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You're just looking for a fuss!”
    Sarah came into the room. “John, I'm ready for bed now, will you tell me a story?”
    “Sure I will. Come on.” He smiled as he took her small hand and led her to her bed.
    Nathan rolled his eyes as he whispered, “Field pansy.”
    The deeper the bond between John and Sarah grew, the deeper Nathan's resentment seemed to grow. He could not understand why Sarah was so special to John or why he was always taking up for that Indian foundling and ignoring him, his own brother? It just wasn't right!
    John did feel a deep responsibility toward Sarah because of the way he and Daniel had found her mother and everything they had seen that dreadful winter day. He felt that Sarah was sent here for him to protect. She was his very own Little Princess Pocahontas, and he would do anything to protect her.
    John lifted Sarah into bed beside Cora May and told her the usual goodnight story. She drifted to sleep listening to the sound of his voice. John ended the story and kissed her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Princess,” he whispered.
    As he tip-toed out of the room he glanced down at the twins in their trundle bed. Bettie Lynn and Jennie Lee had been born a little over two years ago and Sarah seemed to adore them. John thought it was cute how big she acted with them. She didn't have to sleep in the trundle bed anymore and had moved up to the big bed with Agnes and Cora.
    In the morning, after the chores were all done, John took Sarah and walked into town to give the order for the books to Mr. Hamilton.
    “Good morning, young'uns. How's things?”
    “Fine, Sir. I have the order form ready.” He handed it over the smooth, cypress counter, that was polished to a keen shine. “Now we'd like to finish the book we were looking at yesterday.”
    “Fine, fine. I'll get this order out today.”
    Mr. Hamilton enjoyed watching them as they eagerly devoured book after book. Seeing the desire in John and Sarah, and other children like them, inspired Mr. Hamilton to provide as much opportunity as he could. In fact, he voiced his opinions about building a library at every town meeting. “Children are our future and when we see an eager young mind struggling just to get a single book it should make all of us, as Christians, feel an obligation to them,” he said. “We should build a town library.”
    “I have enough to tend to with my own. I can't pamper the world. My children are my future!” Mr. Eastland fired back. “This has nothing to do with Christianity. I give to worthy causes. If it were for food or clothing I wouldn't hesitate to offer up some help, but books are a luxury, pure and simple!”
    “I don't expect you to understand, Eastland. But I believe everyone should have the same opportunities for learning. A public library is what this town needs. It would help bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor. If anyone has a desire to learn it should be encouraged. It should be nourished, allowed to grow! I know some of you rich folks don't believe in bridging that gap. That's why you won't allow your slaves to read.”
    Mr. Eastland laughed. “I can just see us all sitting our slaves under a shade tree with a book and pitcher of iced tea! What will your mind concoct next, Mr. Hamilton? How much of my crops would get sown or reaped?”
    “Very well then, if that's how you feel, you don't have to help. There are more people in this town with money besides just you and I will put up fifty of my own dollars! Anyone else want to help me?”
    Mr. Hamilton's generosity was just the spur everyone needed. The outpouring of support was overwhelming and in just a few months a small building had been completed and fully stocked with donated books, magazines, almanacs, recipes and even dress patterns. There were so many donations that they thought there might have to be an addition to their little building. Now everyone had a wide selection of free books right at their fingertips!
    What a truly wonderful