Though they continued to visit, the momentary discomfort caused by the brief encounters with the Dumont sisters faded into the background when Ethpeal discovered she was pregnant again. A boy this time, neither of us disappointed, knowing Miriam would make a fine leader.

The darling girl could lift my spirits with a giggle and a gentle stroke of her chubby little fingers. I often found myself her pillow as she curled up on the carpet after play with a blanket over her and my ...