Susan Evans McCloud - The Giving Heart

Contents

Chapter One

Must You Go, Father?

Catch that little striped one! Hes heading straight for the river!

Sophie and Ellen laughed as Oscar pounced on the kitten and the two tumbled roly-poly along the green bank. Sophie was happy. The spring day was as warm as midsummer. She could smell the sweet new grasses, the lilies of the valley, and the delicate white violets which brightened the muddy, colorless marshes that bordered the water.

Sophie tickled Lucy Annes feet where she lay stretched out on a quilt in the sun. The baby giggled and Sophie bent down to kiss her cheek, more soft, more sweet-smelling than all the spring flowers together.

You love her very much, dont you? Ellen smiled as she asked the question. You dont ever seem to mind watching her, dressing hereven changing her soiled nappies. Ellen screwed her face into an expression of such distaste that Sophie had to laugh out loud. I dislike taking care of my brothers, Ellen persisted, glancing to where the two little boys were playing.

Its different with me and Lucy Anne, Sophie said quietly. How could she explain? First of all, shes a girlnot a boy! And we could so easily have lost her... She paused, the pain of those dark days gathering again in her throat. Mother, too. Her voice was almost a whisper. We nearly lost her. But instead She looked up and smiled through moist eyes. But instead, just see what we got!

It was more than that, though. It was everything that had happened: giving away her doll Amelia, learning how much Mother loved herso many things she could not find words to express.

Yes, she certainly is a beauty, Ellen cooed.

Sophie was glad to have Ellen for a friendEllen who had come as a stranger to their door last autumn with her basket of kittens and been turned reluctantly away, only to have Mother go back for the run of the litter, whom Sophie dubbed only kitty, later calling her Willow so that the poor gray striped kitten would have a proper name. During the cold winter months, attending Mr. Millers school together, Sophie and Ellen had become best of friends. Now here they sat, eating a picnic lunch by the river, with a new batch of kittens, just as Ellen had promised, and the long spring and summer before them.

My father nearly agreed to join the men who are going to march to Missouri. I was so afraid that he would. Ellen sighed as she spoke the words.

What men, what do you mean? Sophie asked drowsily. She had stretched out on the blanket beside Lucy Anne and closed her eyes. And the sun warmed her face until she felt like an early apricot being brushed into a soft blush by the strokes of the sun.

You never know anything, Sophie. Honestly! Ellen scolded. But her voice was gentle and indulgent. After all, she was a year older than Sophie. And, after all, she loved knowing what Sophie didnt know, and being able to tell.

Theyre calling it Zions Camp. Brother Joseph has asked for five hundred volunteers to go up to Missouri with him. Thats nearly a thousand miles away, Sophie! He means to save the Saints there from their enemies, though Father says he doesnt know how we could possibly manage that. Ellen sighed again and gave in to the warmth beating down on her hair. Lets rest by the baby just a few minutes before calling those bothersome boys.

So they did, until their own hunger aroused them. Then, after a lunch of bread and cheese, dried apples, and pound cake that Ellens mother had baked fresh that morning, they had footraces across the long meadow and clambered up the rising bankat the small boys insistenceto search out the sparrows nests and the gray river frogs that would jump up so suddenly and startlingly from the mud at their feet.

Sophie was tired when she reached home and only too happy to wash up and help Mother prepare dinner. Her head nodded over her bowl of chicken soup until Father said gently, Ill help Mother clean up tonight, my little nut-brown maiden. All that fresh air and sunshine has worn you right out.

Mother smiled at her. Yes, you may go to bed early with Oscar, dear, if youd like.

Sophie was tired. As she got into her nightgown and said her prayers her drowsy mind was still warm with the pleasures of the day. But just as she started to climb under the covers she heard her fathers voice, from the kitchenshe thought she caught a word that send a chill through her body and made her throat feel tight. She sat up straight in her bed and held very still. Would he say it again?

Missouri is so far away, Davey. So much might happen to you. Mothers voice was urgent, though calm.

Fathers reply was firm and laced with a happy confidence which sounded almost like laughter. Under the Prophets care, Martha, and with the Lord to guide us?

So it was true! Her father wanted to go on the dangerous trek to Missouri. Oh, what should they do?

Sophie slipped back down to her knees and prayed with all her might that Heavenly Father would make her father come to his senses, and let him stay home. When she climbed into bed she could still hear the rise and fall of her parents voices from the other end of the cabin. She closed her eyes and tried to cuddle into the warm nest Oscars sleeping body had made. She tried to ignore the little knot of fear that was growing inside her.

The following morning at the breakfast table Sophie was so quiet that Father asked, Are you ill, sweetheart?

When Sophie looked up into the ebony depths of his eyes gazing so kindly upon her, she couldnt help herself. Oh, Father! she cried. Ellen told me about the march to Missouri and that her father wont go. Im so afraid! I heard you talking to Motheryou wont go, either, will youyou wont leave us

Father drew Sophie close to him. Hush now, daughter, he soothed her. You are a big enough girl and a wise enough girl to try to understand.

I dont want to understand! Sophies heart protested. But, once again, she met Fathers warm, patient gaze.

First of all, Sophie, it is the Lord asking us, through his prophet, to go aid our brethren. He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head just a little. Since I first heard of this religion and believed it to be true I have made it my practice to do whatever the Lord may ask of me

But, Father, I prayed! Sophie nearly choked on the words as they tumbled out of her. I prayed that he would let you stay with us.

Sophie, Sophie. Fathers voice was still tender, but it had grown somewhat stern. You did not think before you prayed. Sometimes in our ignorance we ask for things which are not really for our best good

It isnt good for you to stay with us? Sophie did not understand.

Father tried again. There are little girls in Missouri, I am sure, whose homes were burned and destroyed by cruel men who then drove their helpless families out into the cold. These little girls, huddling along the snowy banks of the Missouri River, are hungry and frightened, Sophie. They have been praying that Heavenly Father would help them.