“Sure, but ya might not care to hear it.” Ruthann’s blue bandanna billowed out from her head as they turned right onto the road. A market wagon rumbled past, the horse galloping.

“Why wouldn’t I wanna hear it?”

Ruthann glanced at Ellie. “Okay, then.” She drew a breath. “Sol told me he heard Chuck Herr wants to attend a protest with a bunch of other guys at the square in downtown Lancaster. They’re angry ’bout Jack’s death . . . don’t want the same thing to happen to them or anyone else they know.”

Sol worked with Evan in the orchard six days a week, so Ellie wondered if her brother knew anything about this. Many marches and protests calling for the withdrawal of American troops had taken place throughout the war in both Lancaster and other areas of the country, including at the White House in Washington, DC. Like the rest of her family, Ellie had read multiple newspaper accounts of people gathered in these large groups, handing out antiwar flyers, carrying peace signs, and holding candlelight vigils.

“People are upset, Ellie. I mean, really upset. Did ya know that close to twelve thousand American soldiers were killed over there just last year? And that was only one year!” Ruthann’s voice broke.

“Sol told you this?”

Ruthann nodded, slowing her pace now. “’Tween you and me, I’m so relieved he registered as a conscientious objector last year when he turned eighteen.”

Ellie immediately thought of Evan. Like Sol, he was the wrong age at the wrong time. Surely Evan registered as a CO, too.

“I’m glad Sol spent some time with ya,” Ellie said. “It must’ve made your day.”

“And then some.” Ruthann’s expression brightened. “I’ll let ya know if—or when—he invites me out ridin’.”

“Maybe he will at the next Singing. Or will ya see him somewhere on Ascension Day, maybe? Several picnics are planned for die Youngie that day.”

“Sol didn’t say anything ’bout that, so I’ll just go wherever my brother wants to. Yonnie can decide.”

“Well, if ya want to get Sol’s attention, maybe see if you can find out which picnic he’s goin’ to.”

“That’s a great idea.” Ruthann paused. “But how can I fish around without him knowin’?”

“I’m sure ya can find a way.”

They were coming up on the Bontragers’ beef farm now, and Ellie could see her slender brunette friend, Leah, out sweeping the walkway. Then as Ellie and Ruthann were passing the family’s mailbox, Ellie noticed blond-headed Sol himself walking out of the shed in back, carrying a load of wood—for their cookstove, she assumed.

Ruthann must have spotted him, too, because she let out a little gasp. “Ach, I should’ve worn a nicer dress and apron.”

“Well, we could just walk over and say hullo to Leah. Maybe then you could wave to Sol.”