Waiting for Christmas

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

Jack and Polly sat on the same chair as if glued to each other as they ate breakfast. Polly’s wide blue eyes, which were so much like Jack’s, had lost most of the stark terror Howard had seen in them yesterday. Her wispy brown hair, matted and tangled before last night’s bath, reminded him of dandelion fluff. She seemed pale and frail, like a puff of smoke that might vanish in the wind.

“Maybe we should stay home from church today to give Polly a chance to recover a bit more,” Howard suggested. Jack’s instant outrage surprised him.

“No! We gotta go! We gotta light another candle and pray for Papa!”

“But Polly doesn’t have any clothes to wear, or a warm coat,” Howard said.

“It doesn’t matter! We gotta go! She can wear my coat. Polly told me that she wants to go!”

Howard had no idea how Jack knew his sister’s wishes. The strange, silent communication between them remained a mystery. He turned to Addy, who shrugged and said, “I guess we’re going.”

“If we hurry and get there early,” Howard said, “maybe my mother can find something for Polly to wear from the charity box.” They dressed her in one of Jack’s shirts and a pair of his trousers, rolling up the cuffs. Addy swaddled Polly in her warmest shawl, and Howard carried her in his arms. He hailed a carriage for the ride to church rather than subjecting the tiny girl to a tedious trolley ride. Howard’s mother was washing the breakfast dishes when the four of them trailed through the kitchen door of the parsonage. Howard couldn’t help grinning. “Mom, meet Jack’s sister, Polly.”

His mother was so overcome with emotion she swayed in place. “Oh, my goodness! You found her! Oh, heavens be praised! And isn’t she a little darling!”

“Is Dad still here?”

She nodded as she stared at Polly with tears in her eyes. Howard called to his father, who hurried in from the front room a moment later.

“What’s going on? Who—? Oh, my. You found her, then.” He reached to gently caress Polly’s hair as if to see if she was real.

“The police found her wandering the streets nearly two months ago.” He lowered his voice, even though he knew she couldn’t hear him. “She’s been living in the Idiot Asylum on Randall’s Island since the end of October.”

“Oh, no... no,” his mother breathed.

“Polly is deaf, Mom. And as you can see, she needs clothes.” He set the girl on the floor beside her brother. His father crouched down to address the children.

“I’ll tell you what, Jack. You and your sister can light all three Advent candles for the service today. Would you like that?”

Jack beamed as he nodded in reply. “What candle is it this week?”

“It’s joy,” Reverend Forsythe replied. “It’s the candle of joy.”

“I need to leave for work earlier than usual all this week,” Howard told Addy on Monday morning. “And I’m sorry to say I’ll be home a little later every night, too. Don’t wait for me to eat dinner with you. Go ahead and eat with the children.”

The news wasn’t what Addy wanted to hear. She remembered the long days her father had spent at work, making him a stranger to his family. He’d died at only forty-six years of age. “Why the extra hours?” she asked as she watched him button his overcoat.

“There are a few things I need to wrap up before the end of the year.”

Howard hadn’t met her gaze when he’d told her the news. She still didn’t know him well enough to guess his thoughts or motives. She didn’t like it that they would have less time to spend together. They needed to talk about Polly and Jack, and how they could go about finding their father, not to mention what would become of the children if their father didn’t return home.

“I’ll give Jack and Polly their dinner, but I’ll wait to eat mine with you,” she said. She kissed him goodbye.

Addy was in the kitchen with the children when Mrs. Gleason arrived. The cook took one look at Jack’s beaming face as he stood holding Polly’s hand and she bent to pull both children into her arms. “Oh, Jackie-boy! You found her! I’m so very, very happy for you!” She finally released them to wipe her tears and looked Polly over from head to toe. “Aren’t you a beautiful child!” Polly smiled up at Mrs. Gleason as if she’d known her all her life.

“I can’t believe you found her,” Susannah said, wiping her tears. “Where was she?”

Addy didn’t want to describe the horrible asylum where Polly had been living. She paused, then said, “The police in the children’s old neighborhood were able to tell us where she’d been taken. We’ve also learned that Polly is deaf.”

“Oh, bless your little heart, child,” Mrs. Gleason said, stroking Polly’s hair. “God bless your little heart.”

