Free Farmerettes by Gisela Sherman Page A

suspiciously, then shrugged and ate a forkful. She smiled at Isabel, across the table from her. “I’ve been starving since two o’clock. Tomorrow I’ll pack a bigger lunch.”
    Isabel smiled back, but looked pale as she toyed with her potatoes.
    Binxie was ravenous too. Not wanting to be seen as “the private school snob,” she nibbled at the strangely red meat, then concentrated on the beans or peas.
    After dinner, most of the girls headed for the recreation room. Helene found the record player and put on a record. Frank Sinatra crooned to the exhausted girls as they flopped into soft sofas and compared aches and itches.
    Peggy told them about the amazing birth she had witnessed, describing the event in detail for her rapt audience. Binxie was glad, for once, to let her chat on. The way she told the story made the other girls share their awe. There was more to Peggy than she had first given her credit for.
    A blonde girl with very red skin changed the subject. “Does anyone know how to soothe a sunburn?”
    â€œButter,” replied Isabel.
    â€œFlour,” advised Rita.
    None of it helped, and soon they were comparing sunburns and who had the most bug bites.
    â€œAt least we’ll have beautiful tans by September,” said Peggy.
    â€œIf you think crisp toast is beautiful,” Helene muttered.
    â€œThe sun is mean to redheads,” added Kate. “I’ll burn, freckle even more, but stay just as pale as before.”
    â€œWill the red be gone in time for the baseball game Saturday?” asked Ruth.
    This launched a discussion about the game, the growers’ party, and what other events were planned. Binxie lost interest and headed outside. The air was still warm, and the sky was studded with a thousand silver stars.
    She gazed at the vast space above her. That was where her sister loved to be, why she’d gone to England. Binxie had flown with Kathryn who once offered her a turn at the controls, but she had chosen to remain an awestruck passenger.
    She crossed the yard. A chorus of crickets serenaded her, and the scent of lilacs surrounded her. She turned to see Jean coming from the chicken coop. “You live in paradise.”
    Jean smiled. “The work is backbreaking, the weather can destroy an entire season’s crops, our animals could die from any number of diseases, and the market prices aren’t always worth it. But I love every bit of this land and this life.”
    The two girls fell into step together and walked in companionable silence toward the orchard. “How are Tessie and her calf?”
    â€œFine. Johnny checked them over while you were at dinner. He’s impressed with our work.”
    Binxie remembered the good-looking fellow who stopped by the farm last night. “He’s young to be a vet.”
    â€œHe’s not a vet. His dad is. Johnny’s been Dr. Clifford’s shadow since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. Has everything but the degree.”
    â€œThat skill would come in handy overseas,” said Binxie.
    Jean glared at her, and Binxie realized she had behaved like an outsider judging her host. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That was out of line.”
    As they continued walking between the trees, fragrant with pink blossoms, Jean said, “The day he turned eighteen, he went with my brother to sign up. The army took Rob, but turned Johnny down. My brother got a uniform and headed for Halifax, then overseas. Johnny came home ashamed.”
    Binxie flushed, and nodded sympathetically. “Your brother’s fighting in Europe? My sister, Kathryn, is in England. Flying for the Air Transport Auxiliary. Her dream, my nightmare.”
    Jean sighed. “Half my nightmare came true. Rob was injured and captured. It took us months to find out he’s a prisoner of war in Poland.”
    Binxie sensed there was more that bothered Jean, but kept quiet. “Poland. It’s a beautiful