Chapter 136

Hope laid the letter to her mother aside so that the ink would have a chance to dry and addressed the envelope before taking another glance around her room and deciding it was time to head downstairs. Part of her hoped the opportunity to discuss the barn raising would present itself while the rest hoped she wouldn't have a chance to mention it until Caroline arrived. Then, she'd either go or tell the sweet woman that she wasn't able to, depending upon Mrs. Howard's countenance.

Hope was quiet in the hallway, thinking she shouldn't disturb her neighbor who was still snoring. The stairs creaked a little, but not enough to interrupt the cadence of the senior Mrs. Howard's breathing. She was glad because sometimes the older woman would shout at her if she was too loud in the hall, even though Hope thought she was being relatively quiet.