Addy swallowed. “As you can see, she’s going to need some new clothes. The dress she’s wearing came from the church’s charity bin. You’ll come shopping with me, won’t you, Susannah?”

“Oh, yes, ma’am. I would be happy to.”

“I was thinking we would go tomorrow to give Polly more time to adjust. She still seems shaky and fearful at times, even with Jack by her side. Attending church yesterday tired her out, and she fell asleep on Howard’s lap on the ride home.”

“She looks like she could do with a few good meals, too,” Mrs. Gleason said. “I’ll set about fattening her up, don’t you worry.”

The following day, Addy walked to the trolley stop with Susannah and the children for the trip to Dixon’s Department Store. They had bundled Polly up in one of Addy’s jackets, rolling up the sleeves. Susannah carried the girl since the bulky coat hung nearly to Polly’s ankles. Polly scrambled onto Jack’s lap during the ride, gazing out the window in wonder. Addy decided to use the time on their trolley ride to coach Susannah. “Remember, now. Pay close attention to what the salesclerk says and does so we can practice again when we get home. You can easily do her job, Susannah. You’re a bright girl.”

“I’ve been doing what you said and walking with a book on my head at home.”

“Good.”

“And smiling in the mirror, too. But Auntie caught me and said I was being vain. I tried to explain what you’d told me to do, but I’m not sure she believed me.”

Addy hid a smile, imagining the no-nonsense Mrs. Gleason’s reaction when she saw Susannah preening. “I’ll explain it to her, if it will help. But tell me, what have you learned from these exercises?”

Susannah shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess standing tall does make me feel different. Like I don’t need to hide.”

“Good. You’ll be ready to apply for a job before you know it.”

“What about my hands?” she asked, holding them out. “They’re so red and chapped from scrubbing.”

“Hm. I’ll ask Mrs. Gleason if we can use milder soap.”

As they neared their trolley stop, Jack nudged Polly to her feet to prepare to get off. He’d only taken this route once before, so Addy was surprised he remembered. He was a very perceptive little boy.

With only a week remaining until Christmas Eve, the streets and sidewalks and stores were busier and more crowded than usual. Again, Susannah carried Polly so she could see better, and to avoid being crushed. The little girl gazed at the unfamiliar sights and sounds with a mixture of wonder and fear. The contrast between where she was now and where she’d been for the first three years of her life couldn’t have been sharper. Jack surprised Addy again when he remembered which store window had a display of toys, and led them straight to it. He studied his sister’s face, not the toys, as she gazed at dollhouses and hobbyhorses, a miniature porcelain tea set, and a baby doll in a little cradle. There was a toy locomotive on an oval track, toy horses pulling a firemen’s hook and ladder wagon, and a doll-size range like the one in their kitchen with tiny pots and pans. Addy let the children look for as long as they liked, promising herself that she would come back alone and choose Christmas presents for them. And something for Susannah and Mrs. Gleason, too.

Inside, a different young clerk waited on them in Dixon’s girls’ department. After deliberating and trying on a variety of items, they purchased two dresses for Polly, a pinafore, woolen stockings, a flannel nightgown, undergarments, button-up leather shoes, and a warm overcoat. At times, Polly clung to Jack, clearly frightened by so many strangers and such unusual surroundings. Each time, he was able to soothe her and continue shopping. Addy added the purchases to Howard’s account as he had insisted.

“I thought our salesclerk did an excellent job,” Addy said on the way home. “Tell me what you learned, Susannah.”

“I noticed that she was watching us all the time, paying close attention.”

“Yes, and she anticipated our needs.”

“When she saw that we liked something, or didn’t like it, or it was the wrong size, she acted right away.”

“Very good. Anything else?”

“She was right there when we needed her, but sometimes she stood back and stayed out of our way so we could talk amongst ourselves.”

“Yes, she was very good about that. So. Do you think you could do her job?”

Susannah gave a slow, shy smile that lit up her pretty face. “I think I could.”

“I do, too.” Addy was excited and happy for this young girl who was daring to dream of a better life. Such an opportunity should be available to every young woman. If only Addy could figure out a way to make it possible.

