Lancaster Hearts (Out of Darkness - Amish Connections (An Amish of Lancaster County Saga)) by Ruth Price
Authors: Ruth Price
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content to let his daed return to Ephrata and never set eyes on the man again.
“ So it is with exceptional gratitude to my dear God that I say thank you for guiding me to this home and family, and thank you for this food we are about to receive for the nourishment of our bodies, in the name of the Lord, Amen. ”
The amen that followed was perhaps a bit quiet, and when Judith opened her eyes, across the table, Isaac's expression was murderous. Judith forced a smile as Miriam leaned over the table and took a heaping spoonful of mashed sweet potatoes.
“ Well... ” Deacon Hilty began, and then with a tight laugh said, “ I am truly grateful for this excellent meal. Esther, you are responsible for these excellent beans, and I think I recall seeing some of your magnificent corn pudding in that bag. ”
“ My daughter Judith made it. She is a most dedicated and faithful child, truly the fruit of my heart, as are all of my kinner, ” Esther said, taking a spoonful of sweet potatoes.
“ You certainly do allow them a great deal of freedom, ” Isaac's daed said.
“ A tree must be given sufficient space to take root and grow to the light. ”
“ In addition to be given proper nourishment, both earthly and spiritual. ”
Esther smiled, an expression that was mostly teeth. “ In that we couldn't agree more. ”
“ Perhaps we should carve the chicken? ” Bishop Hilty suggested. “ It would be my pleasure. ”
“ Yes! ” Rachel's mamm stood and hilt first, passed the deacon the carving knife and a long, three tined fork.
“ Who wants white meat? ” Deacon Hilty asked, standing up to carve the bird. Miriam and Hezekiah's hands shot up simultaneously. “ And a little child shall lead them, ” the deacon laughed at his own joke. He carved the chicken, placing the cut pieces of meat o n a separate plate. When he'd finished with the white meat, he passed the plate around towards Hezekiah at his left. For a time, people occupied themselves with eating, the scrape of silver on china and occasional exclamations of gratitude the only accompaniment to the meal.
When the eating slowed, Esther said, “ Mr. Graber, it was with great interest I learned that your son wished to court with my daughter. I know you'd wished to speak with me further on the subject. ”
Deacon Hilty cut in. “ Is this the best time? ”
“ I was given to believe that Mr. Graber had some reservations in regards to my daughter. Better to bring such thoughts to the light, instead of couching them in the language of obfuscation. In the words of John, 'The truth shall set you free.' “
“ Mrs. Hershberger is quite correct, ” Isaac's daed said. “ I admit, I do have reservations about a union between my son and your daughter. My son is committed to pursuing an Amish life. One of the reasons I brought him with me for this trip was to allow him the chance to learn from Amos, whose work with furniture is well regarded. Your daughter, however, seems to have...different goals. ”
“ My daughter is not yet decided on her life's path, which is understandable considering she is only sixteen and just beginning her Rumspringa. But I suppose should that become an issue, our kinner will discover it in the process of courting. That is the purpose of it, I believe. ”
Isaac's daed pressed his lips together, thinning them to a tight frown. “ You never remarried, after your husband's death, isn't that so? ”
“ I've taught all of my daughters everything they need in order to be exceptional wives, ” Esther said, placing the serving spoon back into the glass pan with enough force that the sound jarred Judith's teeth. “ Should that be the life they choose. ”
“ So you would accept one of your children betraying the Ordnung and descending into a Godless life? ”
“ I accept that God might call my kinner to a different life than the one I've prepared them for, and I insist that they respect our customs while under my roof. ”
“ But not
“ So it is with exceptional gratitude to my dear God that I say thank you for guiding me to this home and family, and thank you for this food we are about to receive for the nourishment of our bodies, in the name of the Lord, Amen. ”
The amen that followed was perhaps a bit quiet, and when Judith opened her eyes, across the table, Isaac's expression was murderous. Judith forced a smile as Miriam leaned over the table and took a heaping spoonful of mashed sweet potatoes.
“ Well... ” Deacon Hilty began, and then with a tight laugh said, “ I am truly grateful for this excellent meal. Esther, you are responsible for these excellent beans, and I think I recall seeing some of your magnificent corn pudding in that bag. ”
“ My daughter Judith made it. She is a most dedicated and faithful child, truly the fruit of my heart, as are all of my kinner, ” Esther said, taking a spoonful of sweet potatoes.
“ You certainly do allow them a great deal of freedom, ” Isaac's daed said.
“ A tree must be given sufficient space to take root and grow to the light. ”
“ In addition to be given proper nourishment, both earthly and spiritual. ”
Esther smiled, an expression that was mostly teeth. “ In that we couldn't agree more. ”
“ Perhaps we should carve the chicken? ” Bishop Hilty suggested. “ It would be my pleasure. ”
“ Yes! ” Rachel's mamm stood and hilt first, passed the deacon the carving knife and a long, three tined fork.
“ Who wants white meat? ” Deacon Hilty asked, standing up to carve the bird. Miriam and Hezekiah's hands shot up simultaneously. “ And a little child shall lead them, ” the deacon laughed at his own joke. He carved the chicken, placing the cut pieces of meat o n a separate plate. When he'd finished with the white meat, he passed the plate around towards Hezekiah at his left. For a time, people occupied themselves with eating, the scrape of silver on china and occasional exclamations of gratitude the only accompaniment to the meal.
When the eating slowed, Esther said, “ Mr. Graber, it was with great interest I learned that your son wished to court with my daughter. I know you'd wished to speak with me further on the subject. ”
Deacon Hilty cut in. “ Is this the best time? ”
“ I was given to believe that Mr. Graber had some reservations in regards to my daughter. Better to bring such thoughts to the light, instead of couching them in the language of obfuscation. In the words of John, 'The truth shall set you free.' “
“ Mrs. Hershberger is quite correct, ” Isaac's daed said. “ I admit, I do have reservations about a union between my son and your daughter. My son is committed to pursuing an Amish life. One of the reasons I brought him with me for this trip was to allow him the chance to learn from Amos, whose work with furniture is well regarded. Your daughter, however, seems to have...different goals. ”
“ My daughter is not yet decided on her life's path, which is understandable considering she is only sixteen and just beginning her Rumspringa. But I suppose should that become an issue, our kinner will discover it in the process of courting. That is the purpose of it, I believe. ”
Isaac's daed pressed his lips together, thinning them to a tight frown. “ You never remarried, after your husband's death, isn't that so? ”
“ I've taught all of my daughters everything they need in order to be exceptional wives, ” Esther said, placing the serving spoon back into the glass pan with enough force that the sound jarred Judith's teeth. “ Should that be the life they choose. ”
“ So you would accept one of your children betraying the Ordnung and descending into a Godless life? ”
“ I accept that God might call my kinner to a different life than the one I've prepared them for, and I insist that they respect our customs while under my roof. ”
“ But not
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