Page 94 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“What happened to the goose?” Samuel asked.

Martha answered. “Mother caught it.”

“How?”

“She walked over and picked it up.”

Nathaniel laughed again.

Eleanor said, “Mother had an understanding with animals.”

Rebecca said, “Mother had corn.”

“That too.”

The camp applauded Eleanor’s humiliation enthusiastically.

Nathaniel leaned toward her. “I would have rescued you.”

“You would have stood beside Father laughing.”

“That is also possible.”

“I appreciate your honesty.”

“I am learning.”

Lydia pointed at Nathaniel. “Your turn.”

His smile disappeared.

Eleanor brightened immediately. “Yes.”

Nathaniel looked betrayed. “You are supposed to defend me.”

“Why?”

“We are courting.”

“That is not immunity.”

Mrs. Bell tapped her stick. “Story.”

Nathaniel sighed.

He looked around the fire. “Very well. When I was nineteen, I joined the Army.”

“That does not sound funny,” Lucy said.

“I had not reached the funny part.”

“Sorry.”

“My first assignment involved moving supply wagons. I knew nothing about supply wagons.”

Eleanor stared at him. “Nothing?”

“Very little.”