Once again, Jack knew where to get off to change trolley lines, and which trolley number to wait for to take them home. Addy made a note to mention it to Howard, and ask how Jack’s keen memory might be put to good use.

Mrs. Gleason had cookies waiting for the children when they returned home. They raced down the stairs without waiting to remove their coats, drawn by the heavenly aroma of cinnamon. Addy took Susannah upstairs to play at being a salesclerk again. “Excellent! You’re getting the hang of it,” Addy said after they practiced. “Now, please take your hairpins out and let your hair down. I want you to brush it out.” She held out her engraved silver hairbrush.

“I-I couldn’t! Your brush is much too fancy for someone like me.”

“Nonsense. It’s just a brush.” Addy had only recently learned how to arrange her own hair without the help of a ladies’ maid, but she made Susannah sit down at her dressing table and shared what she’d learned with her. Perhaps a new set of hair combs would make a good Christmas present for her. The girl was very pretty, with a fresh, wholesome innocence about her. “See? Doesn’t your hair look better when it’s not pulled back so tightly?” Addy asked when they’d finished experimenting.

Susannah blushed at her reflection. “I look like one of those Gibson girls.”

“Exactly. You’re a very pretty girl, Susannah. And here, I want to give you this jar of facial cream and bar of soap—”

“Oh, I couldn’t!”

“I think the soap you’re using to wash your face is much too harsh. It’s burning your skin.”

“We only ever had homemade soap on the farm.”

“I think you’ll find this is much better for your skin. And you can probably buy something like it at a five-and-dime store when this runs out.”

Later, downstairs in the parlor, Addy watched Susannah walk with a book balanced on her head, happy to see the progress she’d made. Jack and Polly came upstairs and wanted to walk with books on their heads too, so it became a game that produced much laughter and giggles. Mrs. Gleason smiled as she watched from the top of the kitchen steps. Addy wished Howard could be here to see this. His extended working hours were causing him to miss so much.

“Thank you for everything you’re doing for my niece,” Mrs. Gleason whispered to Addy, later. “You’ve been so good to us, Mrs. Forsythe.”

“I’m happy to do it. I don’t know how I ever would have managed these past few weeks without you and Susannah.”

In all the excitement of finding Polly, Addy hadn’t had time to get nervous about hosting fifteen of her wealthy friends in her home for tea. But on the day before the event, she began to fret. She remained in the kitchen after breakfast so she could talk with Mrs. Gleason, hoping the cook had some advice to help settle her nerves. The winter morning was mild for mid-December, and Susannah had taken the children outside to play in the slushy snow.

“May I watch you work?” Addy asked. “I would still like to learn how to cook a few simple things.”

Mrs. Gleason smiled as she set a sack of flour on the table. “What I have planned for your friends will be anything but simple. I’m making a Lady Baltimore cake, some fancy pastries with dates and figs, and some macarons. I’ve been told by other cooks I know that everyone is serving little club sandwiches these days instead of cheese and cress.”

“Everything sounds delicious. May I help? It’s the only way I’ll ever learn.”

“Of course. I’ll fetch you an apron and put you to work.”

Addy chopped nuts and dates, creamed butter, and beat egg whites with a whisk until her arm ached. “May I ask you a question, Mrs. Gleason?” she said when she paused to rest her arm. “Jack prayed so hard to find Polly, and God answered his prayers. Now he’s praying that his father will come home safely but... what if he doesn’t return? What will we tell Jack? I would hate to see him lose his innocent faith.”

“Well, now that’s one of those harder questions to answer, isn’t it? Just like there are dishes you can cook up in a jiffy and ones that take more time and care. I’ve prayed some pretty big prayers over the years that seemed to go unanswered. And if I wasn’t careful, I could start to believe that God didn’t love me because He didn’t give me what I’d asked for. I had to learn that my faith shouldn’t depend on whether or not God answers my prayers exactly the way I want Him to.”

“That’s a lesson I’m still struggling to learn. How can we explain it to a little child?”

She paused from her work and met Addy’s gaze. “I don’t know. But I do know we can trust the Almighty. If Mr. Thomas doesn’t return, then God must have a better plan for those lovely children.”

Addy hesitated before asking the question she hadn’t been able to push aside. “Do you think His plan is for Howard and me to adopt them? Do you think that’s why He arranged for Jack to land on our doorstep?”

