That evening, Christy joined Alice Henderson in the mission house parlor for a cup of tea.
“You seem troubled, Christy,” Miss Alice said.
“I can’t seem to stop thinking about the Washingtons,” Christy said. “I’m so worried the people here won’t accept them.”
She looked at Miss Alice hopefully. Alice Henderson was a Quaker mission worker who’d helped to found the school. She was a lovely, dignified woman, generous, thoughtful, and strong. Many times since coming here, Christy had turned to Miss Alice for help in understanding the people of Cutter Gap. She always seemed to have an answer, and her answers always carried a message of hope. She was known throughout the mountain communities and highly respected by all.
But tonight Miss Alice’s deep gray eyes were troubled. “I wish I could tell you that these people will come to accept the Washingtons. I wish I could tell you that when they read in their Bibles ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,’ they will take those words into their hearts and act on them.” She sipped at her tea. “But I don’t know if that will happen, Christy. It may take years. It may even take lifetimes.”
“I’m worried about the children at school. They can be so cruel sometimes. And some of the older boys, like Lundy . . . they can be downright dangerous.”
Miss Alice nodded. “I’ve heard some talk about parents who plan to keep their children out of school if the Washingtons come.”
“I suppose all we can do is try to help the children see that we’re all really the same on the inside. In time, maybe they’ll come to understand that.”
“I hope we can say the same of their parents,” said Miss Alice. “Sometimes it’s easier for children to see the truth of things.” She reached for the teapot. “More tea?”
“No, thanks. I should be getting to bed before long.”
“You’ve had a long day. Thank you for picking up that medicine from Doctor MacNeill.”
“I didn’t mind.”
“No,” Miss Alice said with a knowing smile, “I don’t suppose you did.”
Christy went to the window. The stars glimmered over the dark trees like a thousand fireflies.
“Miss Alice?” Christy said. “What would you say if somebody wanted you to pretend to be something you’re not?”
Miss Alice gazed at Christy thoughtfully. “Would that somebody be a certain physician who shall, for our purposes, remain nameless?”
Christy grinned. “Am I that transparent?”
“As glass.”
“Neil told one of his old school chums that he and I are engaged. Now that friend is getting married, and Neil wants me to go to the wedding.”
“As his fiancée?”
“As his rich fiancée who speaks four languages when she isn’t busy winning waltz championships with him.”
Miss Alice laughed. She had a glorious laugh, like bells ringing, that always made Christy feel better about life. Instantly, Christy found herself laughing, too, so hard it brought tears to her eyes.
“It is . . .” Christy gasped, “it is pretty ridiculous, when you think about it, isn’t it?”
“Neil MacNeill!” Miss Alice said, chuckling. “The most down-to-earth, no-nonsense man I’ve ever met, caught up in a story that silly? Yes, I’d say it’s quite ridiculous.”
Christy wiped her eyes. “I told him I simply couldn’t lie like that. What else could I have said?”
Still smiling, Miss Alice considered for a moment. “Don’t worry, Christy. Neil is a reasonable man. If I know him as well as I think I do, he’ll come to his senses and see the error of his ways.”
“I think he was feeling a little jealous of his friend. James has all the things Neil has had to sacrifice—money, a thriving practice, a nice home.”
“That’s understandable. Jealousy is a perfectly human emotion. However, this little deception of Neil’s is . . . well, it’s going a bit too far.”
“I’ll tell him I’ll go to the wedding, but only on the condition that he tell the truth,” Christy said.
“It’s certainly easier than learning three new languages overnight,” Miss Alice said with a grin.
David appeared in the doorway. “What on earth are you two giggling about?”
“Men,” Christy replied.
David raised his brows. “Oh? Anyone I know?”
“Actually,” said Miss Alice, “he doesn’t sound a bit like anyone we know. But we’re hoping that will change.”
Up in her bedroom, Christy climbed under her blanket with a sigh. She graded papers for a while. Then she pulled out her diary from her nightstand. She wanted to jot down the day’s events before she drifted off to sleep:
I confronted two problems today. One, I think I can handle. Doctor MacNeill seems to be going through some doubts about his life here, but I’m sure he’ll come to see how much he belongs in Cutter Gap. He has to. If he were to leave, the Cove would suffer terribly without a doctor. And I have to admit that I would suffer, too.
The other problem is very different. A new family has moved here, and it’s already clear they aren’t going to get a warm reception. Somehow, I have to find a way to help the Washingtons. Miss Alice says it will take time for them to be accepted, maybe years. But I’m determined to find a way to help them put down roots here. If I keep my eyes and my heart open, perhaps, God willing, I’ll see the way.