After Singing was over and it was time to pair up, Ellie saw Menno and Ruthann slipping out together—no ride there. So she set out to walk home, thinking someone might offer her a lift along the way. She’d seen Aaron asking one of the preacher’s nieces to go riding, though, so it was unlikely he would stop to offer her a ride. Not on a first date.

The tree frogs were especially noisy tonight, and the sound of their croaky song was somewhat of a comfort. As dark as it was, she was careful to walk close to the shoulder of the road. Tomorrow was the new moon, so there was no sign of it tonight. She wished she’d brought along a flashlight or even a small lantern.

After more than ten minutes of brisk walking, here came a buggy, slowing down.

“Ellie!” It was Cousin Sarah Ann’s voice.

Relieved, Ellie turned to see the open carriage coming to a stop on the shoulder.

“Hurry around and hop in,” Sarah Ann called. “You’ll have to sit on my lap, though.”

Ellie felt funny about it but went round the buggy and stepped inside, where Sarah Ann patted her lap. Fortunately, the distance home wasn’t much farther, so Ellie sat lightly, glad for the ride yet sorry about intruding on Sarah Ann and Chester Riehl’s date—though they’d been going out for quite a while now.

“Say, Ellie, I’ve been wondering ’bout Sol,” Chester said. “I saw him out early in the mornin’ the other day, walkin’ down toward the orchard. He was on his way to work, I guess. I s’pose he hasn’t heard that the deacon was warning us fellas not to walk alone along the road.”

This was a surprise to Ellie. She’d thought Sol was coming down through the neighbor’s cornfield each morning since his return. Hearing this from Chester made a shiver go up her spine.

“He’s mighty courageous,” Chester said. “Considerin’ what he’s suffered.”

“Ever so brave,” Sarah Ann said.

Contemplating what Chester said, Ellie was at a loss for words.

When they arrived at the house a few minutes later, Chester offered to pull all the way into the long lane so she wouldn’t have to walk in the dark.

“Oh, I’ll be fine,” she said, still thinking of Sol’s bravery. “Denki, though, Chester.”

“We’ll wait here till you’re safely inside,” he said.

“Mamm keeps a lantern lit in the kitchen near the window, so when I outen it, you’ll know I’m in.” She appreciated his kindness.

“Gut idea,” Sarah Ann said.

Craning his neck, Chester stared at the house. “It looks to me like there’s a lantern lit outside on the back porch.”

“Really?” Ellie stepped out of the carriage. “Not sure why that would be. Well, gut Nacht!”