Mr. Fairchild practically dragged himself home that evening. He found Alifair and Providence out back with the rabbits and the chickens seeing that they had been properly fed. He could have stayed out there watching the chickens for hours but he knew he would soon have to unleash the burdens of his mind.

Mrs. Fairchild noticed how quiet he was at supper and if it hadn't been for Hannah's amusing tail of her day the girls would have all noticed as well. After the meal was eaten and everyone joined in the clean up Mrs. Fairchild went into the parlor and kissed her husband.

"My dear man, what is wrong?" she asked rubbing his shoulder. "Mr. Christenson didn't work you too hard today did he?"

Ezra reached up and his hand over hers. "No, Grace, work was fine," he said. "It's just..." he shook his head. "It's just I'm worried about our daughter."

Grace sighed. "Astrid has not gotten any worse," she said. "I know it is nothing to rejoice over but it makes me feel better and it gives me hope."

"It's not Astrid," Ezra said. "It's Selene."

Grace glanced into the kitchen but only Wysteria and Ottaline remained, playing a game concentration before bed. "Is she unwell? I hadn't noticed. But I have been so busy with Astrid I—"

"She isn't ill," Mr. Fairchild said. He sighed. "Today Mr. Christenson made mention of her reputation involving Jethro St. Cloud. The way he spoke of her, Grace, it infuriated me. I know my girl is good, I raised her right. And the St. Clouds are good people but all of these rumors just keep growing. People are saying they have a house near the city and are living together... Selene will be ruined. Jetrho won't suffer much, but our Selene this will destroy her. She'll never be able to hold her head up if these lies continue."

"Ezra," Grace shook her head. "Jethro St. Cloud is the most pious young man I know. He attends church regularly and he knows scripture. None of those rumors are true..."

"You don't understand what I mean, Grace. No amount of good in Jetrho is going to save Selene from gossip."

Grace put her hands on her hips. "And do you think folks would gossip if Jethro was a drunkard and a gambler? If he was a rich colored man they would have stoned him."

"So you would approve of this?" Ezra asked.

Grace raised her shoulders. "I'd agree with my husband," she said. "However, don't mention Mr. Christenson when you break her heart. I can assure you, Ezra that this is going to hurt her and there is no telling what a girl in love will do to be with her man. Travis' Mama doesn't care much for his fiancé. She says the girl is arrogant besides an arsenic eater to lighten her complexion. Mrs. Dupree says she put up a fuss all night over the mattress saying she could feel a small lump in it. But she and Travis want to be together. There comes a time when a child is no longer a child." She kissed him once more then went upstairs to get ready for bed.

Ezra got up from the chair and walked down the hall to the workshop. He stood in the doorway for a moment watching his daughter add lace to the collar of the dress she was making for Astrid. Besides her the room was empty. Putting a smile on his face he stepped in.

"It looks wonderful," he said swallowing a lump in his throat.

Selene looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you, Papa," she said. "I just know Astrid is going to love it. Ladybird is helping me with some other projects so I get to put more time into it now." She smiled up at him and saw his face. "Papa, what's wrong?"

Ezra touched some mauve calico fabric that had been left about the table then he looked around the room decorated in Selene and Ladybird's talents. "Selene."

"Yes, Papa?"

"Selene I...I know you are not a little girl anymore and that your thoughts and feelings are very mature. When I was your age I wasn't making my own money like you are here with your gift. In fact I still ain't as I have no real talents."

"Nonsense, Papa you are a good father," Selene said making him smile though he was sure she would take back those words when he said what he has come to say.

"Selene, as a young woman you have a reputation to uphold in society. You are expected to behave a certain way...and ..."

"Papa, have I done something wrong?"

Ezra looked at his daughter for a while. In that moment he could see the little girl she once was. The little girl that he had to protect from the cruel world. "Selene I think it a good idea that you do not visit Jethro St. Cloud."

Selene froze. She had to think about his words and be sure she had heard them right. "But...but Papa, he is my friend." She smiled. "We've always been friends, Jethro and I." she looked down and Ezra could see that his daughter was deeply in love.

