Bouquet for Iris Read Online Free PDF Page B

care for the children but also to teach them how to live in a white man’s world. A house slave has been looking after them ever since Camie left several months before her babies were born. The little girls’ grandfather has not been able to find a suitable replacement yet.” Pa glanced toward Iris. “Reverend Miller is hoping we can suggest someone to take her place. It would have to be a young Christian lady of excellent reputation.”
    At first his words did not penetrate fully. Then their import seemed to explode in her mind. “Me! I can go and take Camie’s place.”
    Her parents exchanged a long look. Iris could feel the excitement bursting out like sunshine after a week of rain. “Please, Pa. You have to say yes. You know it’s right.”
    “I don’t know, Iris.” Ma’s voice sounded troubled. “Your pa and I will talk about it.”
    “But Ma! It’ll be perfect. I will be right there in the same town with Camie and her family. They live so close to Reverend and Mrs. Miller. You know they’ll watch over me as closely as you and Pa do. I have to do this.”
    “Iris, I knew what your reaction would be from the moment I read Reverend Miller’s correspondence.” Pa walked to where her ma still sat with the letter in her lap. “I’ve been praying about what to say since I left Nashville.”
    Iris could feel her heart thumping in her chest. They had to let her go. It was too perfect. She pulled the dog-eared advertisement from the pocket of her skirt. “I’ve been reading this article nearly every day for the past three months and praying God would either find a way to send me to teach or take the desire from my heart.” She paused for a breath. “The desire is still there, and I truly believe He is showing me the way.”
    “Although that part of Tennessee is not as settled as we are here, you wouldn’t be going to some frontier town in the wilds of Texas,” her ma cautioned. “And being a nanny to two young girls is not the same as a teaching position. It will only be a temporary situation at best.”
    Iris shook her head. “I know that, but once I am out there, God may open the way to other jobs. If not, I could always come back to Nashville. When I found out that Kamama had gone to witness to the people in her village, I began to understand that there are many opportunities to serve God by serving others. I even thought maybe one of my aunts or uncles would need to have me come in the same way that you moved to town to take care of Aunt Dolly, Ma. But no one needed me, so I went back to the advertisement in the newspaper. I thought maybe everything would work out so I could go there. But I always knew it was a remote possibility.”
    Ma held out a hand to Pa. “I have to admit it causes me much less worry to think of your going to be in the same area as the Millers, but there are other matters we should consider. I rely on your help here, Iris.”
    Hannah had been so quiet during the discussion that Iris had nearly forgotten her sister was in the room until she spoke. “I can take over Iris’s chores, Ma.”
    Iris beamed at her younger sister. She had never expected Hannah to come to her assistance. “See, Ma? We can work it out.”
    “I don’t know.” Ma turned to Pa. “What do you think?”
    Iris could see the answer in his eyes. He thought it was a good idea. They were going to let her go! She would get to see another part of Tennessee and live close to her best friend! Iris wanted to jump up and down. But this was not the time to make either of her parents question her maturity. She would have to maintain her dignity until she could get off by herself.
    “Maybe Hannah and I should go out to the springhouse and get some fresh milk while you and Pa discuss it.”
    “Don’t you want to read your note?” Ma asked.
    Iris nodded. She broke the seal with one tip of her finger, careful to avoid destruction of the stationery. From now on she would be on her guard at all times and show her