a=er Ja"e a"d Mary$Mar&a a"d Lu,&"da$ 'ad t'e&r s(,=s &" 'a"d$ a"d +l&ed t'e&r s'(rt ="&tt&"#D"eedless(berly a"d "(t u"s=&ll0ully. T'e s&#'t (0 t'e&r &"dustry &",&ted t'e &+etu(us Sue t(e00(rt$ a"d u"der t'e +at&e"t tutela#e (0 S&ster Mart'a s'e astered t'e #e"tle art.Susa""a "e-er 0(r#(t t'e '(ur %'e"$ ,(&"# 0r( 'er %(r= &" t'e seedDr(($ s'e,r(ssed t'e #rass %&t' a essa#e t( Mart'a$ a"d sa% t'e #r(u+ (0 ,'&ldre" a"d #&rls(" t'e %ester" +(r,'$ a +la,e t'at ,au#'t e-ery ray (0 a0ter"((" su"$ t'e last #l&"t (0

t%&l&#'t$ a"d t'e 0&rst '&"t (0 su"set #l(%. S&ster Mart'a 'ad bee" read&"# t'e Sabbat'Ds,'((l less(" 0(r t'e "e*t day$ a"d as Susa""a "eared t'e bu&ld&"#$ Mart'a5s -(&,e

br(=e &"t( a 'y". Falter&"#ly t'e #&rls5 -(&,es 0(ll(%ed t'e lead$ u",erta&" at 0&rst (0 %(rds (r tu"e$ but #a&"&"# ,(ura#e a"d stre"#t' as t'ey %e"t ("

>As t'e %a-es (0 t'e &#'ty (,ea"G(s+el l(-e %e %&ll ,&r,ulate$A"d as %e #&-e$ &"due +r(+(rt&("$We (0 t'e 'ea-e"ly l&0e +arta=e.Hea-e"ly L&0e$ Gl(r&(usL&0e$Resurre,t&"#$ S(ulDI"s+&r&"#$ReD#e"DerDaDt&"# G(s+el L&0e$It leadet' a%ay 0r(all s&" a"d str&0e>

T'e ,lear$ &""(,e"t treble s(u"ded s%eetly &" t'e -&r#&" st&ll"ess a"d s(l&tude (0 t'e

Settlee"t$ a"d as Susa""a dre% ,l(ser s'e st(++ed u"der a tree t( ,at,' t'e +&,ture S&ster Mart'a$ #ra-e$ tall$ d&s,reet$ s&"#&"# %&t' all 'er s(ul a"d ar=&"# t&e %&t' 'er 'a"ds$ s( a,,ust(ed t( t'e u+%ard a"d d(%"%ard (-ee"t (0 t'e da&ly ser-&,e.T'e stra&#'t$ +la&" dresses %ere as 0res' a"d s((t' as +er0e,t %as'&"# ,(uld a=et'e$ a"d t'e r(u"d ,'&ldl&=e 0a,es l((=ed ua&"t a"d s%eet %&t' t'e ,r(++ed 'a&r tu,=ed u"der t'e st&00 l&ttle ,a+s. Sue %as seated %&t' Mary a"d Ja"e (" t'e ste+s$ a"dSusa""a sa% %&t' ast("&s'e"t t'at 'er "eedles %ere (-&"# t( a"d 0r( a"d s'e %as="&tt&"# as sere"ely a"d ,(rre,tly as a (t'er &" Israel/ s&"#&"#$ t(($ &" a del&,ate l&ttletreble t'at %as l&=e a s=ylar=5s (r"&"# "(te. Susa""a ,(uld 'ear 'er d&st&",tly as s'edel&#'tedly 0lu"# (ut t'e l("# %(rds s( dear t( 'er s(ul a"d s( d&00&,ult t( dull l&ttle

Ja"e a"d Mary

>ResDurDre,tD&"#$ S(ulDI"Ds+&rD&"#$ReD#e"DerDaDt&"# G(s+el L&0e$It leadDet' aD%ay 0r(all s&" a"d str&0e.>

Ja"e5s ,a+ %as sl&#'tly u"settled$ ,aus&"# &ts %earer t( st(+ ="&tt&"# "(% a"d t'e" a"d +ull &t 0(r%ard (r +us' &t ba,=/ a"d &" ("e (0 t'ese l&ttle 0e&"&"e d&00&,ult&es Susa""asa% Sue rea,' 0(r%ard a"d de0tly tra"s0er t'e ,a+ t( 'er (%" 'ead. Ja"e %as '(rr&0&ed$



but rat'er sl(% t( %rat' a"d eually sl(% &" &"#e"u&ty. Sue l((=ed a del&,&(us S'a=er %&t' 'er del&,ate 0a,e$ 'er l(-ely eyes$ a"d 'er yell(% 'a&r #r(%" &"t( s(0t r&"#s/ a"du&te &"t(*&,ated %&t' 'er ,a+$ 'er ="&tt&"#$ a"d t'e #e"eral a&r (0 '(l&"ess s(u"e*+e,tedly ea"at&"# 0r( 'er$ s'e (-ed 'er l&ttle 'a"ds u+ a"d d(%"$ as t'e tu"er(se a"d 0ell$ &" a %ay t'at %(uld 'a-e 0&lled Eldress Abby %&t' (y. Susa""a5s 'eart

beat 0ast$ a"d s'e %("dered 0(r a (e"t$ as s'e %e"t ba,= t( 'er r(($ %'et'er s'e,(uld e-er #&-e Sue a %(rldly ,'&ld'((d (re 0ree 0r( da"#er t'a" t'e l&0e s'e %as"(% l&-&"#. S'e 0(u"d letters 0r( Au"t L(u&sa a"d Ja,= (" rea,'&"# 'er r(($ a"dt'ey lay &" 'er la+ u"der a +&le (0 t(%els$ t( be read a"d reread %'&le 'er busy "eedle0le% (-er t'e ,(arse ,ras'. Sue st(le &" u&etly$ =&ssed 'er (t'er5s ,'ee=$ a"d satd(%" (" 'er st((l by t'e %&"d(%$ ar-el&"#$ %&t' e-ery >u"der> (0 t'e "eedle a"d>(-er> (0 t'e yar"$ t'at &t %as s'e$ Sue Hat'a%ay$ %'( %as a=&"# a real st(,=&"#.

Ja,=5s +e" %as "(t t'at (0 a" es+e,&ally ready %r&ter$ but 'e 'ad a +ra,t&,al %ay (0 ,("-ey&"# ,("s&derable "e%s. H&s +rese"t ,("tr&but&("s$ %'e" 0reed 0r( t'e&r

+'("et&, err(rs a"d s+elled &" C'r&st&a" 0as'&("$ read s(e%'at as 0(ll(%s

Fat'er says I ust %r&te t( y(u e-ery %ee=$ e-e" &0 I a=e '& d( %&t'(ut$ s( I %&ll. I a %ell$ a"d s( &s Au"t

L(u&sa$ a"d a"y b(y t'at l&-es %&t' 'er 'as t( t(e t'e ar=$ I tell y(u/ but s'e &s #((d a"d 'as 0&"e t'&"#s t( eat

e-ery eal. W'at d&d Sue #et 0(r 'er b&rt'day I #(t a b((= 0r( 0at'er a"d ("e 0r( Au"t L(u&sa a"d t'e ("e 0r(y(u t'at y(u t(ld 'er t( buy. It &s ueer t'at +e(+le %&ll #&-e a b(y b((=s %'e" 'e 'as ("ly ("e ="&0e$ a"d t'at a br(=e" ("e. T'ere5s a b((= +r&e t( be #&-e" at t'e s,'((l$ a"d I a +retty a0ra&d I %&ll #et t'at$ t((/ &t %(uld be usty lu,=. Tea,'ers t'&"= ab(ut "(t'&"# but b((=s a"d %'at #((d t'ey d($ but I 'eard (0 a b(y t'at 'ad a #ra"d ="&0e%&t' 0&-e s'ar+ blades a"d a ,(r=s,re%$ a"d &" a s'&+%re,= 'e ,ut all t'e r(+es$ s( t'e sa&l ,ae d(%" t'at %as,arry&"# t'e (" t( t'e r(,=s$ a"d t'e" by b(r&"# a '(le %&t' '&s ,(r=s,re% all t'e %ater lea=ed (ut (0 t'e s'&+ t'at'ad bee" t'reate"&"# t( s&"= t'e sa&l(rs. I ,(uld use a l&ttle +(,=et ("ey$ as Au"t L(u&sa =ee+s e s'(rt.... I 'a-e

bee" s+e"d&"# Su"day %&t' 0at'er$ a"d 'ad a +retty #((d t&e$ "(t s( -ery. Fat'er %&ll ta=e e ab(ut (re %'e" 'e

st(+s #(&"# t( t'e st(re$ %'&,' %&ll be "e*t %ee= 0(r #((d. T'e =&t,'e" 0l((r &s "e% +a&"ted$ a"d Elle" says &t st&,=s$

a"d Au"t L(u&sa &s #(&"# t( a=e Elle" ,lea" '(use &" ,ase y(u ,(e '(e. !( y(u l&=e %'ere y(u are Our tea,'er t(ld t'e #&rls5 tea,'er &t seeed a l("# stay 0(r a"y ("e %'( 'ad a 0a&ly$ a"d t'e b(ys at s,'((l ,all e a'al0 (r+'a" a"d say y (t'er 'as le0t e a"d s( y 0at'er 'as t( b(ard e &" t'e ,(u"try. My ("ey &s ru" (uta#a&". I sat d(%" &" a +uddle t'&s a0ter"(("$ but &t dr&ed u+ +retty u&,= a"d d&d"5t 'urt y ,l(t'es$ s( "( (re 0r(y(ur s("

JAC) .

T'&s %as t'e s(rt (0 essa#e t'at 'ad bee" ,(&"# t( Susa""a (0 late$ br&"#&"# u+l&ttle +&,tures (0 '(e dut&es a"d res+("s&b&l&t&es$ '(ely tas=s a"d tr&als. >J('"#&-&"# u+ t'e st(re 0(r #((d>/ %'at d&d t'at ea" Had 'e #("e 0r( bad t( %(rse &"t'e s(l&tude t'at s'e 'ad '(+ed &#'t s'(% '& t'e #ra-&ty (0 '&s (00e"ses$ t'e err(r

(0 '&s %ays I" ,ase s'e s'(uld d&e$ %'at t'e" %(uld be,(e (0 t'e ,'&ldre" W(uldL(u&sa a,,e+t t'e burde" (0 Ja,=$ 0(r %'( s'e 'ad "e-er ,ared W(uld t'e S'a=ersta=e Sue S'e %(uld be sa0e/ +er'a+s s'e %(uld al%ays be 'a++y/ but br(t'er a"ds&ster %(uld be d&-&ded a"d br(u#'t u+ as stra"#ers. W(uld l&ttle Sue$ #r(%" t( b&#Sue$ say s(e t&e (r (t'er$ >My (t'er re"(u",ed t'e %(rld 0(r 'ersel0$ but %'atr&#'t 'ad s'e t( re"(u",e &t 0(r e W'y d&d s'e r(b e (0 t'e dreas (0 #&rl'((da"d t'e "atural '(+es (0 %(e"$ %'e" I %as t(( y(u"# t( #&-e ,("se"t> T'ese a"d



(t'er u"a"s%erable uest&("s ,("t&"ually dr&0ted t'r(u#' Susa""a5s &"d$ d&sturb&"#&ts bala",e a"d lea-&"# 'er l&=e a s'uttle,(,= ba"d&ed t( a"d 0r( bet%ee" ,("0l&,t&"#

bl(%s.

>Mard&e$> ,ae a s(0t l&ttle -(&,e 0r( a,r(ss t'e r((/ >Mard&e$ %'at &s a

ba,=sl&der>

>W'ere d&d y(u 'ear t'at l("# %(rd$ Sue> as=ed Susa""a$ r(us&"# 'ersel0 0r( 'er drea.

>5T&s"5t s( l("# as 5re#e"erat&"#5 a"d (re eas&er.>

>Re#e"erat&"# ea"s 5a=&"# (-er$5 y(u ="(%.>

>T'ere5d (u#'t t( be ,'&ldre"5s %(rds a"d #r(%"Du+ %(rds$t'at5s %'at ! t'&"=$> sa&dSue$ de,&s&-ely/ >but %'at d(es 5ba,=sl&der5 ea">

>A ba,=sl&der &s ("e %'( 'as bee" ,l&b&"# u+ a '&ll a"d sudde"ly be#&"s t( sl&+ ba,=.>

>!(es"5t '&s 0eet ta=e '(ld r&#'t$ (r %'y d(es 'e sl&+>

>Per'a+s 'e ,a"5t a"a#e '&s 0eet/ +er'a+s t'ey ust %("5t ,l&b.>

>Yes$ (r +5ra+s 'e ust d(es"5t %a"t t( ,l&b a"y (re/ but &t ust be 0r&#'te"s(e$sl&d&"# ba,=%ards.>

>I su++(se &t &s.>

>Is &t %&,=ed>

>W'y$ yes$ &t &s$ #e"erally/ +er'a+s al%ays.>

>Br(t'er Nat'a" a"d S&ster Hetty %ere ba,=sl&ders/ S&ster Tab&t'a sa&d s(. S'e t(ldJa"e "e-er t( s+ea= t'e&r "aes a#a&" a"y (re t'a" &0 t'ey %as dead.>

>T'e" y(u 'ad better "(t s+ea= (0 t'e$ e&t'er.>

>T'ere5s s( a"y t'&"#s better "(t t( s+ea= (0 &" t'e %(rld$ s(et&es I t'&"= 5t%(uld be "&,er t( be a" a"#el.>

>N&,er$ +er'a+s$ but ("e 'as t( be -ery #((d t( be a" a"#el.>

>Ba,=sl&ders ,(uld"5t be a"#els$ I s5+(se>

>N(t %'&le t'ey %ere ba,=sl&ders/ but +er'a+s t'ey5d be#&" t( ,l&b a#a&"$ a"d t'e" &"t&e t'ey &#'t #r(% t( be a"#els.>



>I s'(uld"5t t'&"= l&=ely$> rear=ed Sue$ de,&s&-ely$ ,l&,=&"# 'er "eedles as ("e %'(,(uld settle (st s+&r&tual +r(bles &" a &00y. >I t'&"= t'e sl&d&"# =&"d &s d&005re"t 0r(t'e ,l&b&"# =&"d$ a"d t'ey d("5t a=e easy a"#els.>

A l("# +ause 0(ll(%ed t'&s e*+ress&(" (0 (+&"&("$ t'&s s&+le d&-&s&(" (0 t'e 'ua"

ra,e$ at t'e start$ &"t( s'ee+ a"d #(ats. T'e" +rese"tly t'e u"t&r&"# -(&,e br(=e t'est&ll"ess a#a&".

