Henry introduced himself and the others. “We understand you’ve taken in a young girl named Sarah Buxton from the Pleasantview Children’s Home.”
“That’s right. Sarah has been with us about six months.” He nodded to the left. “She’s in the back, helping my wife cut some fabric.” He chuckled. “She follows my Mabel around like a baby duck follows her mother. It’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.”
Mr. Nelson certainly seemed to be a friendly, talkative man, but how did he treat the little girl? That was the most important question. From what she had observed in the infirmary, people could say all was well but then treat the children with harshness and cruelty.
Mr. Nelson’s forehead creased, and he brushed his hand down the front of his white apron. “Why are you asking about Sarah?”
“My friends and I are visiting some of the children who’ve been placed to see how they’re settling in and to ask if there are any issues or concerns.” Henry’s tone was warm and friendly, and that seemed to put Mr. Nelson at ease again.
The man rubbed his chin before answering. “Sarah was a little sad and confused when she first came to us, but that’s to be expected after all that happened to her back in England. It took some time for her to become accustomed to us and her new home, but now she’s doing fine. In fact, I’d say she’s as happy as a honeybee in a field of wildflowers.”
Henry nodded thoughtfully as he listened to Mr. Nelson.
Laura tensed. Was he just going to take the man’s word without question? He might not be telling the truth.
“This address is given as your home as well as your business.” Henry glanced at the list he’d taken from his pocket.
“That’s right. We live upstairs above the store.”
Henry glanced toward the ceiling. “Do you have other children?”
His expression dimmed. “No sir. We do not.”
“And you have adequate room there for Sarah as well as yourself and your wife?”
“Oh yes, plenty of space. We had no trouble welcoming Sarah into our home.”
“Does she attend school?”
Mr. Nelson nodded. “We enrolled her about a week after she came to us. It was difficult for her at first. She had very little schooling in England, and she had to work hard to catch up. But Mrs. Nelson helped her with her lessons in the evenings, and she’s reading well now. Of course, school is out of session for the summer now, but she’s learning arithmetic, measurements, and making change while she works with us in the store.”
Henry cocked his eyebrow. “So, you’d say she is doing well and you’re satisfied with her progress?”
“Oh yes. We’re very pleased. She seems quite settled and content now.”
Laura bristled. Henry shouldn’t make a judgment about the situation without seeing the girl. She shot a pointed glance at Andrew.
He gave a slight nod and turned to Mr. Nelson. “We’d like to speak to Sarah and ask her a few questions.”
Mr. Nelson’s gaze darted from Andrew to Henry. “Well, I suppose that would be all right.” He walked over to the aisle. “Mabel, would you please come up front and bring Sarah?”
“Yes dear, we’ll be right there.” The woman’s gentle voice floated out from the back of the store.
A few seconds later, an adorable girl with long dark curls walked up the aisle toward them. She wore a ruffled green dress with lace around the collar and sleeves, white stockings, and shiny black shoes. A large white bow was tied in her hair. Her age was listed as eleven, but she looked much younger. Was that due to her circumstances before she came to live with the Nelsons, or were they not giving her enough to eat?
A short, plump woman with bright blue eyes and light brown hair approached with Sarah. She wore a navy blue dress and carried several pieces of fabric draped over her arm. She smiled at them, questions in her eyes.
“This is my wife, Mabel Nelson, and this is our Sarah.” Mr. Nelson glanced at his wife, and she moved closer to him. From her uncertain expression Laura could see she was curious about their visit.
Henry leaned down so that he was on eye level with the little girl. “Hello, Sarah. My name is Mr. Dowd.”
“Hello, sir.” Sarah’s serious brown-eyed gaze stayed on Henry only for a moment, and then she looked down.
“My friends and I are visiting some of the children who’ve come from England and settled in Belleville. Do you remember living in England?”
She gave a slight nod. “Yes sir.”
“Do you have family there?”
She hesitated. “Not anymore.”
“Can you tell us about your family and your life in England?”
The little girl looked up at Mrs. Nelson.
The woman laid her hand gently on Sarah’s shoulder. “It’s all right, dear. You can tell them.”
Sarah released a slow, deep breath. “My mum and dad died in the workhouse, so my brother, Ted, and me ran away. We had no one to take us in, so we lived on the streets, looking for food and sleeping wherever we could stay warm.”
A pang pierced Laura’s heart as she listened. What a heartbreaking story, and Sarah was only one of many facing such terrible hardships.
“One day a kind woman found us sleeping in front of her shop, and she took us to a children’s home. I had to stay with the girls, and Ted went with the boys, so I didn’t see him much. He left for Canada first, and then I came over a little later.”
Henry gave a thoughtful nod. “Do you have contact with your brother?”
“He sends me letters, and we’re going to visit him soon.”
Mr. Nelson straightened. “That’s right. We’re planning a trip to Kingston next month to visit Ted. He’s staying with a family there and learning how to run a printing press.”
“That’s kind of you to help Sarah and her brother stay in touch,” Rose said. “Not every home child has that opportunity.”
“We both come from large families,” Mrs. Nelson added. “We know how important it is to stay connected with family members. Sarah has many new friends and cousins to enjoy, but only one brother.”
