Secret of Richmond Manor by Gilbert L. Morris Page A

food I’ve been getting.” Ezra took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “I figure it won’t be long before I’ll be off your hands.”
    Leah asked, “Have you been reading the Bible more?”
    â€œSure have. Still don’t understand lots of it. But you know what? I feel good, Leah. Ever since we prayed, I feel like God’s just doing something for me.” A smile lighted his face.
    He’d be really a nice-looking boy
, Leah thought,
if he were well-fed
. He had clean features and unusually good teeth, bright and even. His eyes were alert now, and there was a restfulness about him that she had not seen before.
    â€œI just feel like I’ve settled it all with God,” he said. “You know, I saw some fellows do that when I first went in the army. Had a service there, and some of them went. They came back and said they’dgotten converted. I didn’t even know what they were talking about.” He looked down at his feet. “Two of them got killed at Bull Run. Sure hope they’re all right.”
    â€œIf they trusted in Jesus, they’re all right,” Leah said stoutly.
    They sat talking, mostly about God. Then Ezra got the Bible and began to point out Scriptures and ask her what they meant. They were so deeply engrossed in what they were doing that both of them leaped to their feet when a voice said, “Leah! What’s this?”
    â€œUncle Silas!”
    Her uncle stood at the barn door. He had not been out-of-doors very much, and he was leaning heavily on a cane. His eyes were fixed on the young man with her.
    â€œUncle Silas, this is Ezra Payne,” Leah said.
    Silas Carter studied the boy and asked quietly, “Escaped prisoner, are you, boy?”
    â€œYes, sir. I was in Belle Isle ever since Bull Run.” He said quickly, “Don’t get mad at Miss Leah. I was about dead when she found me. If they’d taken me back, I’d have died for sure. I’m going back—I’m going to give myself up right away.”
    â€œHe was so sick, Uncle Silas,” Leah said, “but he’s better now. Please, you won’t give him away. I know you won’t!”
    â€œWell, I don’t know. It’s a serious thing to harbor an escaped prisoner,” Silas said. “We could all be in terrible trouble.”
    â€œThat’s what I’ve told her, Mr. Carter,” Ezra said.
    â€œYes, and he left once—he was trying to save us trouble—but he was so weak he couldn’t do it.”
    Leah went over and stood beside her uncle. She was almost as tall as he was. “I think the Lord is in it.”
    â€œThe Lord? How do you mean that?”
    â€œEzra got saved. He didn’t know anything about the Lord. We prayed together, and now he knows Jesus.”
    Uncle Silas looked at the boy and asked, “Is that right, son?”
    â€œYes, sir,” Ezra said simply. “I never heard no preaching before, and I don’t know much, but I know ever since I asked God to forgive me that things have been … well …
different
somehow.”
    Silas Carter was silent, perhaps thinking about the possible difficulties that could arise. He asked suddenly, “Does Jeff know about this?”
    â€œYes.” Leah nodded.
    â€œAnd he agreed not to tell, I suppose. That’s hard on him.”
    â€œI know it is, but he won’t tell, and it’s just for a few more days, Uncle Silas.”
    Silas thought hard. Then he said, “Well, if a man’s hurt and sick, I don’t guess it matters if he wears the blue or the gray.”
    â€œYou’ll let him stay?” Leah asked, her eyes bright with hope.
    â€œUntil he gets well, he can stay.”
    Ezra dropped his head. He said nothing for a moment, and when he lifted his eyes they were brimming with tears. “I never met people like you before, but I’m sure glad I have. No matter what happens, things are gonna