Mrs. Gleason sighed and wiped her hands on her apron. “I don’t think it’s as simple as that, dear. But I do know He has a plan for them. Right now, you’ve played a huge part by helping them find each other. If God asks more from you and Mr. Forsythe, He’ll make it clear to you when the time is right.”

There was a commotion at the back door and a rush of cold air as Susannah and the children came inside, laughing and stomping snow from their feet. Their cheeks were pink from the cold and each of them carried an armload of evergreen branches. The scent of pine wafted into the kitchen.

“Goodness! What’s all this?” Addy asked.

“I thought we could decorate your parlor, ma’am. For your tea party tomorrow.” She dropped her load in the back hallway and directed the children to do the same. They had filled the coal scuttle with pine cones and vines of red bittersweet berries.

“I helped,” Jack said. “Susannah said I was a big help, right?”

“I’m sure you were, Jackie-boy. Just look at that load you’re carrying.” Mrs. Gleason brushed pine needles from his hair, then pulled a handkerchief from her apron pocket and wiped Polly’s runny nose. The tender gestures came so naturally to her, but not to Addy. Would she even make a good mother for these children if that’s what God asked? She would have so much to learn about motherhood, along with learning to cook and to clean, and she didn’t feel ready for such an important task. Was she selfish to want more time alone with her new husband?

They spread the branches on newspaper so they could dry, then carried them upstairs after lunch. Susannah showed amazing artistry in the way she draped the parlor’s mantel with evergreens, pine cones, and bittersweet berries. She festooned the windowsills with more greenery and wrapped some of it around the stair rail leading to the second floor. She filled a silver bowl with more greenery and berries, and arranged it as a centerpiece for the dining room table, flanked by Addy’s silver candlesticks. By the time she finished, the aroma of pine filled the entire house. She had ironed Addy’s best linen tablecloth for tomorrow and added all the extensions to the table. Jack and Polly helped her polish the silver tea service.

“Everything looks beautiful!” Addy said when they’d finished. “It looks and smells like Christmas in here. I can’t wait for Howard to see it.”

He arrived home very late and seemed preoccupied, as if his mind was still on his work. “It smells wonderful in here,” he said as he hung his hat and overcoat on the hall tree. Addy took his hand and pulled him into the parlor, eager to show him the town house’s transformation. “Wow! Good thing you met me at the door or I would think I was in the wrong place! Are these decorations for your tea tomorrow?”

“Yes. Susannah came up with the idea and then did this all on her own. I simply stood back and watched.”

“It looks amazing.”

“I did help Mrs. Gleason prepare some of the food for the tea, though. She’s showing me how to do a few simple things in the kitchen. You’ll be so proud of me when I can cook dinner for us, someday.”

He stroked her cheek. “Even if you cooked a feast, I couldn’t possibly be more proud of you than I already am.”

She smiled at his praise. “We’ll have to eat in the kitchen tonight, since Susannah already prepared the dining room for the tea.”

“I don’t mind. I like our cozy little kitchen. Give me a minute to wash up and I’ll meet you down there.” Addy started to leave but he held onto her hand, stopping her. “It’s so quiet. Where are Jack and Polly?”

“They’re in bed. It’s very late. They played outside in the snow for the longest time, and helped Susannah with all these branches. They were worn out.” Howard pulled her into his embrace.

“Addy, I’m sorry I was so late. I hope you weren’t worried.”

“I was. A little. But it doesn’t matter. You’re here, now.” She hurried downstairs where the kitchen table already was set for the two of them. She pulled the food Mrs. Gleason had prepared from the warming oven, and it did feel strange to eat a fine, pork roast dinner in the kitchen. This would have been the servants’ table in the mansion where she grew up. She sometimes forgot that Howard had grown up in a cozy parsonage and probably felt more at home eating in the kitchen beside the warm range than in a formal dining room. When they were seated with their food in front of them, she looked closer at his handsome face and noticed worry lines that hadn’t been there before, and dark circles beneath his eyes. She reached across the table to stroke his brow. “Are you feeling all right, Howard? Is anything wrong?”

“I’m just tired. We’ll get through this busy patch at work in a few more weeks—”

“Weeks?”