>Nat'a" a"d Hetty sl&d ba,= %'e" t'ey %e"t a%ay 0r( 'ere. !&d %e ba,=sl&de %'e"%e le0t Fard&e a"d Ja,=>

>I5 "(t sure but t'at %e d&d$> sa&d +((r Susa""a.

>T'ere5s ,'&ldre"DS'a=ers$ a"d br(t'erDa"dDs&ster S'a=ers$ but "( 0at'erDa"dD(t'er S'a=ers>

>N(/ t'ey t'&"= t'ey ,a" d( ust as u,' #((d &" t'e %(rld %&t'(ut be&"# (t'ers a"d0at'ers.>

>!( y(u t'&"= s(>

>YeDes$ I bel&e-e I d(.>

>Well$ are y(u a truly S'a=er$ (r ,a"5t y(u be t&ll y(u %ear a ,a+>

>I5 "(t a S'a=er yet$ Sue.>

>Y(u5re ust ("ly a (t'er>

>Yes$ t'at5s ab(ut all.>

>Maybe %e5d better #( ba,= t( %'ere t'ere5s "(t s( a"y S&sters a"d (re (t'ers$ s(y(u5ll 'a-e s(eb(dy t( ,l&b t(#edder %&t'>

>I ,(uld ,l&b 'ere$ Sue$ a"d s( ,(uld y(u.>

>Yes$ but %'(5ll Fard&e a"d Ja,= ,l&b %&t' I %&s' t'ey5d ,(e a"d see us. Br(t'er A"sel %(uld a=e Fard&e lau#'$ a"d Ja,= %(uld l(-e 0arD%(r=$ a"d %e5d all be s('a++y. I &ss Fard&e a%0ully He d&d"5t s+ea= t( e u,'$ but I l&=ed t( l((= at '&s,urly 'a&r a"d t'&"= '(% l(-ely &t %(uld be &0 'e d&d ta=e "(t&,e (0 e a"d +lay %&t'

e.>

A s(b 0r( Susa""a br(u#'t Sue$ startled$ t( 'er s&de.

>Y(u brea= y 'eart$ Sue Y(u brea= &t e-ery day %&t' t'e t'&"#s y(u say. !("5t y(ul(-e e$ Sue>



>M(re5" t("#ue ,a" tell> ,r&ed Sue$ t'r(%&"# 'ersel0 &"t( 'er (t'er5s ars. >!("5t,ry$ darl&"# Mard&e I %("5t tal= a"y (re$ "(t 0(r days a"d days Let e %&+e y(ur

+((r eyes. !("5t let Elder Gray see y(u ,ry&"#$ (r 'e5ll t'&"= I5-e bee" "au#'ty. He5s ust #(&"# &" d(%"sta&rs t( see Eldress Abby. Was &t %r("# %'at I sa&d ab(ut ba,=sl&d&"#$ (r %'at$ Mard&e We5ll 'el+ ea,' udder ,l&b$ a"5 t'e" %e5ll #( '(e a"5

'el+ +((r l("es(e Fard&e/ s'all %e>

>Abby> ,alled Elder Gray$ ste++&"# &"t( t'e e"try (0 t'e O00&,e Bu&ld&"#.

>Yee$ I5 ,(&"#$> Eldress Abby a"s%ered 0r( t'e sta&r%ay. >G( r&#'t (ut a"d s&td(%" (" t'e be",' by t'e d((r$ %'ere I ,a" ,at,' a 0e% &"utes (re l&#'t 0(r ydar"&"#/ t'e days see t( be #r(%&"# s'(rt all t( (",e. !&d Leuel 'a-e a #((d sale(0 bas=etD%(r= at t'e (u"ta&"s R(setta 'as"5t d("e s( %ell 0(r years at Old

Or,'ard. We see t( be +r(s+er&"# &" e-ery ater&al d&re,t&("$ !a"&el$ but y 'eart &s'ea-y s(e'(%$ a"d I 'a-e t( be &"sta"t &" +rayer t( =ee+ 0r( d&s,(ura#ee"t.>

>It 'as"5t bee" a" alt(#et'er #((d year %&t' us s+&r&tually$> ,("0essed !a"&el/ >+er'a+s%e "eeded ,'aste"&"#.>

>I0 %e "eeded &t$ %e5-e re,e&-ed &t$> Abby ea,ulated$ as s'e +us'ed 'er dar"&"#Dball&"t( t'e 0((t (0 a st(,=&"#. >N(t'&"# 'as 'a++e"ed s&",e I ,ae 'ere t'&rty years a#(t'at 'as tr(ubled e l&=e t'e ru""&"# a%ay (0 Nat'a" a"d Hetty. I0 t'ey 'ad bee" "e%,("-erts$ %e s'(uld 'a-e t'(u#'t t'e #((d seed 'ad"5t #(t 0a&rly r((ted$ but t'(se,'&ldre" %ere br(u#'t t( us %'e" Nat'a" %as ele-e" a"d Hetty "&"e.>

>I %ell reeber$ 0(r t'e b(y5s 0at'er a"d t'e #&rl5s (t'er ,ae (" t'e sae tra&"/ a(st u"usual (,,urre",e t( re,e&-e t%( ,'&ldre" &" ("e day.>

>I 'a-e ,ause t( reeber Hetty &" 'er 0&rst ("t'$ 0(r s'e %as as %&ld as a y(u"#'a%=. S'e lau#'ed &" eet&"# t'e 0&rst Su"day$ a"d %'e" s'e ,ae ba,=$ I t(ld 'er t(s&t be'&"d e &" s&le",e 0(r 'al0 a" '(ur %'&le I %as read&"# y B&ble. 5Be st&ll "(%$Hetty$ a"d lab(r t( re+e"t$5 I sa&d. W'e" t'e t&e %as u+$ s'e sa&d &" a ee= l&ttle &te(0 a -(&,e$ 5I t'&"= I5 least &" t'e )&"#d( "(%. Eldress Abby55T'e" ru" (utd((rs$5 Isa&d. S'e =&,=ed u+ 'er 'eels l&=e a ,(lt a"d %as t'r(u#' t'e d((r &" a se,("d. N(t

l("# a0ter%ards I +ut y 'a"ds be'&"d e t( t&e y a+r(" t&#'ter$ a"d &0 t'at ,'&ld'ad"5t ta=e" y sall s,&ss(rs ly&"# (" t'e table a"d ,ut butt("'(les all u+ a"d d(%"y str&"#s$ 'u"dreds (0 t'e$ %'&le s'e %as 5lab(r&"# t( re+e"t.5>

Elder Gray s&led re&"&s,e"tly$ t'(u#' 'e 'ad (0te" 'eard t'e st(ry be0(re. >Ne&t'er (0 t'e ,'&ldre" ,ae 0r( #(dly 0a&l&es$> 'e sa&d$ >but at least t'e +are"ts "e-er &"ter0ered %&t' us "(r ,ae 'ere +utt&"# 0alse &deas &"t( t'e&r ,'&ldre"5s 'eads.>



>T'at5s %'at I say$> ,("t&"ued Abby/ >a"d "(%$ a0ter te" years5 tra&"&"# a"d d&s,&+l&"e&" t'e a"#el&, l&0e$ Hetty be&"# es+e,&ally +r(&s&"#$ t( t'&"= (0 t'e&r #(&"# a%ayt(#et'er$ a"d %(rse yet$ be&"# arr&ed &" Alb&(" -&lla#e r&#'t at (ur -ery d((rs/ I d("5t'ardly dare t( #( t( bed "&#'ts 0(r 0ear (0 'ear&"# &" t'e (r"&"# t'at s(e (0 t'e(t'er y(u"# 0(l=s 'a-e bee" led astray by t'&s 0((l&s' +er0(ra",e (0 Hetty5s/ I ="(%

&t %as Hetty5s 0ault/ Nat'a" "e-er 'ad &"#e"u&ty e"(u#' t( t'&"= a"d +la" &t all (ut.>

>Nay$ "ay$ Abby$ d("5t be t(( 'ard (" t'e #&rl/ I5-e %at,'ed Nat'a" ,l(sely$ a"d 'e 'as bee" &" a da"#er(us a"d u"stable state$ e-e" as l("# a#( as '&s last ,("0ess&("/ butt'&s +&e,e (0 ba,=sl&d&"#$ #r&e-(us as &t &s$ d(es"5t ,ause e as u,' s(rr(% as t'e 0all(0 Br(t'er E+'ra&. T( all a++eara",e 'e 'ad ,("uered '&s a++et&te$ a"d 0(r 0&-eyears 'e 'as led a s(ber l&0e. I 'ad e-e" #reat '(+es (0 '& 0(r t'e &"&stry$ a"dsudde"ly$ l&=e a #reat ,l(ud &" t'e blue s=y$ 'as ,(e t'&s terr&ble -&s&tat&("$ t'&srea++eara",e (0 t'e (ld Ada. 5E+'ra& 'as retur"ed t( '&s &d(ls.5>

>H(% 'a-e y(u de,&ded t( deal %&t' '&$ !a"&el>>It &s '&s 0&rst (00e"se s&",e 'e ,ast &" '&s l(t %&t' us/ %e ust rebu=e$ ,'ast&se$ a"d0(r#&-e.>

>Yee$ yee$ I a#ree t( t'at/ but '(% &0 'e a=es us t'e lau#'&"#Dst(,= (0 t'e,(u"&ty a"d dra#s (ur sa,red ba""er &" t'e dust We ,a"5t a00(rd t( 'a-e ("e (0 (ur (rder +&,=ed u+ &" t'e streets by t'e %(rld5s +e(+le.>

>Ha-e t'e %(rld5s +e(+le 0(u"d a" &"0all&ble %ay t( =ee+ t'(se (0 their (rder (ut (0 t'e #utters> as=ed Elder Gray. >E+'ra& sees re+e"ta"t/ &0 'e &s %&ll&"# t( try a#a&"$%e ust be %&ll&"# t( d( as u,'.>

>Yee$ !a"&el$ y(u are r&#'t. A"(t'er atter t'at ,auses e a"*&ety &s Susa""a. I "e-er year"ed 0(r a s(ul as I year" 0(r 'ers S'e 'as 'ad t'e ad-a"ta#e (0 (re edu,at&("a"d (re read&"# t'a" (st (0 us 'a-e e-er e"(yed/ s'e5s #&0ted &" tea,'&"# a"d s'e%&"s t'e ,'&ldre". S'e5s d&s,reet a"d s+&r&tually &"ded/ 'er l&0e &" t'e %(rld$ e-e"%&t' t'e &"0lue",e (0 'er d&ss&+ated 'usba"d$ 'as"5t really sta&"ed$ ("ly 'ubled 'er/s'e %(uld a=e su,' a S'a=er$ &0 s'e %as (",e 5,("-&",ed$5 as %e 'a-e"5t #at'ered &"0(r years a"d years/ but I 0ear s'e5s sl&++&"#$ sl&++&"# a%ay$ !a"&el>

>W'at a=es y(u 0eel s( "(%$ +art&,ularly>

>S'e5s d&005re"t as t&e #(es (". S'e5s 'ad (re letters 0r( t'at +la,e %'ere 'er b(y&s/ s'e ,r&es "&#'ts$ a"d t'(u#' s'e d(es"5t rela* a &te %&t' 'er %(r=$ s'e dra#s ab(uts(et&es l&=e a b&rd %&t' ("e %&"#.>

Elder !a"&el t((= (00 '&s br(adDbr&ed 'at t( ,((l '&s 0(re'ead a"d 'a&r$ l&0t&"# '&seyes t( t'e 0&rst +ale stars t'at %ere trebl&"# &" t'e s=y$ 'es&tat&"# &" s&l-er a"d t'e"u&etly dee+e"&"# &"t( #(ld.



Br(t'er A"sel %as a Bel&e-er be,ause 'e 'ad "( +art&,ular l(-e 0(r t'e %(rld a"d "(#reat sus,e+t&b&l&ty t( &ts te+tat&("s/ but %'at 'ad dra%" !a"&el Gray 0r( t'e (+e"sea &"t( t'&s u&et l&ttle ba,=%ater (0 a S'a=er Settlee"t

A0ter a" ad-e"tur(us early l&0e$ &" %'&,'$ as &0 y(ut'D&"t(*&,ated$ 'e 'ad +lu"#ed 0r(

da"#er t( da"#er$ e*+er&e",e t( e*+er&e",e$ 'e sudde"ly 0(u"d '&sel0 &" a s(,&ety (0 %'&,' 'e 'ad "e-er s( u,' as 'eard$ a ,(+a"y (0 ,el&bate br(t'ers a"d s&sters'(ld&"# all #((ds a"d +(ssess&("s &" ,(("$ a"d try&"# t( l&-e t'e >a"#el&, l&0e> ("eart'. Ill"ess deta&"ed '& 0(r a ("t' a#a&"st '&s %&ll$ but at t'e e"d (0 t'at t&e 'e'ad (&"ed t'e C(u"&ty/ a"d alt'(u#' &t 'ad bee" t%e"tyD0&-e years s&",e '&s#at'er&"# &"$ 'e %as st&ll stead0ast &" t'e 0a&t'.

