The success of a quilting frolic depended not only on the sewing ability of the quilters, but also on the quality of the visiting. Emma’s stories about Eli, Rebecca, Mary, and Lillie always made her laugh. The four of them were having fun showing the Gless children all the best places to fish, climb trees, and collect rocks on the Brennaman farm. Emma and Thomas’s children were as generous with their time and friendship as the adults in their home. She wished Annie could’ve come, but having the frolic on Saturday, the busiest day at the bakery, precluded her attending. They’d settled on Saturday so the girls could contribute to Aenti Louise’s birthday present. Annie had already done her share of the sewing. “What about you? How’s Edmond doing?” Emma asked as her needle flew across the alternating rows of light and dark triangles in maroon and mauve. If she were frazzled by the extended absence of her husband, she gave no sign of it. “Has he settled down?”