“I’m sorry.”

They finished dinner and went to bed not long afterwards. Howard fell asleep right away. Once again, he had set his alarm clock to leave the house early. It took Addy much longer to fall asleep as she checked off mental lists of preparations for her tea and silently rehearsed what she wanted to tell her friends about the fight for women’s suffrage. She wondered what their reactions would be to her new way of life. She hoped they wouldn’t be condescending. Or worse, pitying. Addy doubted if she could control her temper if anyone dared to pity her. She was the wealthiest woman in the world!

She was waiting by the front door to greet her guests the following afternoon with Susannah at her side to take the guests’ coats. The maid looked impressive in a dark uniform and frilly white apron, starched to a crisp stiffness. One by one, her friends entered and gazed around the town house. Addy could tell by their expressions that they were surprised and a little impressed.

“What a charming home,” her friend Felicity said.

“Yes, it’s lovely,” another guest said. “I could easily live here.”

Addy thought she understood what her friend meant. Addy’s seventy-five-room mansion had been so cold and echoing that she had always felt most at home in the cozy morning room, which was as snug and cheerful as this parlor.

Her guests raved about the food, as Addy knew they would. “You must tell me which bakery you used,” one of them begged.

“Our cook, Mrs. Gleason, made everything, including the Lady Baltimore cake.”

“She didn’t!”

“Lucky you!”

“I helped her make the date and fig bars. She’s teaching me to cook and I’m enjoying it very much.” For a moment, the room fell still, as if her words had shocked them into silence. Addy smiled and gestured to the table. “Please, help yourselves to more.”

She gave her guests plenty of time to chat and gossip about other things while they ate and sipped their tea, then signaled to Susannah to bring Jack and Polly upstairs to be introduced. The children wore their Sunday best, and Susannah had braided Polly’s wispy hair into pigtails, tied with red satin ribbons. Addy heard murmurs of “how sweet” and “so adorable.” She rose to stand beside them, resting her hands on Jack’s shoulders so he wouldn’t fidget or bolt. “Friends, I would like you to meet my special guests, Polly and Jack Thomas. They’ve been staying with Howard and me while we wait for their father to return from overseas. Sadly, their mother died last October. At first, the children were separated and sent to two different orphanages before Howard and I were able to reunite them.

“Do you have any idea how many orphans’ homes there are in this city? Here’s a partial list of some of the ones the Stanhope Charitable Foundation supports.” Addy unfurled the list her mother had given her and held it up. “Many of the children in these orphanages aren’t orphans at all. Much too often, their mothers have become so impoverished that they’re unable to take care of their little ones. One infant arrived at the orphanage with this note pinned to his clothing:

‘I leave my little son in your hands with the hope that he will be lovingly cared for here. I would never leave my child if it was possible for me to make a respectable living for the two of us, but it is not. Please take care of my little boy. His name is Joseph.’”

Once again, the room had grown very still. “That’s a tragedy, don’t you think? Joseph had to be separated from his mother and sent to an institution because she couldn’t make ‘a respectable living.’ And it is mothers like little Joseph’s who the suffrage movement is trying to help. I know many of you probably see the movement as a bunch of angry women with placards, demanding the right to vote. But we’re trying to accomplish so much more than that, and we need to be heard in order to do it. If we could vote, we could fight for women to have better access to higher education and professional degrees. We would ask that the jobs available to women offered better wages, so mothers like Joseph’s could support their families. We would make sure that women were paid the same wages as men, not less, for doing the same work.

“The start of this new century should be a time of new beginnings for women. Yes, we are still wives and mothers. But we want to be respected as equal members of society, with an equal right to express our opinions through voting.”

Addy paused to survey her friends’ reactions and was pleased that they seemed to be listening. “I’ll get off my soapbox, now,” she said with a smile. “But if you’re interested, I would love to talk more about the suffrage movement with you. I’m happy to answer your questions, and I hope you will join me at one of our meetings so you can hear what our very gifted speakers have to say.” She nodded to Susannah, signaling that the children could leave, and held up the list of orphanages again. “If nothing else, would you consider contributing to one of these orphanages so they can buy new clothing and Christmas presents for the children? A child’s winter coat costs two dollars and forty-five cents in the Sears, Roebuck catalogue. I recently bought a new hat that could have clothed several orphans at that price. I know you are all good-hearted women. I would love to have you join me in my work.”

