Breakfast was a much nosier meal as everyone quickly ate the food before them. A meal of bacon and pancakes drenched in delicious Vermont syrup.

"You two be back at a decent hour," Granville said as the girls stood before him at the breakfast table. "Hold out your hands." The girls did so and he placed an even amount of money in them. "Spend it on what you like."

"You mean this is ours?" Providence asked and he nodded. "Come on, Ottaline let's go!" She grabbed her sister's wrist and drug out the room. "Thank you!"

"Thank you!" Ottaline managed to get out before she was pulled outside. Once they were in the yard Providence released her and stepped over a crack in the driveway.

"What do you plan to buy?" Providence asked. "I saw a candy store on the way here."

"I'm not sure," Ottaline said. "There's enough here for a new yoke cape or shoes." She reasoned.

"What about gloves?" Providence said. "Every lady needs a pair of gloves." She pushed open the gate and they stepped onto a sidewalk.

"What will you buy?"

"A little candy," Providence said. "And maybe a lace collar to go over the dress you made for me. But let's get you gloves first!" The sisters linked arms and went dancing up the street toward the town. Women smiled at them, old men tipped their hates to them and dogs sniffed them and wagged their tails. It was a land of enchantment compared to Drinking Water.

When they reached the town the girls strolled slowly, looking into every window they passed. Toys filled one, hats another...

"I don't know where to begin," Ottaline said.

"Here is the candy store I saw," Providence said. "Let's start here then!" She pulled open the door just as a couple was coming and they went inside. The whole room smelled like maples and they inhaled the sweet air.

"May I help you girls?" a voice said from behind the counter.

The girls stood shyly by the door until Ottaline got the courage to approach the counter. "Yes, sir we were shopping for candy."

"Well what kind will it be?" the old man asked. "Chewing gum, chocolates, we have many."

Providence approached slowly and examined each jar carefully. She paused at a jar with cream colored candies shaped like hearts, stars and leaves. "What are these?"

The man moved down the counter until he stood before her. "Those are maple candies," he said. He took the lid off the jar and the room became sweeter. "They are made from maple syrup right here in Vermont. Try one if you please."

Each girl took one treat and popped it into her mouth. They looked at each other and smiled.

"I'll take a bag of these, please," Providence said.

The man smiled then filled a bag for them. Providence gave him money and he returned her change. "Will that be all for you?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Ottaline said. "But do you know where you can find a good pair of gloves around here?"

"You can try the store on the corner," the old man said putting the lid back on the jar. "And be sure to take some syrup back with you before you go home."

Providence smiled. "How did you know where were not from here?"

The old man laughed. "Well everyone around here knows what sort of candy they want from my shop straight away," he said. "But I also can tell by you accents."

"Oh," Providence said touching her lips. "I never realized I might sound different to people."

Ottaline laughed. "Thank you kindly, sir," she said. She took her sister's hand and they waved goodbye before stepping back onto the street. They stopped at a few more stores before they reached the corner, surprised at the hospitality they received in each.

"Finally the clothing store," Ottaline sighed. "Glad Tidings."

Providence popped one last candy in her mouth and decided to save the last three for, Mr. Idris, Mr. Heritage and Mrs. Mills."

They went inside the shop gawking at the ready made clothes. As soon as Ottaline found the yokes she hurried over to them and fingered a light blue one.

"That would look good on you," Providence said.

"Will you buy more?"

"I don't have much left over after the candy and all the ribbons and buttons from the haberdashery and the book."

Ottaline checked the price of the yoke. She would have nothing left over and would maybe have to borrow from Providence.

"Would you like to try it on?" a blonde woman was suddenly behind them asking.

"You mean that's allowed?" Ottaline asked.

"Of course," the woman said. "How will you know if it fits you?" She turned to her husband behind the counter. "I'm going to help this young lady try this on," she said taking the yoke off the mannequin and leading Ottaline into the back.

The man behind the counter smiled at Providence who hid behind a display. She only came out when Ottaline returned grinning and wearing the new yoke cape just as brightly as her smile. The woman guided her over to the mirror and stood her in it.

"What a lady you've turned into," she said. "All it takes is a little magic. And a good sewing machine." She chuckled and went over to a small table. "Would you like some lace gloves to match?"

Lace gloves! Ottaline nearly swooned at the words. She joined the woman and looked down at the variety of gloves on the table each made in a different way and each prettier than the last.

"Try them out."

Ottaline put on a pair of white gloves and Providence joined her in trying them on. She knew; however, that she would have to decide between the Yoke or the gloves. She turned to the table behind her where more gloves were.

"That's the men section darling," the woman said but Ottaline couldn't take her eyes off the light blue gloves. They reminded her of early winter mornings when the first snows fall. She touched the fabric of the yoke as she stared at the gloves and felt a painful tug on her heart. She knew she would never find anything as nice as the yoke again and would never be allowed into such a store back home.

"Would these make a nice gift?" she asked the woman.

"Of course," the woman said. "Any gift a daughter gives her father is nice."

Ottaline just smiled at the woman as Providence leaned over to her.

"What are you doing?" she asked. "You can't afford both, not even if I give you what I have left."

Ottaline answered by pulling lose the bow that tied the yoke closed and shrugging it from her shoulders. "I'll take the gloves please," she said holding the yoke out to the woman.

"Are you sure?" the woman asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Ottaline said.

