Marta's Legacy Collection Read Online Free PDF Page A

She saw something in her mother’s expression that warned her. “Papa’s made plans for me, hasn’t he? What plans, Mama?”
    Mama’s blue eyes grew moist. “You must search out the usefulness in every situation.”
    Marta snatched her hands from Mama’s. “Tell me, Mama.”
    “I can’t. It’s for your father to explain.” She took up her sewing and said nothing more.
    Papa laid out his plans for Marta the next morning. “You will be pleased to know I’m sending you to school. I would’ve sent you sooner, but Haushaltungsschule Bern only takes girls fourteen and older. Count and Countess Saintonge are the instructors. Royalty! You should be happy! I’ve been assured that any girl who graduates from their housekeeping school will have no difficulty in finding a good position. You’ll be in Bern six months. You can pay me back when you come home and find a position.”
    “Pay you back?”
    His eyes cooled. “The tuition cost me 120 francs and another 30 francs for books. You should be pleased. You wanted to go to school.” His voice hardened. “You’re going!”
    “This isn’t the kind of school I had in mind, Papa.” As well he knew!
    “You’re so smart; let’s see you make the most of the opportunity I’m giving you. This is my thanks for Hermann passing his examinations. Who knows? If you do well enough in Bern, you might end up working at Schloss Thun !” The idea seemed to please him. “That would be something to boast about! You leave in three days.”
    “But what about the Beckers, Papa? and the Zimmers and Gilgans?”
    “I told them yesterday I was sending you to school. They said to wish you well.”
    School! Marta fumed. Training to be a better servant was more like it.
    Mama sat silent at the end of the table, hands in her lap. Angry, Marta looked at her. How could Mama look so serene? She remembered Mama’s plea. “Search out the usefulness . . . Count your blessings. . . .”
    She would be away from home for the first time. She would live in Bern. She wouldn’t have to look at Papa or listen to his constant complaints.
    “Thank you, Papa. I look forward to it.”
    Elise gave a soft cry and fled the table.
    “What’s wrong with that girl now?” Papa muttered.
    “Marta’s leaving home, Johann.”
    “She’s coming back!” He waved his hand in exasperation. “It’s not as though she’s leaving for good. She’ll only be gone six months and then she’ll be home forever.”
    The hair on the back of Marta’s neck rose. Forever.
    As soon as Papa left the table, Mama asked Marta to find Elise. “She’ll probably be down by the creek. You know how she loves to listen to the water.”
    Marta found her where the creek ran into the Zulg. She sat down beside her. “I have to go sometime, Elise.”
    Elise clasped her knees against her chest and stared at the shimmering ripples below. “But Bern is so far away.” Her blue eyes filled with tears. “Do you want to go?”
    “I’d rather be going to the university, but housekeeping school will have to do.”
    “What will I do without you?” Tears slipped down Elise’s pale cheeks.
    “What you always do.” Marta wiped the tears away. “Help Mama.”
    “But I’ll be alone in our room at night. You know I’m afraid of the dark.”
    “Let the cat sleep with you.”
    Elise started to cry. “Why can’t things stay as they are? Why can’t Papa let you stay here?”
    “Things can’t stay the same.” She pushed a blonde curl behind Elise’s ear. “Someday, you’ll marry, Elise. You’ll have a husband who loves you. You’ll have a home of your own. You’ll have children.” She gave Elise a rueful smile. “When you go, Elise, where will I be?” Papa said no man would ever want such a plain, ill-tempered girl.
    Elise blinked, like a child waking to a bad dream. “I thought you’d always be here.”
    In Steffisburg, in Papa’s tailor shop, under Papa’s thumb, doing Papa’s will. “That’s what Papa