The Forgiven by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2014-09-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lancaster County, April 1942

Anna moved along the plowed row of fresh-turned earth, pushing the wheel that dropped the corn seed in and pressing the soil over it. The wheel slipped on the loose earth, and she straightened it. Seth was always saying Daad should get one of the horse-drawn planters, but Daad clung to the older method of planting the corn.

The spring day was chilly, with a bite in the breeze, but her father had been impatient to get the seed in the ground. Impatience seemed to be affecting everyone these days. She glanced at the next row, where Seth was doing the same thing she was, but with scant attention. His every movement was jerky, as if he struggled with something more than just the planter.

Not that she was much better herself. All the worry about Jacob and the conscription letter had her feeling constantly on the verge of tears.

“Was ist letz?” Seth murmured the words, low enough that Daadi, occupied with the plow and team of mules at the far end of the field, wouldn’t notice.

“I was just going to ask you the same thing.” She pressed dirt over the seeds with her foot. “What’s wrong?”

“I asked you first.” Her brother gave her the quick, mischievous grin that made him look about six again.

Anna was so glad to see it that she hated to answer, knowing that to refer to the war was to banish any amusement from Seth’s heart. “I was thinking about Jacob.” Her throat seemed to close on the words.

Seth stared down at the row, his face hidden. “What has he done about the draft?”

Draft. It seemed a funny word to use for calling a man into military service, but there was nothing funny about the situation.

“The bishop talked with him and his mamm and daad. There was a letter he had to write and a form declaring that he could not serve in the military because of his religious beliefs. And the bishop had to write something as well.”

Seth moved his shoulders restlessly and stamped down so hard on a seed that it would probably never come up. “What gut is that going to do? It didn’t help in the last war. People went to the army or to prison.”

A chill gripped her heart, and Anna fought against it. “The bishop says everything is different now. Jacob might be allowed to stay and work on the farm. After all, growing food is important.”

“Not likely,” Seth grunted.

She wouldn’t let Seth’s attitude destroy her faint hope. “If not, he says the peace churches are setting up special camps for those who can’t serve in the military to do other things for the good of the country. He might be sent to one of those.”

“Or he might be sent to an army camp.” Seth’s gaze met hers, and he flushed. “Sorry, Anna. I just—”

“You are upset, like everyone else. Jacob says we must hope and pray for the best.”

“The army needs men. The war is going badly.

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