The Photograph by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis [Lewis, Beverly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC053000, FIC042000, FIC026000, Amish—Fiction, Sisters—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441228901
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-08-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED at Bishop Isaac’s farm a little before eight o’clock Sunday morning, Eva felt somewhat settled, enough to attend worship. But as soon as she and Frona stepped into line with the other womenfolk, one after another began to whisper concerns about Lily. Some even had questions.

Everyone knows, Eva thought, stiffening.

“Have ya heard from your dear sister?” Sylvia Lantz’s grandmother Suzanne asked, blinking her milky blue eyes, her cane dangling off her arm.

“Ach, you mustn’t worry,” Frona said. “Not at your age!” and then added something Eva could not hear in a reassuring tone.

Others, just as well meaning, asked how she and Frona were getting along. Although Eva knew it was all in a spirit of compassion, it nevertheless was beginning to wear thin.

When Menno’s wife, Bena, arrived, Eva observed her walk across the backyard with little Katie Ann in tow. Their matching blue mother-daughter dresses moved gracefully around their calves, and they had on new black shoes.

“We’ll sit with ya,” Bena said with a sweet smile when she approached. This sister-in-law had always been one to exhibit the utmost reverence for the Lord’s Day. It was one of the reasons Eva’s mother had liked her so well for Menno when they were first dating. Mamma had shared this with Eva when she also reached courting age, wanting to note a good example.

“Denki,” Eva whispered and lowered her head, hoping not to attract any more attention to Frona and herself.

———

During Preaching, Eva fought to keep her mind on the ministers’ sermons—the first one an hour long—and also during the second, lengthier sermon. Their pointed words were a clear warning to young people not to entertain foolish notions. Like Lily’s, thought Eva.

When it was time for the final silent prayer, they all turned to kneel at their wooden benches, and Eva beseeched almighty God to lead Lily home according to His loving and sovereign will. I trust Thy wisdom, heavenly Father. Be our compassionate guide, and strength and comfort. May Thy protecting hand cover my wayward sister, Lily, and grant all of us divine peace.

After the announcements, Eva made her way outside with the other young women her age while the benches were converted into tables for the shared meal. She noticed Alfred Dienner’s mother, Miriam, talking with Naomi Mast on the back porch. Miriam and her sister had been assisting the bishop’s wife with serving cold cuts and pie, but Miriam made a real show of smiling and waving at Eva.

For goodness’ sake, thought Eva. What has Alfred told her?

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.