Read Online Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers - Free Book Online Page B

her what the cook had said, Mama’s face crumpled.
    “Oh, God . . .” Mama put her arms around Elise. “Oh, God, oh, God. I’m so sorry, Engel .” She rocked Elise, sobbing into her hair. “Throw the money away, Marta. It’s filthy lucre!”
    “It’s not mine to dispose of.” Marta left the coins on the bed. “Let Elise do it.” Maybe it would give her sister some small bit of satisfaction after what had been done to her. “At least, Papa won’t profit from his mistake.”
    Mama raised her head. “Do it for her. She’s too distressed.”
    “Oh, Mama!” Marta wept. “Papa is right about one thing. You’ve crippled her. She can’t even defend herself!”
    Mama looked stricken.
    Unable to bear more, Marta turned away.
    “Where are you going?” Mama spoke in a broken voice.
    “Back to Interlaken. I have responsibilities.”
    “There are no coaches until morning.”
    “There will be less trouble if I go. I seem to bring out the worst in Papa.” With her gone, he might think over what she had told him and regret the part he had played in this tragedy. “I’ll ask the Gilgans if I can stay for a night.”
    “Perhaps you’re right.” Mama stroked Elise’s head, buried in her lap. “I’m sorry, Marta.”
    “I’m sorry, too, Mama. More sorry than I can express.”
    Elise sat up. “Please don’t leave, Marta. Stay here with me.”
    “You have Mama to take care of you, Elise. You don’t need both of us.”
    Elise looked at Mama. “Tell her to stay!”
    Mama cupped Elise’s face. “You can’t ask for more than she’s done already, Elise. She brought you home, Engel . But she doesn’t belong here anymore. God has other plans for your sister.” Mama gathered Elise close and looked at Marta. “She has to go.”
    * * *
    The Gilgans welcomed Marta and asked no questions. Perhaps they assumed she had fought with her father again. She couldn’t tell them what had happened to Elise, though rumors would spread soon enough. She told Rosie when they went to bed, knowing Elise would have terrible days ahead.
    “I can’t bear to stay. I can’t stand by and watch Papa sulk and grumble about his ruined plans or see Mama coddle her. But Elise will need a friend.” She wept.
    Rosie put an arm around her. “You needn’t say more. I’ll offer my friendship, Marta. I’ll invite Elise to tea. I’ll invite her for walks in the hills. If she wants to talk, I’ll listen and never repeat a word. I swear on my life.”
    “I’ll try not to be jealous.”
    Moonlight came in through the window, making Rosie’s face white and angelic. “I’m doing it for you.” Tears shone in her eyes. “I’ll do my best. You know I will. But Elise has to want a friend.”
    “I know. What I don’t know is what will happen to her now. It would’ve been better if Mama hadn’t protected her so much.” Marta rubbed tears away angrily. “If anyone tried to rape me, I’d scream and claw and kick!”
    “Maybe she did.”
    Marta doubted it. “I swear before God, Rosie, if I’m ever fortunate enough to have a daughter, I’ll make sure she’s strong enough to stand up for herself!”
    When Rosie fell asleep, Marta lay awake staring at the beamed ceiling. What would become of Elise? How long before the Meyers’ cook told someone what happened in that house? Rumors spread like mold on the damp wall of Marta’s Germania basement bedroom. What if Herr Meyer or his son Derrick bragged to friends about the beautiful little angel they had used over the summer? Papa would not likely have the courage to confront Herr Meyer!
    If only her little sister could walk to market, head up in the knowledge that she was not to blame for any of it. But that would never happen. More likely, a word from Papa, and Elise would take the shame onto herself, absorbing it, plagued by it. And Mama, filled with pity, would allow her to hide inside the house. If Elise didn’t show her face, people might even begin to wonder if she had been