No Ocean Too Wide

by Carrie Turansky

  “I was bothered that Phillips took so long to secure our passage, but it seems Providence was behind the delay. Sailing with the girls from Hughes will give us an opportunity to see how they fare on the voyage. Those observations should be helpful in our report.”

  Andrew watched the girls as they lined up at the second- and third-class gangplank. They were all dressed alike in navy blue jackets with lighter blue dresses beneath. Each girl wore a cream-colored straw hat with a wide, navy blue ribbon around the crown and carried a satchel with a long strap over her shoulder.

  The two chaperones were dressed in traveling suits and simple hats. From this vantage point he couldn’t see their faces. Both were young and slim and moved among the girls at a quick pace, answering questions and offering reassurance. He quickly counted heads. “It looks like there are about fifty girls with two chaperones.”

  Henry studied the group. “I’m not sure that is an adequate number of adults to supervise that many girls.”

  “I suppose the older girls will help the younger ones.”

  “True, but a sea voyage can be quite rough if the weather turns stormy.” Henry glanced at him. “I recall you had a bit of trouble with seasickness on our last voyage to Italy.”

  Andrew chuckled. “Don’t remind me. I’m hoping I’ll gain my sea legs more quickly this time.”

  Henry clapped his hand on Andrew’s shoulder. “I’m sure you will. And if the weather stays mild like this, we shouldn’t have any trouble.”

  The girls reached the bottom of the gangplank with the shorter chaperone in the lead. All around, people stopped to watch their group. Even the men working on the dock turned to take a look as the long line of young girls waited to board the ship.

  Andrew smiled. It was an unusual sight with them all dressed alike and such a large number with only two adults to accompany them. How would they fare on the voyage? Recalling his bout with seasickness, he hoped they wouldn’t suffer as he had. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

  * * *

  Laura ushered the girls forward to join the long line of passengers waiting to board the Parisian. She scanned the length of the mammoth steamship, and her stomach did a nervous flip. There would be no turning back once she walked up that gangplank. The next time she set foot on land, she would be in Canada, on her own to search for her brother and sisters.

  The last few days had been so full of learning all she needed to know in her new position, she’d barely had a minute to herself. The first day Miss Williams had informed her she would be required to stay at the home, so she’d moved in and shared a room with Rose Carson.

  She had put off writing to Mum until she passed the one-week trial period. When Miss Williams confirmed she would be going to Canada with the next group, she’d written to tell Mum her plans. But she’d posted that letter only two days ago, so there hadn’t been time to receive a reply. Perhaps that was best. Mum might not approve of her making this trip, especially if she knew Laura was using a false name.

  She had left that detail out of her letter, and she refused to question her decision now. It was too late to change her mind. She didn’t have time to wait for Mum’s reply. If she was going to catch up with her siblings at the receiving home before they were placed with families, she had to leave now. And still, she might be too late.

  She glanced at Rose, and another sliver of guilt pricked her heart. Her new friend had been so kind, lending her clothes and helping her prepare for the journey. She wished she could confide in Rose and tell her the whole story. But Laura wasn’t sure Rose would keep her secret or even want to be her friend if she knew the truth.

  Six-year-old Anna May, the youngest girl in their group, tugged on Laura’s sleeve and looked up at her with wide brown eyes. “Miss Hopkins, how long will we be on that big ship?”

  Laura smiled, hoping to ease the girl’s fears. “About a week.”

  “That’s a long time.”

  Laura placed her hand on the little girl’s shoulder. “It’ll be an adventure. And when the week is past, we’ll arrive in Canada.”

  Rose joined them. “There’s no need to worry, Anna May. I’ve sailed to Canada three times on ships like this. We’ll be just fine.”

  “But what if we get lost or there’s a big storm?”

  “I’m sure we have a very experienced captain and crew, and even more important, Jesus promises to be with us wherever we go. He tells us to have faith and not be afraid. He can calm any storm.”

  Anna May sighed. “I’ll try, but it won’t be easy.”

  Rose’s eyes twinkled. “You’re a good girl, Anna May. And you can depend on Miss Hopkins and me to watch over you as well. You might even enjoy your week at sea. Then, before you know it, we’ll arrive in Quebec City, and you’ll be on your way to your new home and family.”

  Doubt still shimmered in Anna May’s eyes, but she gave a tentative nod, then turned to look up at the ship again.

  The boarding agent at the bottom of the gangplank waved Rose forward. He spoke to her for a few moments and handed her a packet of travel documents. She tucked them into her bag and motioned Laura forward to join her. “We have to wait. There’s some question about our accommodations.”

  Laura frowned. “What kind of question?”

  Rose sighed. “Not enough rooms for the number of girls in our group. But we don’t need to worry. I’m sure they’ll straighten it out.”

  Laura certainly hoped so. She couldn’t imagine having to turn around and take all these girls back to Hughes.

  Rose lifted her gaze and studied the ship. “The Parisian looks much newer than the ship we traveled on last time. Our quarters were so cramped that time, it was nearly impossible to…” Her voice trailed off as she stared up at the deck.

  “What is it, Rose?”

  “Don’t look up now, but I believe the inspector is on the top deck.”

