Samuel
We
finished work on the lumber mill today. Jonathon and I spent all
afternoon hammering in nails, while Peter and Jack solved the problem
with the chimney-pipe. The exhaust had been billowing
lighter-coloured smoke than was usual, and it came to be known that
there was a blockage in the furnace. With a little force, and the
aid of my keen eye, they were able to clear it out.
Upon my
return home Samantha welcomed me to the home of our parents with a
wreath of flowers collected from the edge of the forest, by the
hollow tree trunk. She had taken some of the younger girls from the
school out to pick flowers and make daisy chains.
I tried
to warn her about what father would say on the matter, as he did not
approve of girls or women going to the forest without an escort of
men. It is simply too dangerous these days, with all the reports of
wolves in the vicinity.
She
bridled me for my vain efforts to control her, and to my own horror I
pushed her roughly on the shoulders, a tone of anger flaring in my
voice. I tried to temper this ill mood but she had run off, not
hearing my calls of apology.
Alas, I
cannot control the wonton behaviour of my sister. She is a waifish
lass, the likes of whom tend to attract the fearsome attention of the
village council, and the eyes of the unruliest men. I shall have to
double my efforts to subdue her, and maintain my vigilance.
There
have been rumours of more new arrivals to our peaceful village. With
three score residents in Elysum this is a larger town, though I am
not certain there is room for any more souls. The Timbers boy spoke
of an old crone living alone in a shack, and that nobody knows from
whence she came, except that she has been seen twice this past week.
However,
I cannot dwell on such matters. There are other questions which are
more pressing. For instance, I wonder if Elsbeth will be keen for a
dance with me at the ball next month?
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