H&s ,'ara,ter %as (0 +ur&ta"&,al ster""ess/ 'e %as a str&,t d&s,&+l&"ar&a"$ a"d &"s&stedu+(" (bed&e",e t( t'e rules (0 S'a=er l&0e$ >t'e sa,red la%s (0 &("$> as 'e %as %("tt( ter t'e. He a#"&0&ed '&s (00&,e$ yet 'e %as (0 a =&"dly d&s+(s&t&(" eas&ly

a++r(a,'ed by ,'&ldre"$ a"d "(t %&t'(ut a ua&"t (ldDt&e 'u(r.T'ere %as a l("# +ause %'&le t'e t%( 0a&t'0ul leaders (0 t'e l&ttle 0l(,= %ere abs(rbed&" t'(u#'t/ t'e" t'e Elder sa&d >Susa""a5s all y(u say$ a"d t'e ,'&ld$%ell$ &0 s'e,(uld be +ur#ed (0 'er dr(ss$ I "e-er sa% a ,reature better 0&tted t( l&-e t'e ,elest&all&0e/ but %e ust "(t 'arb(r a"y d&-&ded 'earts 'ere. W'e" t'e t&e ,(es$ %e ustd&s&ss 'er %&t' (ur bless&"#.>

>Yee$ I su++(se s($> sa&d Eldress Abby$ l(yally$ but &t %as %&t' a s&#'. Had s'e a"dTab&t'a bee" le0t t( t'e&r (%" &"st&",ts$ t'ey %(uld 'a-e #("e (ut &"t( t'e '&#'%aysa"d 'ed#es$ +r(selyt&"# %&t' t'e 0er-(r (0 M(t'er A""5s day a"d #e"erat&(".

>A0ter all$ Abby$> sa&d t'e Elder$ r&s&"# t( ta=e '&s lea-e$ st&ll &" a s(rt (0 &ld tra",e$ >a0ter all$ Abby$ I su++(se t'e S'a=ers d("5t (%" t'e %'(le (0 'ea-e". I5d l&=e t(t'&"= s($ but I ,a"5t. It5s a b&# +la,e$ a"d &t bel("#s t( G(d.>



IX



THE %((ds (" t'e s'(res (0 Massabes&, P("d %ere stret,'es (0 ta+estry$ %'ere

e-ery s'ade (0 #ree" a"d #(ld$ (l&-e a"d br(%"$ (ra"#e a"d s,arlet$ elted t'e ("e

&"t( t'e (t'er. T'e s(bre +&"es ade a dee+Dt("ed ba,=#r(u"d/ +at,'es (0 sua,'#a-e t'e&r 0la&"# ,r&s("/ t'e #(lde"r(d #re% ra"= a"d tall &" #l(r&(us +r(0us&("$a"d t'e a+les (uts&de t'e O00&,e Bu&ld&"# %ere balls (0 br&ll&a"t ,ar&"e. T'e a&r %asl&=e ,rystal$ a"d t'e la"ds,a+e &#'t 'a-e bee" bat'ed &" l&u&d aber$ &t %as s(saturated %&t' O,t(ber yell(%.

Susa""a ,au#'t 'er breat' as s'e t're% 'er ,'aber %&"d(% %&der (+e" &" t'eearly (r"&"#/ 0(r t'e #reater +art (0 t'e +&,ture 'ad bee" +a&"ted dur&"# t'e 0r(sty"&#'t.

>T'r(% y(ur l&ttle ,a+e r(u"d y(ur s'(ulders a"d ,(e u&,=ly$ Sue> s'e e*,la&ed.

T'e ,'&ld ra" t( 'er s&de. >O'$ %'at a #(ldy$ #(ldy (r"&"#> s'e ,r&ed.

O"e ,r&s(" lea0 %&t' a l("# 'ea-y ste t'at a,ted as a s(rt (0 rudder$ ,ae d(%" t(t'e %&"d(%Ds&ll %&t' a s&del("# s,((+&"# 0l&#'t$ %'&le t%( (r t'ree #ayly +a&"ted("es$ +arted 0r( t'e tree by t'e sae breee$ 0l(ated a&r&ly al("# as &0 b(r"e ("u"see" %&"#s$ 0&"ally al&#'t&"# (" Sue5s 'ead a"d s'(ulders l&=e tr(+&,al b&rds.

>Y(u ,r&ed &" t'e "&#'t$ Mard&e> sa&d Sue. >I 'eard y(u s"&00erl&"# a"d #ett&"# u+ 0(r y(ur 'a"=5,'&e0/ but I d&d"5t s+ea= 5,ause &t5s s( dread0ul t( be catched ,ry&"#.>

>)"eel d(%" bes&de e a"d #&-e e +art (0 y(ur ,a+e$> 'er (t'er a"s%ered. >I5#(&"# t( let y sad 'eart 0ly r&#'t (ut (0 t'e %&"d(% &"t( t'(se beaut&0ul trees.>

>A"d aybe a #lad 'eart %&ll 0ly r&#'t &"> t'e ,'&ld su##ested.

>Maybe.O' %e ust ,uddle ,l(se a"d be st&ll/ Elder Gray5s #(&"# t( s&t d(%"u"der t'e #reat a+le/ a"d d( y(u see$ all t'e Br(t'ers see t( be u+ early t'&s(r"&"#$ ust as %e are>

>M(re l(-e$ Elder Gray> ,alled Issa,'ar$ (" '&s %ay t( t'e t((lD'(use.

>M(re l(-e$ Br(t'er Issa,'ar>

>M(re l(-e$ Br(t'er A"sel>

>M(re l(-e$ Br(t'er Cal-&">

>M(re l(-e> >M(re l(-e> >M(re l(-e> S( t'e ua&"t but "(t u",((" S'a=er #reet&"# +assed 0r( Br(t'er t( Br(t'er/ a"d as Tab&t'a a"d Mart'a a"d R(setta et(" t'e&r %ay t( da&ry a"d lau"dry a"d seedD'(use$ t'ey$ t(($ 'ear&"# t'e salutat&("$



t((= u+ t'e re0ra&"$ a"d Susa""a a"d Sue 'eard a#a&" 0r( t'e %(e"5s -(&,es t'at beaut&0ul (r"&"# %&s'$ >M(re l(-e> >M(re l(-e> s+eed&"# 0r( 'eart t( 'eart a"dl&+ t( l&+.

M(t'er a"d ,'&ld %ere -ery u&et.

>M(re l(-e$ Sue> sa&d Susa""a$ ,las+&"# 'er ,l(sely.

>M(re l(-e$ Mard&e> %'&s+ered t'e ,'&ld$ s&l&"# a"d e"ter&"# &"t( t'e s+&r&t (0 t'esalutat&(". >Let5s tur" (ur 'eads Far"'a %ay I5ll ta=e Ja,= a"d y(u ta=e Fard&e$ a"d%e5ll say t(#edder$ 5M(re l(-e5/ s'all %e>

>M(re l(-e$ J('".>

>M(re l(-e$ Ja,=.>

T'e %(rds 0l(ated (ut (-er t'e trees &" t'e %(a"5s trebl&"# -(&,e a"d t'e ,'&ld5s

treble.

>Elder Gray l((=s t&red t'(u#' 'e5s ust #(t u+$> Sue ,("t&"ued.

>He &s "(t str("#$> re+l&ed 'er (t'er$ reeber&"# Br(t'er A"sel5s statee"t t'at t'eElder >%a5"5t d&seased a"y%'eres$ but d&d"5t 'a-e "( durab&l&ty.>

>T'e Elder %(uld 'a-e a l(-ely la+$> Sue rear=ed +rese"tly.

>-hat7>

>A "&,e la+ t( s&t &". Fard&e 'as a "&,e la+$ t(($ a"d ",le J(el Atterbury$ but "(t Au"t

L(u&sa/ s'e lets y(u sl&de r&#'t (00/ &t5s a b("y$ 'ard la+. I l(-e Elder Gray$ a"d I,l&bed (" '&s la+ ("e day. He +ut e r&#'t d(%"$ but I5 sure 'e l&=es ,'&ldre". I%&s' I ,(uld ta=e r&#'t '(ld (0 '&s 'a"d a"d %al= all (-er t'e 0ar$ but 'e %(uld"5t lete$ I s5+(se. *ore love3 &lder $ray6> s'e ,r&ed sudde"ly$ b(bb&"# u+ ab(-e t'e%&"d(%Ds&ll a"d s'a=&"# 'er 0a&ry 'a"d at '&.

T'e Elder l((=ed u+ at t'e s(u"d (0 t'e #lad -(&,e. N( 'ua" ,reature ,(uld 'a-e0a&led t( s&le ba,= &"t( t'e r(#u&s' 0a,e (r 'a-e treated ,'url&s'ly t'e s%eet$,("0&de"t l&ttle #reet&"#. T'e 'eart (0 a real a" ust 'a-e a" (,,as&("al t'r(b (0 t'e0at'er$ a"d %'e" !a"&el Gray r(se 0r( '&s seat u"der t'e a+le a"d ,alled$ >M(re

l(-e$ ,'&ld> t'ere %as s(et'&"# stra"#e a"d t(u,'&"# &" '&s t("e. He (-ed a%ay0r( t'e tree t( '&s (r"&"# lab(rs %&t' t'e ,("s,&(us"ess (0 s(et'&"# "e% t(,("uer. L("#$ l("# a#( 'e 'ad r&se" -&,t(r&(us ab(-e a"y (0 t'e te+tat&("s t'at0les' &s 'e&r t(. W(e" %ere '&s #((d 0r&e"ds$ '&s ,(rades$ '&s s&sters/ t'ey "( l("#er tr(ubled t'e %aters (0 '&s s(ul/ but 'ere %as a ,'&ld %'( st&rred t'e de+t's/ %'(a%a=e"ed t'e +(te"t&al 0at'er &" '& s( sudde"ly a"d s( str("#ly t'at 'e l("#ed 0(r t'e s%eet"ess (0 a 'ua" t&e t'at ,(uld b&"d '& t( 'er. But t'e ,urre"t (0 t'e Elder5s



be&"# %as set t(%ards sa,r&0&,e a"d '(l&"ess$ a"d t'e ,((" (ys (0 'ua" l&0e 'e0elt ,(uld "e-er a"d ust "e-er be '&s/ s( 'e %e"t t( t'e da&ly r(u"d$ t'e ,(("tas=$ ("ly a l&ttle +aler$ a l&ttle s(berer t'a" %as '&s %("t.

>M(re l(-e$ Mart'a> sa&d Susa""a %'e" s'e et Mart'a a l&ttle later &" t'e day.

>M(re l(-e$ Susa""a> Mart'a re+l&ed ,'eer&ly. >Y(u 'eard (ur S'a=er #reet&"#$ I seeIt %as t'e beaut&0ul %eat'er$ t'e 0&"e a&r a"d #l(r&(us ,(l(rs$ t'at br(u#'t t'e&"s+&rat&(" t'&s (r"&"#$ I #uess It t((= us all (ut (0 d((rs$ a"d t'e" &t seeed t( #et&"t( t'e bl((d. Bes&des$ t(D(rr(%5s t'e !ay (0 Sa,r&0&,e$ a"d t'at ta=es us all (" t(t'e (u"ta&"Dt(+s (0 0eel&"#. T'ere 'a-e bee" t&es %'e" I 'ad t( (%" u+ t( a la,= (0 l(-e.>

>Y(u$ Mart'a$ %'( 'a-e su,' %("der0ul &"0lue",e (-er t'e ,'&ldre"$ su,' +at&e",e$su,' a00e,t&(">

>It %as"5t al%ays s(. W'e" I %as 0&rst +ut &" ,'ar#e (0 t'e ,'&ldre"$ I d&d"5t l&=e t'e%(r=. T'ey d&d"5t res+("d t( e s(e'(%$ a"d %'e" t'ey %ere (ut (0 y s&#'t t'ey%ere u#ly a"d d&s(bed&e"t. My "atural (t'er$ Mar&a H(les$ t((= ,are (0 t'e #&rls5,l(t'&"#. O"e day s'e sa&d t( e$ 5Mart'a$ d( y(u l(-e t'e #&rls5

>5S(e (0 t'e are -ery u"l(-ely$5 I re+l&ed.

>5I ="(% t'at$5 s'e sa&d$ 5but y(u ,a" "e-er 'el+ t'e u"less y(u l(-e t'e.5

>I t'(u#'t (t'er -ery ,r&t&,al$ 0(r I str(-e s,ru+ul(usly t( d( y duty. A 0e% daysa0ter t'&s t'e Elder sa&d t( e Mart'a$ d( y(u l(-e t'e #&rls5 I res+("ded$ 5N(t -ery

u,'.5>5Y(u ,a""(t sa-e t'e u"less y(u l(-e t'e$5 'e sa&d.

>T'e" I a"s%ered$ 5I %&ll lab(r 0(r a #&0t (0 l(-e.5

>W'e" t'e %(r= (0 t'e day %as (-er$ a"d t'e #&rls %ere &" bed$ I %(uld ta=e (00 ys'(es a"d s+e"d se-eral '(urs (0 t'e "&#'t %al=&"# t'e 0l((r$ ="eel&"# &" +rayer t'at I&#'t (bta&" t'e ,(-eted #&0t. F(r 0&-e %ee=s I d&d t'&s %&t'(ut a-a&l$ %'e" sudde"ly("e "&#'t %'e" t'e ((" %as 0ull a"d I %as ="eel&"# by t'e %&"d(%$ a #l(ry seeedt( (-ers'ad(% t'e ,rest (0 a '&#' (u"ta&" &" t'e d&sta",e. I t'(u#'t I 'eard a -(&,e

say 5 *artha3 ! ba%ti8e you into the s%irit of love65 I sat t'ere trebl&"# 0(r (re t'a"a" '(ur$ a"d %'e" I r(se$ I 0elt t'at I ,(uld l(-e t'e ea"est 'ua" be&"# t'at e-er %al=ed t'e eart'. I 'a-e "e-er 'ad a"y tr(uble %&t' ,'&ldre" s&",e t'at "&#'t (0 t'e-&s&(". T'ey see d&00ere"t t( e$ a"d I dare say I a d&00ere"t t( t'e.>

>I %&s' I ,(uld see -&s&("s> e*,la&ed Susa""a. >O'$ 0(r a #l(ry t'at %(uld s+ea= t(e a"d tea,' e trut' a"d duty L&0e &s all &st$ %'&,'e-er %ay I tur". I5d l&=e t( bel&0ted (" t( a '&#' +la,e %'ere I ,(uld see ,learly.>



S'e lea"ed a#a&"st t'e 0rae (0 t'e (+e" =&t,'e" d((r$ 'er del&,ate 0a,e u&-er&"# %&t'e(t&(" a"d l("#&"#$ 'er att&tude s&+l&,&ty a"d u",("s,&(us"ess &tsel0. T'e baldest (0 S'a=er +r(se tur"ed t( +urest +(etry %'e" Susa""a d&++ed &t &" t'e aleb&, (0 'er (%" &a#&"at&(".

