Impulsively, she ran upstairs and pulled the box from beneath her bed. Sitting there on the floor, she opened the lid and removed the many letters she hadn’t been able to discard, after all. And, one by one, she began to reread them, her heart still tender toward what she’d had and lost, wishing she had realized it before it was too late.

“Mamma’s not comin’ home?” Britta said, her eyebrows raised after Susie shared the news.

“She’s just stayin’ longer than planned,” Susie explained gently.

“But for months?!” Britta’s voice cracked. “What about Christmas? Will she be home by then?”

“I hope so.” Susie went to her and held out her arms. “But in the meantime, we’ll be okay,” she said, holding her near. She began to describe how they would take turns running the little shop and doing the other chores. “Like we’ve been doin’. We’ll still have each other to lean on.”

“Still, it won’t be the same.” Britta rose and went to the counter, placing her empty tumbler there. Sniffling, she walked into the front room.

Susie stood there alone in the kitchen, observing her sister standing beside the windows. Should she go to her and offer more comfort, or let her have some time alone?

By the time supper was on the table, Britta seemed less upset and more brooding. Susie assumed she was mulling things over and would likely sit down and write a letter to Mamma later, one filled with questions. Might be a good thing, she thought, remembering that Allen wanted Mamma’s clothing and file of important papers sent to him. But she would wait till later tonight and make herself available to Britta during the evening. They would continue having Bible reading and prayer together, just as they had always done when Mamma was here.

Maintaining the routine is best, Susie decided.

“Do ya need help picking out Mamma’s clothes?” Britta asked as she buttered her slice of bread.

“Sure, that’d be great.”

Britta nodded. “Let me know whatever else I can do.”

“We’ll go to the post office together tomorrow and mail them,” Susie said.

Britta brightened a little. “I’ll line up a ride for us with Rachelle Good in a little while.”

“Gut idea,” Susie said, thinking that the distraction would surely lift her sister’s mood.

Looking now at Britta lovingly, Susie hoped that tending to her sister’s needs might soothe this new tear in her own heart.

Together, they boxed up Mamma’s clothing, choosing the newest dresses, capes, and aprons, as well as everything else they knew she would need, including her warm bathrobe and slippers, coat, gloves, and her black outer bonnet for Preaching service. In case she’s there into early winter . . .

Susie also tucked in a pretty embroidered doily she’d made for Mamma several years ago featuring her favorite flower, a golden sunflower.