A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling Read Free Book Online

this last at the ceiling. Even the rain ran like tears down the windows, the water from the roof clattering into the rain barrel beside Ingeborg’s porch. “So much death lately. Oh, Mor, I cannot stand this.”
    â€œI know. Oh, how I know.”
    â€œI don’t know why I came visiting you when I’m such a mess.” Astrid dug in her pocket for a handkerchief, shaking her head as she tried to wipe her eyes and blow her nose. She tipped her head back. “It was their first baby, and he seemed to be fully formed, so why did he die? Mrs. Sorvito was in no condition to answer questions, even if I could have asked them. And her husband was in no shape to talk either. He was too frantic about possibly losing her.”
    â€œBut she is at the hospital now?”
    â€œDaniel and I carried her to the hospital, lifting her by thecorners of the sheet, once I got the bleeding stopped. I wasn’t taking any chances. Another man finally helped us. I think they were too afraid of the hospital to go there when she went into labor. No money probably.”
    â€œOr women aren’t usually taken to a hospital to have a baby, you know. They are supposed to have it at home. Was there a midwife there?”
    â€œNo. You know, there aren’t many women in that camp.” She sniffed and blew her nose again. The worst seemed to be over. “I think they speak Italian. It’s a shame Miriam isn’t here. She speaks both Italian and Gaelic. The man went to find Father Devlin, one reason he was unwilling for us to take her. I assured him that Father Devlin would come to the hospital. He must have been dead asleep to not have heard all the commotion.”
    â€œI believe he is away.”
    Astrid stared out the window. “Do you want to go dance in the rain?”
    â€œNot today. It’s a bit chilly for that.”
    â€œDo you remember when we did? Tante Kaaren and Sophie and Grace and us?” Astrid got up to stand beside her mother.
    â€œMore than once. There is nothing like rain-washed hair.” Ingeborg finished her coffee. “Freda is out in the cheese house. I should be helping her.”
    â€œInstead, you are helping your daughter.” Astrid leaned her head on her mother’s shoulder.
    â€œDoes Elizabeth know?”
    Astrid shrugged. “I got the woman stabilized, left orders, and went home for breakfast. Then I just grabbed the umbrella and came out here.” She blew out a breath. “I sure wish Miriam would get back here.”
    â€œTrygve said she is coming on Sunday’s train.”
    â€œHow come I didn’t know that?” Why did Ingeborg know this and Astrid did not? Had they called Elizabeth and she forgot to tell Astrid? “I better get back to the hospital.” She paused.“I miss the nurses no longer staying at our house. It has been delightful to see Corabell adjust to life so far from home, but I think living in a home rather than the boardinghouse was a good thing. At least at first.”
    Ingeborg nodded. “I like having Gray Cloud and Dawn Breaking drop by now and then. They are a great help, and they’re learning things that will serve them well when they go home to their tribe.” She adjusted Astrid’s shawl around her shoulders.
    Astrid paused in opening the door. “Mor, why don’t you come with me? You could be a mother to that poor Mrs. Sorvito today.”
    â€œAll right. I will. I’ll leave a note for Freda. There is nothing pressing here today.”
    â€œDo you want the buggy?”
    Ingeborg made a face and shook her head. “Outside in a rain-washed world is a great place to be.”
    The telephone rang, and they paused and counted rings. Ingeborg returned to the box on the wall.
    â€œIs Astrid still there?” It sounded like Rachel, Goodie Wold’s niece, on the switchboard.
    â€œJa. We are just going out the door.”
    â€œTell her to go to the hospital.