>Lab(r 0(r t'e #&0t (0 s&#'t> sa&d Mart'a$ %'( bel&e-ed &+l&,&tly &" s+&r&ts a"d-&s&("s. >Lab(r t'&s -ery "&#'t.>

It ust be sa&d 0(r Susa""a t'at s'e 'ad "e-er ,eased lab(r&"# &" 'er (%" %ay 0(r a"y days. T'e trut' %as t'at s'e 0elt 'ersel0 tur"&"# 0r( arr&a#e. S'e 'ad l&-ed"(% s( l("# &" t'e s(,&ety (0 e" a"d %(e" %'( re#arded &t as a" &"st&tut&(" "(t,(+at&ble %&t' t'e '&#'est s+&r&tual de-el(+e"t t'at u",("s,&(usly 'er +(&"t (0 -&e% 'ad ,'a"#ed/ ,'a"#ed all t'e (re be,ause s'e 'ad bee" s( u"'a++y %&t' t'ea" s'e 'ad ,'(se". Cur&(usly e"(u#'$ a"d u"0(rtu"ately e"(u#' 0(r Susa""aHat'a%ay5s +ea,e (0 &"d$ t'e #reater a-ers&(" s'e 0elt t(%ards t'e burde" (0 t'e (ld

l&0e$ t(%ards t'e &r=s(e"ess (0 #u&d&"# a %ea=er s(ul$ t(%ards t'e ,la&s (0 'usba"d(" %&0e$ t'e str("#er t'(se ,la&s a++eared. I0 t'ey 'ad "e-er bee" assuedA'$ but t'ey 'ad/ t'ere %as t'e rub O"e s&#'t (0 l&ttle Sue slee+&"# tra"u&lly bes&de 'er/("e e(ry (0 rebell&(us$ 0aulty Ja,=/ ("e -&s&(" (0 J('"$ e&t'er as "eed&"# (r &ss&"# 'er$ t'e r&#'t0ul %(a"$ (r 0all&"# dee+er &" t'e %&les (0 t'e %r("# ("e 0(r -ery 'el+less"ess/a"y (0 t'ese ,'a"#ed Susa""a t'e %(uldDbe sa&"t$ &" a" &"sta"t&"t( Susa""a t'e %&0e a"d (t'er.

>S%eak to me for Thy Com%assion's sake$> s'e +rayed 0r( t'e l&ttle b((= (0 C("0ess&("s t'at 'er (t'er 'ad #&-e" 'er. > ! will follow after Thy ,oice6>

>W(uld y(u betray y(ur trust> as=ed ,("s,&e",e.

>N($ "(t &"te"t&("ally.>

>W(uld y(u desert y(ur +(st>

>Ne-er$ %&ll&"#ly.>

>Y(u 'a-e d&-&ded t'e 0a&ly/ ta=e" a l&ttle ua&l b&rd (ut (0 t'e '(eD"est a"d le0ts(rr(% be'&"d y(u. W(uld G(d ust&0y y(u &" t'at>

F(r t'e 0&rst t&e Susa""a5s >N(> ra"# ,learly e"(u#' 0(r 'er t( 'ear &t +la&"ly/ 0(r t'e

0&rst t&e &t %as 0(ll(%ed by "( -a#ue &s#&-&"#s$ "( be%&ldere"t$ "( u"rest (r &"de,&s&(". > ! turn hither and thither5 Thy %ur%oses are hid from me3 but ! commend

my soul to Thee6>

T'e" a se"te",e 0r( t'e dear (ld b((= ,ae &"t( 'er e(ry > nd thy dead thins

shall revive3 and thy weak thins shall be made whole.>



S'e l&ste"ed$ lay&"# '(ld (0 e-ery %(rd$ t&ll t'e "er-(us ,le",'&"# (0 'er 'a"dssubs&ded$ 'er 0a,e rela*ed &"t( +ea,e. T'e" s'e lay d(%" bes&de Sue$ ,ree+&"# ,l(se t('er 0(r t'e %art' a"d ,(0(rt a"d 'eal&"# (0 'er &""(,e"t t(u,'$ a"d$ ,l(s&"# 'er eyes sere"ely$ ="e% "( (re t&ll t'e (r"&"# br(=e$ t'e Sabbat' (r"&"# (0 C("0ess&(" !ay.

X



IF Susa""a5s +at' 'ad #r(%" (re d&00&,ult$ (re 0&lled %&t' a"*&et&es$ s( 'ad J('"

Hat'a%ay5s. T'e +r(tra,ted abse",e (0 '&s %&0e ade t'e #(ss&+s ,(",lude t'at t'e

brea= %as a 0&"al ("e. Ja,= %as ("ly 'al0 ,("te"ted %&t' '&s au"t$ a"d %(uld be 0a&rlyut&"(us &" t'e %&"ter$ %'&le L(u&sa5s #e"eral att&tude %as su,' as t( s'(% ,learlyt'at s'e ("ly =e+t t'e b(y 0(r Susa""a5s sa=e.

N(% a"d t'e" t'ere %as a terr&0y&"# '&"t (0 %&"ter &" t'e a&r$ a"d t'e days (0 Susa""a5sabse",e seeed eter"al t( J('" Hat'a%ay. Yet 'e %as a a" ab(ut %'( t'ere %(uld'a-e bee" but ("e (+&"&(" t'at %'e" de+r&-ed (0 a rat'er su+er&(r a"d '&#'D&"ded%&0e a"d t'e steady&"# &"0lue",e (0 '(e a"d ,'&ldre"$ 'e %(uld #( ,(+letely >t(t'e d(#s$> %'&t'er 'e seeed t( be 'urry&"# %'e" Susa""a5s %&0ely ,(ura#e 0a&led.T'at 'e 'ad d("e +re,&sely t'e (++(s&te a"d t'e u"e*+e,ted t'&"#$ s'(%s us +er'a+st'at e" are "(t (" t'e %'(le as ,a+able (0 est&at&"# t'e 0(r,es (0 t'e&r 0ell(% e"as &s G(d t'e a=er (0 e"$ %'( +r(bably e*+e,ts s(et'&"# (0 t'e %(rst (0 t'e u+t( t'e -ery last.

It %as at t'e e"d (0 a '(+eless Su"day %'e" J('" t((= '&s b(y ba,= t( '&s au"t5st(%ards "&#'t. He %("dered drear&ly '(% a %(a" dealt %&t' a te"DyearD(ld b(y %'(0r( su"r&se t( su"set 'ad d("e e-ery (rtal t'&"# 'e (u#'t "(t t( 'a-e d("e$ a"d 'adle0t u"d("e e-eryt'&"# t'at 'e 'ad bee" t(ld t( d(/ a"d$ as &0 t( ,arry (ut t'e -ery%(rds (0 t'e ,'ur,' ser-&,e$ "e&t'er %as t'ere a"y 'ealt' &" '&/ 0(r 'e 'ad a"&"0laed t'r(at a"d a %'&"&"#$ &rr&table$ d&s,("te"ted te+er t'at ,(uld be b(r"e ("ly

by a (t'er$ a 0at'er be&"# %'(lly &"adeuate a"d a++are"tly "e-er dest&"ed 0(r t'e

+ur+(se.

It %as a &ld e-e"&"# late &" O,t(ber$ a"d L(u&sa sat (" t'e +(r,' %&t' 'er +e++erDa"dDsalt s'a%l (" a"d a bla,= %((l >r&#(lette> t&ed (-er 'er 'ead. Ja,=$ -ery sul=y a"du"res&#"ed$ %as d&s+at,'ed t( bed u"der t'e ,are (0 t'e ("e ser-a"t$ %'( %as

+r(-&ded %&t' a ,u+0ul (0 -&"e#ar$ salt$ a"d %ater$ 0(r a #ar#le. J('" 'ad (re t'a" a"'(ur t( %a&t 0(r a retur"&"# tra&" t( Far"'a$ a"d alt'(u#' (rd&"ar&ly 'e %(uld 'a-e

+re0erred t( s+e"d t'e t&e &" t'e s&le"t a"d u"re+r(a,'0ul ,eetery rat'er t'a" &" t'es(,&ety (0 '&s s&ster L(u&sa$ 'e %as t(( t&red a"d '(+eless t( d( a"yt'&"# but s&t (" t'este+s a"d s(=e 0&t0ully &" t'e se&Ddar="ess.

L(u&sa %as u,' as usual. S'e %ell ="e%%'( better'er br(t'er5s ,'a"#ed,(urse (0 l&0e$ but "e&t'er e",(ura#ee"t "(r ,(+l&e"t %ere &" 'er l&"e. W'ys'(uld a a" be +ra&sed 0(r l&-&"# a res+e,table l&0e T'at J('" 'ad really tur"ed as(rt (0 (ral s(ersault a"d ,(e u+ a d&00ere"t ,reature$ s'e d&d "(t real&e &" t'eleast$ "(r t'e d&00&,ult&es sur(u"ted &" su,' a 0eat/ but s'e d&d #&-e '& ,red&tse,retly 0(r tur"&"# ab(ut 0a,e a"d be'a-&"# 0ar (re de,e"tly t'a" s'e ,(uld e-er 'a-e bel&e-ed +(ss&ble. S'e 'ad "( ,(",e+t&(" (0 '&s e"tal t(rture at t'e t&e$ but &0



'e =e+t (" d(&"# %ell$ s'e +r&-ately &"te"ded t( &"0(r Susa""a a"d at least #&-e 'er a,'a",e (0 try&"# '& a#a&"$ &0 abse",e 'ad d&&"&s'ed 'er se"se (0 &"ury. O"e t'&"#t'at s'e d&d "(t ="(% %as t'at J('" %as (" t'e e-e (0 l(s&"# '&s +art"ers'&+. W'e"Ja,= 'ad sa&d t'at '&s 0at'er %as "(t #(&"# ba,= t( t'e st(re t'e "e*t %ee=$ s'et'(u#'t &t ea"t s&+ly a -a,at&(". !&-&ded 'earts$ br(=e" -(%s$ ru&"ed l&-ess'e

,(uld bear t'e s&#'t (0 t'ese %&t' ,("s&derable +'&l(s(+'y$ but a l(st &",(e %as a-ery d&00ere"t$ a -ery ta"#&ble t'&"#. S'e al(st l(st 'er breat' %'e" 'er br(t'er ="(,=ed t'e as'es 0r( '&s eers,'au a"d ,urtly t(ld 'er (0 t'e +r(+(sed ,'a"#e &"'&s bus&"ess relat&("s.

>I d("5t ="(% %'at I s'all d( yet$> 'e sa&d$ >%'et'er I s'all set u+ 0(r ysel0 &" asall %ay (r ta=e a +(s&t&(" &" a"(t'er ,(",er"t'at &s$ &0 I ,a" #et ("ey st(,= (0

+(+ular&ty sees t( be +retty l(% ust "(% &" Far"'a. I5d (-e a%ay t(D(rr(% a"d,ut t'e %'(le #(ss&+y$ de,e&t0ul$ 'y+(,r&t&,al l(t (0 5e &0 I %as"5t a0ra&d (0 ,l(s&"# t'e'(use a"d s( l(s&"# Susa""a$ &0 s'e s'(uld e-er 0eel l&=e ,(&"# ba,= t( us.>

T'ese %(rds a"d t'e t'(u#'t ba,= (0 t'e %ere t(( u,' 0(r J('"5s sel0D,("tr(l. T'edar="ess 'el+ed '& a"d '&s "eed (0 ,(0(rt %as abe,t. Sudde"ly 'e burst (ut$ >O'$L(u&sa$ 0(r 'ea-e"5s sa=e$ #&-e e a l&ttle ,rub (0 ,(0(rt$ &0 y(u 'a-e a"y H(%,a" y(u sta"d l&=e a st("e all t'ese ("t's a"d see a a" su00er&"# as I 'a-e su00ered$%&t'(ut #&-&"# '& a %(rd>

>Y(u br(u#'t &t (" y(ursel0$> sa&d L(u&sa$ &" sel0De*,ul+at&(".

>!(es t'at a=e &t a"y eas&er t( bear> ,r&ed J('". >!("5t y(u su++(se I reeber &te-ery '(ur$ a"d ,urse ysel0 t'e (re Y(u ="(% +er0e,tly %ell t'at I5 a d&00ere"t

a" t(Dday. I d("5t ="(% %'at ade e ,'a"#e/ &t %as as &0 s(et'&"# 'ad bee"&"e,ted &"t( y bl((d t'at tur"ed e a#a&"st e-eryt'&"# I 'ad l&=ed best be0(re. I 'atet'e s&#'t (0 t'e e" a"d t'e %(e" I used t( #( %&t'$ "(t be,ause t'ey are a"y %(rse$

but be,ause t'ey re&"d e (0 %'at I 'a-e l(st. I 'a-e rea,'ed t'e +(&"t "(% %'ere I'a-e #(t t( 'a-e "e%s (0 Susa""a (r #( a"d s'((t ysel0.>

>T'at %(uld be ab(ut t'e ("ly +&e,e (0 0((l&s'"ess y(u 'a-e"5t ,(&tted already>re+l&ed L(u&sa$ %&t' a b&t&"# sat&re t'at %(uld 'a-e ade a"y a" let #( (0 t'e tr&##er &" ,ase 'e 'ad #("e s( 0ar as t( be#&" +ull&"# &t.

>W'ere &s s'e> J('" %e"t ("$ %&t'(ut a"#er at 'er sar,as. >W'ere &s s'e$ '(%

&s s'e$ %'at &s s'e l&-&"# ("$ &s s'e %ell$ &s s'e ust as b&tter as s'e %as at 0&rst$ d(ess'e e-er s+ea= (0 ,(&"# ba,=Tell e s(et'&"#$ tell e a"yt'&"#. I %&ll ="(%s(et'&"#. I say I will >

L(u&sa5s ,al deea"(r be#a" t( s'(% a l&ttle a#&tat&("$ 0(r s'e %as "(t used t( t'es&#'t (0 e(t&(".



