A Hidden Truth by Judith Miller Page B

than caring for your family.”
    â€œBut the Bible says man needs a—”
    I held up my hand. “I know what the Bible says about man needing a helpmeet. Our elders permit marriage. But to make sure the couple is sincere in their wish to wed one another, they go through a year of separation. Usually the man is sent to another village, and the couple can see each other only when time permits. Which isn’t very often.”
    â€œI find the idea of separation quite odd. We believe the courting period helps a man and woman discover whether they are suited for marriage to each other. How can that occur if they are separated?”
    I shrugged my shoulders. “I do not make the rules, and I cannot speak with authority on the subject of separation, but the practice seems to work here. My Mutter says it is a time of learning to trust your heart and a time of learning to trust the person you plan to marry.”
    â€œI suppose the idea has some merit, though I’m still not convinced.” Dovie dropped onto the edge of the bed. “And you believe Anton is betrothed to someone in another village and has come to East for his year of separation. Is that right?”
    I nodded and quickly enumerated my reasons.
    â€œWhy don’t you ask him? Or ask your father.”
    â€œTo ask a single man such a question is not proper. And if I ask my father, he may gather the wrong idea and think it wise to keep me away from Anton. And that would mean keeping me away from the sheep. Other than helping with the animals, I have no interest in Anton Becker and who he will marry.”
    Dovie grinned and shook her head. “I’m not sure I believe you.”
    I would let Dovie think whatever she wanted. The only interest I had in the new shepherd was teaching him to properly care for our sheep.

CHAPTER 7
    December 1892
Dovie
    I awakened to the sound of creaking floorboards in the room next to us. Cousin Louise invariably managed to hit every one of them as she prepared to greet each new day. Karlina said there was no need for the morning bells with her mother in the house, and I tended to agree.
    Since my arrival, I hadn’t discovered much about my mother’s past, but I had learned that back in 1842, after receiving a word from the Lord, the first members of the Community of True Inspiration sailed from Europe, where they had been persecuted for their religious beliefs. I heard about the places they had lived in Europe and how they worked to establish their first villages near Buffalo, New York. I also learned that as the outside world encroached upon them, their religious leader, known as a Werkzeug , received another word from the Lord that the people should leave and settle elsewhere. In 1855 the group began a slow migration to their present location in Iowa.
    In addition to teaching me the history of the Inspirationists, Cousin Louise and the other ladies had been quick to instruct me in a variety of kitchen tasks. I’d also met Anton, the new shepherd, and even though Karlina denied any feelings of significance between the two of them, I remained convinced that I had detected more than a working friendship. Whenever I broached the subject of Anton, Karlina brushed aside my questions and talked about some problem with the sheep.
    In much the same manner, Cousin Louise brushed aside my questions about my mother and her family’s departure from the Amana Colonies. I didn’t want to annoy Cousin Louise with my persistence, but I had come here with questions, and I didn’t want to leave until I had answers. A sense of urgency nudged me, for I needed those answers before my father sent for me to join him in Texas.
    Thus far, there had been no word from him, but as the days passed, my concern mounted that he would write and expect me to join him. I continued to watch for mail from him, and I also watched for the second letter I’d written to Cousin Louise prior to our departure from