“They even ignored the bull’s very pretty bow when he was brought down by the mace,” Experience added.

“They say we will sing for the colored people in New Orleans,” Louisa said, “though Mr. Ashland claims he had to take special care that we weren’t engaged at a fancy house.”

Ella put down her napkin at this and looked pleadingly at her father. But he shook his head slightly, as if to say Let it pass, for our guests.

“And,” Experience said, “every penny we earn, except for incidentals, is sent back to the college, Libertie.”

“We write to Alma Curtis every three weeks to assure her we are staying virtuous.” Louisa winked at me, and I felt my cheeks grow hot.

“She’ll be proud to know how you’ve turned out,” Experience said.

“How I’ve turned out?”

“Yes, she would be proud.”

“But I’ve done nothing I’ve been educated for,” I said.

They both look pained.

Emmanuel looked at me sharply. “You have done very well for yourself, Libertie.”

“Yes,” I said. “But Alma Curtis used to say I was a girl who could have an ambition.”

There was a brief, awkward silence. And then Louisa looked across the table to Ella, to compliment her on her cloak.

“It’s a coat of righteousness,” Ella said cheerfully. “As righteous as good brother Joseph’s was.”

Louisa looked at me quizzically. I shrugged.

Ella continued. “This coat is stitched with the word of the Lord.”

“Is that so?” Experience said.

Emmanuel cut her off. “Ella is excellent at needlework. She really is.”

“Very refined,” Louisa said.

Ella narrowed her eyes at her brother.

Emmanuel smiled at the Graces. “We have not had many visitors from outside the island. Probably only once a year, and then mostly other missionaries. It is an honor to have artists in the house.”

“I am an artist,” Ella said.

“Enough, Ella.” Bishop Chase put down his fork. “Ti Me,” he called. “Ti Me!”

She appeared at the dining room door.

“Take Miss Ella to the parlor, please, to wait for us while we finish dinner.”

“But I am not done!” Ella said. “I am not finished.”

Bishop Chase would not look at her; he only continued to chew.

Ella rocked slightly back and forth in her chair. “You cannot make me leave,” she said. But when she saw Ti Me in the doorway, Ella stood up.

“I believe I am to retire,” she said. And she bowed her head—once, twice—in each Grace’s direction. Then she was gone.

I felt Emmanuel’s hand on mine. I had been running my fingernails down the tablecloth, in one long swipe, like the claw of an alley cat. He wrapped his hand around my wrist and squeezed it. I knew he meant it kindly, but I only wanted to pull away.