The Social Porcupine

Hello, Life The mystery was over, but all the Lawrences' problems were not. The very next day, during lunch, Lucy heard a wagon. Immediately her heart jumped with fear. The children were at school (or should be). Vern was in the mines. It wasn't time for Tom and Mary to bring milk – why would anybody be coming? Lucy searched the room for Julie. Her little sister was sitting by the fireplace playing with the rag doll they had found in the mine's secret room. Lucy wiped her hands on her apron and walked to the door, trying to calm her fear. She didn't recognize the small buggy. But when it drew even closer she knew them to be some of the women from church. Lucy drew in a quick and painful breath. This could not be good – and she was all alone. There was no possible way she could go get Vern. “Hello, Lucy!” One of the women in the buggy waved. Lucy recognized the woman to be Delta, a well known lady from the church whose husband had recently retire...

Good Job, Julie! Julie lay in a frightened heap, crying. She was scared – it was dark and she was all alone. She heard Fred-O calling for her but she couldn't stop crying to call for help. His voice disappeared. Now she was even more alone and her crying increased. Thoughts of her mother entered her little mind. She wanted her – but her mother had been gone a long time. And Julie couldn't understand why. “Lucy!” Julie managed to shout between her sobbing. Lucy would take care of her if her mother couldn't. Her arm hurt. She had fallen on it when she had leaned too far into the dark hole. Julie heard footsteps. “Julie!” It was Vern and Lucy and Ann and Noah and Fred-O. She could hear their footsteps on the shack floor, making a loud noise like wind. “Julie,” Lucy called out. Julie couldn't answer, only cry. “Look!” Noah shouted. “The trap door is open.” All the voices moved and crowded around the opening. Julie saw all of her siblings...

Fred-O is Frightened “They buried him in autumn Yet couldn't hide their guilt. Fred-O spoke what was so Who lives half as good?” Fred-O held onto his seat as Noah guided the horse and small wagon (they had stopped using the sleigh weeks ago to go to school) over the rough ground. Fred-O sang heartily at the top of his lungs, his beloved song, singing the same words over and over. Ann seemed about ready to jump out of the wagon. Fred-O wondered if it was more because she was irritated with the song, or if she were overjoyed that it was spring. The bumps of the wagon weren't suiting her excitement too well – but they added a nice texture to Fred-O's song. Fred-O laughed – Ann was funny. Suddenly she did jump out, and started running to the cabin. Lucy was outside taking dry clothes from off the line. “It's spring!” Ann shouted. The words sounded good to Fred-O's ears for many reasons. School would be out soon. And the ground was al...

A Real Clue? Ann didn't always sit alone at school recesses and lunches. Patty came to say hi and sit with her quite often. This was Ann's little secret she didn't tell anyone – she was very selfish with wanting Patty all to herself. Deep down Ann knew all would be happy she wasn't truly becoming anti-social. They might be a little mad at her for ignoring the other girls. But Ann didn't really care. Today she sat alone. Patty hadn't come and Ann wasn't going to join the other girls. At one time they had all been good friends. Especially she and Barbara. But those girls said cruel things. Things that Ann would never repeat, even to let her mind rest. They had lectured her for her grief rather than comfort her – condemned her tears, saying she lacked faith in embracing Jesus' comfort completely. What would they know? The biggest sorrow they ever had was a sore tooth – causing them to miss an afternoon of play. No – they were no longe...

 A Friendly Visit Fred-O ran into the house leaving the front door wide open. Wind rushed in after him and the snow followed his footsteps. “Tom and Mary are coming! I saw their wagon on the down the hill.” Lucy was bending over a pile of dough, kneading it on the table, “Fred-O, the door.” He acted as if he didn't hear, “Shall I go and meet them?” “No,” answered Lucy, punching her bread dough. “They will be here soon enough. In the meanwhile close that door and clean up your wet mess.” Fred-O stood still half a moment as if deciding whether or not to obey. He chose to listen, first closing the door against the wind. Noah was not here, but at the mines with Vern today. Ann helped Lucy with the kitchen, cutting and washing a pile of potatoes Fred-O had brought up from the cellar. Julie sat at a corner of the table, scribbling on a piece of scrap paper. “Noah will be disappointed about missing out on seeing the O'Rallies,” Ann said. Lucy punched her flo...

Vern Lead's An Adventure Vern allowed himself to eat his porridge slowly, enjoying the taste and warmth of every bite. It wasn't often that he could just sit and eat and think of nothing stressful. But he allowed himself that pleasure on most Sundays. I should –, stressful thoughts of all he needed to do broke free through his mind. But no – Lucy said even the mind needed a break. He slaved over books and work the entire week. Sure, there was always more to do. But he still lost much sleep over what he was able to do. All the children sat around the table eating noisily, talking and laughing and singing. He enjoyed his own silence – not speaking. But the others' sounds felt like a soothing tonic – happiness was good. But then someone said his name. Vern sighed, knowing he'd need to answer back. “Do you think we can still visit the shack today?” Ann asked. Vern smiled finding talking wasn't that bad after all, “Sure – who all wants to go?” ...