>I ,a"5t tell y(u %'ere Susa""a &s$ 0(r I ade 'er a s(le" +r(&se I %(uld"5t u"lessy(u (r Ja,= %ere &" da"#er (0 s(e =&"d/ but I d("5t &"d tell&"# y(u t'&s u,'$ t'ats'e5s %ell a"d &" t'e sa0est =&"d (0 a s'elter$ 0(r s'e5s bee" l&-&"# 0r( t'e 0&rst &" aS'a=er Settlee"t.>

>S'a=er Settlee"t> ,r&ed J('"$ start&"# u+ 0r( '&s seat (" t'e ste+s. >W'at5s t'at I="(% S'a=er e##Dbeaters a"d #arde"Dseeds a"d r(,=&"#D,'a&rs a"d('$ yes$ Ireeber t'e&r rel&#&("5s a#a&"st arr&a#e. T'at5s t'e %(rst t'&"# y(u ,(uld 'a-e t(lde/ t'at e"ds all '(+e/ &0 t'ey (",e #et '(ld (0 a %(a" l&=e Susa""a$ t'ey5ll "e-er let#( (0 'er/ &0 t'ey d("5t bel&e-e &" a %(a"5s arry&"# a #((d a"$ t'ey5d "e-er let 'er #( ba,= t( a bad ("e. O'$ &0 I 'ad ("ly ="(%" t'&s be0(re/ &0 ("ly y(u5d t(ld e$L(u&sa$ +er'a+s I ,(uld 'a-e d("e s(et'&"#. Maybe t'ey ta=e -(%s (r s&#",("tra,ts$ a"d s( I 'a-e l(st 'er alt(#et'er.>

>I d("5t ="(% u,' ab(ut t'e&r bel&e0s$ a"d Susa""a "e-er e*+la&"ed t'e$> retur"ed

L(u&sa$ "er-(usly$ >but "(% t'at y(u5-e #(t s(et'&"# t( (00er 'er$ %'y d("5t y(u%r&te a"d as= 'er t( ,(e ba,= t( y(u I5ll se"d y(ur letter t( 'er.>

>I d("5t dare$ L(u&sa$ I d("5t dare$> #r(a"ed J('"$ lea"&"# '&s 'ead a#a&"st ("e (0 t'e +&llars (0 t'e +(r,'. >I ,a"5t tell y(u t'e 0ear I 'a-e (0 Susa""a a0ter t'e %ay I5-e"e#le,ted 'er t'&s last year. I0 s'e s'(uld ,(e &" at t'e #ate t'&s &"ute$ I ,(uld"5teet 'er eyes/ &0 y(u5d read t'e letter s'e le0t e$ y(u5d 0eel t'e sae %ay. I deser-ed&t$ t( t'e last %(rd$ but ('$ &t %as l&=e s( a"y se+arate str(=es (0 l&#'t"&"#$ a"d e-ery("e (0 t'e bur"ed. It %as "(t'&"# but t'e trut'$ but &t %as ,ut &" %&t' a s'ar+ s%(rd."less s'e s'(uld ,(e ba,= t( e (0 'er (%" a,,(rd$ a"d s'e "e-er %&ll$ I 'a-e"5t#(t t'e ,(ura#e t( as= 'er/ ust 'a-e"5t #(t t'e ,(ura#e$ t'at5s all t'ere &s t( say ab(ut&t.> A"d 'ere J('" bur&ed '&s 'ead &" '&s 'a"ds.

A -ery ueer t'&"# 'a++e"ed t( L(u&sa Ba"=s at t'&s (e"t. A 'al0Dse,("d be0(res'e %(uld 'a-e urured

>T'&s r(,= s'all 0lyFr( &ts 0&r base as s((" as I>

%'e" all at (",e$ a"d %&t'(ut %ar"&"#$ a stra"#e s(et'&"# (,,urred &" t'e (r#a" s'e'ad al%ays re#ardeda"d 'er (+&"&(" 'ad "e-er bee" uest&("edas a #((d$ t(u#'$l(-eDt&#'t 'eart. F&rst t'ere %as a 0lutter a"d a tre(r ru""&"# all al("# 'er s+&"e/ t'e"'er eyes 0&lled/ t'e" a lu+ r(se &" 'er t'r(at a"d ,'(=ed 'er/ t'e" %(rds trebled ("

'er t("#ue a"d re0used t( be uttered/ t'e" s(et'&"# l&=e a b&rd,(uld &t 'a-e bee"t'e '&#'ly res+e,table #((dDasD"e% 'eartt'r(bbed u"der 'er bla,= s&l= Su"day%a&st/ t'e" s'e #re% l&=e %a* 0r( t'e ,r(%" (0 'er 'ead t( t'e s(les (0 'er 0eet/ t'e"&" a t%&"=l&"#$ a"d s( u",("s,&(usly as t( be u"as'aed (0 &t$ s'e be,ae a s&ster.Y(u 'a-e see" a #ray N(-eber (r"&"# elt &"t( a" I"d&a" suer "((" L(u&saBa"=s %as l&=e t'at$ %'e"$ at t'e s&#'t (0 a a" &" s(re tr(uble$ sy+at'y %as b(r" &"'er t( s(0te" t'e r(,=&"ess (0 'er (r&#&"al a=eDu+.



>T'ere$ t'ere$ J('"$ d("5t be s( d(%"D'earted$> s'e staered$ dra%&"# 'er ,'a&r ,l(ser a"d +utt&"# 'er 'a"d (" '&s s'(ulder. >We5ll br&"# &t r(u"d r&#'t$ y(u see &0 %ed("5t. Y(u5-e d("e t'e (st y(ursel0 already$ 0(r I5 +r(ud (0 t'e %ay y(u5-e a,ted$st&00e"&"# r&#'t u+ l&=e a" '("est a" a"d s'(%&"# y(u5-e #(t s(e #((d se"s&bleHat'a%ay stu00 &" y(u$ a0ter all$ a"d a&"5t as'aed t( tur" y(ur ba,= (" y(ur e-&l

%ays. Susa""a a&"5t ("e t( re0use 0(r#&-e"ess.>

>S'e 0(r#a-e 0(r a l("# t&e$ but s'e re0used at last. W'y s'(uld s'e ,'a"#e "(%>J('" as=ed.

>Y(u reeber s'e 'as"5t 'eard a s&"#le %(rd 0r( y(u$ "(r ab(ut y(u$ &" t'at (utD(0Dt'eD%ay +la,e %'ere s'e5s bee" l&-&"#$> sa&d L(u&sa$ ,("s(l&"#ly. >S'e t'&"=s y(u5ret'e sae as y(u %ere$ (r %(rse$ aybe. Per'a+s s'e5s %a&t&"# 0(r y(u t( a=e s(es&#" t'r(u#' e$ 0(r s'e d("5t ="(% t'at y(u ,are a"yt'&"# ab(ut 'er$ (r are +&"&"# t('a-e 'er ba,=.>

>Su,' a %(a" as Susa""a ust ="(% better t'a" t'at> ,r&ed J('". >S'e (u#'t t(="(% t'at %'e" a a" #(t used t( l&-&"# %&t' a"yb(dy l&=e 'er$ 'e ,(uld "e-er e"durea"y (t'er =&"d.>

>H(% s'(uld s'e ="(% all t'at Ja,=5s bee" %r&t&"# t( 'er a"d tell&"# 'er t'e "e%s 0(r t'e last 0e% %ee=s$ t'(u#' I 'a-e"5t sa&d a %(rd ab(ut y(u be,ause I d&d"5t ="(% '(%l("# y(ur re0(rat&(" %as #(&"# t( '(ld (ut/ but I %("5t let t'e #rass #r(% u"der y0eet "(%$ t&ll I tell 'er ust '(% t'&"#s sta"d>

>Y(u5re a #((d %(a"$ L(u&sa/ I d("5t see %'y I "e-er "(t&,ed &t be0(re.>

>It5s be,ause I5-e bee" ,(",eal&"# y #((d"ess t(( u,'. Stay 'ere %&t' e t(D"&#'ta"d d("5t #( ba,= t( br((d &" t'at d&sal$ 0(rsa=e" '(use. We5ll see '(% Ja,= &s &" t'e(r"&"#$ a"d &0 'e5s all r&#'t$ ta=e '& al("# %&t' y(u$ s(5s t( be all t'ere t(#et'er &0 Susa""a ,(es ba,= t'&s %ee=$ as I =&"d (0 '(+e s'e %&ll. Ma=e Elle" 'a-e t'e '(useall "&,e a"d ,'eer0ul 0r( t(+ t( b(tt($ %&t' a #((d su++er ready t( +ut (" t'e tablet'e "&#'t s'e ,(es. Y(u5d better +&,= y(ur asters a"d ta=e 5e &" 0(r t'e +arl(r$ t'e"I5ll ,ut t'e ,'rysa"t'eus 0(r y(u &" t'e &ddle (0 t'e %ee=. T'e day s'e ,(es I5ll'a++e" &"$ a"d stay t( d&""er &0 y(u 0&"d &t5s #(&"# t( be (rt&0y&"# 0(r y(u/ but &0 e-eryt'&"# &s as I e*+e,t &t %&ll be$ a"d t'e %ay Susa""a al%ays d&d 'a-e t'&"#s$ I5lla=e 0(r '(e a"d lea-e y(u t( y(ursel-es. Susa""a a&"5t ("e t( "a# a"d 'e,t(r a"d

tr&u+' (-er a a" %'e" 'e5s re+e"ted.>

J('" 'u##ed L(u&sa$ +e++erDa"dDsalt s'a%l$ bla,= r&#(lette$ a"d all$ %'e" s'e 0&"&s'edt'&s u"+re,ede"ted s+ee,'/ a"d %'e" 'e %e"t t( slee+ t'at "&#'t &" t'e (ld "(rt','aber$ t'e ("e 'e a"d L(u&sa 'ad bee" b(r" &"$ t'e ("e '&s 0at'er a"d (t'er 'add&ed &"$ &t %as %&t' a l&ttle s&le (0 '(+e (" '&s l&+s.

>Set 'er +la,e at 'eart' a"d b(ardAs &t used t( be>



T'ese %ere t'e last %(rds t'at ,r(ssed '&s %a=&"# t'(u#'ts.

Be0(re L(u&sa %e"t t( 'er (%" bed$ s'e %r(te ("e (0 'er br&e0 a"d ,'ara,ter&st&,e+&stles t( Susa""a$ but &t d&d "(t rea,' 'er$ 0(r t'e >'&lls (0 '(e> 'ad ,alled J('"5s%&0e s( &"s&ste"tly (" t'at Su"day$ t'at t'e "e*t day 0(u"d 'er (" 'er %ay ba,= t(

Far"'a.

!EAR SSANNA s( t'e letter readK$T'ere5s a "e% a" &" y(ur '(use at Far"'a. H&s "ae &s J('" Hat'a%ay$

but 'e5s ade all (-er a"d &t %as '&#' t&e. ! say &t5s t'e 'a"d (0 G(d He %("5t (%" u+ t'at &t &s$ but I5 lett&"# '&

al("e$ 0(r I5-e d("e uarrel&"#$ t'(u#' I d("5t l&=e t( see a a" #et rel&#&(" a"d de"y &t$ 0(r all t'e %(rld l&=e Peter &"t'e Ne% Testae"t. I0 y(u 'a-e"5t used u+ t'e last ("e (0 y(ur se-e"tyDt&esDse-e"s$ I t'&"= y(u5d better ,(e ba,= a"d 0(r#&-e y(ur 'usba"d. I0 y(u d("5t$ y(u5d better se"d 0(r y(ur s(". I5 %&ll&"# t( bear t'e burde"s t'e L(rd

&"te"ds s+e,&ally for e$ but Ja,= bel("#s t( y(u$ a"d a #((dDs&ed 'ea-y burde" 'e &s$ t(($ 0(r '&s a#e. I ,a"5t de"y

t'at$ &0 'e is a Hat'a%ay. I t'&"= 'e5s t'e =&"d (0 a b(y t'at (u#'t t( be +ut &" a barrel a"d 0ed t'r(u#' t'e bu"#D'(le

t&ll 'e #r(%s u+/ but (0 ,(urse I5 "(t used t( ,'&ldre"5s %ays.

Be as easy %&t' J('" at 0&rst as y(u ,a". I ="(% y(u5ll say ! "e-er %as %&t' my 'usba"d$ but 'e %as d&00ere"t. He

#(t t( l&=e a bra,&"# treate"t$ Adla& d&d. Ma"y5s t'e t&e 'e sa&d t( e$ >L(u&sa$ %'e" y(u a=e u+ (ur &"ds$ I5

al%ays ,("te"ted.> But J('" &s"5t ade t'at %ay. He5s a ,'a"#ed a"/ "(%$ %'at %e5-e #(t t( d( &s t( kee% '&

,'a"#ed. He d(es"5t bear y(u a"y #rud#e 0(r lea-&"# '&$ s( 'e %("5t re+r(a,' y(u.

H(+&"# t( see y(u be0(re l("#$ I a$

Y(urs as usual$

LOISA BAN)S.



XI

ON t'e Saturday e-e"&"# be0(re t'e yearly !ay (0 Sa,r&0&,e t'e s+&r&tual 'eads (0

ea,' S'a=er 0a&ly ,all u+(" all t'e Bel&e-ers t( e"ter 'eart&ly "e*t day &"t( t'e'u&l&at&("s a"d bless&"#s (0 (+e" ,("0ess&(".

T'e Sabbat' da%"s u+(" a" a%ed a"d s(le" '(use'(ld. F((t0alls are 'us'ed$ t'e,'&ldre"5s ,'atter &s st&lled$ a"d all #( t( t'e (r"&"# eal &" s&le",e. T'ere &s astra"#e u&et$ but &t &s "(t sad"ess/ &t &s a 'us'$ as %'e" &" Israel5s ,a+ t'e s&l-er

tru+ets s(u"ded a"d t'e +e(+le stayed &" t'e&r te"ts. >T'e"$> Elder Gray e*+la&"ed t(Susa""a$ >a su("s ,(es t( ea,' Bel&e-er$ 0(r all 'a-e bee"sear,'&"# t'e 'earta"d s,a""&"# t'e l&0e (0 t'e ("t's +ast. S(0tly t'e ("e ,alled #(es t( t'e d((r (0 t'e("e a++(&"ted by t'e !&-&"e S+&r&t$ t'e 'ua" re+rese"tat&-e %'( &s t( re,e&-e t'e #&0t(0 t'e burde"ed s(ul. W(a" ,("0esses t( %(a"$ a" t( a"/ &t &s t'e (+e" d((r t'at leads t( G(d.>

Susa""a l&0ted Eldress Abby5s lat,' a"d st((d &" 'er str("#$ +at&e"t +rese",e/ t'e" allat (",e s'e ="elt &+uls&-ely a"d l((=ed u+ &"t( 'er sere"e eyes.

