Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl & Rosemary Nichols

Author:Michaela MacColl & Rosemary Nichols
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
Published: 2014-08-24T04:00:00+00:00

PART THREE

Clifton, Arizona Territory

CHAPTER Twenty-Three

“LET ME IN!” MR. SWAYNE POUNDED ON THE DOOR.

“Sister?” Rory asked Sister Anna, who hesitated.

“Now!” Mr. Swayne's voice was angry.

Sister Anna gave Rory a sharp nod and Rory slid back the bolt. As Mr. Swayne shoved the door open, Rory had to jump aside.

Following Mr. Swayne was a tall, bald man, who wore plain black robes that brushed the ground. A stout woman tried to come in too. As if they had practiced it, Mr. Swayne slammed the door shut and Rory slid the bolt with a bang.

The pounding of many fists pummeled the now-locked door. Mr. Swayne opened a window and yelled, “If you don't stop right this minute, there will be no orphans for anyone!”

Rory wasn't the only one who breathed a sigh of relief when the pounding stopped and she saw the women retreat. The quiet women waiting at the back of the crowd were already gone. She hadn't noticed them leave.

“Mr. Swayne, sir,” she asked. “Who are they?”

The bald man behind Mr. Swayne was the first to speak, but his answer was not in English.

“What did he say?” Rory asked. She stared at his mouth, a circle on a head as round as a baseball, spouting out nonsense syllables.

“What is happening?” Sister Anna said impatiently.

Mr. Swayne held up his hand to quell all conversation. “Those women insist that Father Mandin here”—he pointed to the man who had begun speaking—“give them orphans.”

“But I don't understand,” said Sister Anna. She turned to Father Mandin. “The families have already been chosen.”

Mr. Swayne nodded. “Of course, Sister. The priest has the lists you made in New York.”

“Then why? Why did they attack our train?” Sister Anna said, her voice rising with each question.

“Comment? Pardonnez-moi, je ne parle pas anglais.”

Rory pulled on Mr. Swayne's sleeve. “Doesn't Father Mandin speak English?”

“It appears not,” Mr. Swayne said. “Now hush, Red.”

Rory gathered Violet close—this didn't bode well for the orphans.

Sister Anna stared at Father Mandin with dismay. “But all of our arrangements are with him! How can he not speak English?”

Mr. Swayne shrugged. “Someone at the church speaks— or at least writes—English. We've seen the letters.”

“Pardon me, Mr. Swayne, if I don't find that reassuring,” Sister Anna said.

There was a gentle knock on the door. Father Mandin hurried to usher in an efficient-looking woman dressed in black. Her dark hair was gathered in a tight bun and she wore a bright blue shawl over her shoulders.

Father Mandin spoke to her. “Madame Chacon, j'ai besoin de vos compétences en traduction.”

Mrs. Chacon spoke to Father Mandin. “Je suis ici pour vous aider, mon Père.” Then she turned to Mr. Swayne and offered her hand. “My name is Mrs. Chacon. I help the good Father in the church. Our regular priest is visiting family in Belgium and Father Mandin is his replacement. This is his very first posting. He came all the way from France.”

“You speak French?” Sister Anna asked, relief in her voice. She nodded. “Spanish is my first language, and the most important in our parish, but I also speak French and English.

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