Henry glanced at Andrew, then at Rose and Laura. “Do you have any other questions?”
Rose nodded. “You mentioned Sarah attends school. Does she also attend church?”
“Oh yes,” Mrs. Nelson said. “We’re members at the First Congregational Church, and Sarah attends with us each Sunday. She enjoys Sunday school, and I’ve been helping her memorize the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 100.”
Their answers seemed appropriate, but the girl’s timid spirit made Laura wonder if everything the Nelsons said was true.
Andrew turned to Mr. Nelson. “We’d like to see where Sarah sleeps and spends her free time. Would you show us your rooms upstairs?”
Mrs. Nelson lifted her hand to her chest. “I’m afraid I was in a bit of a rush this morning and left some of the breakfast dishes in the sink.”
“Not to worry, my dear. You’re an excellent housekeeper, and we’ve nothing to hide.” He nodded to them. “Please, come with me.”
They followed Mr. and Mrs. Nelson and Sarah to the back of the store and climbed the steps to their private rooms above. Laura was the last to enter the Nelsons’ flat.
“This is our sitting room.” Mr. Nelson motioned toward the couch and two overstuffed chairs grouped near the fireplace. Two sets of shelves filled with books and photographs stood on either side of the fireplace, and an upright piano sat in one corner.
Mrs. Nelson looked to the right. “And through here is our dining room and kitchen.”
Laura and the others followed her past an oval table with six chairs and into the sunny kitchen. A worktable stood in the middle, and ruffled blue curtains hung at the windows. A few unwashed dishes and mugs sat in the sink, but the counters were clear, the floor was swept clean, and the glass in
the windows sparkled.
“You have a lovely home,” Rose said as her gaze swept the kitchen.
“Thank you.” Mrs. Nelson returned Rose’s smile, looking relieved.
Sarah sent them a tentative glance. “Would you like to see my room?”
“Yes, we would.” Henry smiled at Sarah. “Can you show us the way?”
“It’s through here.” The girl led them back into the sitting room and down a short hall. “This is Mabel and Walter’s room.” She pointed to a door on the left. “And this is my room.” She pushed open the door and they followed her inside.
Laura scanned the room, taking in the details. A pink, yellow, and lavender hand-stitched quilt covered the bed, and a plump white pillow rested by the headboard. White lace curtains hung at the two windows, and a vase of pink roses sat on the dressing table next to a brush and comb. A small bookshelf nearby held a basket of hair ribbons, a doll, and a few books.
Laura crossed the room to the padded window seat and looked out. “I imagine this is the perfect place to curl up and read a book.”
Sarah nodded and sent them a shy smile. “I like to sit there and look out the window.”
“It’s a very pretty room.” Rose touched the lace curtain. “Perfect for a girl your age.”
The room’s decorations and special touches did seem to indicate the Nelsons wanted Sarah to feel comfortable, but still Laura was not sure all was well.
Henry turned to Mr. Nelson. “May I speak to you and your wife in private for a moment?”
“Of course.” He turned to Sarah. “Go on downstairs, and we’ll be down in a few minutes.” The little girl nodded and walked out of the room.
“Laura and I will go with her.” Rose motioned to Laura, and they walked out and descended the stairs.
Sarah met them in the store and showed them around. She said she was learning how to help customers, ring up sales, and give the correct change. Rose asked her if she’d made friends at school, and Sarah listed several girls’ names. Then she took them to the back of the store and pointed through the window to her pet bunny, Felix, and said she enjoyed bringing him inside for a visit most evenings. By the time Henry, Andrew, and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson came downstairs, Sarah was smiling and talking freely.
Henry thanked the Nelsons. They all said goodbye to Sarah and walked out of the store.
Andrew paused at the bottom of the steps. “They seem like a nice couple.”
Rose nodded. “Sarah seems quite happy with them.”
“Yes. It was an encouraging visit.” Henry glanced back at the store. “If all the children are treated as well as Sarah, I’d say child emigration is quite a success.”
Laura frowned at Henry. “I hope you’re not going to draw that conclusion after visiting only one child.”
“No, I was simply saying—”
“Sarah may have a good situation, but that doesn’t mean all the children are treated in a similar fashion.”
“Of course.” Henry kept his voice calm. “But I’m pleased to see some guardians show genuine kindness toward the children.”
“I agree,” Andrew added. “And that gives us reason to hope your siblings are treated just as well.”
Laura pulled in a deep breath. She could not let their optimism go unchecked, but she also couldn’t afford to offend them. “That’s also my hope, but I can’t help thinking of those children in the infirmary. Most of them were there because those who should’ve protected and cared for them failed in the worst ways. I’m afraid recalling their suffering compounds my fears.”
* * *
Their second visit took them to Wolfram’s Bakery where fifteen-year-old Lydia Greenfield was working with the older couple who owned the small shop. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfram gave a glowing report about Lydia, saying she didn’t mind rising early to help with the daily baking and she enjoyed serving the customers. Her cheerful attitude brightened their days and had improved their business. They considered her a true blessing from heaven.