The woman glanced at her husband then took the gloves behind the counter to box them. "Are you girls staying in town?"

"No, ma'am we are staying at Mrs. Addie Mill's place," Ottaline said.

"We know the Mills," the man said. He took Ottaline's money. "These must be for someone mighty special to you, young lady."

"She's buying them for—"

Ottaline covered her sister's mouth then took the gloves. "Thank you sir and madam," she said hugging the box to her chest.

"Bye!" Providence said as they hurried out the door. She looked up at the distant clock. "We'd better start back now if we don't want to miss lunch," she said and they hurried back to the house.

/

When lunch was finished the girls sat in their room. Providence read her book while Ottaline sat on the bed admiring the gloves.

"When will you give them to him?" Providence asked from where she sat in the window.

"Huh?"

"When will you give Mr. Heritage his gloves? I know you bought them for him."

Ottaline felt her face warm. "I thought it would be nice after all he's done for us."

Providence sighed dramatically. "Am I ungrateful then?"

Ottaline crossed the room and joined her sister in the window seat.

"I got you something," Providence said and Ottaline looked at her in surprise. After all she had shared her candy with her already.

Providence reached into the pocket of her pinafore and pulled out a light blue ribbon. She passed it over to her sister who admired it. "It's for your costume," Providence said. "I noticed it needed some repairs."

"It's perfect, Rovy," Ottaline said hugging her sister. "Now I feel guilty because I spent all my money and didn't get you anything."

"It was a surprise," Providence shrugged. "After all you have done for me."

Ottaline felt her heart swell with pride. No older sister in the world could have felt as happy as she did in that moment.

Providence took the opened box from her sister and looked down at the gloves. "He has such long fingers; I hope he can fit them," she said.

"I reckon it's time I found out," Ottaline said getting up from the seat. She put the lid back on the box and stepped out of the door.

Providence watched her go, praying her heart would never be broken.

Ottaline found Granville downstairs at the piano. Aside from him and the cat the room was empty. She petted the fat tabby as it lounged in the chair then slowly made her way over to the piano. The tune of Siuil a Run made her both want to sing and dance but she kept her focus and sat lightly on the piano bench until the song had finished.

"Yes, Ottaline," Granville said as he turned the page in the music book.

Ottaline took the box from behind her. "This is for you," she said quickly.

Granville slowly took the box from her hand and opened it. The gloves reflected his eyes perfectly as he looked down at them. "You bought these for me?"

Ottaline rubbed the back of her neck. "Do you like them?"

Granville nodded. "They are very nice," he said.

Ottaline smiled and took one of the gloves out of the box. "Here," she said holding it open for him.

Granville slowly slid his hand in then flexed his fingers.

"Does it fit?"

"Like a glove?"

Ottaline laughed harder then she intended then looked down at his other hand. Slowly she took the wrist and removed the black leather gloves from over the fingers. When the metal fingers were exposed she carefully slipped on the blue glove so that each one went into its proper place then smiled up at him.

"Thank you very much, Ottaline," Granville said. "They are perfect for Sundays."

"You're welcome," Ottaline said. "When I saw them in the store I had to have them for you!" She faced the piano. "What shall you play next?" she asked crossing her ankles.

Before Granville could speak there was knock at the door and a moment later a servant entered the room.

"For Miss Sabbath," the woman said then left.

Ottaline got up from the bench and went to the front door wondering who had come to see her. She was very surprised when she got there and saw the woman from the clothing store. "Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, dear," the woman said kindly. She was dressed in all the proper attire for a woman taking a late stroll. "I hope this is not too much of an inconvenient time."

"Not at all, ma'am," Ottaline said glancing up at the fancy carriage that the woman had arrived in.

"Good," the lady said regaining her attention. "I just wanted to stop by and bring you this." She held out a box. "I altered it a little so it would fit better."

Ottaline opened the box and gasped at the sight of the yoke cape. "Thank you so very much! You didn't have to do this."

"You are a selfless young woman," the lady said. "You earned it." She smiled then came up another step. "How did he like the gloves?"

Ottaline grinned. "He loves them," she said, feeling a face warm.

"I am glad," the woman said gathering her indigo dress and stepping down. "What is your name, child?"

"Ottaline."

"Well glad tidings to you, Ottaline," the woman said with a lady-like wave. "May your way be successful."

Ottaline waved bye and waited for the carriage to trot off before closing the door. She then raced through the house and up the stairs to the bedroom. "Rovy, look what the lady from the store just brought by!" she said interrupting her sister's dance. She put the box on the bed and took out the yoke.

"She just gave it to you?" Providence said in astonishment. "I don't believe it."

"Neither do I," Ottaline said. She quickly dressed herself in it then went over to the mirror. She grinned at her reflection then spun around on her heels. "I wish I was on yonder hill, tis there I'd sit and cry my fill. 'til every tear would turn a mill." She sang and spun until she had joined Providence at the center of the room. "I'll sell my rod I'll sell my reel, I'll sell my only spinning wheel, to buy my lover a sword of steel." The sisters joined hands as they sung the chorus together and danced around the room.

"I wish the king would return to reign and bring my true love home again. I wish I wish I wish in vain," Providence sang.

The sisters danced in the upstairs bedroom, spinning in their boots, turning to their own rhythm as though they had floated high, high above the world and would never have to return to the places that awaited them with shackles.