Marna by Norah Hess Read Free Book Online Page B

mirror propped on the windowsill,
she had scrubbed away the dirt and grime. She had just
lifted back the tangled hair for a close look at her face
when Emery's heavy tread hit the porch. Her grandmother's warning words had echoed in her mind. Keep
your face dirty, child.
    In a panic she scooped up a handful of cold ashes
and charcoal from the fireplace and smeared them over
her clean face. She had hurried to her room then, disappointed that she had been unable to scrutinize her
face more closely. But the fast glimpse she'd had didn't
look ugly to her.
    Her doorknob turned quietly, and Hertha entered her
room, holding a candle to light her way. Closing the
door, she scolded gently, "I figured you'd be sittin' in
here in the dark."

    Sitting down next to her granddaughter, she took her
cold hands into her own. In a voice mixed with regret
and gladness, she said, "Marna, child, I have somethin'
to tell you."
    Marna squeezed her fingers. "I know, Grandma. I
was listening at the door."
    Noting the strain in the low-toned voice, Hertha sent
her a fast glance. "Oh? An eavesdropper never hears
any good of themselves, Marna."
    Marna gave a short, bitter laugh. "That's the truth."
    Pity for the girl washed over Hertha. "Did you hear
everything?"
    "Yes. The hunter is like everyone else. He thinks I'm
    ugly."
    Hertha was silent a moment, then said softly, "But
we know he's mistaken, don't we?"
    Marna's head jerked up, startled. "What do you
mean, Grandma?"
    "I mean you washed your face one day and took a
look."
    Marna dropped her eyes. "How did you know? You
were down in the hollow, picking blackberries."
    "I saw the pan of dirty water when I came home."
She laughed sarcastically. "I knew that Emery hadn't
washed his face."
    "I'm sorry, Grandma. I just wanted to see what I'd
look like with a clean face."
    "And did you like what you saw?"
    "I don't know. I didn't have time to take a good
look. The old devil came home and I had to throw
ashes on my face."
    They laughed softly in companionable amusement.
Hertha's constant reference to Emery as the old devil
had half the settlement calling him that.
    When they became serious again, Marna fidgeted a
moment, then asked softly, "Grandma, may I wash my
face and hair for my wedding? Be neat and clean from
now on?"

    Hertha sat staring thoughtfully for some moments.
She wanted to say yes to the reasonable request It was
only natural that a girl would want to look her best for
her wedding. But the circumstances here were very different from the normal standing before the preacher.
For Marna's best interests there were several things to
take into consideration. For one thing, the hunter
wasn't quite ready to settle down yet. He had to run
awhile longer, run himself down. And then, as he had
pointed out, he had a bunch of rough men living with
him.
    As gently as possible, she explained her refusal.
"When Matt takes you to his camp, Marna, you're
gonna be thrown in with a bunch of rough long hunters.
For the time being I think it best you stay as you are."
    "But, Grandma, the hunter won't want to take ...to
make me his real wife." Marna's voice trailed off, her
face crimson.
    Hertha patted her clasped hands and laughed softly.
"Don't fret about it, Marine. He will in time. But it's
just as well he don't for a while. I want your body full
grown before it's burdened with a baby. I don't want
you followin' in your poor Marna's tracks." Hertha
stood up stiffly. "I'm goin' for the preacher now. God
willin', you'll be out of this hellhole tomorrow."
    She turned to go, and Marna grabbed at her skirt
With tears brimming in her eyes, she whimpered, "Will
I see you anymore, Grandma, after I'm married?"
    Hertha sat back down and took her in tender arms.
"Hush now, child. Of course you'll see me. I'll be down
the hill at least once a week to see how you're gettin'
on.,,
    Relief shone through Marna's tears. She rubbed
grubby knuckles across her eyes, leaving