When the last guest left, Addy wanted to cheer in triumph. She raced down to the kitchen to thank Susannah and Mrs. Gleason and tell them the good news. “The tea was a wonderful success, thanks to you. I think my friends came here prepared to pity me, but judging by their reactions, they seemed surprised and impressed. They were listening, truly listening, when I shared about the women and children who need our help. Three of my friends asked if they could go to the next suffrage meeting with me.”

“That’s wonderful news, dear!”

“It’s a start, at least. And I couldn’t have done it without both of you. Thank you, thank you!”

Addy could hardly wait for Howard to come home so she could celebrate the news of her success with him. But her enthusiasm waned as the hour grew later and later. The children were put to bed. Mrs. Gleason’s lovely roast chicken began to shrivel and dry out in the warming oven. When he finally arrived, she told him about the tea as they ate together at the kitchen table, but her excitement had dimmed. “I saved you a piece of Lady Baltimore cake. You must try it. Mrs. Gleason and Susannah are godsends.”

“It sounds like a rousing success, darling. Congratulations.” Howard had listened with interest, but she noticed him trying to stifle his yawns. His blue eyes lacked their usual sparkle.

“You look exhausted, Howard. You’ve been getting up in the dark and coming home in the dark. I believe that’s what’s called ‘burning the candle at both ends.’”

He reached for her hand. “I’m sorry that I’ve been so busy. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. We’ll get a Christmas tree this weekend and the children can help us decorate it.”

“I’m excited about our first Christmas together. But to be honest, I’m very worried about how the children will react if their father doesn’t return home.”

“I know. I’m worried, too.”

“If it’s all right with you, I would like to buy presents for Jack and Polly, and a little something special for Susannah and Mrs. Gleason to thank them for all their help.”

“Of course.” He looked away, but not before Addy saw worry lines crease his forehead and gather around his eyes.

“Go up to bed, Howard. I’ll clear away these dishes and join you shortly.”

“I can help.”

“Another time. Go on.”

Addy had spent the long evening brooding and worrying while she’d waited for Howard to come home. Maybe tonight wasn’t the best time to talk with him, as tired as he was. But as she put the last of the leftover food in the icebox and carried the dishes to the sink, she decided not to wash them after all. She needed to share her concerns with him tonight. She changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed beside him. But instead of turning out the light, she faced him, taking his hands in hers. “I want to ask you a question, Howard, and I want an honest answer from you.”

He looked worried, but he nodded and said, “All right.”

She drew a deep breath then exhaled. “Are you working all these extra hours because you’re worried about our finances?” When he didn’t reply, his silence told her the answer. “Please, be honest with me. Our marriage must be based on trust.”

He sighed, looking down at their joined hands. “Well...” He sighed again. “Well, we’ve had a few extra expenses this month that weren’t in our budget. But I knew that if I worked a few extra hours this week, I could make up the difference. It’s only temporary, I promise.”

Tears filled Addy’s eyes. “I’m so sorry, Howard. Those extra expenses were my fault. I let Jack stay here without asking you first. Then I bought clothes for him and Polly, and we had to hire all those carriages for our searches—”

“Addy, listen—”

“No, let me finish. We agreed to hire a housekeeper, but I got carried away and hired a cook along with a housekeeper. And then I hosted a tea for my friends and spent even more money that wasn’t in our budget. I need to say I’m sorry, Howard. So sorry. You’re wearing yourself out with work and worry because of my impulsive decisions.”

“I don’t see it that way. No one can put a price tag on what it meant to those children to find each other again. We rescued Polly from that terrible asylum! When I think about that place...!”

“I know. It was a miracle.” Addy let go of his hands to wipe a tear. “But we’ve created the even bigger problem of what will happen to Polly and Jack after Christmas if their father doesn’t come. We’ve only been married a short time. Is it selfish of me to want some more time alone with you? Just the two of us?”

“If it is, then I’m selfish, too.”

