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toward the house carrying dirty dishes, Lyyndaya asked, “So how are you?”
    “Oh, I’m all right. But things got awkward when they asked about our family being missionaries and flying planes. They don’t seem to understand why we would do either of those things.”
    “No, of course not. They’ve been taught that missions aren’t necessary and that airplanes are to be shunned. You’ll just have to be patient and find other things to chat about.”
    “Mom, how much school do they take?”
    “Usually up to grade eight.”
    “Grade eight? That’s it?”
    “They don’t feel that any more than that is required. You know much more about the world than they do. Keep that in mind and don’t push them too far.”
    “How…how can I talk with them? That’s like being with kids who are fourteen.”
    “But they aren’t fourteen, are they? They are strapping young men in their early twenties with all sorts of farming know-how and a great deal of common sense and Christian faith. And both are very good-looking. There are plenty of things to talk about that you don’t need a grade-twelve education for.”
    Becky pouted, her lower lip fattening. “You made me finish grade twelve. And that was a hard year.”
    “So you are Ausnahme . That’s why.”
    “Ha. I wonder if they will let us be Ausnahme forever?”
    Lyyndaya shook her head. “They won’t. I’m sure they’ll speak with us about the matter before the summer is over. And they will certainly want to talk to you.”
    “To try to make me Amish?”
    They climbed the steps into the house where women bustled about washing and drying and stacking dishes. “They won’t make you doanything. It will be your decision. But Bishop Zook and the pastors will want to know what you’re thinking. Hush now. We can talk later.”
    Long before the singing was to begin at seven o’clock, Becky wandered around the farmyard and eventually sat down alone in the barn. It held within it now not only the scent of the fresh hay she had pitched the day before, but the aroma of the food eaten. As she sat there thinking and praying she was certain she could smell the soap Moses used, which reminded her of long green fields and clover.
    “Ah. Rebecca. May I?”
    Becky half rose at the sight of Moses. “Oh. I didn’t hear you come in.” She sat back down and he took a seat next to her on the bench. “They won’t let us sit together when the singing starts.”
    “I’ll move when I must. How are you?”
    “Much the same as I was a few hours ago.”
    “Listen. I’ve been turning over everything that was said during the meal. Joshua, myself, you, all our words. I’m certain we troubled you.”
    “No, Moses, it’s just—”
    “ Nein, nein . We don’t understand the world as you understand it. That’s not your problem. It’s Joshua’s and it’s mine. As you say, you haven’t taken your vows. It’s only right you should explore, travel, wonder about other ways. I’m twenty-one now and I didn’t have my baptism until last year. So why should I be pushing you?”
    “I didn’t think you were pushing me.”
    “But I was. Because I…I find you intriguing. So different. So…beautiful…”
    Becky felt the blood come swiftly to her face. “Moses—”
    “And because of this I want you to stay. I want to see more of you. Want to listen to you talk. I want to hear what it’s like to fly. How a person like Rebecca Whetstone feels when she sees lions in the great African fields. How alive a man may become if he swims in water the color of your—”
    Moses stopped and looked away. He got to his feet. “I’m sorry. I rush ahead. So often this is my greatest fault. Words come tumbling out . I mean them, but they’re not always appropriate. I’m saying to you things that are too soon.”
    “Moses. Please sit back down. You didn’t do anything wrong. A woman doesn’t mind being told she’s beautiful. Please sit back down.”
    She patted the part of the bench where he