Where Courage Calls: A When Calls the Heart Novel by Janette Oke, Laurel Oke Logan Page B
Authors: Janette Oke, Laurel Oke Logan
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“Marnie, should we go that way? Do you feel like a little exploring?” Beth tried to coax a smile.
“No, ma’am!” She shook her head with more spirit than Beth had yet seen from the girl. “That don’t go nowhere.” But Beth wondered at the look of fear her suggestion had seemed to stir and the quiet girl’s emphatic protest.
“That’s fine,” she assured Marnie. “We can stay near the road if you’d like.” Beth was unclear what had elicited such a response—whether wild animals or the idea of being lost, or something else. Beth simply put the incident behind her.
Rain fell in sheets on Monday morning, and several of the children were absent, but Beth forged ahead with the lessons. She was aware that it was difficult for her students to hear her over the sound of the heavy downpour through the open windows, but she chose the noise rather than the stuffiness of the closed room. All in all, Beth was pleased to note progress, mostly in the willingness of the children to take part and attempt what she was asking of them.
As each day passed into the next, she felt that small steps forward had been accomplished, and she thought her students agreed. But Beth subconsciously felt the weight of limited time with them—only one year. She had no way of knowing what or whom the following year would bring. The older children in particular were running out of time for the education their mothers wanted for them.
Also, Beth had begun to realize the significant sacrifice Molly was making in allowing Marnie to attend school. The bashful thirteen-year-old was grown enough to be nearly indispensable around the guest house, and Molly’s responsibilities had been significantly impacted by the girl’s absence. The woman rarely rested from the work of cooking for the men, washing linens, and keeping up the large house. Beth realized quickly that when this woman—who was not even Marnie’s mother—had declared that the town’s children should have an education, it meant she was also prepared to do what she could to ensure that it happened.
Further, even as tirelessly as the brother and sister worked in Molly’s home, Beth heard no word of complaint from either of them. She couldn’t imagine her own sisters back home—or herself—working so diligently without even a crossways look. She understood now that her older students would have little time for homework if they all helped out as much as Teddy and Marnie.
Beth pitched in around the house as best she could, and she was embarrassed to discover how few domestic skills she possessed. Molly had gradually given up reminding Beth that she was a “payin’ guest,” and she no longer discouraged her from assisting with domestic chores. Given the options of being alone, being with the four men, or being with the family, Beth found it an easy choice to make. She was pleased already with her own increasing ability to be useful in the kitchen. She found she enjoyed watching and imitating such a skillful cook. Wouldn’t Julie be surprised? Though, perhaps, not quite as impressed as she should be.
At the end of another long but mostly satisfying week, Beth returned to the boarding house. Molly was waiting forher and motioned her upstairs with a grin and a wink. Beth discovered, crowded into the room in a row along one wall, three large trunks—the replacement supplies from Mother! Molly said she had to see to supper and went back downstairs.
Beth unlatched the straps and threw open the first to dig through the contents, which turned out to be mostly clothing. She drew out one frilly frock after another, held it against her, then laid it across her bed. The colors were lovely, in stark contrast to the faded browns and dull blues of her borrowed clothing. Some were in shades of soft pastels—even white. In a coal-mining village? Mother, what were you thinking?
Though Beth thought the dresses lovely, and exactly what her mother would have chosen for her, she couldn’t
“No, ma’am!” She shook her head with more spirit than Beth had yet seen from the girl. “That don’t go nowhere.” But Beth wondered at the look of fear her suggestion had seemed to stir and the quiet girl’s emphatic protest.
“That’s fine,” she assured Marnie. “We can stay near the road if you’d like.” Beth was unclear what had elicited such a response—whether wild animals or the idea of being lost, or something else. Beth simply put the incident behind her.
Rain fell in sheets on Monday morning, and several of the children were absent, but Beth forged ahead with the lessons. She was aware that it was difficult for her students to hear her over the sound of the heavy downpour through the open windows, but she chose the noise rather than the stuffiness of the closed room. All in all, Beth was pleased to note progress, mostly in the willingness of the children to take part and attempt what she was asking of them.
As each day passed into the next, she felt that small steps forward had been accomplished, and she thought her students agreed. But Beth subconsciously felt the weight of limited time with them—only one year. She had no way of knowing what or whom the following year would bring. The older children in particular were running out of time for the education their mothers wanted for them.
Also, Beth had begun to realize the significant sacrifice Molly was making in allowing Marnie to attend school. The bashful thirteen-year-old was grown enough to be nearly indispensable around the guest house, and Molly’s responsibilities had been significantly impacted by the girl’s absence. The woman rarely rested from the work of cooking for the men, washing linens, and keeping up the large house. Beth realized quickly that when this woman—who was not even Marnie’s mother—had declared that the town’s children should have an education, it meant she was also prepared to do what she could to ensure that it happened.
Further, even as tirelessly as the brother and sister worked in Molly’s home, Beth heard no word of complaint from either of them. She couldn’t imagine her own sisters back home—or herself—working so diligently without even a crossways look. She understood now that her older students would have little time for homework if they all helped out as much as Teddy and Marnie.
Beth pitched in around the house as best she could, and she was embarrassed to discover how few domestic skills she possessed. Molly had gradually given up reminding Beth that she was a “payin’ guest,” and she no longer discouraged her from assisting with domestic chores. Given the options of being alone, being with the four men, or being with the family, Beth found it an easy choice to make. She was pleased already with her own increasing ability to be useful in the kitchen. She found she enjoyed watching and imitating such a skillful cook. Wouldn’t Julie be surprised? Though, perhaps, not quite as impressed as she should be.
At the end of another long but mostly satisfying week, Beth returned to the boarding house. Molly was waiting forher and motioned her upstairs with a grin and a wink. Beth discovered, crowded into the room in a row along one wall, three large trunks—the replacement supplies from Mother! Molly said she had to see to supper and went back downstairs.
Beth unlatched the straps and threw open the first to dig through the contents, which turned out to be mostly clothing. She drew out one frilly frock after another, held it against her, then laid it across her bed. The colors were lovely, in stark contrast to the faded browns and dull blues of her borrowed clothing. Some were in shades of soft pastels—even white. In a coal-mining village? Mother, what were you thinking?
Though Beth thought the dresses lovely, and exactly what her mother would have chosen for her, she couldn’t
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