“British Columbia,” Patience corrected. “It’s near Australia, right where it’s warm and sunny all the time.”

She’d heard stories of prisoners being loaded onto ships and sent off to Australia, never to be seen or heard from again. “No, I’m not a-going. It’s too far away, and then I’d never see you or anyone else again.”

Patience dropped her hold and took a step back, her expression turning severe. “You listen to me, Mercy Wilkins. You’re going and that’s all there is to it. You’re going, and then when you’ve been working for a mite, you can send me enough of your earnings to pay for my fare.”

The determined set to Patience’s chin told Mercy her sister wouldn’t be swayed. “Why can’t we both go now? You come with me to the society building, and we’ll sign up for the trip together, that we will.”

“I have to get over this cough first. And get strong again.”

“You’re strong enough.” But even as Mercy spoke, she felt Patience letting go and setting her adrift. Murky water opened up betwixt them, and even though Mercy grasped after her sister, the chasm grew wider.

Patience smiled tenderly. “If you won’t do this for yourself, then do it for me. Please.”

“But I can’t leave you here.” Mercy waved at the barren courtyard and the imposing building behind them.

“Do you want to make me happy?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then vow you’ll go to British Columbia. I’ll be happy if I know you’re someplace where you can start a new life for yourself. A good life.”

Before Mercy could respond, Patience started coughing again. The force of the hacks bent her over. Finally, breathing heavily, she straightened. The spots of color in her cheeks had deepened. She pushed against Mercy. “Go. Now.”

Mercy took a step away but hesitated.

“Please, Mercy, go.” The repeated pleas were like an ancient battering ram against Mercy’s remaining defenses, hitting hard and crumbling her resistance. “Vow it.”

“Fine, I’ll go. But you best be ready to follow soon after. D’ye hear me?”

Patience nodded wearily.

There was so much more Mercy wanted to say, but her throat constricted, cutting off her words. Instead, she hugged her sister tightly and left her standing in the courtyard.

five

What did you say your name was?” asked the woman from the opposite side of the desk.

“Mercy Wilkins, ma’am.” Mercy perched on the edge of her chair, folding the material of her skirt to hide the worst of the stains.

The woman ran her smooth, clean fingernail down a long list of what appeared to be names. “I don’t see that name on our list.”