A Hidden Truth (29 page)

“I thought maybe you'd want to finish up since—”

“That's not the way you learn. You're doing fine. A small nick on your first sheep is to be expected.”

There was reluctance in Anton's step, but he settled the animal in position and set to work. Perspiration dotted his brow by the time he finished, but he smiled with delight when my father congratulated him on his accomplishment.

“Now you can set to work on those others over there.” My father pointed to several sheep in a far stall.

Anton's smile slipped away as quickly as it had arrived. “Do you mean it? I have to shear those others?”

“If you're going to feel gut about working with the other men on Monday, you need to shear more than one sheep today. You have tomorrow to rest up.” There was a gleam in my father's eyes. “You'll be suffering a few aches and pains in the morning, but by Monday you'll be eager to begin.”

Anton didn't argue, but I could see that my father's remarks hadn't swayed him. If he could have his way, he would go out to the pasture or work on another invention, but I was pleased when he went and dutifully brought another sheep to the tarp. Anton was not the same man who'd first arrived in East.

Word had spread throughout the villages that we would begin shearing today. And though most of the men had to go out to the fields, there were visitors from the outside and a few from Main who arrived to observe the men perform their shearing. I understood the enthusiasm of those who came, for even after all these years, I still enjoyed watching the process.

We had prepared the shearing area in the shelter that adjoined the east side of the barn after Anton finished his lesson on Saturday. This morning my father and Anton had gone to the barn so they could prepare the sheep to be moved on and off the shearing floor in a quick and orderly fashion.

The shearing was moving along, with all of the hired shearers as well as our own shepherds working at a steady pace. I was pleased that Jakub had taken a position next to Anton. Already Jakub had given Anton several compliments on his shearing and had come to his aid when one of the sheep had become uncooperative.

The men had just begun when I arrived at the barn. I took my place on the floor where I would help sweep up the locks and carry off the fleece as the men finished each sheep. Visitors had gathered along the perimeter of the shelter. Their faces reflected escalating admiration as the shearers worked with speed and agility. I was carrying fleece to the stacking table when I heard someone call Anton's name. I turned toward the group of visitors, and my eyes were immediately drawn toward the voice.
Violet!
Her father was at her side. He directed a stern look at her and leaned toward her to say something I couldn't discern. Moments later, the two of them headed toward the shearing shelter. My stomach roiled and I thought I might faint.

CHAPTER 29

The weight of the fleece didn't permit me to delay any longer, but I kept my eyes trained on Violet and her father as I carried the pile of heavy wool to the stacking table. After placing the bundle on the table, I turned my full attention to the two visitors. Instead of going to where Anton was shearing, they stood near my father. Dr. Nagel's features twisted into a sour look as he motioned toward Anton and then looked at Violet. I couldn't imagine what they were saying, but I was sure it wasn't good.

Once Anton finished shearing his sheep, my father went to speak with him and then escorted him back to where Dr. Nagel and Violet were standing with their arms folded across their chests. Violet wore a look of triumph, while Dr. Nagel's features remained frozen in a disagreeable frown. What did they want? I knew it could be nothing good. My mouth felt as dry as the wool I'd carried to the stacking table only moments earlier.

Taking sidesteps across the straw, I drew closer. I wanted to hear what had caused Dr. Nagel to speak with my father. Whatever the reason, it must involve Violet, or she wouldn't be standing at her father's side. I watched as she rested her head on her father's shoulder and gazed up at him. She obviously was an old hand at using such tactics to gain her father's support.

Inching a few steps closer, I heard Violet confirm that she was telling the truth. “He did take advantage of me, Vater. Anton returned from the pasture right after you left for Main Amana. We were alone in the barn for almost an hour.” She fluttered her lashes. “I told you all of this. Why must I repeat it?”

My father's face tightened. “Because you are making terrible accusations that can cause grave consequences for Anton. And because I am having some trouble believing he would conduct himself in such a manner.”

