sorry,” he said, “I did not encourage Mr. Spicer and I certainly did not lead him to believe that his appointment was a foregone conclusion.” In for a penny, in for a pound, he thought to himself. He went on. “In fact, I have severe reservations about the sincerity of Spicer’s intentions.”
The elder looked mollified. He can’t honestly have believed that I would have proceeded in that way, Lewis thought, speaking on behalf of the organizing body without the authority to do so? Apparently he had thought just that. Lewis felt the offence of it, but told himself to calm down. Things were upset enough within the Church without him adding to the turmoil.
“I think we’re agreed, gentlemen, that we need not even proceed to the interview stage with this application,” another elder said.
The others agreed. “Perhaps, Mr. Lewis, you could save us all some time and trouble by informing the applicant yourself?”
Lewis’s heart sank. So they did believe the worst of him. “I can prepare him for the news, but I believe that it is the duty of the Board to notify him in writing.”
“Of course, of course, we’ll do that. I just hope he’ll be capable of reading the letter.” There was a little snigger around the table at this. Again Lewis took offence, this time on Spicer’s behalf. It was true that the boy was in no way fit to be a preacher, but the arrogance shown in his dismissal nettled him.
Spicer was waiting for him when he returned home. He hadn’t even reached his door when the young man came striding along.
“Well?” he asked. “When do I start? Where are they sending me?”
“You’ll be notified officially, Morgan, but in all fairness I have to tell you that they were paying close attention to the applicants’ qualifications, and I’m afraid you fell a little short in that department.”
“Are you telling me they turned me down?”
“For the time being, yes.”
“But why? All I want to do is to serve the Lord. Why won’t they let me?” Morgan’s weaselly face was twisted, set in obstinate denial. His scowl did little to improve the unfortunate composition of his features.
“Listen, Morgan.” He chose his words the best he could to try to calm the young man down. “The Church has to be very careful these days. Our people are being accused of all sorts of things, from ignorance to downright treason. They have to make sure that everyone associated with the Church is of the highest calibre possible, in order to offset these accusations. They felt that some of your skills are a little lacking.”
“And what else did they say? I know there’s more.”
“They weren’t entirely sure of the sincerity of your intentions. It has been such a short period of time, you see, since you heard the call. They felt that you need to demonstrate your commitment a while longer before they can consider your application.”
The boy’s eyes filled with tears. “How could they say that? You were there. You saw it happen, the day I was filled with the blessed presence of my Saviour. You could tell them they’re mistaken.”
“No, Morgan, I couldn’t. Not in all conscience.”
“Why not? You mean you don’t believe me either? Well, I’ll tell you something Mr. Lewis, I’ll tell you what I think!” he was shouting now. “I think you’re all jealous. I think you’re all afraid I’ll show you all up. That’s why you won’t appoint me!”
Lewis began to understand why Rachel had used the word pest. Spicer appeared to be one of those wretched people who can never admit to their own shortcomings, but must find an external excuse for them, no matter how far-fetched and ridiculous the rationalizations might be. Whatever happened to these people was never their own fault, but the result of some malign external force.
“Listen,” Lewis said, “this isn’t the end of it, you know. You can apply again. You should sit down and think about what I’ve said, and try to do something to remedy the situation. You should find the necessary books and study them. You need to show constant desire to serve the Lord. You need to prove yourself to them.”
“I don’t need to prove myself to anybody! I’m just as good as any of you are. You’ll see!”
As he watched the pathetic little figure stomp away, Lewis had no real expectation that he would.
II
A solution to his problems had presented itself to Lewis. At least he thought it might be a solution. He had broken the news to Betsy that they were to move again. She had kept her face impassive, but he could see in her eyes that it was a blow. She was still prone to relapses of weakness, when the fever would take hold of her again and it would be all she could do to get out of bed. Nevertheless, she uttered not a word of complaint. “I’ll start packing,” was all she said.
The boys were less phlegmatic. They liked it where they were.
Will, at the age of seventeen, was courting a girl. He had apparently been planning to do something definitive about securing her affections, but the carpenter he worked for had reduced his hours, making it impossible for him to support a wife on what he was bringing in. Moving away would only compound his problems, and he was sure that the girl would find someone else if he wasn’t there to nurture the romance. Lewis hadn’t known how serious he was until his announcement that they were on their way to Elizabethtown.
“I’m not going.”
“Now, Will,” Lewis said. “Your mother needs your help.”
“I don’t care, I’m not going.”
“If Will’s not going, then is it possible for me to stay here too?” Moses asked.
Lewis reflected that he would never have dared go against his father’s dictates when he was a young lad, but times were different now and young people more apt to make their own way. He sneaked a sideways glance at Luke, who was sitting with wide eyes at the end of the table. Luke would like to side with his brothers, he could see, but he didn’t have quite enough courage to say so.
“Are you sure this is the girl you want?” he asked.
It was a question Will hadn’t been prepared for. Lewis watched conflicting emotions chase across the boy’s face — confusion, defiance, fear, a little pride.
“Yes.”
“Well, let me think on this. Maybe we can come up with a plan that will suit us all.” He had been considering his idea before he had even told them they were relocating, but he wanted to discuss it privately with Betsy first. He didn’t know if she would agree or not.
He waited until the boys had wolfed down their suppers and Martha had been put to bed. He poured out the two precious cups of tea that were left in the pot on the stove and took one to Betsy.
“What’s on your mind, Thaddeus?” After so many years of marriage, she could tell when he was brewing a notion.
“I’ve been thinking about this move. I know you’re still not well, and I’m not happy with making you shift households again.”
“I knew what it was going to be like when you first
