Read Beyond the Quiet Hills for Free Online Page A

thought how wonderful it was to have a family and good friends.
    Andrew had plopped himself down next to Hawk, and now he said urgently, “Pa, please let me go to Williamsburg with you.”
    â€œNow, Andrew, we’ve been over that—”
    â€œI know, Pa, but I would love to see it again.”
    â€œI’ll take you some other time, son. Somebody’s got to stay and take care of your mother and your sister.” He turned to the boy and said seriously, “You have to grow up early out here. I know you’re only fourteen, but you’ll be the man of the house while I’m gone. Don’t you understand that?”
    Hawk’s steady eyes held Andrew. The boy suddenly felt proud that he would be in charge, and he said, “All right, Pa.”
    â€œYou’re not bossin’ me, Andrew!”
    Sarah, always ready to defend her rights, glared at her brother from across the table. Her fiery red hair caught the gleams of the sun, and she stared at Andrew wickedly.
    â€œNow, Sarah. You listen to your pa,” Elizabeth said. “If he says that Andy’s to take care of us, then that’s the way it will be.”
    â€œI don’t need any taking care of!”
    The argument went on until the sound of approaching horses caught Hawk’s attention. He got up and looked out the door, then said, “It’s Paul and Rhoda.”
    Elizabeth got up at once and met Rhoda with a hug as she entered the door. “I wish I could be there for your wedding, Rhoda.”
    Rhoda whispered, “I wish you could, too.” But there was something in her eyes that troubled Elizabeth; however, she said nothing and urged the pair to sit down and have breakfast.
    Finally, when the meal was finished, Elizabeth said, “Come back in the bedroom. I have a present for you, Rhoda. Just for the new bride.”
    Rhoda followed Elizabeth, who showed her into the small bedroom, then shut the door. She waited until Elizabeth went to a chest, opened it up, and came back with a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a red ribbon.
    â€œHere, this is my wedding present to you.”
    â€œOh, you shouldn’t have done it! You’ve done so much for me already.” Rhoda opened the package, and when the paper fell away, she gasped at the beautifully embroidered white nightgown. “Oh, it’s so beautiful! Did you make it yourself?”
    â€œYes, I did, and I want you to have it.”
    Rhoda clasped the nightgown to her breast, and suddenly her eyes were pools of doubt. “I just don’t think I can do it, Elizabeth.”
    Elizabeth knew at last that Rhoda had to speak. The troubles that weighed heavily on the young woman were obvious, and she said quietly, “I think you need to tell me what’s bothering you, Rhoda.”
    â€œIt’s . . . it’s Paul,” she said, her head downcast as she stared at the gift she felt unworthy to accept.
    â€œWhat about Paul?” Elizabeth urged. “Is he troubled about something?”
    â€œNo, it’s not really him. He seems so happy. It’s me, Elizabeth.” Rhoda lifted her hand in a futile gesture, then dropped it again. “You know what my life has been. I’m just not a . . . a fit wife for a preacher.”
    Elizabeth had suspected that this was what had been troubling Rhoda, and now she went closer to her and said, “Here. Sit down on the bed. I want to talk to you, Rhoda, and I want you to listen very carefully.” When the young woman sat down, Elizabeth began by saying, “We are all unworthy before God, every one of us. The Scriptures say there’s not a just man on earth that doeth good and sinneth not—and that means women, too. And the book of James says, ‘Whosoever shall keep the whole law yet offend in one point, the same is guilty of all.’ Do you understand that?”
    â€œNo. What does it mean?”
    â€œIt means that some