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side. “You’re the best little helper, ain’t?”
    Laura nodded. When her lower lip trembled, Esther gathered her near.
    “I miss Dat.” Laura buried her face in Esther’s neck.
    “Well, sure you do.”
    “When will we see him again?”
    “Soon … soon,” Esther said, shushing her. She had no knowledge of when Zeke might return, but she had every hope that it would be right quick. ” ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,’” she said, quoting the Psalms. She must not let fear overtake her must keep her heart wide open to the Lord Jesus. She knew all too well the lack of joy that came from shielding her heart.
    When loud knocking shook the front door, she breathed in sharply. She wondered what might happen if she simply ignored it. Most of all, she must not let on her worry, not in front of the children.
    “Why is someone at the front door, Mamma?” Laura asked, her eyes wide.
    “I’ll go ‘n’ see. You stay here with your brothers and baby sister.” She kissed the top of Laura’s head and turned to go, heading through the small sitting room between the kitchen and the long front room. Her heart pounded so hard she could scarcely breathe.
    Timidly she opened the door. There stood two police officers, a man and a woman, both dressed in navy suits with
    43 trousers, and bright gold badges on their shirts. Like the policemen who came for Zeke.
    “Mrs. Hochstetler?” the woman said. “Mrs. Esther Hochstetler?”
    She wondered how on earth they knew her name. Jah.”
    Both of them held out thin wallets with their pictures in leather frames. “Officers Keller and Landis,” said the dark eyed woman with long black eyelashes, which were surely painted on. “May we come in and ask you some questions?”
    Esther faltered, hand on her throat. What would Zeke say to do? Her husband was not here, and neither was Annie. It was just the children and herself, so she must decide how to answer on her own. “What’s this about?” she asked softly.
    “This shouldn’t take much time, if you cooperate with us,” the woman named Officer Keller said. “Your husband is Ezekiel Hochstetler, is he not?”
    “Jah, goes by Zeke …”
    “We’ve been assigned to ask those in the neighborhood to attest to his character,” Officer Landis continued.
    “Well, I’ve known him a gut long time.” Esther assumed they knew as much, but she felt terribly uneasy and hesitated to let them in.
    “We’ll be brief,” said Officer Keller, smiling through pink lips. “You just tell us what you know. It’s as easy as that.”
    Esther’s palms were sweating and she felt queasy. Her experience with Englischers was ever so limited.
    Officer Keller frowned and pushed back her hair. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Mrs. Hochstetler. This won’t take but a minute.”
    One minute? She was feeling ever so put upon. Was she
    44 required under God to speak with them?
    “What you know may help your husband,” Officer Landis said.
    “If that’s so, then I … s’pose.” She opened the door a bit wider.
    “Thank you,” the two said in unison and stepped into the house.
    Esther offered them a place on the settee in the front room, then excused herself to hurry to the kitchen. “Laura, dear, are you all right? Mamma’s go in’ to be busy for a short while. Keep your eye on your sister and brothers, won’t you?”
    Her daughter’s eyes glistened as her focus darted toward the front room and back. “Oh, Mamma, what’s goin’ to happen? Why are those Englischers here?”
    She realized that Laura was worried the police people might be here to take all of them away, just as they had Zeke even she herself wasn’t so sure they wouldn’t. “You call if you need me, ya hear?” she told Laura.
    “I will, Mamma.”
    Poor thing. First her father’s gone, and now this. Esther couldn’t help but pray as she headed back to the waiting officers. I trust you for wisdom, O dear Lord.
    Zeke Hochstetler