“You were kind and compassionate and very smart to let them tell their stories.”
“Well, I appreciate your approval. I very much enjoyed working with them. Who knows what the future will hold? I mentioned having an interest in teaching to my father. He’s twice since sent me notes telling me it would be a mistake.” Max sighed, and Evie could feel the weight of it on his soul.
“Every man must find his own calling. God will show you what it is and what it isn’t. I know that from experience.” She thought of all the time she’d wasted trying to come to terms with her own dilemmas. “I know we’ve really never talked much about the future, but we both have money of our own. I believe with our joined inheritances, we can live a perfectly comfortable life. I don’t need a palatial estate to be happy.”
He chuckled. “I suppose I should be glad to hear that. But you should know, the depth of my feelings for you makes me want to lavish you with everything known to mankind. Diamonds and other jewels, luxurious carriages and clothes, and yes, even palatial estates.”
Evie laughed. “Max, I don’t need any of those things. I just need you. All my life I’ve been taught that while the luxuriesof life are quite wonderful, people are the ones who matter. We were taught to tithe at church, but also to share a tenth of our monies with charities for those in need. And it wasn’t just about the money. It was important to tithe our time as well. When I was little, I was given tasks to help roll bandages, butter bread for soup lines, sweep up and help tidy places. When Father and Mother bought the first farm years ago, we would go out with them and work. They both felt it was important that we be able to do physical labor as well as sit and be pretty.”
“And you do the latter so well,” he said, taking her hand. “Although, I must contend that you are a hard worker too.” He paused for a long moment. “So, you really wouldn’t feel disgraced if you were married to a schoolteacher?”
“Not at all. I have the highest admiration for such people. I hold fond memories of most all my teachers. There were a couple of older men who I found rather stuffy and ill-suited for the job, but the majority were fascinating to listen to and made me want to know more. I know you’ll be that kind of teacher as well. I saw the way you spoke to those children to draw them out and share the details of their fire experiences. You have a way of reaching people, Max. It’s a gift.”
“And what will you do while I teach school?”
Evie laughed. Max had still not formally proposed; it was just assumed they would marry one day. “I would like to continue fund-raising. I find it rewarding, and Mother would like to give over some of her responsibilities to me. We were talking about it just last night. Would you mind?”
“Not at all. I cannot imagine anyone better at it than you.”
Just then a squeal of children could be heard coming down the path. Evie shrugged. “Guess we’ve come to an end of the quiet.”
“I need to make my way back anyway. I volunteered to helpMr. Flint with some paperwork. Your father recommended me to him, and he was quite eager to begin after lunch was cleared.”
“I have duties of my own,” Evie admitted.
They rose, and as children started racing by, Max leaned over and gave Evie a quick kiss on the cheek. “That will have to do until I can offer something better.”
Evie touched her face. “I will cherish it. Every gift from you is something special.”
They made their way back to where the men were already pounding away on the house frames. So much had already been accomplished, and it wouldn’t be long before each family had a house and the tents could be taken down.
Evie said good-bye to Max and spied her mother, who was instructing several women. Making her way over, she wondered how much longer they’d remain at the farm. She liked it well enough here but preferred the city. Did Max feel the same? It was funny how much she had yet to learn about him.
“Oh, there you are, Evie,” Mother said as she finished, and the women walked away, speaking to each other as if resolving a serious matter.
Evie smiled and nodded toward them. “You must have given them much to discuss.”
“They are on the sewing committee, and I recommended first thing that they work on the oiled canvases for the windows of each house. Your father and Mr. Flint have already arranged for an initial shipment of blankets, sheets, and towels; however, soon enough the women will need to make more of those things as well. I found two who know how to spin yarn, so we’re trying to find a couple of spinning wheels. Poor ladies, the wheels they had before the fire were passed down through their families. Now they’re gone.”
“That is a tragedy. Max had the children talk about the fire this morning in school. Some are still struggling so much with bad dreams and fears of it happening again.”
“Poor dears.”
Evie glanced around the yard. “Where is Father?”
“He was called to one of the family tents. Seems there was a sick young man.”
Evie bit her lower lip. She still felt guilty when medical needs arose.
“Oh, look, there he is now. He seems to be in a bit of a hurry.” Mother pointed in the direction of the family lots where the tents had been erected. Father called several men to his side, spoke to them for a moment, and then headed to the commons building.
“I wonder what’s going on.” Evie recognized his serious expression as he disappeared into the building.
“Could be the young man was sicker than anyone knew. Your father might have to arrange transport for him.” Mother glanced at her watch. “Oh dear, I’m supposed to be teaching some of the young mothers about hygiene. I must run.”
Evie waited only a moment before heading to the common building to see what was going on.
“I suppose the smart thing would be to use one of the school room tables. We can close the door and keep others out,” she heard her father explaining to Mr. Flint.
