Like Gold Refined by Janette Oke

Author:Janette Oke [Oke, Janette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2000-12-18T20:00:00+00:00

Again Jonathan retired early, leaving the two women to talk on their own. Virginia was not sure if it was for their sake or because he simply did not wish to play further at being the cheerful host. She knew he would spend the time reading until she came up to bed, keeping the light shaded from the sleeping children.

Slate, too, went to his room, though Virginia wondered fleetingly just what he would do with the long evening hours. Perhaps he would listen to the radio his folks had sent him for Christmas. Virginia had little time herself for the radio. The strange crackling voices put her on edge. It didn’t seem normal that somebody so many miles away should be heard in her living room. But Jonathan seemed to enjoy it, and the children took great delight in the radio and its music.

Virginia put another log on the fire and watched the sparks dance upward. She never tired of watching the flames. They seemed alive, full of vigor and joy. Yes, joy, that was it. They always looked as though they were dancing in pure delight.

“I’m off,” Jenny said with a yawn. “All this visiting exhausts me.”

You ought to try running after little ones and keeping up with meals and laundry, thought Virginia but then felt guilty. Jenny was in no condition to do any of those things.

“Will Jonathan be able to take me to the train tomorrow?”

This was the first time Jenny had asked. On previous trips, she had informed them of her plans.

“You’re quite sure you want to go … so soon?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then I’m sure he will be able to arrange it.”

“I’m going out for a cigarette before I go to bed.”

She left, and Virginia did not even pick up her knitting. She just sat and watched the red-and-gold flames lick at the new log until charred patches began to appear on each side of it. She was deep in thought—and she was weary. In a way that she did not wish to put into words, she agreed with Mindy. She would be glad when Jenny returned to her city. As much as she wanted her to stay, she would be glad when she was gone. Her visit had been a strain on the entire family.

Jenny was soon back. Virginia smiled, then sobered to say, “Jenny, you asked for no … no exhibitions. But I just want you to know that … that if there is ever anything I—we can do, we’re here.”

Jenny nodded but said nothing. Instead she moved toward the stairs, then turned back. “Don’t bother sending Mindy to school in the morning.”

Virginia frowned. “What do you mean? It’s a school day. We never keep her home from her classes even to see someone to the train.”

“She’ll not just be seeing me to the train. I’ll be taking my daughter with me.”

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.