Cradle to Grave Read Online Free PDF

her?”
    â€œAnd the children?” Lydia asked. “How did they feel about their visit here?”
    Scarlet surged into Mouse’s pallid cheeks and she looked away from Lydia.
    â€œThey were frightened,” Elder Herman said, breaking into the conversation. “They ate a hearty meal, at least that was something they enjoyed. But the three youngest cried to go home and the oldest girl asked when they would be sent home to their mother. And when Mrs. Whitney and the constable arrived, they ran down to greet her.”
    â€œThey didn’t understand,” Mouse cried. “Once they were used to us they would have loved it here.”
    â€œThey would always miss their mother,” Lydia said, her tone gentle. “I know. You love them and wanted to save them.”
    Mouse nodded. “The worst of it is, I’ve been forbidden to visit them again. I haven’t seen them since. I don’t even know if Joseph is still alive.” Mouse broke down into sobs, terrible sobs that sounded as though they were being torn from her.
    Lydia pushed her untouched mug of cider into Mouse’s hands. “Drink some of this,” she said. “You’ll feel better.”
    Elder Herman rose to his feet and gestured to Rees. He stepped away from the two women and approached the older man. “Mrs. Whitney, of course,” Herman said in a low voice, “did not want to chance losing her children again and the constable concurred. We, the other Elders, agreed it would be best not to refer to the children again in Mouse’s presence.” Rees glanced at Eldress Agatha, who nodded.
    â€œWe hoped she would put her memories of them aside.”
    â€œBut her love and concern for them is tearing her to pieces,” Rees said. He didn’t care that he sounded accusing. “She knows she’ll never have babies of her own. She cares for those children. Especially for the foundling.”
    Elder Herman turned to look at Eldress Agatha and they shared an unspoken thought. “Perhaps we were mistaken,” he said, his tone stiff. “Perhaps we should have kept an eye on the Whitney family and shared our knowledge with Sister Hannah. Perhaps that would have been enough to ease her.”
    â€œWe feared it would do more harm than good,” Eldress Agatha said. “Like taking a knife to her heart and inflicting a dozen little cuts. She would never have a chance to heal.”
    â€œWell, the method you chose certainly hasn’t worked,” Rees said, turning to look at the girl sobbing in Lydia’s arms. He moved to stand behind his wife. “Mouse,” he said sternly. “Stop crying. Tell us what you want us to do.”
    Mouse nodded. Rees and Lydia waited in silence as she fought to compose herself. “I want you … to look in on them. Is the baby all right? Talk to the constable and those town fathers.” She looked directly at Rees. “You’re a man. Maybe they’ll listen to you.”
    â€œVery well,” Rees said. He would do it even though he knew neither the constable nor the town selectmen would pay him any heed. Rees, too, was an outsider, not even connected to the Mount Unity Shakers. But at least he and Lydia could visit the family, check on the baby’s health, and communicate their findings to Mouse. It would do no good to argue with her now. “Lydia and I’ll drive out to the Whitney farm immediately,” he promised. “And we’ll return to report to you.”
    Mouse jumped to her feet and looked ready to throw herself into Rees’s arms. “Thank you!” she exclaimed. “Thank you! I knew I could rely on you.”
    â€œIt’s time to return to your duties,” Eldress Agatha said, eyeing Mouse with censure. “And I hope you perform them in the proper spirit, with a light heart as you honor God. Now, come with me. You must wash your face and order your clothing before