Sara is finding it hard to fit in.

Edith said. “Really child you do pick up things that are better left. What care is it of yours?”

Sara said. “It came about do to the food I took. There was interest in the bags.”

Anna set the cabinet down and looked in the basket again. There was spools of thread to match the fabrics, and a few books. She looked at the books then at Sara. “I didn’t think there were and books out on the western plants.”

“It took a bit of hunting but I found those two. Neither pretends to be complete, but I thought they might help a bit. I doubt if there has been time to do much looking into the native plants.”

Edith said. “Thank you for thinking of your sister, Sara. It was very generous of you. Now then you had best get back to your sorting.”

Sara said. “Yes ma’am. I hate to admit it, but I find that I lose track of time. I fear I will need to summoned when it is time to help with supper. I am sorry about that, but the books seem to draw me in and I forget everything.”

Edith said. “I will see you are called when needed dear. I do not see what is so fascinating about those old papers, but it is good you find a use for them.”

Sara said. “There are so many things there wasn’t time to document in those first years that we now wish were recorded. I am hopping that at least a few answers can be found. Granted it means weeding though a lot of junk. But the treasure is worth it.  I have to keep reminding myself that I am just sorting, reading can wait.”

Edith said. “I hope there is nothing scandalous in those papers.”

Sara said. “The oldest can be, but that is what goes in the returns. I read just enough to realize what it is and then toss it. But those pages are why I am reluctant to let the others help.”

Edith said. “Thank you for that. They do not need see it. Abiram is old enough not to be upset, but the younger ones would be. Well go on and see if you can’t free up some of the office for your father’s use.” Sara stood and managed a fairly decent curtsey before leavening. Her mother’s voice trailed after her. “Keeping that one out of things is a full time job. Thank goodness she will be back in school tomorrow.”

“She was just trying to do her duty to her sister.”

“If she was going to take the vows it would be one thing. But it is clear she won’t. She should be in the guest house as it is, but that is not my call. I knew that one would be trouble. She was always off. I will miss her help, but she is not meant to stay.”

 Sara felt her self flushing. Her mother had to know she could hear her. How she wished she could turn around and confront her. But she could not swear to take the vows when she was struggling with it. Still to say she should be in the guest house was the same as saying she wasn’t family any more. It hurt to hear what she thought conformed. Back down in the office Sara lost her self in the books again. By the time her father came in she was over her anger, for the most part.

Isaac said. “That must be interesting.”

Sara jumped. “Sorry sir. I didn’t hear you come in. I didn’t mean to take up your desk. I didn’t realize the time.” She started to get up.

He said. “You’re fine, glad to see you finely using a comfortable chair instead of those old hard ones you are usually in.  If I need it I can always ask you to move, but now you had best wash up, supper will be on the table in a bit.”

Sara blushed. “I completely lost track of time. I didn’t mean to slack my chores.”

Isaac said. “If you had of been slaking I am sure your mother would have sent one of the others after you. She told me that you have been doing more than your share of the work, it is past time the younger girls stepped up. After all they to need to know what it takes to keep a family fed.”

Sara looked at her father wonder if he to expected her to leave. “Yes sir, still it feels odd not to be in there. But then I bet Lena felt the same when it was my turn to do more. Now that I stop to think about it, I remember her being sent to do other things as her vows were close.” But she had been given task that related to the house, things she would need to do in her house as well.

Her father nodded. “Just so, now go on and wash up.” Sara nodded and left.

After supper Edith said. “Hanna you get the dishes, Sara you go rest that foot.”

Sara said. “Yes ma’am.” She went, got her sewing and set in the family room.

Her father came in and turned the radio on then said. “Let me get a look at that ankle.”

Sara held her foot out. “I don’t know how well you can see it. The fairies deiced to doctor it, the gnome said I was to leave it as it is until morning.”

Isaac nodded. “I take it we have them to thank for the salad and desert? They do seem to like their breakfast. What do you put in that fancy tea pot?”

