A Wedding Quilt for Ella Read Free Page B

wouldn’t think to step outside to empty the contents. He was a fine enough young man, as was her younger brother, Monroe. They just needed to be taught some manners.
    The noises in the washroom ceased, and Ella stepped inside and, as she expected, found the water dirty, Eli gone, and the soap bar skidded all the way to the back corner of the counter. With the water basin in her hand, she held the door open with her foot and threw the water into the yard.
    “Supper, Ella,” Mamm called from inside. “The boys are hungry.”
    Perhaps she ought to go on in, sit for the prayer, and then come back out to wash. But, no, they could wait. Eli could have dumped the water out if he had wanted to. That would have saved some time. She refilled the washbasin from the water bucket beside the cabinet and quickly washed her hands.
    “We’re hungry,” one of her brother’s roared from the kitchen as she splashed water on her face. There was a general murmur of voices and then silence.
    Slowly she dried her hands and face on the towel. That would teach them. She smiled in the semidarkness and then opened the kitchen door with a great rush.
    “She wouldn’t be makin’ Aden wait like that, now would she?” Monroe said. “Not when he’s starvin’ from a hard day’s work in the fields like we are.”
    “My, my,” their father said with a grin. “You boys will all make it—even as hungry as you are. And just remember this. If you get half as good a wife as Ella, you’ll be doing real good. That’s the kind of wife she’ll make for Aden. Yah.” He nodded his head sharply, his beard jerking with the motions of his chin.
    “Ach. She’s only so-so,” Monroe said, waving his arms around. “Can’t she hurry now? And Aden just wouldn’t be a-knowin’ any better, that’s all.”
    Ella sat down, ignoring them.
    “Are we ready to pray?” their father asked.
    Both boys nodded vigorously and then followed the rest, bowing their heads in prayer.
    Daett led out in German, “Our grosser Gott im himmel, You who never rest or grow weary, we now pause to give thanks and to bless Your great name. Your name is worthy of honor and glory and praise for as long as the earth stands and heavens shine. Even unto all eternity, You are and were and will forever be. Bless now our home and those who live here. Bless the food that is prepared. Be with those who hunger tonight in other lands and even in our own land. Give them grace, and when we meet them, give us compassion for their needs. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
    “Pass the mashed potatoes quick! I’m starving, and I won’t last much longer,” Eli blurted, motioning with both hands toward Dora who sat directly in front of the bowl of white, fluffy, mashed potatoes.
    Unmoving, Dora stared at the bowl.
    “Potatoes!” Monroe roared.
    “Let’s see now,” Dora said slowly, “do I want one spoonful or…maybe I want…two. Or, then again, I think…I’m gaining too much weight. Do you think I should have any at all?” She pondered the question while staring at the bowl with great intensity.
    “If you don’t be passin’ that bowl, I’ll be throwin’ a cow on your head,” Eli bellowed, “like right now.”
    “Ach! Yah, he will,” Dora said to the others in mock fear. “The great man has spoken, and shall I pass the potatoes, then?”
    “I think you’d better,” Daett said. “I could use some myself.”
    “Then I suppose I should,” Dora said, taking a spoonful with a sigh. With a sweet smile on her face, she passed the bowl.
    “We have to be warnin’ the poor boy who gets her for a wife,” Monroe whispered to Eli. “I wouldn’t wish her on my worst enemy.”
    “You’re a little late,” Dora said with a smirk. “He’s already smitten with my charms.”
    “Then he’ll need Da Hah to help him!” Eli declared.
    “Children, children,” Daett said, “let’s leave Da Hah out of this. He’s helping all of us.”
    “Some