“I wish I was better prepared for motherhood, but I’m not. I was raised by nursemaids, and it pains me to admit that Jack and Polly turn to Mrs. Gleason for motherly love and affection, not to me. I wish I could be the wonderful wife and mother that your mother is, but it may take years for me to learn everything.”

“Addy, I don’t expect you to be like my mother—or anyone else. I want you to be the woman you are. The woman I fell in love with and married. And there’s a big difference between getting used to being a parent from the very start of a child’s life, and having them thrust upon you when they’re three and eight years old. I’ve been thinking about Jack and Polly a lot, too. I don’t think we’re the right couple to adopt them. We’re newly married and totally unprepared for an instant family.”

“But we can’t take them back to the orphanage. Jack will run away again. He’s done it before. Do you think we could try to find a family willing to adopt them?”

“It might be difficult with Polly being deaf. I’ve investigated that a bit, too, and learned that the finest schools for deaf children are all boarding schools. And we both know we can’t separate the children again.”

“I’m so sorry I created this problem in the first place. I didn’t think it through when I took Jack into our home, and now it has gotten too big for me.”

“It’s because you have a big heart, darling. And I love you for that. We’ll figure something out.”

“Well, until we do, I’ve decided that I should pay for all their extra expenses from my inheritance, from now on.”

He shook his head, his expression stern. “Addy—”

“But it’s only right. Then you wouldn’t have to work such long hours.”

“You know how I feel about dipping into your inheritance. That money is for your future. If anything should happen to me, I want to make sure you’ll be taken care of. I don’t want you and any children we may have to end up indigent.”

“I understand. You’ve explained it before. But I need you to listen to my side of it. Please?”

“All right. Go on.”

“My grandmother inherited a great deal of money when her husband died, but she gave it all away. Every cent of it. And it brought her great joy to do it. She used her money to build a charitable foundation that has benefited thousands of people over the years. She purchased a boarding house for single mothers like your grandmother. And she invested anonymously in your and your brothers’ educations. Remember?”

“How can I forget? I wouldn’t be a lawyer if it weren’t for her.”

“She believed it wasn’t right to leave money sitting in a trust fund for some future rainy day when it could be used to change lives today. I want to follow her example, Howard. I want to invest our inheritance in people. And I have an idea for how I would like to go about it.”

Howard was no longer frowning. “Go on.”

She drew a breath and squared her shoulders. “These past few weeks, I’ve been training Susannah to be a shop clerk. She dreams of working in a lovely store like Dixon’s, someday.”

“Susannah? Our maid?”

“Yes. I’ve been wanting to tell you about it, but we’ve both been so busy I haven’t had a chance. Anyway, she’s almost ready to apply for a job.”

Howard smiled. “Won’t you be losing your housekeeper?”

“Yes, but that’s not important. I want to start a school for bright, young girls like her, a place where they can learn skills that will help them get better jobs. Skills like how to operate a typewriting machine and do other office work. There are young women in orphanages all over this city who will never be adopted by a family. And when they become too old to live there and are sent away, they have very little hope of escaping a life of poverty. Listen, it’s our inheritance, Howard, not just mine. Let’s spend it in a way that shows God’s love. Jesus gave up the riches and glory of heaven to become a poor, helpless baby who slept in a borrowed manger. He owned the wealth of the entire universe, but He didn’t come to be served but to serve others. Let’s invest in helping people. When our money is gone, it’s gone. We’ll live like everyone else does.”

“But I don’t want you to ever lack for a single thing.”

“I already have everything I will ever need.”

He looked away, running his hand through his hair. “This is very hard for me, Addy. It’s a husband’s job to take care of his wife—”

“I know. But we shouldn’t let money be our security. We can trust God for the future, can’t we? Hasn’t He taken care of us and our families all these years? Even after my father died and Mother and I lost so much, what seemed like a disaster wasn’t. We had a chance to start all over again, and in a brand-new way. It was the best thing that could have ever happened because I met you!”

Howard kissed her and held her close. “He has certainly blessed me with a remarkable wife.” He kissed her again. “I do like your idea, Addy. And you’re right, we can trust God. Just give me some time to think about it, all right? I promise we’ll dream about it some more together. But for now, you don’t need to spend any of your inheritance. Agreed?”

Addy nodded. Reluctantly. And silently promised herself that she would watch her spending more carefully from now on.