What could be wrong? Susie wondered as she returned to the table to cut a small slice of the custard pie she’d made as a special surprise for Britta, then poured some coffee for herself. Has Mamma’s health worsened? But no, Britta’s voice message had indicated their mother was doing better. So what could it be?

As Susie sat there and opened Dat’s German Biewel to read from the Psalms, a powerful yearning came over her. She wished for the thousandth time that Dat and Eli were still alive, and that Mamma had never left for Missouri. Yet Dat had always said one could draw strength from Scripture, so while Susie read, she tried not to fret over Britta’s detachment but to trust in her earthly father’s promise . . . and in her heavenly Father’s care.

Another day passed, and Britta continued to be pleasant enough, even going out of her way to be extra kind, but Susie could read between the lines that all was not well. Her sister was more silent than sullen, and while this worried Susie, she went about her work in the house and in the shop, praying for whatever was causing Britta to behave like this.

That day, a letter arrived in the mail from Allen. It was thicker than usual, and she pulled her coat and scarf tight against the chilling wind as she took the mail to the house. Britta was taking a turn in the little shop, helping several customers who had braved the cold in their horse-drawn carriages.

Stepping into the kitchen, where she’d left a hearty ham and cabbage soup simmering on the stove, Susie noticed that her name was the only one on the envelope when, before, Allen had always included Britta.

Susie took a seat at the kitchen table in her coat, loosened her scarf, then opened the envelope, hoping Mamma was still doing okay.

A quick scan of the lines revealed the letter wasn’t about Mamma at all. Rather, Allen was planning to rent out the family home within the next six months or so.

This might come as a shock to you, but I’m going to need the money to help offset the expense of having Mamma here. The farm hasn’t done as well this year as I’d hoped, and I don’t want to drain the community alms fund to pay for her medical expenses.

“And Britta’s almost grown, and we’re livin’ here rent-free.” Susie whispered what he hadn’t said, resentment beginning to rise.

She continued reading.