The Shunning by Susan Joseph Read Free Book Online Page A

because Atlee instructed you to do so?"
    "No, he did no such thing. He merely told me to consider my behavior and said it was unbecoming. I said I was sorry because I was and am sorry! Please stop! You are hurting me so much!" Her tears turned into sobs. It was so embarrassing to be taken to task by Samuel.
    "Do you promise you will never again behave in that manner?" Samuel asked sternly, continuing to spank her rounded cheeks. Her skin was hot to his touch and since the light was so poor, he could not see how red her skin was. It was time to stop.
    "I do promise," she managed to reply.
    Samuel pulled down her skirt and then gently sat her on the seat beside him. He reached for his handkerchief and used it to wipe her face of tears. "Now, now, it is all over, little one. I am sorry it was necessary."
    "I do feel terrible for treating all of you so badly," she said, sniffling.
    Samuel gave her a hug. "I believe you, Sadie. You are such a sweet and nice young woman, and it isn't in your nature to hurt others. I am sure and certain you will think the next time and do your best to curb such behavior."
    "I will try," she promised, her burning backside a reminder that she would need to be careful not to act that way again.
    "I better get you on home. It would not do for one of your brothers to beat us there; your Dat would not be happy with me." Samuel was well aware that Levi Miller was still suspicious of him, and he understood the man's worry. Once he was baptized, he hoped that would change. Baptism would be in another two months, and the Bishop said he would be ready by then to make a decision. Samuel was sure of his decision, and hated that his shunned father took his Mamm away from here and denied him the upbringing he should have had. It felt like coming home in many ways. Even the Ordnung was true to the way his Mamm raised him to believe.
    "Samuel, Dat fears you will not choose to be baptized," Sadie said. "He also fears I would choose to live in the Englisch world if you asked." She looked over at him before asking, "Are you committed to choosing the Amish way?"
    " Ja , I am, Levi's Sadie. Your heart is safe with me." He smiled at her. "I will be taking my kneeling vows in May; Bishop Hershberger has been personally instructing me in the Ordnung , and he is pleased that my mamm taught me so much as I was growing up. He says I am ready to be baptized."
    "My Dat and Mamm will be pleased," Sadie said, and then said, "I am also being baptized in May."
    "This is goot . We should be permitted to openly court then, if you are agreeable to this?"
    "I am, as long as Dat agrees. I will not sneak behind his back," she warned, and Samuel chuckled.
    "I grow to love you more each time I am around you, Levi's Sadie."
    They talked of many things in the short drive to her home, and when they arrived, he walked around the buggy to help her down, even though he was sure she was used to getting down by herself. It made him feel good to treat her like a lady. "Goodnight, Sadie."
    "Goodnight, Samuel." She was disappointed when he didn't kiss her goodnight, or ask to see her again before the next meeting, but she understood now that Samuel was respecting her Dat's wishes. She let herself inside the house and quickly realized her parents and younger siblings were in bed. Sadie decided she wanted a snack before going upstairs and she got a glass of milk and a couple of her sister's raisin puffs.
    "Why do you eat at the counter, daughter?" Levi asked, coming into the kitchen in his stocking feet.
    "Oh, Dat ! I thought you were in bed!"
    "I could not sleep. I thought I heard you come inside and when you and your brother did not come upstairs I thought something might be wrong?"
    "Nothing is wrong. I accepted a ride home tonight, Dat ," she said. "It is a goot thing, too. Both David and Atlee offered rides to girls and then worried about what to do with me!" she said, giggling. Her Dat smiled.
    "Who brought you home?" he asked, wondering if she