Inside, Mr. Harris’s voice cut through the murmurs. “Can we all come to order, please?”

Hanna put a finger to her lips and saw that Sam was making the same gesture. She realized then that she was glad not to be alone. No, that wasn’t quite right, because it wouldn’t feel the same with just anyone. She was glad he was here, and her cheeks warmed at the thought.

The noise settled. Mr. Harris went on, “I know folks here have some concerns about a new student who began attending school yesterday. You’ll all be able to have your say, but I’d like to start with Miss Walters.”

A quiet moment, and then Miss Walters began to speak. Her voice did not carry as well as Mr. Harris’s. Slowly, cautiously, Hanna rose from her crouch so she was standing next to the window rather than hunched beneath it. Sam did the same, on the other side of the window.

“—attended school yesterday and today. I would like you to know that she is a fine student. She has comported herself perfectly and has been kind to her schoolmates as well.”

Hanna frowned. Kind? When?

Miss Walters went on, “There has been absolutely no trouble resulting from her attendance, nor do I expect any. Indeed, I would say the opposite: that her scholarship and behavior will serve as an excellent example to the other students.”

“But she doesn’t belong here!”

“I don’t want her in school with my children!”

“Order!” Mr. Harris raised his voice. “I said you’d all be given a chance to speak. I intend to run this meeting in a civilized manner, and if anyone causes trouble, why, I’ll have to bring in the justice of the peace.”

The crowd laughed, for Mr. Harris was himself the justice of the peace.

“Thank you, Miss Walters,” he said next. “I now call on Philip Harris.”

Laughter again: Mr. Harris was calling on himself.

“I’ve known Ben Edmunds for a good few years,” he said. “First met him out in Kansas. He helped me build a house there, for me and Sarah Lynn and our children. Went without a house himself so we could get ours done first. Fetched us goods from town more than once, a thirty-mile walk each way. You couldn’t ask for a better neighbor. So you’ve heard Miss Walters talk about his daughter, and now I’ve told you about Ben himself. To my mind, they’re exactly the kind of folks we want here in LaForge.”

“What about his wife? She’s a Chinaman, that’s what I heard—”

“Where is she? How come no one’s met her yet?”

“Too ashamed, I’ll wager. He knows she’s not fit to live among decent folks.”