CHAPTER 17 
CHAPTER 17 Upon Meg’s first day back at school, she went to Mr. Gallagher to ask for a form to enter the art contest. Susannah was thrilled. “Something’s happened to you, Meg,” she said. “You look healthy again, but it’s more than that.”
Meg just smiled. “You’ve been trying to tell me to stand up for what I believe, Susannah. With God’s help, I’m doing just that.”
Dr. Logan was pleased with Meg’s progress. His further orders to her were, “In the future, when you feel bad, you must rest.” To Mama he said, “Emma, you may be able to work relentlessly, but your daughter cannot. God created her a little differently.”
Mama nodded and looked at Meg. “I know now, Dr. Logan.” Meg and Mama had already had a long talk in which Mama had asked Meg to forgive her for not realizing she was truly sick. Then Meg asked Mama to forgive her for going to the institute without permission. They had hugged and wept together.
After being pronounced well, Meg asked Mama to have a dinner for the Hendrickses and Damon. To Meg’s delight, Mama agreed.
Meg had been right about Fred. He was impressed beyond words that Damon personally knew an inventor. Damon helped him see that art was not all that far removed from science. Meg was sure Fred would never tease her again about her drawings.
And to her delight, Damon and Stephen became fast friends. Within a couple of weeks of meeting the Hendrickses, Damon was spending afternoons helping out at the mercantile.
Spring returned to the city with a flourish. Flowering trees were transformed into pink and white explosions of color. The oaks and maples were budding, and flowers bloomed on every corner. Meg wanted to paint everything she saw.
One evening Meg mustered the courage to ask Papa if she could speak to him alone. Papa raised his craggy brows. “This sounds important. Shall we meet in the parlor?”
Once Papa had closed the door and they were settled in the overstuffed chairs, Papa said, “What is it, Meg? What did you want to talk about?”
Taking a breath and fighting down fear, Meg said, “Papa, your craftsmanship in your furniture making is very important to you. But my art is important to me as well. Would you allow me to study art? To take lessons?”
Papa thought a moment. “Meg, people need beds and bureaus and secretaries. These are necessary items.”
“But doesn’t a work of art enhance a lovely piece of furniture? Think of how the two go together in the fine homes where your furniture is found. As you say, there may not be a need for art, but God created exquisite spring flowers. Can you think of a need for them?”
Papa said nothing for a time, but Meg could tell he was thinking.
In the silence, Meg thought of Fred and his dreams. She added, “And Fred’s dream of a steam-driven lathe is as important to him as my art is to me. I know that hand-carved furniture is your trademark, but does it have to be one or the other? Couldn’t it be both? Couldn’t there be a part of the factory that is mechanized and a part where the hand carving is done? Wouldn’t it be better for you to utilize Fred’s wonderful talents than have him work for someone else?”
Meg could hardly believe she’d said that much and said it so clearly. Papa must have been surprised as well. “I’ve always known you had a good head on your shoulders, Margaret. Tell Fred to come in here, and let’s all have a good, long talk.”
As Meg went to fetch her brother, she knew Aunt Lucy had been right. There was more than one way to be strong.