Dr. Nagel squared his shoulders and glared at my father. “You think my daughter would lie about such a serious matter?”

“It would not be the first time.” Anton glared at Violet. “Tell the truth, Violet. You came to the barn and tried to convince me to ask the elders for permission to marry you. When I refused and said I loved another, you became angry with me.”

Violet shook her head. “That isn't true. You said you loved me and that I must prove my love for you. When I refused, you attempted to take advantage of me and didn't turn loose of me until you heard my father call for me.”

I gasped. “Violet! How can you say those things?”

Violet and the three men all turned in my direction. I didn't know who was the most surprised by my unexpected intrusion. Violet's eyes flashed with anger, and I knew she wasn't going to easily admit the truth. I sensed a hint of fear in Anton's bearing, and my father and Dr. Nagel seemed taken aback that I had entered the fray.

Violet had shown no indication she planned to answer my question. Unwilling to let my question pass without hearing a response from her, I rested my hands on my hips. “And how did you convince your father such a story could be true? I was in the barn and heard portions of your conversation. You weren't attempting to get away from Anton. In fact, you were trying to convince him to marry you.” I hadn't heard that portion of the conversation, but I did believe Anton had told me the truth. I also knew that Violet had no idea how long I'd been in the barn.

I inhaled a deep breath. “The only anger you exhibited that day was toward me. If Anton had attempted to take advantage of you, why didn't you say something when your father appeared? Your clothing showed no sign of a struggle, and you exhibited more anger toward me than toward Anton.”

Dr. Nagel cast a stern look at his daughter. “Well? Can you answer Sister Karlina's questions? These are some of the same things I asked about when you came to me and made these accusations yesterday.”

“Yesterday? She waited until yesterday to tell you something so terrible had happened to her more than a month ago? You cannot believe this story is true, Dr. Nagel. I know that there were times I got into fights while I lived in High, but never have I done anything to dishonor a woman. Violet, you need to tell your Vater the truth—about everything.”

Although he spoke with passion, Anton held any sign of anger in check. I gave my father a sideways glance, hoping he had noticed. Had this confrontation occurred back in December, Anton would have lashed out at both Violet and her father. Today, he wasn't controlled by anger. Instead, he was letting reason prevail.

Violet's face turned crimson. She narrowed her eyes, and for a minute, I thought she would hold fast to her accusations. “I don't want to talk in front of all of you.” Hatred flashed in her eyes when she turned to me. “I'll speak to my Vater when we are alone.”

“Nein!” I hadn't expected Dr. Nagel to disagree, but he pointed at Violet and shook his head. “You will speak right here and right now for all of us to hear. If you spoke the truth, there should be no shame. If your words were not true, apologies are required and punishment will follow.”

Speaking so quietly we were all required to lean closer, Violet reluctantly admitted nothing had happened in the barn. “Anton said he did not want to marry me.” She whined the final sentence and shoved her lower lip into a pout.

My father arched his bushy brows. “And you would make such claims against a man you profess to love?”

“I thought that once we were married, he would learn to love me.” She turned her attention to Anton. “She isn't as pretty as me, and you could come back to High if you married me.”

The discomfort hanging over our little group increased by the minute, but my father maintained his calm demeanor.

“I do not intend on returning to High, but you also need to tell your Vater that the incident that happened while we were sledding was not of my doing. He needs to know the truth, Violet.”

Violet stomped her left foot, and a small cloud of dust flurried from beneath the hem of her skirt. “Why do I have to do this? I want to go home.” She sounded like one of the little children at Kinderschule instead of a grown woman. Folding her arms across her waist, she turned toward Anton. “If you came back to High, you could work on your inventions, and you wouldn't have to take care of these stupid sheep.”

“The sheep are not stupid, and I have learned much while caring for them.”

Violet snorted. “What can anyone learn from sheep?”

