“Indeed, they are.”
Olivia walked over to the pail beside the house and washed her hands. The water was warm from being bathed by the sun. When she was done, she wiped her hands on the apron she had placed across her dress.
Olivia turned to the matron who had been watching her with fond eyes.
“Let’s sit out here for a little while,” the older woman said, waving a hand toward the steps.
Olivia sat down beside the matron, wondering what the woman wanted to talk about. She hoped it wasn’t to tell her to stop some of the things she had been doing since she arrived there four days ago.
Sometimes, she gathered the children to tell them stories from the bible. While she knew that Mrs. Harrison and a few of the other workers were Christians, she didn’t know if any of them were frowning at her lessons. Maybe they didn’t fancy her talking about God to the non-white children.
She didn’t know what she would do if she was told to stop sharing the Word of God with the other tribes. The gospel was for everyone.
Will you stop worrying and listen?
Olivia blushed when she realized that the matron had started talking.
“I want to thank you for deciding to come and work here. I know the accommodation is bare at best and the meals aren’t so great, but you behave as if this is the best place that you’ve ever been to.”
Olivia ducked her head for some seconds. The simplicity of the tiny room with only a small pallet on the floor and a few pegs on the wall didn’t worry her at all. Her teepee in the Cheyenne village had also been like that except that one had been colorful. Though the bedding was thin with a threadbare blanket on it, as long as she could lie on it and sleep it didn’t matter to her.
In the mornings, she washed with water drawn from the well in the backyard. Not want to enjoy looking at her reflection in the mirror, she didn’t mind the lack of one.
The meals mainly had to do with cornbread, vegetable stew, potatoes, and sometimes beans or rice, with little or no beef, but they were enough to keep her nourished.
“It’s the love I feel here, Mrs. Harrison. It wraps around me and makes me feel as if I’m in heaven,” she answered.
The older woman’s cheeks reddened with pleasure. “I’m happy to hear you say that. These children have been through a lot.”
Olivia nodded. “I can relate. I lost my parents when I was ten years old.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Olivia shrugged. “So, I understand what they’re going through. However, I was fortunate to find an Indian family who took me in and raised me as their own. I’m happy that these children have you and the other workers to give them a family.”
“And you, too, now, Olivia.” The matron patted her hand.
Olivia beamed with joy.
“When Annie told me that she had found someone to replace her, I can’t tell you how happy and excited I was. You see, we’ve been looking for workers for a long time. Because of the meager pay, the shabby accommodation, and poor meals, no one wants to work here. To hear you were willing to come, filled me with joy. And then the marshal came and told me glowing reports of you. I couldn’t wait to meet you. I must say I haven’t been disappointed.”
Olivia’s lips parted a little. Adam had come there singing her praises even before she agreed to come there? She couldn’t help the thrill that ran through her body.
“And having met you and seen how wonderful you are with the children, I’m more than happy to have you here.”
Olivia released a sigh of relief.
The matron heard the sigh and turned to look at her with concern. “Is all well, Olivia? Please don’t tell me you want to leave.”
Olivia shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no, it’s not that. I’m happy to be here for as long as you’ll have me.”
The older woman let out a relieved laugh. “I reckon it might be forever, or however long you want to stay.”
Olivia laughed.
Pressing on, she asked, “Then what’s wrong? Why the long sigh?”
Smiling shyly, Olivia answered, “I was afraid that you were going to tell me to stop teaching the children the bible.”
