She nodded. “It did, as it has many a man and even a few women. Still, Papa knew the dangers, as did Mama. I don’t think she ever rested easy until he was home from fishing. Each day when he left, she would pray for him, and she continued to pray throughout the day until he returned home, and then she’d pray again and thank God for his safe return.”

“Sounds like . . . she prayed . . . a great deal.”

“She did. She was very close to God and taught us to be close as well. Are you close to God, Mr. Carson?”

He shook his head. “I never . . . saw it as . . . important. Didn’t believe . . . in God.”

“And now?” She put the cloth aside.

“I don’t . . . don’t know. Seems wrong.”

She frowned. “What?”

“Seems wrong to . . . ignore God . . . only to cry out . . . to Him at the end.”

“Nonsense. It’s never wrong to seek God. He wants us to seek Him, and it doesn’t matter that you’ve waited a lifetime. The important part is that you acknowledge Him—confess Him as Lord. When you do it isn’t nearly as important as doing it.

“Now, you need to rest, and I need to see to the baby. It’s a wonder she hasn’t caught the measles. We’ve done what we could to keep her away from the sick, but still it’s a miracle.” Gloriana headed for the door. “In a little bit I’ll bring you some broth. You have to keep up your strength, so just determine here and now that you will eat what I bring.” She smiled. “I don’t want to argue with you.”

Leaving the older man to rest, Gloria went to the stove and poured hot water into the basin. Abigail had told her to wash thoroughly after she dealt with the sick person. Gloriana had taken this to heart. If it kept Sally from exposure to the disease, Gloriana knew there wasn’t much she wouldn’t do.

Checking in on the baby, she found that Sally had fallen asleep playing. She was surrounded by her little toys and hugged her blanket close. Sweet child. Gloriana moved most of the toys to the end of the bed except the cloth doll that had become Sally’s favorite. This she left beside the baby and spread the blanket out to cover them both.