Wade turned off down a lane to the Prestons’, then to the Fosters’ so Jesse could tell them about the inoculations coming up in two weeks. “The vaccine is being furnished by the Public Health Department,” she explained. “By vaccinating everyone the world’s health organizations are hoping to eradicate the disease that kills millions of people each year. A sore will appear on the arm where the serum has been rubbed into the skin. My father will explain the treatment it will require. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors.” Before she left, Jesse passed out stick candy to the children and promised another when they came to get their smallpox vaccinations. The Gordon home was as neat as Jesse remembered it. The children playing on a swing in the yard stopped to stare at the buggy as it approached. One ran to the house yelling, “Maw.” Wade helped Jesse from the buggy. She smiled into his eyes and squeezed his hand.
