Judith Miller - [Daughters of Amana 01] Read Online Free Page B

they would all become ill. Then again, such an event would permit Father to earn his keep by caring for them.
    Clothes in hand, I returned up the stairs and into the parlor, where my parents sat waiting. My father scooted to the edge of his chair.
    “Well, how did it go? Did you learn about your new duties?”
    “I learned I am to meet Johanna by the front door shortly before five o’clock tomorrow morning. She promised to bang the broom handle on the ceiling to waken me.”
    My mother gasped and covered her mouth with her palm. “Oh, Berta, I didn’t realize you would be required to rise so early in the morning.”
    “If you’re truly concerned, we could still go home.”
    My mother’s look of regret immediately disappeared. She might pity my circumstance, but she wasn’t willing to change it.

CHAPTER 3

    Johanna Ilg
    Where was Berta? As promised, I had tapped on the ceiling with the broom handle and waited until I’d heard footsteps overhead. Now I wondered if she’d gone back to bed. Or maybe the footsteps had been those of Dr. or Mrs. Schumacher. Resting my hand on the latch, I leaned my shoulder against the door. I’d give Berta two more minutes. After that, she’d need to find her own way. Never before had I been late for work, and I wouldn’t begin this morning. Even now, we would have to run in order to arrive at the kitchen on time.
    At the sound of a slamming door, I stared up the flight of stairs. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I watched for Berta’s appearance. I didn’t have to wait long. Within seconds she skidded down the steps, clutching the stair rail. Skirt and shawl askew, she landed at my feet with a resounding thud.
    “I missed the first step,” she hissed.
    Leaning forward, I grasped her arm and pulled her up. “No need to whisper. I’m certain you’ve awakened the entire household.
    Are you all right?”
    She gyrated into positions I’d never before witnessed and then gave a firm nod. “Nothing broken, but I’d be glad to remain at home until my father declares me fit for duty.”
    Ignoring her suggestion, I pointed to her head covering. “Straighten your cap and tie the strings so it doesn’t blow away. We’re going to be at least five minutes late now.” I hurried her out the door, and though it was difficult, I refrained from breaking into a fast run. If we arrived at the kitchen completely exhausted, we’d never complete our chores on time.
    The moon glistened overhead, not yet prepared to give way to dawn. Even though my pace remained even, my heart thrummed at breakneck speed, and I wondered if my chest might explode from the pressure. Like all of the other kitchen bosses, Sister Muhlbach and her family lived in the rooms that adjoined the communal kitchen. There was no doubt she would be out of bed and more than a little concerned when she discovered we hadn’t arrived. Yet Berta dallied, obviously in no particular hurry to begin her work. “Can you walk a little faster? The fire should already be started in the stove.”
    “Who will know if we’re a few minutes late? Tell the Küchebaas the wood was damp and it took longer than usual to start the fire.”
    I couldn’t believe my ears. She was encouraging me to tell a falsehood! “It isn’t our way to tell lies, Berta. I’m sure you’ve read admonitions against such behavior in the Bible.”
    With a giggle, she looped her arm through mine. “I know what the Bible says, but I don’t believe for a minute that the people who live here don’t tell lies. Everyone tells lies—even you, Sister Johanna.”
    If I had denied her remark, it would be a falsehood, for during my lifetime I had told lies. Still, I didn’t want to agree with her. I feared she would use such a statement against me in the future. “I do my very best to tell the truth. And those times when I have failed, I have asked forgiveness.”
    “Well, there’s your answer. Just tell the Baas the firewood was wet and ask God to forgive