come quickly. Once inside the relative warmth of the barn, David showed her where the phone was, and held up the lamp for her. Hannah made the call and then turned to David. "Let’s get back to the haus where it’s warm." She rubbed her hands together to emphasize that she was cold.
David put the lamp on the ground and stood in front of her. "Why the hurry?" The lamplight flickered across the angles of his face making him appear menacing.
A chill ran up Hannah's spine. "I want to go to the haus , David, now ," she said, in the firmest tone she could muster. She hoped her voice wasn't shaking as much as she was on the inside.
David took a step closer to her. "How about a little kiss before you go?"
Hannah caught her breath. " Nee , David!"
David moved so close there was barely anything between them. "Oh come on, schatzi , you know you want to kiss me."
"I am not your sweetheart and I do not want to kiss you. Now let me pass or I will call for your mudder !"
Hannah's threat seemed to have no effect on David, as he took Hannah by the shoulders and pulled her to him, his lips reaching for hers.
Hannah told hold of both of her crutches, and as fast as she could, jabbed them down hard on the top of his foot. David released her with a yelp of pain, and she hobbled off to the haus as fast as she could. In fact, she reached the haus before David did.
Mrs. Yoder met her at the door. "Where's David?"
"He's right behind me." Hannah pushed past Mrs. Yoder and hurried into the haus before Mrs. Yoder could tell her to wait with David on the porch for the taxi. As far as Hannah was concerned, that had been the last alone time she was ever going to spend with David Yoder.
Ephesians 4:26-27.
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
Chapter 13 .
Hannah had trouble getting to sleep that night. When she arrived home, her mudder questioned her about the night, but she had told her firmly yet politely that she was not interested in David Yoder and never would be, even if he were the last man on earth. Her mudder had looked surprised, whether at Hannah's vehement tone or her actual words, Hannah did not know, but she was grateful that her mudder had not said much at all.
Hannah made sure that Esther and Martha were settled, and refilled their hot water bottles which had gone cold. She snuggled under her blankets, but sleep eluded her. Her whole day had been unpleasant, but the incident with David had upset her. If only she was betrothed to another mann , and then David would leave her alone. Noah would make sure that David didn't bother me , she thought, and then she at once reprimanded herself for thinking such a thing. Besides, Mrs. Yoder had said that Noah had been seen with Englisch girls. While Mrs. Yoder clearly wanted to turn Hannah away from Noah, that didn’t mean that she was not correct.
When the sun forced its way through the dark clouds at dawn, Hannah was still awake. She wasn't sure whether she had slept from time to time in short spurts, but it seemed to her that she'd been awake all night; her leg ached and her back hurt, and she felt as if she were coming down with a cold. The long sleepless night of soul searching and prayer had however forced a decision; she would speak to the bishop.
* * *
Bishop William Graber ushered Hannah inside and indicated that she should sit down.
Hannah had always known him to be a kindly man, as well as wise. Hannah bit back a smile, knowing that some of the youth said that the Englischers would mistake the bishop for their Santa Claus, given his twinkling, blue eyes, round face, and gray beard.
Mrs. Graber scurried into the room and deposited mugs of hot meadow tea next to her husband and Hannah. " Hullo , Hannah. You're looking pale, dear. Now don’t mind me, I'm off to finish the wash, now that the day is warming up somewhat."
After a moment of prayer, the bishop spoke. "How is your leg