>!( y(u ,(e as a Bel&e-er$ Susa""a> trebl&"#ly as=ed t'e Eldress.

>N($ Eldress Abby. I ,(e as a ,'&ld (0 t'e %(rld %'( %a"ts t( #( ba,= t( 'er duty$a"d '(+es t( d( &t better t'a" s'e e-er d&d be0(re. S'e (u#'t t( be able t($ be,ause y(u'a-e ,'aste"ed 'er +r&de$ tau#'t 'er t'e less(" (0 +at&e",e$ stre"#t'e"ed 'er %&ll$

+ur&0&ed 'er s+&r&t$ a"d ,lea"sed 'er s(ul 0r( b&tter"ess a"d %rat'. I %a&ted t&lla0ter"((" %'e" all t'e ,("0ess&("s %ere (-er. May I s+ea= "(%>

Eldress Abby b(%ed$ but s'e l((=ed %ea= a"d str&,=e" a"d (ld.



>I 'ad s(et'&"# y(u %(uld 'a-e ,alled a -&s&(" last "&#'t$ but I t'&"= (0 &t as adrea$ a"d I ="(% ust %'at led t( &t. Y(u t(ld e P(lly Reed5s st(ry$ a"d t'e l&ttleua&l b&rd 'ad su,' a ,'ar 0(r Sue t'at I5-e re+eated &t t( 'er (re t'a" (",e. I" yslee+ I seeed t( see a (t'er ua&l %&t' a l&ttle ("e bes&de 'er. T'e t%( %ere al%ayst(#et'er$ 'a++&ly 0ly&"# (r '(++&"# ab(ut u"der t'e trees/ but e-ery "(% a"d t'e" I

'eard a sad l&ttle "(te$ as (0 a deserted b&rd s(e%'ere &" t'e %((d. I %al=ed a s'(rtd&sta",e$ a"d +art&"# t'e bra",'es$ sa% (" t'e (+e" #r(u"d a"(t'er +are"t b&rd a"d ay(u"# ("e by &ts s&de dart&"# '&t'er a"d t'&t'er$ as &0 l(st/ t'ey seeed t( be restlesslysear,'&"# 0(r s(et'&"#$ a"d al%ays t'ey uttered t'e s(0t$ sad "(te$ as &0 t'e "est 'add&sa++eared a"d t'ey 'ad bee" +arted 0r( t'e l&ttle 0l(,=. O0 ,(urse y bra&" 'ad,'a"#ed t'e -ery ea"&"# (0 t'e S'a=er st(ry a"d tra"slated &t &"t( d&00ere"t ters$

but %'e" I %(=e t'&s (r"&"#$ I ,(uld t'&"= (0 "(t'&"# but y 'usba"d a"d y b(y.T'e t%( (0 t'e seeed t( e t( be "eed&"# e$ sear,'&"# 0(r e &" t'e da"#er(us(+e" ,(u"try$ %'&le I %as '&dde" a%ay &" t'e sa0e s'elter (0 t'e %((dI a"d t'e(t'er l&ttle ua&l b&rd I 'ad ta=e" (ut (0 t'e "est.>

>!( y(u t'&"= y(u ,(uld +ersuade y(ur 'usba"d t( u"&te %&t' us> as=ed Abby$%&+&"# 'er eyes.

T'e te"s&(" (0 t'e s&tuat&(" %as t(( t&#'tly dra%" 0(r &rt'$ (r Susa""a ,(uld 'a-es&led$ but s'e a"s%ered s(berly$ >N(/ &0 J('" ,(uld de-el(+ t'e best &" '&sel0$ 'e,(uld be a #((d 'usba"d a"d 0at'er$ a #((d "e&#'b(r a"d ,&t&e"$ a"d a" u+r&#'t

bus&"ess a"$ but "e-er a S'a=er.>

>!&d"5t 'e &"sult y(ur %&0ely '("(r a"d d&s#ra,e y(ur '(e>

>Yes$ &" t'e last 0e% %ee=s be0(re I le0t '&. All '&s earl&er (00e"ses %ere (re a#a&"st'&sel0 t'a" e$ &" a se"se. I 0(r#a-e '& a"y a t&e$ but I a "(t ,erta&" &t %as t'ese-e"ty t&es se-e" t'at t'e B&ble b&ds us. I a "(t 0ree 0r( blae ysel0. I %as'ard t'e last year$ 0(r I 'ad l(st '(+e a"d y +r&de %as tra&l&"# &" t'e dust. I le0t '& a

b&tter letter$ ("e %&t'(ut a"y l(-e (r '(+e (r 0a&t' &" &t$ ust be,ause at t'e (e"t I bel&e-ed I (u#'t$ (",e &" y l&0e$ t( let '& ="(% '(% I 0elt t(%ard '&.>

>H(% ,a" y(u #( ba,= a"d l&-e u"der '&s r((0 %&t' t'at 0eel&"# It5s de#radat&(".>

>It 'as ,'a"#ed. I %as (rb&d t'e"$ a"d s( %(u"ded a"d %ea= t'at I ,(uld "(t 0&#'ta"y l("#er. I a rested "(%$ a"d ,al. My +lu,= 'as ,(e ba,=$ a"d y stre"#t'. I5-e

lear"ed a #((d deal 'ere ab(ut ,ast&"# (ut y (%" de-&ls/ "(% I a #(&"# '(e a"d'el+ '& t( ,ast (ut '&s. Per'a+s 'e %("5t be t'ere/ +er'a+s 'e d(es"5t %a"t e$t'(u#' %'e" 'e %as '&s -ery best sel0 'e l(-ed e dearly/ but t'at %as l("#$ l("#a#(> s&#'ed Susa""a$ drear&ly.

>O'$ t'&s t'&"# t'e %(rld5s +e(+le ,all l(-e> #r(a"ed Abby.



>T'ere &s l(-e a"d l(-e$ e-e" &" t'e %(rld (uts&de/ 0(r &0 &t &s Ada5s %(rld &t &s G(d5s$t(($ Abby T'e l(-e I #a-e y 'usba"d %as #((d$ I t'&"=$ but &t 0a&led s(e%'ere$a"d I a #(&"# ba,= t( try a#a&". I a "(t a"y t(( 'a++y &" lea-&"# y(u a"d ta=&"# u+$

+er'a+s$ 'ea-&er burde"s t'a" t'(se 0r( %'&,' I es,a+ed.>

>N&#'t a0ter "&#'t I5-e +rayed t( be t'e ea"s (0 lead&"# y(u t( t'e ,elest&al l&0e$> sa&dt'e Eldress$ >but y +la&"t %as "(t %(rt'y t( be 'eard. O'$ t'at G(d %(uld &",rease(ur "ubers a"d s( re-&-e (ur dr((+&"# 0a&t' We %(r=$ %e stru##le$ %e sa,r&0&,e$ %e

+ray$ %e de0y t'e %(rld a"d de"y t'e 0les'$ yet %e 0a&l t( #at'er &" Bel&e-ers.>

>!("5t say y(u5-e 0a&led$ dear$ dear Abby> ,r&ed Susa""a$ +ress&"# t'e Eldress5s %(r=Dsta&"ed 'a"ds t( 'er l&+s. >G(d s+ea=s t( y(u &" ("e -(&,e$ t( e &" a"(t'er. !(es &tatter s( u,' as l("# as %e b(t' 'ear H& Surely &t5s t'e 'ear&"# a"d t'e (bey&"#t'at ,(u"ts (st W&s' e %ell$ dear 0r&e"d$ a"d 'el+ e t( say #((dDby t( t'e Elder.>

T'e t%( %(e" 0(u"d Elder Gray &" t'e (00&,e$ a"d Abby$ st&ll u"res&#"ed$ la&d

Susa""a5s ,ase be0(re '&.

>T'e Great Ar,'&te,t 'as "eed (0 a"y =&"ds (0 %(r=e" &" H&s bu&ld&"#$> sa&d t'eElder. >T'ere are t'(se %'( are %&ll&"# t( +ut as&de t'e t&es (0 0les' 0(r t'e =&"#d((0 'ea-e"5s sa=e/ 5'e t'at &s able t( re,e&-e &t$ let '& re,e&-e &t5>

>T'ere ay als( be t'(se %'( are %&ll&"# t( ta=e u+ t'e t&es (0 t'e 0les' 0(r t'e=&"#d( (0 'ea-e"5s sa=e$> a"s%ered Susa""a$ #e"tly$ but %&t' a ,erta&" ,(ura#e.

Her 0a,e #l(%ed %&t' e(t&("$ 'er eyes s'("e$ 'er l&+s %ere +arted. It %as a "e%t'(u#'t. Abby a"d !a"&el #aed at 'er 0(r a (e"t %&t'(ut s+ea=&"#$ t'e" !a"&el

sa&d >It5s a terr&ble ,r(ss t( s(e (0 t'e Bret're" a"d S&sters t( l&-e 'ere (uts&de (0 t'e%(rld$ but aybe &t5s (re (0 a ,r(ss 0(r su,' as y(u t( l&-e &" &t$ u"der su,',("d&t&("s as 'a-e surr(u"ded y(u (0 late years. T( +ursue #((d a"d res&st e-&l$ t(

bear y(ur ,r(ss ,'eer0ully a"d t( #r(% &" #ra,e a"d ="(%led#e (0 trut' %'&le y(u5re bear&"# &tt'at5s t'e less(" (0 l&0e$ I su++(se. I0 y(u 0&"d y(u ,a"5t lear" &t (uts&de$,(e ba,= t( us$ Susa""a.>

>I %&ll$> s'e +r(&sed$ >a"d "( %(rds ,a" s+ea= y #rat&tude 0(r %'at y(u 'a-e alld("e 0(r e. Ma"y a t&e &t %&ll ,(e ba,= t( e a"d =ee+ e 0r( 0alter&"#.>

S'e l((=ed ba,= at '& 0r( t'e (+e" d((r%ay$ t&&dly.

>!("5t 0(r#et us$ Sue a"d e$ alt(#et'er$> s'e sa&d$ 'er eyes 0&ll&"# %&t' tears. >C(et( Far"'a$ &0 y(u %&ll$ a"d see &0 I a a ,red&t t( S'a=er tea,'&"# I s'all "e-er be'ere a#a&"$ +er'a+s$ a"d s(e'(% &t sees t( e as &0 y(u$ Elder Gray$ %&t' y(ur edu,at&(" a"d y(ur #&0ts$ (u#'t t( be lead&"# a lar#er l&0e t'a" t'&s.>

>I5-e 'u"ted &" t'e %&ld Ma&"e 0(rests$ &" y y(u"# days/ I5-e s+eared sal(" &" 'er r&-ers a"d s'(t ra+&ds &" a b&r,'Dbar= ,a"(e$> sa&d t'e Elder$ l((=&"# u+ 0r( t'e +&"e



table t'at ser-ed as a des=. >I5-e bee" be0(re t'e ast a"d see" stra"#e ,(u"tr&es/ I5-e0(u#'t I"d&a"s/ I5-e 0a,ed +er&ls (" la"d a"d sea/ but t'&s S'a=er l&0e &s t'e #reatestad-e"ture (0 all>

>Ad-e"ture> e,'(ed Susa""a$ u",(+re'e"d&"#ly.

>Ad-e"ture> re+eated t'e Elder$ s&l&"# at '&s (%" t'(u#'ts. >W'et'er I 0a&l$ (r %'et'er I su,,eed$ &t5s a s+le"d&d ad-e"ture &" et'&,s.>

Abby a"d !a"&el l((=ed at ea,' (t'er %'e" Susa""a +assed (ut (0 t'e (00&,e d((r.

>5T'ey %e"t (ut 0r( us$ but t'ey %ere "(t (0 us/ 0(r &0 t'ey 'ad bee" (0 us$ t'ey%(uld 'a-e ,("t&"ued %&t' us$5> 'e u(ted u&etly.

Abby %&+ed 'er eyes %&t' 'er a+r(". >It5s a 'ard r(ad t( tra-el s(et&es$ !a"&el>s'e sa&d.

>Yee/ but t'&"= %'ere &t leads$ Abby$ t'&"= %'ere &t leads Y(u5re "(t #(&"# t(,(+la&" (0 dust %'e" y(u5re tread&"# t'e )&"#5s H&#'%ay>

Susa""a le0t t'e (00&,e %&t' a dr((+&"# 'ead$ ="(%&"# t'e sad"ess s'e 'ad le0t be'&"d.Br(t'er A"sel sat u"der t'e trees "ear by$ a"d '&s s're%d eye +er,e&-ed t'e dr&0t (0 ,(&"# e-e"ts.

>Well$ Susa""a$> 'e dra%led$ >y(u5re #(&"5 t( lea-e us$ l&=e (st (5 t'e (t'er 5&"ers.5 I

,a" see t'at %&t' ("e eye s'ut.>>Yes$> s'e re+l&ed$ %&t' a 'al0 s&le/ >but y(u see$ A"sel$ I 5&"ed5 J('" Hat'a%ay

be0(re I ="e% a"yt'&"# ab(ut S'a=er d(,tr&"es.>

>Yee/ but %'at5s t( +re-e"t y(ur ("D&"&"5 '& T'ey used t( t&e u+ arr&ed 0(l=s &"t'e (ld t&es s(5t t'ey ,(uld"5t (-e a" &",'. W'e" t'ey read t'e ,("st&tut&(" a"d byDla%s (-er 5e t'ey used t( +ut &" 5t&ll deat' d( us +art.5 T'at5s t'e %ay y 0at'er %as'&t,'ed t( his t'ree %&-es$ but deat' did 5e +art0(rtu"ately 0(r '&>

>5T&ll deat' us d( +art5 &s st&ll &" t'e arr&a#e ser-&,e$> Susa""a sa&d$ >a"d I t'&"= (0 &t

-ery (0te".>>I %a"t t( ="(% &0 t'at5s t'ere y&t> e*,la&ed A"sel$ %&t' a++are"t sur+r&se/ >It'(u#'t t'ey ust be lea-&"5 &t (ut$ t'ere5s s( u,' ("D&"&"5 "(%adays Well$a,,(rd&"5 t( y "(t&("s$ &0 t'ere is a"yt'&"# %uss 5" arr&a#e$ &t5s 'e-&"5 &t '(ld t&lldeat'$ 0(r t'e" e"D0(l=s d("5t #&t a"y ,'a",e (0 a s+er&tual l&0e t&ll a0ter%ards. T'ey,erta&"ly d("5t %'e" t'ey5re be&"# dra##ed d(%" by %(e"D0(l=s a"5 y(u"# ("es.>



>I t'&"= t'e last&"# +art (0 t'e bar#a&" a=es &t all t'e (re s(le"$> Susa""a ar#ued.

