Free On Sparrow Hill by Maureen Lang Page B

agreed to allow this man one month before he will be expected to return and fulfill the duties for which he’s been hired. I trust you made that clear to him, whether or not he’s succeeded in either of these two missions you’ve bestowed upon him?”
    Berrie nodded. “Yes. One month—that was the agreement.”
    Mr. Truebody stood. He was a good deal taller than Berrie, narrow in face and shoulder. They were in the smallest sitting room on the main floor. It was meant to be a pleasant room, but at the moment it felt like a closet to which she’d been taken for reprimand.
    Mr. Truebody unexpectedly smiled. “You are young and inexperienced, Miss Hamilton, a fact of which I must remind myself. You’ll have learned this lesson from now on?”
    Condescension was nearly as difficult to receive as correction. “I have just one question, Mr. Truebody. If we are not to go beyond your office for any of our emergencies, will you be notifying the fire brigade should we have need of such services, or in that special circumstance should I be expected to use my own judgment and call upon them myself?”
    For the barest moment she was afraid he’d seen through her veiled cynicism, though she’d tried her best to offer the question innocently.
    He patted her shoulder. “I trust you will send two messengers in the event of such a tragedy. One to me, and the other for what help can be had.”
    She nodded, then watched him go, although such a suggestion was one she had no intention of following. Spare a hand that could yield a bucket, just to notify Mr. Truebody? The idea was pure folly.
    * * *
    In the next few weeks, Berrie was grateful to have only limited contact with Mr. Truebody. As students began arriving and inspectors and surveyors came to ensure everything was in order, Mr. Truebody spent whatever time he could spare tied up with them.
    Berrie’s days became as carefully planned as those of the students. She firmly believed the body and the mind were closely intertwined, and in that vein, days began by invigorating the bodies so the mind might follow suit. Students, staff, and attendants marched in military order, a talent easily picked up by everyone. Berrie had no doubt their little troop would send a shudder across the shoulder of any true soldier, but when they all managed to head the same direction, she found the sight lovely.
    Katie, though an excellent marcher, proved in general as much trouble as help. Her penchant for talking aside, she revealed an interest, however no ability, in cooking. Katie appeared fascinated by the idea of making bread, and yet the moment flour touched her skin, she forgot all intention to bake. Each time Berrie attempted to help Katie with the task, she seemed at first averse to the touch of flour and then consumed by it, until she poured the flour onto her forearms and face. Evidently the texture chafed and delighted her at once, although Berrie couldn’t begin to understand how.
    She had taken to locking the flour away, a measure they no doubt would have had to do anyway, sooner or later.
    Daisy volunteered to act as morning and evening attendant to the few girls in residence among the fifteen new students, promising to maintain most of her housekeeping tasks as well. To Berrie’s surprise, Daisy invited Katie to the girls’ dormitory, a change Katie accepted after only a single night in the bedroom that was soon needed for staff anyway. Evidently the empty bed plagued her at night. There were no empty mattresses in the girls’ dormitory, since every extra bed had been moved into the boys’ room on the opposite end.
    Despite Katie’s contentment, she continued to trouble Berrie. Even as it delighted Berrie that Katie often succeeded in her apprenticeship role, Berrie beseeched the Lord’s guidance for Katie’s brother. Perhaps he was beside himself with worry. She fervently prayed that they might locate him soon and that he could be persuaded to allow Katie to stay. If he were