Britta nodded. “I’ll draw up a pattern during Christmas break. If it turns out all right, I’ll put it in my hope chest, then make more for customers, if ya think they’ll sell.”

Mamma smiled. “I’d be happy to display them in my shop.”

Britta’s face shone at the prospect.

Susie placed two candles on the table and centered them on the Christmas runner. “Have ya memorized your lines for the play?”

Britta laughed. “Actually, I’ve been practicing while I milk the goats every day,” she said. “Really, though, I don’t have much to remember. But I do want to please Tessie. Teacher’s been helpin’ us with our parts for quite a while now.”

“You’ll do fine, dear,” Mamma encouraged her.

Susie agreed. “Mamma’s right, and I’ll be there to cheer you on.”

Britta looked concerned and turned to their mother. “Aren’t you goin’, too, Mamma?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Mamma glanced out the window, which was beginning to frost over.

“Are ya sure?” Susie asked, worried. “It’s awful cold.”

“Well, we could call Rachelle Good to pick us up and bring us home.” Mamma’s eyes brightened. “What do ya say, girls?”

Susie wanted to suggest that she stay home where it was toasty warm, with no risk of getting chilled. But Mamma’s eyes were full of love for Britta, and Susie couldn’t bear to discourage her from going.

A large wreath with a red bow graced the schoolhouse door as families entered. Inside, the large single classroom was bedecked with paper chains of red and green draped over the windows, as well as manger scenes drawn on the chalkboard behind the teacher’s desk. Paper snowflakes and other artwork by the children decorated the windows.

The schoolhouse was filling up quickly, and the air of excitement was nearly tangible as Susie sat with Mamma along the north wall, where chairs had been set up in rows. The opposite side of the room also accommodated the same amount of seating, and Susie could see Josh and Becky Miller with two of their little children and assumed their older ones were in the program. Verena and Marnie were present, too, as were Bishop Beiler’s twin grandsons, Michael and Jonas, and many others.

A number of Susie’s school-age cousins, all wearing different colored dresses and matching capes and long aprons, stood along the front left, behind Tessie, who wore a bright green dress and cape apron as she welcomed everyone to this year’s Christmas program.

Standing there among the other scholars, Britta looked bashful and uncertain. Susie’s heart went out to her, and she hoped her sister would remember her lines.