>O'$ yes$ &t5s s(le" e"(u#'$ but s(5s a +rayer eet&"5$ a"5 ,("s&d5able (re ele-at&"5>/a"d 'ere A"sel re#arded t'e surr(u"d&"# s,e"ery %&t' 0r(%"&"# d&sa++r(-al$ as &0 &tle0t u,' t( be des&red.

>!("5t y(u t'&"= t'at t'ere are any a#reeable a"d +leasa"t %(e"$ A"sel> -e"turedSusa""a.

>La"d$ yes/ 'ea+s (0 5e/ but t'ey all %ear S'a=er bu""&ts>

>I su++(se y(u ="(% (re ab(ut t'e %(e" &" t'e (uts&de %(rld t'a" (st (0 t'eBr(t'ers$ (" a,,(u"t (0 tra-el&"# s( u,'>

>I #uess a"yb(dy5t dr&-es a seedD,art (r +eddles stu00 al("# t'e r(ad ="(%s e"(u#' (5%(e" t( =ee+ ,lear (0 5e. T'ey5ll ,(e (ut t'e =&t,'e" d((r$ ,'((se t'e&r +a+ers (5seas("&"5 a"5 b(ttles (5 0la-(r&"5$ %(rry y(u 5b(ut t'e +r&,e a"5 ta=e t'e a&d#e (00 e-eryd&e$ a=e u+ a"5 t'e" ("a=e t'e&r &"ds 5b(ut %'at t'ey %a"t$ as= &0 &t5s +ure$ a"5%'e" by #((d lu,= y(u #&t y(ur ,art (ut (5 t'e yard$ t'ey ,(e ru""&"5 al("# t'e r(ada0ter ye t( #&t ye t( s%(+ a b(ttle (5 -a"&lla 0(r s(e s+ru,e #u a"5 #&-e 5e ba,= t'e,'a"#e.>

Susa""a ,(uld "(t 'el+ s&l&"# at A"sel5s arra&#"e"t (0 'er se*. >!( y(u t'&"= t'ey0(ll(% y(u 0(r t'e +leasure (0 s'(++&"#$ (r t'e +leasure (0 y(ur ,("-ersat&("$ A"sel>s'e as=ed slyly.

>A l&ttle (5 b(t'$ ebbe/ t'(u#' t'e +leasure5s all (" t'e&r s&de$> retur"ed t'e

u",'&-alr(us A"sel. >But ta=e t'e sae %(e"$ ,ut t'e&r 'a&r ,l(se t( t'e&r 'eadst'ere5s a 'ea+ (5 0((l&s'"ess &" 'a&r$ s(e'(%$ +ur#e 5e (5 t'e&r -a"&ty$ s( t'ey%("5t be l((=&"5 &" t'e #lass all t'e t&e$ a=e 5e de+e"d (" ("e a"(t'er 0(r sass&ety$s( t'ey %("5t ,ra-e "( ,("-ersat&(" %&t' e"D0(l=s$ a"5 y(u #&t a" art&,le t'at5s 5b(utas #((d a"d 5b(ut as st&ddy as a a">

>Y(u "e-er see t( reeber t'at e" are ust as da"#er(us t( %(e"5s 'a++&"essa"d #((d"ess as %(e" are t( e"5s$> sa&d Susa""a$ ,(ura#e(usly.

>It d("5t see s( t( e Ne-er see a a"$ 'ardly$ t'at ,(uld st&,= t( t'e stra&#'t a"5"arrer &0 a %(a" %a"ted '& t( #( t'e (t'er %ay. Wea= a"5 u"stable as %ater$ e"D

0(l=s are$ a"5 %(e" are +(%50ul str("#.>

>Ha-e y(ur (%" %ay$ A"sel I5 #(&"# ba,= t( t'e %(rld$ but "( a" s'all e-er say I'&"dered '& 0r( be&"# #((d. Y(u5ll see %(e" ,learer &" a"(t'er %(rld.>

>T'ere5ll be +re,&(us 0e% (0 5e t( see> ret(rted A"sel. >Y(u5re ab(ut t'e best (5 t'el(t$ but e-e" y(u 'a-e a =&"d (0 a a"a#&"5 %ay %&t' ye$ bes&des 0&ll&"5 us all 0ull (5



0alse '(+es t'at %e5d #at'ered &" a use0ul Bel&e-er$ ("e ,al5lated t( s+read t'ed(,tr&"es (5 M(t'er A"">

>I ="(%$ I ="(%$ A"sel$ a"d ('$ '(% s(rry I a Y(u %(uld "e-er bel&e-e '(% I l("#t( stay a"d 'el+ y(u$ "e-er bel&e-e '(% u,' y(u 'a-e 'el+ed e G((dDby$ A"sel/

y(u5-e ade e s&le %'e" y 'eart %as brea=&"#. I s'a"5t 0(r#et y(u>

XII



SUSANNA 'ad 0(u"d Sue &" t'e u++er ,'aber at t'e O00&,e Bu&ld&"#$ a"d be#a"

t( a=e t'e s&+le +re+arat&("s 0(r 'er '(e%ard (ur"ey.

It %as t'e -ery '(ur %'e" J('" Hat'a%ay %as say&"#

>Set 'er +la,e at 'eart' a"d b(ardAs &t used t( be.>

Sue &"ter0ered %&t' t'e +a,=&"# s(e%'at by dart&"# t( a"d 0r($ br&"#&"# 'er (t'er sa,red s(u-e"&rs #&-e" 'er by t'e S'a=er s&sters a"d t'e ,'&ldre""eedleDb((=s$ +&"D

balls$ t'&bleD,ases$ +a,=ets (0 0l(%erDseeds$ +(l&s'ed +ebbles$ b(ttles (0 0la-(r&"#e*tra,t.

>T'&s &s 0(r Fard&e$> s'e %(uld say$ >a"d t'&s 0(r Ja,= a"d t'&s 0(r Elle" a"d t'&s 0(r Au"t L(u&sat'e "eedleDb((=$ 5,ause s'e5s s( use0ul. O'$ I5 #lad %e5re #(&"# '(e$

Mard&e$ t'(u#' I d( l(-e &t 'ere$ a"d I %as (st ready t( be a truly S'a=er. It5s =&"d (0 +&ty&s' t( 'a-e y(ur 'a&r s'&"#led a"d y(ur st(,=&"# 'al0D="&tted a"d ="(% '(% t( say5Yee5 a"d t'e" 'a-e &t all %asted.>

Susa""a dr(++ed a tear (" t'e dress s'e %as 0(ld&"#. T'e ,'&ld %as #(&"# '(e$ ass'e 'ad ,(e a%ay 0r( &t$ #ay$ &rres+("s&ble$ a"d erry/ &t %as ("ly t'e (t'ers%'( '(+ed a"d 0eared a"d dreaded.

T'e -ery u"&-erse %as %(r=&"# t(%ard Susa""a5s des&re at t'at (e"t$ but s'e %asall u"a%are (0 t'e 'a++&"ess t'at lay s( "ear. S'e ,(uld "(t see t'e 0res'"ess (0 t'e'(use &" Far"'a$ t'e "e% b&ts (0 0ur"&ture 'ere a"d t'ere/ t'e autu" lea-es &" 'er (%" bedr((/ 'er %(r=Dtable 0ull (0 t'e re,(rds (0 J('"5s s(rr(%0ul suer/ Ja,= 'a"ds(er a"d taller$ a"d s(0ter$ als($ &" '&s %el,(&"# ((d/ Elle" r(sy a"d e*,&ted.S'e d&d "(t ="(% t'at J(el Atterbury 'ad sa&d t( J('" t'at day$ >I ta=e &t all ba,=$ (lda"$ a"d I '(+e y(u5ll stay (" &" t'e 0&r> "(r t'at Au"t L(u&sa$ %'( %as +utt&"#st&00$ s'(rtDsteed ,'rysa"t'eus &" ,u+s a"d tublers 'ere a"d t'ere t'r(u#' t'e'(use$ %as u,' (re 0le*&ble a"d 'ua" t'a" %as "atural t( 'er/ "(r t'at J('"$alter"at&"# bet%ee" '(+e a"d des+a&r$ %as 0(re-er 'u&"#

>Set 'er +la,e at 'eart' a"d b(ardAs &t used t( be/H&#'er are t'e '&lls (0 '(e$Bluer &st'e sea>

It &s (0te" s(. T'ey %'( #( %ee+&"# t( l((= 0(r t'e dead b(dy (0 a s(rr(%$ 0&"d a-&s&(" (0 a"#els %'ere t'e b(dy 'as la&".

>I '(+e Fard&e5ll be #lad t( see us a"d Elle" %&ll 'a-e #&"#erbread$> Sue ,'attered/t'e"$ +aus&"# at t'e %&"d(%$ s'e added$ >I5 s(rry t( lea-e t'e '&lls$ 5,ause I 5s+e,&allyl&=e t'e$ d("5t y(u$ Mard&e>



>We are lea-&"# t'e S'a=er '&lls$ but %e are #(&"# t( t'e '&lls (0 '(e$> 'er (t'er a"s%ered ,'eer&ly. >!("5t y(u reeber t'e Far"'a '&lls$ dear>

>Yes$ I reeber$> a"d Sue l((=ed t'(u#'t0ul/ >t'ey %ere 0art'er (00 a"d ,(-ered%&t' %((ds/ t'ese are s((t' a"d #e"tle. A"d %e s'all &ss t'e la=e$ Mard&e.>

>Yes/ but %e ,a" l((= at t'e blue sea 0r( y(ur bedr(( %&"d(%$ Sue>

>A"d %e5ll tell Fard&e ab(ut P(lly Reed a"d t'e l&ttle ua&l b&rd$ %("5t %e>

>Yes/ but 'e a"d Ja,= %&ll 'a-e a #reat deal t( say t( us$ a"d %e ust"5t tal= all t'et&e ab(ut t'e dear$ =&"d S'a=ers$ y(u ="(%>

>Y(u5re all 5buts$5 Mard&e> at %'&,' Susa""a s&led t'r(u#' 'er tears.

T%&l&#'t dee+e"ed &"t( dus=$ a"d dus= &"t( dar=$ a"d t'e" t'e ((" r(se (-er t'e +(+lar trees (uts&de t'e %&"d(% %'ere Susa""a a"d Sue %ere slee+&"#. T'e S'a=er

Bret're" a"d S&sters %ere rest&"# sere"ely a0ter t'e&r day (0 ,("0ess&(". It %as t'ea#ed Tab&t'a5s last Sabbat' (" eart'$ but 'ad s'e ="(%"$ &t %(uld 'a-e ade "(d&00ere",e/ &0 e-er a s(ul %as ready 0(r 'ea-e"$ &t %as Tab&t'a5s.

T'ere %as a" Ir&s' 0a&ly at t'e 0((t (0 t'e l("# '&ll t'at lay bet%ee" t'e Settlee"ta"d t'e -&lla#e (0 Alb&("/ 0at'er$ (t'er$ a"d ,'&ldre" 'ad +rayed t( t'e 1&r#&" be0(ret'ey %e"t t( bed/ a"d t'e #rayD'a&red &"&ster &" t'e l(%Dr((0ed +ars("a#e %as%r&t&"# '&s ,(u"&(" ser(" (" a te*t sa,red t( t'e (rt'(d(* C'r&st&a" %(rld. T'esae ((" s'("e (-er all$ a"d (-er &ll&("s (0 (t'ers %(rs'&+&"# stra"#e &d(ls a"d'(ld&"# stra"#e bel&e0s &" stra"#e 0ar la"ds$ yet "("e (0 t'e (%"ed t'e %'(le (0

'ea-e"/ 0(r as Elder Gray sa&d$ >It &s a b&# +la,e a"d bel("#s t( G(d.>Susa""a Hat'a%ay %e"t ba,= t( J('" t'&"=&"# &t 'er +la&" duty$ a"d t( e &t sees

beaut&0ul t'at s'e 0(u"d %a&t&"# 0(r 'er at t'e (ur"ey5s e"d a "e% l(-e t'at %as better t'a" t'e (ld/ 0(u"d a 'usba"d t( %'( s'e ,(uld say &" t'at 0&rst sa,red '(ur %'e"t'ey %ere al("e t(#et'er$ >Ne-er &"d$ J('" Let5s 0(r#et$ a"d be#&" all (-er a#a&".>

. . . . . . . .

W'e" Susa""a a"d Sue al&#'ted at t'e l&ttle ra&l%ay stat&(" at Far"'a$ a"d started t(%al= t'r(u#' t'e "arr(% streets t'at led t( t'e suburbs$ t'e (t'er5s 'eart beat (re

a"d (re tuultu(usly as s'e real&ed t'at t'e &ssues (0 0(ur l&-es %(uld be settled be0(re "&#'t0all.

