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though on rare occasions her mother had
    > ipened up a bit. Hannah and Mary Ruth had each other and were constantly whispering private conversations. Only with Aunt Lizzie and Adah Peachey, Gid's younger sister, could I i-sih share confidentially.
    So she and Jonas had a special something between them, which was too bad. At least Mamma would think so if she knew, because young women weren't supposed to open up much to young men, unless, of course, they were being i our ted or were married.
    Just now, Sadie glanced nervously toward the sunroom, where Mamma was still busy dusting. "Walk me to the outhouse," Sadie whispered to Leah.
    "What for?"
    "Never mind, just come." Sadie led the way, through the utility room and enclosed porch, then down the back steps,
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    past the twins, who laughed as they worked.
    Silently they walked, till Sadie said, turning quickly, "Listen, if ya must know, I think I'm falling in love."
    "In love? Ach, Sadie, who with?"
    "Shh! He lives down the road a ways. His name is Deny."
    "So, I'm right then, a fancy boy." Leah wanted to turn around right now and head back to the house. She didn't want to hear another filthy word. "What's happened to you? English boys are big trouble. You oughta know from going to high school and all."
    "You sound too much like Dat."
    "Well, somebody's got to talk sense to you! Having a wild rumschpringe's one thing, Sadie, but whatever ya do, don't go outside the boundaries of the Ordnung."
    Sadie's eyes were ablaze. "Say whatcha want, but zip your lip."
    "Maybe I should tell."
    Their eyes locked. Sadie leaned closer. "You have a secret, too, Leah."
    "Are you threatening me?"
    "Call it what you will, but if Mamma finds out about me, I'll know it came from you. And if you go and tell Mamma on me, I'll tell Dat on you. And if Dat finds out you hope to marry Jonas 'stead of Smithy Gid, he'll put a stop to it."
    Leah's heart sank. Sadie had her, for sure.
    Glaring at her, Sadie opened the door to the outhouse and hurried inside. The second Leah heard the door latch shut, she turned and fled for home.
    Sadie emerged from the outhouse, and not seeing Leah anywhere, she headed toward the mule road. The dirt path49
    mt
    \m\ In ilit- outer reaches of the northwest side of the woods, whim- Aunt: Lizzie's perty little place stood. She felt the Kinuutli dust against her bare feet, but her throat felt tight, ftliniiNi Mire. She regretted having told Leah anything at all nhuui lire English boyfriend. Might be nice to visit her aunt, ( I i hi'i mind off things.
    Wlirn she neared the white front fence, Sadie spied Aunt I i.itc opening the screen door. Her aunt came running and *vliving 'd dishrag, her long purple dress and black apron flapping In the breeze. "Well, hullo there. If it ain't you, Sadie!" I i,-lie wore the biggest grin on her suntanned face.
    Sadie quickened her step. "Hullo, Aendi Auntie."
    "('nine round the back and sit a spell," Lizzie said, leading In r past the tall stone wall that rimmed the cabin high
    iiuii^h to keep deer and other woodland critters out of her linwers to the back porch, where three hickory rockers .pilled out all in a row.
    The little four-room bungalow was tucked into the edge n| tin- woods, "half in and half out," Mamma liked to say. i >ue could enjoy the benefit of both sun and sky, as well as lowering shade trees flanking the back of the house. And iliefe were ample sunny spots for Lizzie's beloved roses, hi vernier, lilies, clematis, and a variety of herbs. Her vegetalilo gardens, too.
    Once they were seated on the back porch, Aunt Lizzie unIuhI, "So . . . what brings you up here and all by yourself, ye I.'"
    "Just out for a short walk."
    " Tis a nice day for it."
    "Jah, hope it'll be nice tomorrow, too." Sadie asked about Pleaching service. "Are you comin' to Peacheys'?"
    49 50 e r ly = L- e lu> i s
    "Haven't missed a single meeting for ever so long. Don't plan to start now."
    Sadie nodded, aware of Lizzie's curious gaze.
    "I'm mighty blessed not