  “The inspector?”

  “Yes, the man who paid a surprise visit to Hughes.”

  Laura peeked out from beneath her hat brim. A large crowd of men and women stood at the railing on the upper deck. “I don’t know who you mean.”

  “Oh, that’s right. You weren’t working at Hughes when he came.” Rose took another discreet glance up at the ship. “He just showed up, unannounced, with his associate, asking for a tour and a great deal of information. You should’ve heard Miss Williams after he left. I’ve never seen her so angry. She made it very clear she did not appreciate surprise visits from nosy government inspectors.”

  Laura could easily imagine the matron’s response. Though she’d been at Hughes only a short time, she’d seen the matron display her temper on several occasions. “I’m surprised she didn’t turn him away.”

  “She couldn’t. He’s conducting an official investigation for the government.”

  Unease prickled along Laura’s arms. “A government investigation?”

  “Yes, and not just Hughes. They visited several other children’s homes as well. They’re looking into the issues surrounding child emigration.”

  Panic rose in Laura’s chest, snatching away her breath. She peeked up at the top deck again. “Which one is he?”

  “Do you see the woman in the lavender dress with the large white hat with the ostrich feathers? Mr. Dowd is on her right.”

  She spotted him, and her gaze jumped to the man standing on his right. Andrew Frasier leaned on the railing, looking down at her group. She quickly lowered her head, praying her hat would block his view of her face.

  “I’m sure that’s Mr. Henry Dowd,” Rose continued. “Miss Williams introduced him when they toured my classroom. I don’t remember his associate’s name, but he’s up there as well.”

  Laura closed her eyes, wishing she could shrink out of sight. If Andrew Frasier discovered she was aboard the Parisian escorting a group of girls to Canada and using a fal
se name, her whole story would crumble. Rose would find out she’d lied to gain her position and secure her passage to Canada. They’d probably have her arrested or locked in her cabin. “Oh, this is terrible,” Laura muttered under her breath.

  “What?” Rose turned to her.

  Laura’s face flushed. “I just…don’t think it will be helpful to have inspectors watching us during the voyage.”

  “I suppose they may pay us a visit in steerage, but we have nothing to hide.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  A slow smile formed on Rose’s lips. “In fact, this may be an unexpected opportunity.”

  “What do you mean?” Laura couldn’t imagine anything positive coming from the situation.

  “If Mr. Dowd observes us caring for the girls and sees how well behaved and prepared they are for their new lives, that will give him a positive impression of our work at Hughes and child emigration in general.”

  “I suppose.” The line began moving forward again, and Laura leaned to the left, trying to see what was happening up ahead. If they could just hurry and board the ship, then he might not see her.

  “I think we should make sure we cross paths with them.”

  Alarm zinged along Laura’s nerves. “Oh, I don’t think we need to do that.”

  Rose smiled, undeterred from her idea. “I’m sure they’re traveling in first class, so we won’t see them at meals. They’ll have a separate dining room, but we might see them strolling on the deck when the weather is fine.”

  Laura moaned softly and lifted her hand to her forehead. Running into Andrew Frasier was the last thing she wanted to do. She hadn’t even boarded the ship and already her lie was putting her in a difficult position. What did she expect? This was what happened when you made a hasty decision, compromised your convictions, and tried to manipulate the situation. One lie led to the next and took you deeper into trouble.

  Rose placed her hand on Laura’s arm. “Are you feeling all right, Mary?”

  “I’m sure I’ll be fine once we’re aboard.” She looked away, unwilling to meet Rose’s eyes. She liked Rose, and she wished their friendship would grow and deepen, but that wouldn’t happen unless she was willing to tell her the truth…and that was impossible.

  Finally, the boarding agent returned and gave their group permission to board. Rose led the group, and each girl stepped forward in turn and gave the agent her name. He checked them off and motioned them up the gangplank. Laura followed the last girl. She stepped onto the ship and glanced over her shoulder.

  She was leaving the security of her homeland and heading off into the unknown. What would be the outcome of her journey? How much time would pass until she returned home to England? She had no answers for those questions, but she was certain of one thing—she would not return without her siblings.

  10

  Katie looked up at the tall clock tower rising above the Belleville Town Hall and tightened her hold on Grace’s hand. The imposing brick building was much larger than the surrounding buildings and looked a little out of place, especially in a small town like Belleville. Maybe the people here expected the town to grow and prosper in the future. Surely that was a good sign, wasn’t it?

  The scene reminded her of London, and that brought bittersweet thoughts of Mum and Dad to mind. Oh, how she missed them! How long would it be before she could think of them without this terrible ache in her chest or tears stinging her eyes?

  She blinked away the moisture and pulled in a shallow breath, trying to ease the ache. She had to focus on what was happening today and take care of Grace. That was most important now. Only time and God’s grace would heal her grieving heart.

  She glanced down at her sister as they followed the line of girls under the arched entryway and into the town hall. It was their fourth day in Canada, and she still felt as if she was walking through a confusing, unsettling dream.

