Now Lyle was embarrassed at his awkward response, but he thought it might be better to leave things at that. Besides, he wasn’t sure what more to say, except “My wife and I are mighty sorry for your loss.”

“That’s very kind.” Frank reached out to shake his hand. “I appreciate it.”

Nodding again, Lyle excused himself and returned to looking for the metal brackets he needed for an extra shelf in the barn office.

The sun was peeking in and out of thick layers of clouds as Ellie walked out to get the mail that afternoon. As she carried the letters indoors and up to the sewing room, where Mamm was mending Dat’s older britches, her mind was on Leah. Now that her dear friend was gone, it was okay to tell Mamm what Leah was up to.

Placing the mail on top of the oak spool cabinet, Ellie said, “Looks like a couple of letters for you.”

“Denki, dear.” Mamm glanced at her. “You seem a bit sad.”

“I am,” Ellie said, and told her all that Leah had shared.

“So she’s already left?” Mamm looked flabbergasted.

“Yesterday, jah.” She paused. “There was no talkin’ her out of it, and she didn’t seem troubled by the fact she’s bound to be influenced by the world. She said she really wants to help this young English mother.”

“I can’t imagine what the poor woman’s goin’ through.”

“Such a tragedy.”

Mamm nodded her agreement. “And Leah’s your closest friend. I’m truly sorry to hear this.”

Ellie sighed. “To be honest, I’m disappointed we won’t be finishing baptismal instruction together.”

“I’m sure her parents are worried ’bout that, too. And to think she’ll be that far away.” Mamm shook her head sadly.

“Even so, Leah will surely be baptized in a year or so, when she returns.”

“We’ll keep her in prayer, for certain.”

Ellie nodded her agreement. “She’ll need it.”

Before bedtime that evening, Ellie looked out over at the Bontrager farmhouse. Leah’s window was ever so dark now. She wondered how Leah would feel if Sol, her close brother, hadn’t registered as a CO. Wouldn’t she be as worried about him as I am about Evan? she pondered. She hadn’t wanted to tell her friend about Evan’s troubling news before she left for Chambersburg and was feeling wrung out and needing to pray just now.

Ellie knelt beside the bed and folded her hands in front of her face.