A Touch of Grace (34 page)

When they were seated and tea and coffee served, she turned to Grace. “I understand you have helped with your mother’s school for the deaf.”

“Yes. Mother learned to sign, thanks to Mr. Gould, who sent her a book to learn from. She taught me as she learned, then she taught the schoolchildren in Blessing and our pastor, who is also the school-teacher. Blessing is a very small community, and many of the people there learned to sign. Some of us are related, so that makes it easier.”

“The deaf children go to the public school also?”

“When they can sign well enough and have learned how to live with others.”

“I know how that is.” Mrs. Callahan turned to the others. “Some children come here who’ve been cooped up like pets or beasts. They have behavior problems and a lot of anger. We need a program to inform the public that deaf people are not stupid and do not need to be hidden away. I am sure if we could test many of those in institutions, we would find some are deaf rather than insane.” She passed the plate of cookies. “These were baked by some of our older students who manage the kitchen duties.”

“You don’t incur injuries because your students—er clients cannot hear?” Mr. Gould asked.

“We teach them to be careful and watch out for one another. Some never want to leave here. The world outside is a frightening place for those born with handicaps.”

“Do you teach lipreading also?” Mrs. Wooster sat on the edge of the sofa so that her feet could rest on the floor.

“Yes. But many have already learned a modicum of that skill; they have had to in order to survive. But with signing they can communicate in return.”

“If others can sign.”

“Right. I learned because my sister was born deaf, and I wanted to be able to talk with her. We learned together. She is one of our teachers now.” She handed each of them a brochure with a drawing of the school on the cover. “Here is more information. I mailed you a packet of information, Mr. Gould. Did you receive it?”

“Yes, but I haven’t had time to share it with the others.” He smiled an apology at Grace.

“Mrs. Wooster, I have a packet here for you too if you like.”

The door to the sitting room burst open, and two young girls erupted into the room, signing frantically. “Mrs. Callahan, there’s a cow in the garden.”

“So chase the cow out.” Mrs. Callahan signed and spoke at the same time.

“But she is eating the corn.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Jonathan stood up. “I’ll help you.” Together they went out of the room.

“It is easier to chase cows when you can yell at them.”

Mrs. Wooster laughed. “I’m sure it is, but a big stick is not a bad idea either.”

Grace wished she had gone too. But she hadn’t, and now it was too late, so she sat looking around the comfortable room that had at one time been much more formal. The wallpaper and heavy drapes testified to that fact, while the furniture looked sparse without any knickknacks and whatnot tables. A low table in front of the leather sofa held books and a vase with hydrangea blossoms in rich blue. Mrs. Callahan’s desk had seen better days, and stacks of books on the floor attested to the overflow from the shelves.

By not watching Mr. Gould and Mrs. Wooster speaking softly, she was able to stay within herself and think on this move. She already liked the headmistress, and if the rest of the building was like this room, she knew she could be comfortable here. What would it take to be accepted? She began to read through the brochure. They had various levels for students. She wondered where she would fit.
God, if this is what you want
for me, I thank you for taking care of making it happen. If not, I’ll just go
back to Blessing when Jonathan leaves for college
. That resolved, she looked up when she sensed the door opening again.

“I’m sorry for the interruption.” Mrs. Callahan and Jonathan returned, he grinning and she laughing. “Thank you, young man. I’m surprised that someone with your background knew how to herd a cow.”

“After my summer working on a farm in North Dakota, I can milk with the best of them now, among many other skills I had no idea I needed to learn.” He took his seat again, shooting Grace a smile that made her feel warm all over. He had the nicest smile.

“Come, let me show you around.”

The tour of the buildings didn’t take long, since there weren’t many students living there yet. There was a boys’ dormitory in one wing and one for the girls in the other. Smaller rooms slept one or two for the older students, and there were some single accommodations for the adults, including the staff. The rooms were quite small, but each had a window, so if there was sun there would be light.
I
wonder how dark they would be in winter. What would it be like to room
with a total stranger?
Several cottages were for married staff. Class-rooms took up a good part of the first floor, and a dining room had tables to seat everyone at once.

“We have a garden, flower beds, dogs, and cats, and a local farmer loans us horses if we have students who want to ride. His cow comes to visit whenever she can. She is a genius at getting through the fence.”

“What part do the animals play in the school?” Mrs. Wooster asked.

“They add to a home atmosphere we try to provide. As we are a vocational school too, the animals help the students learn responsibilities they may meet once they leave. We have built on the ideas of the Industrial Home for Deaf Mutes in Massachusetts.”

When they returned to the sitting room, Mrs. Callahan motioned to Grace. “Why don’t we go in another room so we can talk. Please excuse us.”

Grace followed her, Mrs. Wooster squeezing her hand as she walked by. It was a shame Jonathan’s mother wasn’t more like Mrs. Wooster.

Mrs. Callahan motioned for Grace to sit in a chair facing her. “You speak quite well for someone born deaf. You must have worked very hard.”

“I—we, my mother, my sister, and I did work hard. And I keep practicing all the time. I know it is sometimes hard for others to understand me.”

“I’m sure you’ve had some interesting experiences.”

Grace half smiled and gave a little nod.

“I’m going to ask you some questions that might not make a lot of sense but will give me a good idea of your signing skill.”

At the end of the questions, Mrs. Callahan complimented Grace on her dexterity. “You sign so gracefully too. You and your mother are to be commended. We have learned some new things that I know you will pick up easily.” She studied Grace for a moment. “I’m wondering if you would consider being a teacher’s assistant with second-level returning students. You can study with the advanced level students at the same time to improve your own skills. This would help with your school expenses, although I am not able to waive them all. Would this be satisfactory?”

