Talk of the Town by Anne Marie Rodgers Page A

threw her, and she simply stared at him for a moment. “I—I—you cannot compare spiritual beliefs to the existence of an animal!” She was frustrated and more than a little annoyed that he would try to trap her with her own words.
    “I’m sorry, Louise,” he said immediately. “I don’t mean to put you on the spot. I was not raised in a church, or with any kind of spiritual guidance.”
    Louise took a deep breath and said a silent prayer for patience, moved by a sudden image of a lonely little boy to whom scant attention was paid. “The whole point of spiritual faith is the ability to see the miraculous in the everyday things, and to trust that if God can create such miracles as those around us in our daily lives, then He certainly is capable of larger actions. The ultimate miracle, of course, being the risen Christ after the death of His earthly body.”
    Maxwell was silent for a moment. “You know,” he finally said, “I consider myself highly educated compared to the average person. But I am appallingly ignorant of all but the sketchiest details of the Christian faith—or any other, for that matter. Would you and your sisters allow me to accompany you to church tomorrow?”
    Louise was astonished at the request. “Of course you may. Our newest guest, Mrs. Moeller will be going with us. We would like very much for you to join our party.”
    Maxwell smiled. “The words ‘party’ and ‘church’ don’t mesh well in my mind.”
    “Well, they should,” Louise said. “Expressions of faith should be joyous—exuberant, even, on some occasions.”
    There was a short silence following Louise’s words. She felt heat rise to her cheeks.
    “Louise…” Maxwell’s voice was hesitant. “I wonder if you have a Bible I might borrow. You have made me curious, and I think I would like to study it.”
    “I do, and I have something else you might enjoy. Follow me.” Louise rose, heading for the library, once her father’s office, where an extensive collection of faith-based volumes were still stored. “There’s a book my father used to love. He gave it to my daughter Cynthia when she joined our church in Philadelphia many years ago. It is meant to be used as a study aid with the Bible and is an excellent overview of the history of Christianity. I’m sure my sisters would want me to lend it to you while you are staying with us.”
    “Thank you.” Maxwell’s voice was soft. “I will look forward to reading both books.”
    “And any time you have questions, Alice, Jane and I would be delighted to talk with you.”
    After leaving Maxwell sitting in the library with the Bible and the study guide, Louise went in search of her sisters. She was eager to tell them of the surprising turn of events.

    Clothilda and her niece Amanda returned from dinner shortly before eight. Jane introduced them to Louise and Alice, and then Amanda bid her aunt farewell.
    “I’ll be back to get you in eighteen days,” the young woman told Clothilda.
    Clothilda nodded. “I will be… okay with this good people.”
    Jane beamed. “Of course you will. We’ll take the very best care of you. And don’t forget, our aunt, Ethel Buckley, speaks German and is eager to meet you.”
    “Oh, good,” said Amanda. “Her lack of English was my biggest hesitation in leaving Aunt Clo.”
    “Is not a problem. You go, come back after two weeks. Okay?”
    Amanda laughed. “Okay.” She kissed her aunt, said good-bye to the Howard sisters and walked off to her car to begin her drive back to Philadelphia.
    Clothilda smiled at the sisters, and then covered her mouth with a yawn. “Excuse me. I am finding this traveling to be… to make me sleepy very much.”
    Alice chuckled. “I work as a nurse, and I, too, am very sleepy. I’ll be going to bed very soon.”
    “I think I go up now and maybe read and fall asleep. Thank you for your welcoming. I look forward to your breakfast and your church tomorrow.”
    “Wonderful,” Jane said. “Good