L&ttle d&d Sue re,= (0 l&0e &ssues$ s=&++&"# l&=e a y(u"# r(e 0r( ("e s&de (0 t'e r(adt( t'e (t'er. >T'ere are t'e '&lls$ "(t a b&t ,'a"#ed$ Mard&e> s'e ,r&ed/ >a"d t'e sea &s

ust %'ere &t %as... Here5s t'e '(use %&t' t'e +arr(t$ d( y(u reeber N(% t'e +la,e %'ere t'e d(# bar=s a"d s"arls &s ,(&"# "e*t.... P5ra+s 'e5ll be dead ... (r +5ra+s'e5ll be "&,er.... )ee+ ,l(se t( e t&ll %e #et +ast t'e #ate.... He d&d"5t ,(e (ut$ s(



+5ra+s 'e &s dead (r #("e aD-&s&t&"#.... T'ere5s t'at 5s+e,&ally lay ,(% t'at5s al%aysly&"# d(%" &" t'e Bu*t("s5 0&eld.... I d("5t b5l&e-e s'e5s (-ed s&",e %e ,ae a%ay....!( y(u s5+(se s'e sta"ds u+ t( be &l=ed$ Mard&e T'ere5s t'e (ld br&d#e (-er t'e

br((=$ ust t'e sae$ ("ly t'e %((db&"e5s red.... T'ere5s ... T'ere5s ... O'$ Mard&e$l((=$ l((=... I d( b5l&e-e &t5s (ur Ja,=y>

Sue 0le% (-er t'e #r(u"d l&=e a s%all(%$ ,all&"# >Ja,=Dy Ja,=Dy &t5s e a"d Mard&e,(e '(e>

Ja,= e*tr&,ated '&sel0 0r( '&s s&ster5s stra"#l&"# 'u# a"d settled '&s ,(llar. >I5a%0ul #lad t( see y(u$ Su=ey$> 'e sa&d$ >but I5 #ett&"# t(( b&# t( be =&ssed. Bes&des$y +(,=ets are 0ull (0 a"#le%(rs a"d 0&s''((=s.>

>Are y(u t(( b&# t( be =&ssed e-e" by (t'er> ,alled Susa""a$ 'urry&"# t( 'er b(y$%'( sub&tted t( 'er ebra,e %&t' better #ra,e. >O Ja,=$ Ja,= say y(u5re #lad t( see(t'er Say &t$ say &t/ I ,a"5t %a&t$ Ja,=>

>C(urse I5 #lad %'y %(uld"5t I be I tell y(u I5 t&red (0 Au"t L(u&sa$ t'(u#' s'e5seas&er t'a" s'e %as. T&e a"d a#a&" I5-e +a,=ed y lu",' bas=et a"d started t( ru"a%ay$ but I al%ays ade &t a +&,"&, a"d %e"t ba,= a#a&"$ t'&"=&"# t'ey5d a=e su,' ar(% (-er e.>

>Au"t L(u&sa &s al%ays =&"d %'e" y(u5re (bed&e"t$> Susa""a ur#ed.

>S'e a&"5t s( st&00 as s'e %as. Elle" &s real %(rr&ed ab(ut 'er a"d t'&"=s s'e5s l(s&"#'er stre"#t'$ s'e5s s( easy t( #et al("# %&t'.>

>H(%5s ... 0at'er...>>Better5" 'e %as.>

>Has"5t 'e bee" %ell>

>N(t s( -ery/ al%ays u&et a"d %("5t eat$ "(r +lay$ "(r a"yt'&"#. I5 '(e %&t' '&s&",e Su"day.>

>W'at &s t'e atter %&t' y(ur ,l(t'es> as=ed Susa""a$ ,ast&"# a ater"al eye (-er '& %'&le s'e +ulled '& d(%" 'ere a"d u+ t'ere$ %&t' a"*&(us d&sa++r(-&"# #la",es.>Y(u l((= s( +at,'ed$ a"d %r&"=led$ a"d #rubby.>

>Au"t L(u&sa a"d 0at'er a=e e =ee+ y best t( +ut (" 0(r y(u$ &0 y(u s'(uld ,(e.I ,lea" u+ a"d dress e-ery a0ter"((" at tra&" t&e$ ("ly I 0(r#(t t(Dday a"d ,ae0&s'&"#.>

>It5s t(( ,(ld t( 0&s'$ s(""y.>

>It a&"5t t(( ,(ld t( 0&s'$ but &t5s t(( ,(ld 0(r 5e t( b&te$> ,(rre,ted Ja,=.



>W'y %ere y(u e*+e,t&"# us ust "(%> as=ed Susa""a. >I d&d"5t %r&te be,ause$ be,ause$ I t'(u#'t ... +er'a+s ... &t %(uld be better t( sur+r&se y(u.>

>Fat'er5s e*+e,t&"# y(u e-ery day$ "(t ust t'&s ("e$> sa&d Ja,=.

Susa""a sa"= d(%" (" a st("e at t'e e"d (0 t'e br&d#e$ a"d lea"&"# 'er 'ead a#a&"stt'e ra&l&"#$ burst &"t( tears. I" t'at (e"t t'e %(rst (0 'er 0ears r(lled a%ay 0r( 'er 'eart l&=e t'e st("e 0r( t'e (ut' (0 a se+ul,'re. I0 'er 'usba"d 'ad l((=ed 0(r 'er retur"$ 'e ust 'a-e &ssed 'er$ re#retted 'er$ "eeded 'er$ ust a l&ttle. H&s d&s+(s&t&("%as s%eet$ e-e" &0 &t %ere t'(u#'tless$ a"d 'e &#'t "(t eet 'er %&t' re+r(a,'esa0ter all. T'ere &#'t "(t be t'e ,(ld #reet&"# s'e 'ad (0te" 0eared>-ell3 you've

concluded to come back3 have you7 !t was about time6> I0 ("ly J('" %ere a l&ttle +e"&te"t$ a l&ttle a"*&(us t( eet 'er (" s(e ,((" #r(u"d$ s'e 0elt 'er tas= %(uld be a" eas&er ("e.

>Ha-e y(u #(t a +a&"$ Mard&e> ,r&ed Sue$ a"*&(usly be"d&"# (-er 'er (t'er.

>N($ dear$> s'e a"s%ered$ s&l&"# t'r(u#' 'er tears a"d stret,'&"# a 'a"d t( b(t','&ldre" t( 'el+ 'er t( 'er 0eet. >N($ dear$ I5-e l(st ("e>

>I ,ry %'e" a"yt'&"# a,'es$ "(t %'e" &t st(+s$> rear=ed Ja,=$ as t'e t'ree starteda#a&" (" t'e&r %al=.>Say$ Su=ey$ y(u l((= b&##er a"d 0atter t'a" y(u d&d %'e" y(u%e"t a%ay$ a"d y(u5-e #(t s'(rt ,urls 5stead (0 l("# ("es.!( y(u see '(% I5-e#r(%"T%( &",'es>

>I5 &",'es a"d &",'es b&##er a"d taller$> Sue b(asted$ sta"d&"# (" t&+t(e a"dstret,'&"# 'ersel0 +r(udly. >A"d I ,a" ="&t$ a"d +ull a+le ,a"dy$ a"d say Yee$ a"d

s&"# 5O 1&r#&" C'ur,'$ '(% #reat t'y l&#'t.5>

>P(('$> sa&d Ja,=$ >I ,a" s&"# 5A sa&l(r5s l&0e5s t'e l&0e 0(r e$ Y( '($ y( '(5 Ste+ al("#0aster$ uy dear/ &t5s 5(st su++er t&e. Au"t L(u&sa %("5t s,(ld &0 y(u5re %&t' e.T'ere5s t'e '(use$ see Fat'er5ll be %(r=&"# &" t'e #arde" ,(-er&"# u+ t'e asters$ s(t'ey %("5t 0reee be0(re y(u ,(e.>

>T'ere &s "( #arde"$ Ja,=. W'at d( y(u ea">

>Wa&t t&ll y(u see &0 t'ere5s "( #arde" Hurra' t'ere5s 0at'er at t'e %&"d(%$ s&de (0 Au"t L(u&sa. W("5t 'e be +leased I et y(u 'al0%ay a"d br(u#'t y(u '(e>

O' &t %as beaut&0ul$ t'e autu" t%&l&#'t$ t'e s(=e (0 'er (%" 'eart's&de r&s&"#t'r(u#' t'e br&,= ,'&"eys S'e t'(u#'t s'e 'ad le0t t'e %ay (0 +ea,e be'&"d 'er$ but"($ t'e %ay (0 +ea,e %as 'ere$ %'ere 'er duty %as$ a"d 'er 'usba"d a"d ,'&ldre".

T'e sea %as dee+ blue/ t'e '(e '&lls r(lled s(0tly al("# t'e '(r&("/ t'e l&ttle #atet'at Susa""a 'ad ,l(sed be'&"d 'er &" a"#er a"d &sery st((d %&de (+e"/ s'rubs$

b(rders$ y(u"# 'ed#eDr(%s$ beds (0 late autu" 0l(%ers #reeted 'er eyes a"d t(u,'ed



'er 'eart. A 0((t s(u"ded (" t'e t'res'(ld/ t'e '(e d((r (+e"ed a"d s&led a#reet&"#/ a"d t'e" a -(&,e ,'(=ed %&t' 0eel&"#$ #lad %&t' %el,(e$ ,alled 'er "ae.

L&#'tD0((ted Sue ra" %&t' a ,ry (0 (y &"t( 'er 0at'er5s (utstret,'ed ars$ a"d t'e"lea+&"# d(%" darted t( Elle"$ ,'atter&"# l&=e a a#+&e. Husba"d a"d %&0e l((=ed at

ea,' (t'er 0(r ("e u&-er&"# (e"t$ a"d t'e" ,las+ed ea,' (t'er ,l(se.

>F(r#&-e O Susa""a$ 0(r#&-e>

J('"5s eyes a"d l&+s a"d ars ade ute a++eals$ a"d &t %as t'e" Susa""a sa&d$>Ne-er &"d$ J('" Let5s 0(r#et$ a"d be#&" all (-er a#a&">



CAMBRI!GE . MASSACHSETTS

. S . A



>O0 all t'e ,'&ldre" (0 Mrs. W&##&"5s bra&"$ t'e (st lau#'able a"d t'e (st l(-able &sRebe,,a.> +ife3 N. 1.

>Rebe,,a ,ree+s r&#'t &"t( ("e5s a00e,t&("s a"d stays t'ere.> Philadel%hia !tem.

>A ,'ara,ter t'at &s &rres&st&ble &" 'er ua&"t$ 'u(r(us (r&#&"al&ty.>Cleveland +eader.

>Rebe,,a &s as re0res'&"# as a drau#'t (0 s+r&"# %ater.> +os neles Times.

>Rebe,,a 'as ,(e t( stay %&t' ("e 0(r all t&e$ a"d del&#'t ("e +er+etually$ l&=eMar(r&e Fle&"#.> +iterary -orld3 "oston.

W&t' de,(rat&-e ,(-er 26($ 2.6@



>T'ere &s "( s%eeter st(ry +ubl&s'ed t'a" The "irds' Christmas Carol $ a st(ry %'&,'0(r #ra,e a"d del&,a,y$ 0(r +at'(s a"d 'u(r$ &s eual t( a"yt'&"# e-er %r&tte" 0(r ,'&ldre" (r$ 0(r t'at atter$ 0(r (lder readers.> "oston dvertiser.

Illustrated. F&0ty ,e"ts.

>A ,'ar&"# st(ry$ 0ull (0 +at'(s a"d 'u(r$ a"d &+ress&"# 'ealt'0ul less("s (0 0a&t'a"d ,'ar&ty. It &s ad&rably t(ld$ t'e ,'ara,ter dra%&"# &s true t( l&0e$ a"d %'(e-er (+e"s t'e attra,t&-e l&ttle -(lue %&ll "(t be l&=ely t( +ut &t d(%" u"t&l readt'r(u#'.>Christian !ntelliencer3 New 1ork.

Illustrated. S&*ty ,e"ts.

>Mrs. W&##&" ="(%s '(% t( t(u,' t'e 'earts (0 (lder +ers("s as %ell as t'e 'earts (0 y(ut'. I" t'&s st(ry s'e ta=es a l&ttle b(y %'( assues t'e duty (0 +r(te,t&"# a l&ttle#&rl. T'ey ru" a%ay 0r( t'e +la,e %'ere t'ey bel("#ed$ a"d l&ttle T&(t'y #(es &"sear,' (0 a '(e 0(r '&s t&"y 0r&e"d.> "oston )erald.

Illustrated by Ol&-er Her0(rd. 2.@4."&llustrated$ 2.44.



>Mrs. W&##&" 'as "e-er %r&tte" a"yt'&"# (re del&#'t0ul t'a" t'ese "arrat&-es. T'ee*+er&e",es (0 'er 'er(&"es are su00&,&e"tly "(ral "(t t( see u""atural$ yet "(-ele"(u#' t( be t'(r(u#'ly &"d&-&dual. T'e&r a,ua&"ta",es a"d t'e&r 0r&e"ds$ t'e&r ad-e"tures a"d t'e&r l(-es$ t'e&r e(t&("s a"d t'e&r ,("-ersat&("s are +(rtrayed %&t'=ee" &"s&#'t &"t( 'ua" "ature$ a"d %&t' #e"u&"e sy+at'y$ t&ely 'u(r$ a"du"0a&l&"# ,'ar (0 e*+ress&(".... We ,(e"d t'e -(lues (st 'eart&ly as&llustrat&"# a ,erta&" =&"d (0 t'e best Aer&,a" 'u(r &" &ts 0&"est 0(r. Its&rres&st&ble"ess &s due lar#ely t( &ts ba,=#r(u"d (0 0a,t$ se"se$ a"d ser&(us"ess as %ellas t( &ts da&"ty del&,a,y (0 e*+ress&(".>The Conreationalist3 "oston.

H(l&day Ed&t&(". W&t' &llustrat&("s by C'arles E. Br(,=.7 -(lues$ ea,'$26($ 6.44



Transcribr's N!"

I",("s&ste"t +u",tuat&(" 'as bee" reta&"ed asD&s %&t'&" t'e te*t. T'e %(rds$>busy5b(ut"(t'&"5$> >tr&+a"s=&+$> >#r(+ea"%a#$> a"d >Elderess$> 'a-e bee" le0t asD&s.

Illustrat&("s %ere &"terlea-ed bet%ee" +a#es &" t'e (r&#&"al te*t. I" t'&s -ers&("$ t'ey'a-e bee" (-ed ,l(se t( t'e rele-a"t se,t&(" (0 t'e te*t. Pa#e "ubers ared(,ue"ted &" t'e s(ur,e ,(de.

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