"I am no fool, Selene," he said. "I know that the way you two feel about each other goes beyond friendship. With your sisters I could see it that way, but he feels different toward you than he does toward Miriam for example. Which is why I must forbid you from seeing him unless professionally."

Selene found it hard to form words. "Papa, Papa I can't!" she burst into tears. "Papa, please don't make me. I...I...I haven't done anything wrong, we're never alone. I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, Selene but this is the way it has to be. The way it should be."

"But why?" Selene demanded. "Why now? Papa, please, tell me why."

Ezra couldn't look at her tear streaked face. He could see the heartbreak and turmoil in her eyes. "Selene..." he spoke slowly watching her hang onto his words for hope he would change his mind. "I forbade it."

Selene put her hands on the side of her head and closed her eyes. She wanted to scream. She jumped up from her chair and fled the workshop upstairs. She stopped in the hall and leaned against the wall to catch her breath and calm her heart. It couldn't be, it just couldn't be.

/

Alifair set her bucket down with indignation. "Heloise, you are supposed to be helping me," she said. "You have to get the last one."

Heloise left her notebook and got up from the table. "I'm sorry, Alifair," she said. "I was lost in a story. I can't help I have whole worlds inside me just waiting to be discovered."

"Stop fooling and fetch another bucket," Alifair said as Heloise danced past her in the hall.

Heloise skipped through the workshop where Ladybird sat at her easel painting. She was disappointed not to see Selene but the sister had complained that she didn't feel well that morning. Aside from this the morning was much the same. Ottaline had even promised to pack cookies in their lunches with permission from her aunt.

Lightening lit the sky and Hannah let out a scream followed by Alifair chiding her not to be so loud.

Ladybird and Wysteria joined the family in the kitchen and dining room as Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild came down to breakfast.

"I hate thunderstorms!" Hannah said. "Why did God make them?"

"Because he knew it would take something big to keep naughty little girls such as you in their places," Alifair said and Hannah stuck out her tongue at her. When she turned away from Alifair she let out another scream at the sight of the wooden face staring at her.

"My nutcracker soldier will keep you, Hannah." Astrid said.

"Eugh, get that thing away from me!" Hannah said. "Go take it far over there, Astrid."

Astrid smiled at her sister then found her own seat.

Mr. Fairchild looked around at all the faces at the table. Selene wouldn't even make eye contact with him. With a sigh he said grace over the meal so everyone could get out before the rain came.

/

Miriam smiled and waved at her students as they raced home in the rain. Turning back into the classroom she went over to the stove that kept the small building warm in the winters. With all the students arriving wet that morning it was put to good use.

"Your students' participation has gone down," Sumner said rising from his chair and putting on his hat.

Miriam closed the stove. "Perhaps your presence makes them nervous, Mr. Woodrow," she said wiping the soot from her hands so not to get it on her clothes. "We're not used to guests in our classroom. And honestly I thought your experiment was over."

Sumner chuckled with a smile and put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. "Experiment? Good Lord girl, am I that bad?"

"Not at all sir," Miriam said returning to her desk. She glanced over at Providence and Ottaline who were reading a magazine in the corner. "It's just not something they are used to."

Sumner glanced over at Ottaline and Providence. "Of course," he said.

Miriam took a deep breath. "We all work very hard here, Mr. Woodrow," she said. "I'm sure you agree that education is important and that all children white or otherwise have the right to learn. There are already many things withheld from coloreds, why should education be one of them?"

Sumner looked to the ceiling as the rain came down harder. Andrew Addams had tried to convince him otherwise but standing before this woman strong in her convictions he doubted him.

"We have something for you, Mr. Woodrow." Miriam said getting his attention. She reached down beside her desk and picked up a box. "Here." She handed it across the desk to him.

Sumner placed the box on the desk then opened it. When he saw cookies he looked up at Miriam.

"You never bring a lunch besides nuts and you must be awfully hungry," Miriam said. "There's a sandwich and come beans packed underneath."

Sumner was loss for words.

"It is a gift from my family," she said nodding to Ottaline and Providence.

"Well it's a good thing I took the carriage today," Sumner said and without another word to them her left the school with the box.