The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club - 02 - The Tattered Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

out.”
    “Yes,” Emma agreed. “Paul has many fine qualities, and he was good with Maggie. I never saw that goat react to anyone like she did Paul. She went to him when he held out a handful of grass and didn’t resist when he guided her back to her pen. Some people have a special way with animals.”
    “Jan’s good with his dog,” Terry spoke up, “but I guess goats ain’t my thing.”
    “No animal is
my
thing,” Selma said, wrinkling her nose. “They’re nothing but pests.”
    Feeling the need for a change of subject and wanting her students to get better acquainted, Emma suggested that they go around the table and share something about what they had done during the week. Cheryl, Carmen, and Selma willingly shared a few things, but when Emma asked Anna how her week had gone, she merely shrugged and mumbled, “Same as always.”
    I wish there was something I could say or do to make Anna open up
, Emma thought.
She seems so sullen and withdrawn. Even though Selma’s a bit opinionated, at least she’s willing to talk
.
    Emma was relieved when Lamar returned. “No message from Blaine,” he said, “but there was one from my daughter, Katie. She strained her back and asked if I’d give her a ride to the chiropractor’s. It’s Dr. Clark’s day off, of course, but he kindly said he’d meet us there. Emma, can you manage okay while I take Katie?”
    “I’ll be fine.” Emma patted Lamar’s arm. “You go along and help your
dochder.”
    “Danki, Emma. I’ll see you later.” Lamar said good-bye to the class and hurried from the room.
    “Since we don’t know when or if Blaine will be here, I suppose we’d best get started,” Emma said, reaching for a piece of material that had been cut and was ready to sew. “Today we’ll begin sewing the pieces of fabric you’ve already cut. You can take turns using the battery-operated sewing machines, and if anyone wants to try out my treadle machine just let me know and I’ll show you how.”
    “I already know how to use a treadle,” Selma announced. “My grandmother had one when I was a girl, and she taught me how to sew on it.”
    “That’s good. Maybe you’d like to use mine today.” Emma smiled. “Some of my Amish friends and relatives prefer to use the battery-operated machines or one that’s hooked up to a generator, but I’ve always enjoyed using the treadle.”
    “My
mamm
uses a treadle machine when she sews, too,” Anna said. “But I’m not interested in that.”
    “You can use one of my battery-operated ones,” Emma said, glad that Anna was conversing a bit. Maybe after she’d done some sewing and saw how her wall hanging was taking shape, she’d actually enjoy the class.
    “I’d like to try the treadle machine for a few of my patterned pieces,” Carmen said.
    “Same here,” Cheryl agreed.
    “Not me,” Terry said with a shake of his head. “I’m not even sure I can use the battery-operated machine.” He frowned. “I’ll probably end up sewing my fingers together instead of the material.”
    “You’ll do fine,” Emma said. “I’ll make sure of that.”

     
    Terry had been fumbling with his pieces of material for ten minutes when Blaine showed up.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Blaine apologized to Emma. “I stopped at the lake and ended up dropping my line in the water. Guess I sort of lost track of time.”
    “What do you mean, ‘sort of ’?” Terry pointed to the clock on the far wall. “You’re forty-five minutes late!”
    Blaine glanced briefly at the clock; then he smiled at Emma and said, “I caught a largemouth bass, and it’s in a bucket on the porch. If you like fish, I’d be happy to give it to you.”
    Emma nodded. “Lamar and I both like fish, but don’t feel obligated to give it to us.”
    “No, I want to,” Blaine insisted. “Should I go out and get it or wait until after class?”
    “Just wait until Emma’s finished teaching the class,” Selma interjected. “In case you haven’t noticed,