Farmerettes Read Online Free PDF Page B

and she couldn’t resist—she had caressed it. Only for an instant, but long enough to be noticed.
    She shut her eyes tight, trying to block the memory of the confusion and horror on their faces. Had the girls guessed her shameful secret? Would they spread it around the school? Around the whole town of Brantford?
    Could she move away? Maybe she’d get better in a new place. She had to get away from here, the whispers, the strange looks.
    The poster hanging in the hall outside the bathroom all month offered her the chance. Hard physical work on a farm in the wholesome countryside—it would help her make a clean new start. She prayed the Farm Service Forces would cure her.
    Sunday, June 6, 1943
    Helene
    â€œIsn’t it swell?” Peggy said as she stretched across Helene’s narrow bed. “No more homework, no exams. The girls at school envy us. Wait until they see us in September.”
    â€œYour patriotism is truly inspiring,” said Helene as she folded a dress into her suitcase. “How many work shirts does the list say?”
    â€œFour. Two with long sleeves.”
    Helene frowned at the last of the clothes sharing the bed with Peggy. She picked up a plaid shirt her father had left behind, tossed it back, then held up a frayed white one. “Which ones look the least awful?”
    Peggy wrinkled her nose. “The white, and that blue one. They’re only for working in the fields, anyway. Look at the lovely new things you have.”
    Helene smiled. “I’m still amazed my teacher was so generous. I love this dress.” She held up a flowery cotton frock. On the bed lay various toiletry items, several packages of new underwear, and a crisp white blouse still with that new-clothes scent.
    â€œMiss Landry obviously thinks you deserve it,” said Peggy.
    â€œI’ll bring her some fresh fruits in the fall.”
    â€œDid you hear each camp got a piano and record player this year? Dad is letting me take some records.”
    â€œHarry James, I hope.” Helene tucked two towels into her bedding and rolled them all up. “That’s it. I’m ready.”
    She checked her dresser top. “Tickets, travel money, the address, and ration coupons.” She turned to her friend. “I can’t believe we’re actually spending summer in the country. It’s so exciting.”
    â€œThen let’s go. Our adventure begins now.” Peggy picked up Helene’s suitcase and headed into the hall.
    Helene held her mother in a long hug, torn between sadness at leaving her stuck in the hot city and joy at her own escape. Everything had already been said over the last few days of preparation and at the special dinner her mother cooked last night. Now her mother simply gazed at Helene and said, “We’ll be fine here. You be happy there.”
    A final hug, and the girls headed off to Peggy’s house, where her father would drive them to the one o’clock bus to Niagara Falls.
    â€œI have disappointing news,” Mrs. Pigeon greeted them as they rushed into the kitchen. She held up a telegram. “This just arrived from the Farm Service Placement Officer.”
    Helene set her bedroll down and her hopes plunged with it.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” demanded Peggy.
    â€œApparently the farmer in Niagara Falls finished planting early this year, and they have enough girls hoeing. He won’t require you for another two weeks.”
    Peggy gazed at their luggage standing in the hall. “But we’re packed and ready to farm. We’ll look silly if we go back to school tomorrow—and we’ll have to write exams!”
    Mrs. Pigeon shrugged her shoulders. “I’m disappointed for you too, and your bus tickets are already paid for.”
    â€œMum, we have to go.”
    â€œIt’s no use ranting,” sighed Helene, picking up her bags. “We have to accept this.”
    Peggy looked at Helene, then at the