“The Bible talks about people being like sheep and says God is the Gut Shepherd. When we go down the wrong path, He still loves and forgives us—He wants to protect us. That's how it is for shepherds when they care for their sheep. When a sheep runs off, we search for it and bring it back to the flock so it will not be harmed by wolves or wild dogs. Tending for sheep requires a calm and patient shepherd. I did not put those abilities to use before I came here, but during my time in East, I have learned the value of those qualities.” He hesitated a moment. “I have learned much from my job as a shepherd.”

“Ja, and you now exhibit those gut behaviors every day.” My father patted Anton on the shoulder before he turned toward Violet. “It is my hope that you will conduct yourself in the same manner, Sister Violet. Let us clear all misunderstanding so that Anton and I may return to our work.”

Dr. Nagel cleared his throat. “Well, Violet? What do you have to say?”

“The day when we went sledding, I told Frank I planned to do something that would force Anton to marry me. He said he would help, because he liked the idea of having Anton become a part of our family.”

Dr. Nagel frowned. “If he wanted Anton to marry you, why did they fight?”

She focused on the ground. “After we rolled off the sled, Frank came over and confronted Anton. Frank thought he could get Anton to say he would marry me. Instead, Anton kept insisting he did nothing wrong and that I had caused the sled to turn and rolled on top of him.”

Anton bobbed his head. “Ja, which is exactly what happened, except I did not know Frank was part of your plan.”

My father motioned Anton to silence. “Let her finish, Anton.”

Violet glanced at her father. “Everyone heard what Anton was saying. I didn't want them to think I had acted in an unsuitable manner, so I whispered to Frank that he must defend me against gossip.”

Anton sighed. “Thank you for finally speaking the truth, Violet.”

Several sheep bleated and two of the shearers called for another sheep while the visitors clapped for those who were working with great speed. All of the sounds that had faded into the background now pulled me back to our surroundings.

Violet nodded. “I am sorry for the trouble I caused you, Anton.” Her lips curved into a feeble smile. “It was because I cared for you and wanted to marry you. I hope you will forgive me and that one day you will decide that you wish to live in High.”

“Violet . . .” Her father's voice carried a warning tone.

She shrugged. “Just so you know, I will probably marry someone else.”

Anton glanced toward the flock of sheep awaiting the clippers. “That is gut. I hope you will be very happy.”

Dr. Nagel tugged on his vest. “I am thinking that maybe this could all stay between the four of us and that nothing needs to be said to anyone else.”

My father rested his arm on the fence railing. “Violet is your daughter, and the problem with the sled happened in High, so I have no say over what should happen. But I do not think it is proper that the elders continue to think Anton was at fault for an incident caused by two of your children. I do not believe this was fair to Anton, and I do not believe your children benefit if they escape all punishment.” My father pushed his hat to the back of his head. “We are taught that our children should be praised for gut behavior and suffer consequences for misconduct. That way they will grow in God's ways.”

Dr. Nagel didn't argue. “You are right. I should not let Violet or Frank think they can act in such a manner without punishment.” He looked at Violet. “I am pleased you finally told the truth, but I think it is best if you go to the Bruderrat in High and tell them the truth.”

“But I'll have to return to children's church.”

Violet's father frowned at her. “It could be worse than children's church. If the elders decide you should not go to church at all, there will be even more questions. Besides, that is a small punishment compared to what has happened to Anton.”

She thrust her lips into another pout. “If you would just agree to marry me, everything would be fine, Anton.”

Dr. Nagel shook his head. “You must forgive her, Brother George. She has always been a little slow to see the error of her ways.”

“Come on, Vater. I am ready to go home.” Violet grasped her father's arm and tugged.

“I hope you will be this eager when the time comes to face the elders.” Dr. Nagel tipped his hat to my father. “I am sorry that I misjudged you, Anton. Please accept my apology.”

“Vater! Come on! Anton knows I am sorry; Frank is sorry, you are sorry, we are all sorry. Now, let's go home. I want to get away from these smelly sheep.”