Sara said. “Usually just water, but after big storms I make a hot sweet drink. More of a syrup than anything, if there are some left over berries they go in as well. That is what the old pan under the sink is for.”

Isaac said. “This looks good, as long as you can get your boots on in the morning you can go to school.”

Sara took up her sewing. “Thank you sir. There are so few days left, I would hate to miss the last test and end up with a low grade.”

Isaac said. “I don’t think you need to worry any about that But there is now since in you missing the parties that take place these last weeks. I noticed that Abiram came in without a book, so the teachers stopped giving out assignments. He wouldn’t let you fall behind. You know it is fine if you have your books down here. You don’t have to pretend you will be a seamstress.”

Sara said. “It just doesn’t feel right to have them in here. The evenings should be spent on things that make a home lovely, even if I can’t do the fine work on pieces.”

He smiled at her. “I am sure you will make your house a beautiful home. A letter came for you, and yours are on the way.” He took it out and handed it to her. “Best set the sewing aside for a bit and find out what you missed out on. She must have sent it right after getting home.”

Sara said. “I wasn’t expecting one so soon. I’m surprised the messenger even made it in today after that storm. How bad is Mr. Brinces home?”

Isaac said. “I believe that Jacob has a complete list of the damages for you. he insisted that if not for your ankle you would be making a list of them so he was going to make one fore you. But it needs a new roof before he can live there. He is staying in one of the guest’s house for now. He said he was to old and set to share a home, even for a short span. If the weather holds he will be back in his home next week. It won’t take long to roof that small house.”

Sara said. “I wonder if he would like some new curtains as well. We have a lot of heaver dark red fabric. I can manage a set of curtains. What do you think Mother?”

Edith said. “I think that is a good idea I had been trying to think of a use for that. It would suite him, and even before this he was needed some new ones on those front windows.”

Sara said. “I bet they will be a bit latter than the roof, but I will go get started on them.”

“Read your letter first, there is no rush.”

Abiram entered just then. “A letter? I think there is a couple for you at school as well.”

Sara said. “This is from Violet. Hopefully one of them at school is about that spell book. The other is likely another offer. I have had three different schools write since I got back. It is getting to be a pain. They just don’t take no for an answer.”

Abiram said. “I know what you mean, though you must have done better than me at telling them no if you have just had three. I have had more than I want to count. If Violet explains how her arm got broken you have to tell me.”

Sara said. “I think that is in her next letter, but I will let you know. She promised to start writing one as soon as I was out of site and made me agree to do the same.” Abiram laughed and she opened the letter, it was indeed a long one.

As she finished the first page she offered it to Abiram. “That’s all right, I am sure it is just her wondering where we are. I don’t need know your gossip, just wondering how the arm ended up broken.”

Sara said. “I don’t care if you read it. But I wont force you to.”

Abiram nodded. “Actually I need to go talk to Zac, if you don’t mind father.”

Isaac said. “Go ahead, just don’t get into trouble.” Sara tried to hide her laugh.

Abiram turned to her. “I won’t fall into any poison ivy on the way to his house. You are never going to forget that are you?”

Sara said. “Well it was funny, and I did help you after I stopped laughing. You had just been telling me what it looked like, and then you go and pick some.”

Abiram smiled. “Laugh it up, but remember the bear in the berry patch.”

Sara said. “Fair enough. Tell Zac hi from me and Violet.” He nodded and she turned back to her letter. When it was done she started on the curtains.

Grandfather excused himself and head up to his room. Sara stood to go make his tea, but Edith stopped her. “Hanna it is time you start seeing to your Grandfather in the evenings. Sara you may go on up to your room in the evenings when he leaves, as you have been. I know you have other projects to work on, but Hanna will take his tea up. Fix your self a pot if you want it.”

Sara managed a curtsey. “Thank you. I have a book I need to make a copy of, and an idea I want to test.” She wanted to say it was no bother to take the tea, but the truth was she didn’t know if she wasn’t sure she could carry it that night. Sara split the rest of the evening between the book and the storm data.