Kurt had brought Mrs. Steward and little Nathan with him, and now he waited for them alone beside his wagon. After the closing prayer, Mrs. Steward had been surrounded by people who wanted a firsthand and detailed report on her husband’s recovery. Johann mingled with the other children. Since today was the Sabbath, none of them could run or play or swing but they could talk and tease quietly. Kurt couldn’t see Gunther, which of course made him think that Gunther was with Amanda. “I wonder why Miss Thurston doesn’t put that Dutchman in his place.” A woman’s sharp voice from the other side of his wagon hit Kurt like an arrow through his heart. “Maybe she doesn’t realize that he’s making up to her,” said another woman. “Humph. No woman is that naive. You heard him speak up about that baby she’d taken in. I think she encouraged him. Why else would he have done that?” Kurt cringed.