“Why, I … ah, I am so surprised. But yes. Yes, I would like that.”
And here I was afraid I would not even be accepted
. “How much would I need to pay?”

Mrs. Callahan named a sum, and Grace nodded again. Using her graduation money, she could pay most of it herself.

“Our first quarter lasts until Christmas. Could you possibly move here within a week?”

“As far as I know.”
I wish it could be tomorrow
.

“Very good.” She stood. “I am looking forward to working with you.”

“But is this all?”

“I have learned that when I meet someone well qualified, I snap them up before someone else gets them. I don’t usually get someone of your caliber just walking through my door.”

Tears sprang up at her words. Within these walls Mrs. Callahan considered her of high caliber, whereas outside she was defective or inferior. She felt all the tension she had been holding in these many days slip away.

“Thank you. What do I need to bring?”

“Only your personal things. You will probably have a roommate, but I haven’t assigned rooms yet. Mostly we wear waists and dark skirts. You will be responsible for your own laundry. If you want to bring anything extra for your room, like pictures or remembrances of home, just remember your roommate will have some too. We provide the books and all the school supplies.”

Grace walked with her head high into the sitting room. “Could I move here within the week, or would that be an imposition?”

“Wonderful. Of course you can,” Mr. Gould said as he rose.

“I will be a teaching assistant, so I can afford my own expenses.”

“I told you I would gladly pay your way.”

“You already did so with my graduation gift.”

“We’ll discuss this later. Good day, Mrs. Callahan. Mrs. Wooster and I will be in contact with you soon.”

“Thank you.” She showed them to the door. “Miss Knutson, please have someone call me to let me know when you can arrive.”

“I will, Mrs. Callahan. Thank you so much.”

“Congratulations,” Jonathan said rather formally as they went down the walk.

She studied his face. Was he not happy for her? What was wrong? After all, this was why he brought her to New York, wasn’t it?

Blessing, North Dakota

N
O WONDER SHE WAS HAVING TROUBLE
leaving the threshing crew in God’s hands this year. Haakan had confessed not only to being tired, but he’d used the word
exhausted
. Was it age creeping up on him or was something wrong? And she’d kept missing Elizabeth to ask her opinion before the men left.

She glared down at the letter in her hand. She’d tried reading between the lines by lamplight for the last hour, because she’d awak-ened and not been able to go back to sleep. Usually when she woke in the night like this, she prayed for those who came to mind and went soundly back to sleep. But not this time. She stared out the window. Not even the tiniest crack of light in the east.

She picked up her Bible from the nightstand and flipped to Jesus’ words:
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee
. Usually they brought all the comfort she needed.
Lord, I know you keep your promises, and right
now I ask you to heal whatever it is that is making Haakan feel so
exhausted. Help him to sleep the deep sleep of healing and awake full of
energy. I can’t be there, but you are, and I have to trust you in this. You
know my heart. I am having trouble with trust right now
. The same feeling she’d had at the slaughter of the cattle was poking at her, trying to take over.

“I do not live by feelings. I live by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.” She repeated the words aloud to re-brand them into her mind and heart. “My heavenly Father has plans for good and not for evil.”

Will you trust me?
floated in on the breeze that stirred the curtains.

“I will trust you. I will trust you. I do trust you. I am trusting you.” She repeated the phrases as she refolded Haakan’s letter and slid it back into the envelope. “Please bring him home safe.”

She overslept for the first time since she couldn’t remember when. Astrid had bacon fried and eggs ready to fry next, with bread toasting on the rack over the open back lid.

“I was about to go wake you. Are you all right?”

Ingeborg finished tying on her apron. “Ja. I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. Then when I did, I guess my body decided to catch up.” The cat chirped as he wound himself around her skirt.

Astrid pointed to the envelope on the table. “There’s a telegram for you there.”

Oh no. Ingeborg’s heart fell even with her knees. “Why didn’t you wake me?” She stared at the yellow paper as if it were a snake coiled and ready to strike.

“Don’t worry, Mor. You’ll like it. Were it about Pa, I would have brought it to you. Mr. Valders delivered it.”

Ingeborg walked to the table and reached for the envelope. Since when did telegrams have good news?

DEAR MRS. BJORKLUND STOP PLEASE MEET MY EMISSARY
AT WESTBOUND TRAIN TODAY STOP HAS SOMETHING
FOR YOU STOP WITH DEEPEST GRATITUDE STOP
DAVID GOULD

Ingeborg read it again and looked up to find Astrid watching her. “What do you think it is?”

“How would I know?” She flipped the toast onto a plate, slid two fried eggs and bacon next to it, and handed the plate to her mother. “Coffee will be ready in a minute or two.”

“I was going to pickle beets today.”

“I’ll dig them right after we eat, and we can at least get them boiling. I have eggs to take to town, so we’ll have to take the buggy.”

“Meet his emissary? Something he couldn’t just put in a box or crate and send?”

“Are we going to say grace?”

“Ja, of course.” Together they repeated the prayer, their voices almost lost in the cavernous stillness of the house. Astrid got up to get the coffeepot and fill their cups.

“When do you think the crew will be home?”

“Your pa didn’t say but most likely not for at least two weeks. He said the harvest is good, so that means they won’t be home early.

Thank you, Lord, for a good harvest.” That would help compensate for the earlier losses. “I keep thinking I should start looking for cows to buy, but I don’t even know where to begin.”

“Andrew said he and Pa would go looking after harvest.”