The Shunning by Susan Joseph Read Free Book Online Page B

would tell him the truth.
    "Samuel did," she said quietly.
    "And he made you cry?" Levi demanded. He knew his daughter well, and her eyes always told the truth when she was upset.
    " Dat , it is embarrassing," she admitted.
    "I am still your father and I would have the truth of the matter, daughter." Levi did not want the young man breaking Sadie's heart.
    "I was horrible tonight during a game with others." The telling brought a look of shame to her pretty face. "I was too aggressive, and I fear I hurt feelings, including Samuel's. Atlee took me aside to caution me, and I did apologize."
    "But Samuel decided to scold you further?" Levi guessed, unsure why his daughter would cry over that.
    " Dat , Samuel wanted to be sure I never did it again. He gave me a bletching ," she confessed the truth. "It was hardly the way I wanted my first ride home from a singing to go, but afterwards, Samuel was kind to me, and said he was sure I would remember to play with a kinder heart the next time. He is being baptized in May, Dat . Bishop Hershberger has been instructing him in the Ordnung and says he is ready to join the faith."
    Levi was surprised at the news. He honestly did not think that Samuel would choose the faith. After all, his father was shunned and took his wife away from here. It was unusual for the child of one who is shunned to return and take up life in the old ways. "Do you feel you were treated fairly, daughter?" he asked. While he did not particularly like the fact that Samuel disciplined his daughter, he knew only too well that she had a problem with needing to win. Games were meant to be fun, and he couldn't remember how many times he and Martha had scolded their daughter for this type of behavior. Sadie seemed to like and respect Samuel, and if a spanking from him helped her control this, he would be grateful.
    " Dat , I promise I will not do that again. It is so wrong of me, and I am an adult now. Samuel did what he thought best, and I will recall the lesson the next time I am asked to play a game with others," she said, her face red with embarrassment. "Do you feel he was wrong to punish me when we are not even courting yet?" she asked.
    "I think I will shake his hand if you are truly cured of this bad habit," Levi teased his daughter. "I will be serious now, Sadie, and ask you to mind me. I want no courting until I am sure Samuel is of the faith and earning his way."
    "We are not courting, Dat . Samuel wishes your permission before that happens. We are only seeing each other at our meetings and the singings, and he did not ask to bring me home until he had his horse and buggy. He hasn't come into the restaurant, either. We will not be sneaking behind your back, I promise you this."
    Levi stepped forward and gave Sadie a hug, which was a very rare thing indeed. " Danki , daughter. I only care to protect you and keep you safe from the outside world."
    "I know, Dat . I am looking forward to being baptized," she told him, meaning the words with all her heart. They were joined by Atlee, who seemed relieved to find her at home.
    "You are home safely!" he said with a smile.
    "Of course I am. I was with Samuel, and he would never let anything happen to me."
    "And you told Dat who brought you; I am proud of you, little sister. Goodnight."
    "Did you ask Atlee to watch out for me, Dat ?" she asked, a bit insulted.
    "No. It is part of being an older brother. I used to do the same when your Aenti Miriam and I were young. My Dat did not ask, but I felt responsible for her. It is goot that Atlee loves you, ain't so?"
    Sadie smiled. " Ja , Dat . It is goot ."

    * * *

    Samuel felt that two weeks was a long time to wait to see Sadie again, and he needed to be sure she was not upset with him for spanking her. Still, he could not very well sneak behind her Dat's and Mamm's backs to see her; it wouldn't be right. He took himself out to the barn early, took care of his horse, and then got busy sorting through the junk that David Yoder