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wanted me to be well spoken, like the ladies whose clothes she used to sew. “It will open doors for you, my girl.” Her dreams for me seemed to make her happy.
    Ma's workbox with its neat rows of different-colored yarns, needles, thimbles, and the sweetest little scissors occupied a place of honor on the floor next to her bed. From time to time, she would ask me to give her the box and she would run her fingers over its contents with a wistful look on her face.
    “I'll be sewing again for my ladies before you know it,” she'd always tell me as she snapped the lid closed.
    “You will, Ma! You will!”
    From the time I was a little girl, she taught me how to sew a straight seam and to patch a torn sleeve with stitches so tiny you could barely see them.
    “You'll be a fine seamstress someday,” she always promised me. “When I'm feeling better, I'll teach you all I know now that you're old enough. And when I save a little money, we'll apprentice you to a dressmaker in Budapest.” I knew that we'd never have enough money and that Pa would never agree to such a plan. But I never contradicted her.
    She refused to drink the milk and passed me the tankard.
    “It's water I need,” she said. “Save the milk for yourself and for Clara. Your pa likes his milk too.”
    There was no convincing her. I could see by the whiteness of her lips that her pain had returned. I got off the bed and filled a tin cup with the water left in the bottom of the jug and gave it to her. As I swept the floor I pretended not to notice that she pulled out a small packet and a thimble from beneath her pillow. She dipped the thimble into the packet and then dumped the white powder from it into the water. She drank the liquid down greedily.
    A few minutes later, she called to me.
    “I am feeling stronger. Today is going to be one of my good days. I just know it!”
    I had been afraid to share the village news, but now the words tumbled out of my mouth.
    “You won't believe what happened, Ma. Esther has disappeared! I just hope that nothing bad has happened to her.”
    “What do you mean disappeared?” Ma asked.
    “Nobody has seen her since she left for Kohlmayer's on an errand for Mrs. Huri. She was so sad the last time I saw her. I am scared for her.”
    “That poor child!” Ma said. “I just hope she hasn't done anything foolish.”
    “What do you mean, Ma?”
    She sighed.
    “It's just that unhappy people sometimes …”
    Her voice trailed off and her eyes closed. I shook her hands.
    “Wake up, Ma! Don't sleep! What were you going to say?”
    She didn't reply. I could tell by the shallowness of her breathing that she was fast asleep. I put her hands on top of her blanket and patted them. When I straightened up, I was startled to find Clara standing next to me.
    “Why is Ma always sleeping?” she asked. “Why doesn't she ever do anything?”
    “Hush your mouth. Don't talk like that about Ma. Can't you see she's sick? That's why she sleeps so much and can't do the things she used to.” I took a deep breath. Ma was always telling me to be more patient with Clara. “Don't you remember what it was like before Ma got sick?” I asked. “Don't you remember how good Ma's cooking used to be? How much she used to laugh?”
    Clara shook her head and began to bawl.
    I picked her up and rubbed her back. I cut a crust from the bread in the kitchen and gave it to her.
    “You can eat this if you promise to be a good girl. I have to go to the village well now. I'll be back in time for church.”
    I gave Clara her doll again. She was happily gnawing on the bread and cradling her baby in her arms when I left the house.

CHAPTER 4
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1882
    Esther's mother was the first person I saw at the well. I waved to her, but she didn't notice me. She was busy talking to the women gathered around her. I could see the women shake their heads. When she finally saw me, she rushed to me, wild-eyed, the scarf on her head askew.
    “She is still missing!