“Gather your belongings and follow me.” Mrs. Robb started moving toward a passageway.

“Belongings?” scoffed Ann, another of the orphan girls. “’Xactly who does she think we are? Her Royal Majesties?”

Some of the others tittered. Yet all of them followed along the same as Mercy, empty-handed, with only the clothes they wore to accompany them into their new lives.

Mercy was surprised when they passed by a cow in a makeshift stall on the deck, as well as several pigs and chickens in crates. Barefoot sailors mending sails and scrubbing the deck paused in their work to gawk at the women. But Mrs. Robb hurried them along, giving them no time to explore or interact.

“Here you are.” Mrs. Robb finally stopped next to the ship’s funnel and motioned to a row of cabins directly behind it. “Count yourselves very blessed that you will have separate living quarters for the duration of this trip, meaning you won’t have to reside in steerage along with the other poor passengers. The Columbia Mission Society has raised enough money to pay for you to stay in cabins of your own.”

Mercy could only guess what the conditions of steerage were like—probably dark, cramped, and dismal, similar to what they were already accustomed to back in the slums. Although the ache in her heart hadn’t gone away since saying good-bye to Patience and everyone else, she was beginning to understand more and more the enormity of the opportunity she’d been given.

“There will be six of you bunking together,” Mrs. Robb added. “Once you choose your stateroom, I’ll expect you to remain there for the duration of the voyage.”

The women began to disperse. Mercy had led Sarah and the other orphans to the closest cabin when Mrs. Robb called out sharply, “Ladies, you will wait to pick your rooms until after I’m finished with my instructions.”

She stood silently until all the women had gathered again in front of her. “It is important for you to follow the rules set down by the Columbia Mission Society for the length of our trip. We must have orderliness on such a voyage and be above reproach if we hope to continue the good work of the Society in the future.”

Mercy stood straighter. Was the voyage of the Robert Lowe dependent upon how well her shipload of women behaved? If so, Mercy would be the model passenger, that she would.

“The most important rule for this voyage,” Mrs. Robb continued, “is that you are forbidden to fraternize with the other passengers, especially the men.”

At the general murmurings of discontent, Mrs. Robb pursed her lips and waited.