The Wolframs didn’t want to leave the shop to give them a tour of their home, but when Henry and the rest of the group spoke to Lydia privately, she told them she had her own room, had plenty of food and clothing, and was glad to stay with the Wolframs.
Laura checked her watch a few times during their visit. The girl and her guardians seemed happy, and there was no hint of trouble. That made Laura eager to finish the interview and move on to see her sister.
Finally, around three o’clock, after a quick lunch at a nearby café, Henry rented a buggy, and they drove across town toward Dr. and Mrs. Richardson’s home.
Laura held tightly to the side of the buggy, scanning the numbers on the houses they passed. She could hardly believe she was about to see Katie after months apart.
“There it is. Number 232.” Henry pulled the buggy to a stop. He and Andrew climbed down, and Henry helped Rose.
Andrew reached up and offered Laura his hand. Her heartbeat picked up speed as she took hold and stepped down. He gave her fingers a slight squeeze and sent her a reassuring smile.
She turned toward the large white house and scanned the property. A white picket fence enclosed the wide green lawn, and several large shrubs and bright summer flowers encircled the wraparound porch. It looked like a lovely home, and her hopes rose. Perhaps her sister had been well cared for by the family who lived there.
As they climbed the steps, Henry glanced at Laura. “I think it would be best if I spoke to Dr. and Mrs. Richardson first.”
Laura paused. Shouldn’t she be the one to speak up for Katie?
As if he’d understood her thoughts, he added, “We have to handle this very carefully if we hope to convince them to release your sister into our care.”
Her heart resisted, but finally she nodded, bowing to Henry’s legal expertise.
Henry knocked on the door. Laura held her breath and sent up a silent prayer. Andrew stepped closer to her, kindness in his eyes.
The door opened and a stout older woman with gray frizzy hair looked out. She wore a long white apron over her plain gray dress, suggesting she was a servant. “Yes?”
“Good afternoon.” Henry nodded to her. “We’d like to speak to Dr. and Mrs. Richardson.”
The woman’s brow creased. “What’s your name, sir?”
“Henry Dowd, and this is my associate, Mr. Frasier. These ladies are from the Pleasantview Home.”
She sniffed and looked all four of them over suspiciously. “The doctor isn’t in.”
“Then we’d like to speak to Mrs. Richardson.”
She studied them a moment more. “Wait here. I’ll see if she’s receiving visitors.” She closed the door with a thump and left them standing on the porch.
Andrew shook his head. “Not terribly friendly, is she?”
“That’s certainly not your typical Canadian welcome,” Rose added.
A few moments later the door opened again, and a tall woman looked out. “I’m Mrs. Richardson. What can I do for you?” Her words were polite, but her cool tone and tight expression made it clear she did not plan to invite them in.
“We understand you’ve taken in a girl named Katherine McAlister from the Pleasantview Home.”
Before Henry finished, Mrs. Richardson shook her head. “She’s not here.”
Laura shot a glance at Andrew, but his gaze was fixed on Mrs. Richardson.
“Can you tell us where she is?” Henry asked.
“I don’t know. She only stayed with us for a few days.”
Alarm raced through Laura. “Why? What happened?”
Mrs. Richardson’s expression firmed. “Surely since you’re from Pleasantview, you know the answer to that question.”
A heartsick wave washed over Laura.
“You and your husband are listed as her present guardians,” Henry continued, his firm
tone matching Mrs. Richardson’s.
“I told you she’s not here.”
“Was there a problem?”
“The girl was too young. She couldn’t do the work. Our housekeeper tried to train her, but she was stubborn and disrespectful.”
Laura gasped. Her sister was not stubborn, and she’d never been disrespectful!
“She became jealous and lashed out at our children.” Mrs. Richardson’s lips puckered. “That was the final straw. We sent her back.”
Laura shook her head. “That doesn’t sound like Katie. She’s a sweet girl, and she never gave her family a moment’s trouble.”
Mrs. Richardson’s nostrils flared. “Are you saying I’m not telling the truth?”
“No, I just don’t understand how you could describe her in those terms.”
Henry reached for Laura’s arm. “Please let me handle this.” He kept his voice low, but his meaning was clear.
Laura forced down her anger and gave a small nod.
Henry faced Mrs. Richardson again. “Can you tell us when you took Katherine back to Pleasantview?”
“I don’t remember. It was weeks ago.”
Henry gave a brief nod. “Very well. Thank you for your time. Good day.”
Mrs. Richardson stepped back and shut the door without another word.
Laura lifted her hand to her heart. “I can’t believe Katie’s not here.”
Rose stepped closer. “The matron must have sent her to another family.”
Laura nodded, remembering a whispered story she’d heard at Pleasantview about one girl who was moved twenty times before she finally finished her indentured contract.
A chill traveled through Laura. “I must have missed a notation about a second placement. Thank goodness I still have her file at Pleasantview.”
“Let’s head back there now.” Andrew motioned toward the buggy.
They drove across town and arrived at Pleasantview within twenty minutes. Laura hopped down and hurried up to the room she shared with Rose and Jane. She quickly retrieved Katie’s file from under her mattress and headed back downstairs. Andrew, Henry, and Rose waited for her on the porch.
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