  They’d left the ship in Quebec City and taken a train overnight to Montreal, then traveled on to Kingston, where half the girls left the train with one of the escorts. The rest of the girls, including Katie and Grace and the other two escorts, traveled on to Belleville, arriving at the receiving home around noon. Their chaperones served them a simple lunch of bread and soup, then took them upstairs to the big dormitory to rest. Yesterday they’d all taken baths and washed their hair and spent time sorting out the clothing in their trunks. Today they’d left for the town hall directly after breakfast.

  She hadn’t seen Garth since the last day on the Corinthian. Some of the boys in his group had boarded the same train as Katie and Grace, but Garth was not with them, and the fear of losing track of him had nearly sent her into a panic. She’d been so tired and upset during the train ride that she’d spent half the time in tears, and that made Grace cry as well. One of the escorts finally sat with them and encouraged them to dry their tears. She said they could ask about their brother when they reached Belleville. But so far, no one had been able to tell her anything more about Garth.

  “Come along, girls.” Miss Delaney, the tall Irish escort, motioned them through the dim hallway and down the steps into a large open room on the lower level of the town hall. She turned and scanned the group with a no-nonsense expression. Freckles were sprinkled across her plain face, and a small brown hat covered most of her curly red hair. “Line up by the wall and wait quietly.”

  Katie crossed the room and took her place next to Grace along the side wall. Twenty-four girls, half of the original group from Hughes, waited with them to meet the people who would take them to their new homes.

  Grace looked up at her with a frightened expression. “What if the people aren’t nice?”

  “Don’t worry. It’ll be all right.” Katie forced confidence into her voice. “Anyone who would take in children who are not their own must have a kind heart.” She prayed it was true and the family that chose them would treat them well.

  She placed her hand over her aching stomach and released a soft sigh. The lukewarm porridge she’d eaten at breakfast felt like it had congealed into a solid lump. So many questions swirled through her mind, but there was no way to answer them or know what would happen to her and Grace.

  Two men and an older woman sat at a long table near the front of the room. The blue curtain on the stage behind them was closed. A Canadian flag stood on one side of the stage, and some other flag she didn’t recognize stood on the other. Miss Delaney approached the table and introduced herself.

  The man seated in the middle nodded to her. “I’m Reverend Fuller, and this is Mr. Rook and Mrs. Abernathy. We’re here to oversee the placement of the girls.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you.” She took a folder from her bag and passed it to Reverend Fuller. “This is the list with the girls’ names and ages. If anyone wants to know about a girl’s background, I have their files with me, but it’s usually best not to offer that information unless someone asks.”

  Reverend Fuller nodded and searched across the group. Frowning, he lowered his gaze and scanned the list. “We were told you were bringing at least fifty girls.” He lifted serious eyes to meet Miss Delaney’s.

  “We brought fifty-two girls from England, but half of our group was dropped off in Kingston.”

  “You should have informed me you were only bringing twenty-six girls.” He tapped the stack of papers on the table. “I have fifty-five applicants waiting outside, each one planning to take in a girl as a domestic. They all paid their three-dollar fee, and they expect to take a child home today. What do you suggest I tell the other twenty-nine?”

  Her cheeks flushed pink beneath her freckles. “That is up to you, sir. I am simply following the directions Miss Williams, the matron of Hughes, gave me when we left England.”

  Reverend Fuller leaned to the left and spoke to Mr. Rook in a hushed voice. Then he turned and consulted Mrs. Abernathy. Finally, he straightened and looked up
at Miss Delaney. “We’re prepared to go ahead. We’ll bring in one couple at a time to see the girls and make their choice. When the girls are all distributed, I’ll step outside to speak to the others and explain the situation.”

  “Very well. We’re ready to begin when you are.” Miss Delaney turned and strode back across the room toward Katie and the others. Her face was still flushed as she approached and looked them over. “All right, girls. I want you to stand up straight. Look smart and be quiet and respectful to the people who come in to see you.”

  Katie straightened her back and glanced at Grace. She’d taken extra time combing and braiding Grace’s hair this morning, and she’d made sure her sister’s face and hands were clean. She wore the green print dress with an ivory pinafore, blue jacket, and straw hat, just like Katie and all the other girls. With her big blue eyes and sweet face, she was bound to be one of the first chosen.

  Mr. Rook crossed the room and stepped out through a side door. A few seconds later, the first couple walked in.

  The man was tall with dark hair and eyes, and he had a full mustache covering his upper lip. He was dressed in a fine black suit with white shirt and a dark green tie. He removed his black bowler hat and guided the woman across the room toward the line of girls. His expression grew serious and searching as he came closer.

  The woman looked younger than Mum, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. Her copper-colored suit was trimmed with a scroll design and a double row of covered buttons. It was much nicer than any of the outfits she and Mum had worked on in Mrs. Palmer’s dress shop. The woman’s large hat was covered with flowers and feathers and gathered netting that matched her suit.

  They walked down the row of girls, looking at each one carefully. The woman slowed as they approached Grace and Katie. A smile lifted her lips as she studied Grace.

  Katie’s heartbeat sped up, and she stepped closer to her sister. The woman looked her way. Katie lifted her chin and met the woman’s gaze. The woman smiled at her, then looked at her husband.