I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t kick this woman out of the house without raising suspicions. I couldn’t confront her with the truth in front of my parents.
Mother stopped at Father’s office door, poked her head inside to ask him to join them, and then took the woman to the parlor and offered her a seat.
I followed, and my father entered a few moments later.
“Reverend Baldwin,” the woman said, swallowing as she rose to greet him. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Please.” He motioned to the sofa where she’d been sitting with Mother. “Have a seat.”
“Caroline,” Mother asked, “will you start the tea?”
I didn’t want to leave them, but Mother would think I was rude not to help.
With a quick nod, I left the parlor and walked toward the kitchen, keeping an ear on the conversation.
“Now,” Father said, “tell us your name and why you’ve come.”
“My name is Alice Pierce,” she said.
It was Alice! I stayed near the door to listen, not caring about the tea.
“And why have you come, Miss Pierce?” Mother asked.
“Please, call me Alice. I—” She paused and then started over. “I’m in a desperate situation.”
“You mentioned that,” Mother said. “What kind of situation?”
“I’m with child.” Alice began to sob—I could hear it all the way in the kitchen.
As Mother tried to calm the young woman, I quickly filled a teakettle with water, lit the gas stove, set it to boil, and then returned to the parlor to find Mother’s arm around Alice.
Father had a very stern look upon his face—the kind of look he had when he was processing something weighty.
“And why did you come to us?” Father asked. “Why not your own parents?”
Alice lifted her face and dabbed at the tears on her cheeks with a handkerchief. “My parents are both dead. I live on my own and work for a living.”
“And what of the father?”
I held my breath. Would she blame Andrew?
Alice glanced at me, standing in the doorway, then looked at my father. “He’s married, but I didn’t know he was married when I met him. He led me to believe he loved me and was going to marry me.” She buried her face in her hands. “I’m so ashamed.”
“There, there,” Mother said, patting her back. “That’s how they all do it, dear. It’s like leading a lamb to slaughter.”
Father continued to frown in contemplation.
“I didn’t mean to lose my virtue,” Alice added. “But he was so charming. When I told him I was pregnant, he admitted he was married and said he had his own children to look after.”
Mother studied Father with deep concern. “How awful, Daniel. Can you even imagine a person like that?”
“Do you have a home?” Father asked her.
“No.” She shook her head as she indicated her suitcase. “I was renting an apartment in Saint Paul and working at—at a diner. Butwhen my boss heard that I was going to have a child, I was fired, and I didn’t have enough money to make my rent. I was forced out of my home today, and that’s why I came here, out of desperation.”
“Well, don’t worry,” Mother said, squeezing Alice’s shoulder. “We’ll let you stay here for the time being until we can get you back on your feet. Isn’t that right, Daniel? It’s the least we can do.”
I stepped forward, ready to stop this nonsense, but Father was nodding—and whenever he made a decision, he stuck to it. “I think that’s the best course of action for now. Miss Pierce may use the guest room until we can find employment for her and a place to live.”
