No Ocean Too Wide

by Carrie Turansky

  Her gaze darted from one man to the other. “Very well. It’s inconvenient, but we will do our best to accommodate you.”

  “Thank you.” Henry took a small notebook and pencil from his pocket. “Let’s start with a few questions. Can you tell us how long you’ve been the matron of Hughes?”

  “Twelve years, and before that I was the head teacher for five years.”

  Henry jotted that information in his notebook. “Excellent. I’m sure your years of experience have given you important insight into the needs of children and the issues surrounding child emigration.”

  “Yes, I have learned a great deal during my time at Hughes.”

  “That should make your comments very helpful to us. We’ll certainly appreciate hearing your opinion on these important matters.”

  She lifted her chin, looking pleased. “Of course. I’ve dealt with all types of children, and I have always done my best to see that they are well trained for useful and productive lives in Canada.”

  Andrew stifled a smile. Henry was so clever. He knew exactly what to say to gain the matron’s cooperation.

  Henry held his pencil poised over his notebook. “What are the ages of the children in your care?”

  “The girls are five to sixteen.”

  “And what would you say is the best age for a child to emigrate to Canada?”

  “I’ve always believed the younger they are, the better. That allows them to make a fresh start and forget the poverty and deprivation of their early lives.” Her lips puckered as though she’d tasted something unpleasant. “Most of these girls come directly off the streets or from the workhouses.”

  Andrew had been content to listen up to this point, but he couldn’t resist questioning that statement. “Surely not all the children come from such difficult backgrounds. Aren’t some placed in your care because of a parent’s loss of employment or the illness or death of one or both parents?”

  “Some, yes, but most of these girls were pulled from the slums and saved from a life of degradation that would most likely lead them to…terrible circumstances in the future.” She sent them a meaningful look.

  “Yes, we understand.” Henry glanced down at his notebook. “So, back to the question about the best age for emigration. You said the younger, the better.”

  “That’s right. The younger ones have the best chance of being adopted into a family, but it can be difficult to transport them.”

  Andrew leaned forward. “Aren’t all the children available for adoption?”

  “Yes, but that’s not possible for every child. Most girls will be taken in as domestic servants with a commitment to work for a family until they are twenty-one. The majority of the boys work on farms until they’re eighteen.”

  Andrew’s chest tightened as he considered what that meant for the children.

  “What is the age of the youngest child you’ve sent to Canada?”

  “Last fall we sent a three-year-old, but that was an unusual case. She had two older sisters in our care, and we wanted to send them all together. As I stated, most of the girls who emigrate are between the ages of five and sixteen.”

  Henry looked up. “Even the girls who are five are expected to work as servants?”

  Miss Williams stiffened. “We teach them all how to do simple household chores, and the family who takes them in finishes any needed training.”

  Henry’s forehead creased as he made note of the matron’s comment.

  She frowned at Henry. “Do you have children, Mr. Dowd?”

  “No, I am not married.”

  “Then perhaps you’re not aware that it is completely normal for children of all ages to assist their family with household chores. That’s how they learn the skills they will need to manage their own homes one day. The families who take them in are doing them a great service, giving them food and shelter, as well as the opportunity to prepare for life as adults.”

  “Yes, but expecting a five-year-old to take up household duties raises questions in my mind.”

  Miss Williams pursed her lips. “Of course a five-year-old would not do the same amount of work as an older girl. The family would know that when they took her in.”

  “I see.” Henry made a few more notes, then closed his book. “I believe that gives us the background information we need for now. Shall we start the tour?” He rose without waiting for her reply, and Andrew followed his lead.

  Miss Williams stood and showed them out of her office. She gave a brief explanation to her receptionist, then took them up the stairs to the top floor.

  The matron opened the first door on the right and stood back. “This is one of the girls’ dormitories.”

  Andrew followed Henry into the long open room while the matron waited in the doorway. Four rows of narrow beds filled the space beneath the eaves. Each bed was neatly made with white sheets, gray wool blankets, and one rather flat pillow. A wooden trunk sat at the end of most of the beds, and Andrew supposed that was where they kept their clothing and personal items. The walls were bare of decorations, and the windows had no curtains. It all seemed adequate but sterile and decidedly gloomy.

  Andrew turned to Miss Williams. “How many girls sleep in this room?”

  “Sixty when all the beds are filled.”

  “You have other dormitories?”

  “Yes. Two on the floor below.” The matron gave an impatient glance at her watch. “The classrooms are on the first floor.” She motioned toward the hallway.

  They took the stairs down and looked in on two classrooms. The girls were learning hand sewing in the first room and some basic cooking skills in the next.

  Andrew turned to Miss Williams as they stepped into the hall again. “Are the girls taught the regular school subjects, such as mathematics and reading, while they’re here?”

  The matron sent him a sharp look. “Most of these girls will be working for farm families. Their greatest need is for the practical skills that will make them valuable workers.”

  “I understand, but they shouldn’t be denied an education simply because they are emigrating to Canada.”

  “They are not denied.” Her tone was firm and decisive. “They receive the training that will be most useful for them in their new lives.”

  Andrew couldn’t let that statement stand without a challenge. “The information we were given said we send our most intelligent and promising children. Surely children like that need a basic education as well as practical skills.”

  She stopped at the end of the hall. “The type of girls wanted in Canada are those who are obedient, respectful, and trained to work hard.”

  Andrew was about to give a sharp reply, but Henry shot him a stern glance. Henry had warned him he needed to keep his opinions to himself during these tours. A critical comment could prompt the matron to send them away before they’d seen the rest of the facility and learned all they could.

  He pushed down his irritation and followed Henry and the matron down the hall. One thing was clear: he and Miss Williams had a very different perspective about the proper training and education these girls needed and deserved. He might not be able to speak up now, but when it came time to write their report, he would recommend changes were made in their schooling and training.

  They walked into the empty dining hall, then toured the kitchen, where the midday meal was being prepared. Several young girls, wearing aprons and caps, assisted the adult cooks in preparing the food. Some of the girls stood on crates to chop vegetables with knives that looked too large for their small hands. Others stirred bubbling pots or rolled out dough. Henry observed it all with keen interest, and Andrew could tell his friend did not approve of the girls using those knives or working so close to the hot stove.

  They looked into the nurse’s office, the laundry, and the storage room, which was stacked with the same wooden trunks
they’d seen upstairs in the dormitory.

  Miss Williams pulled the storage room door closed. “Well, I think you’ve seen everything.”

  “Thank you, Miss Williams.” Henry nodded to her. “I believe we have the information we need.”

  She started toward the stairs. “Our goal is to prepare the girls for a successful transition to life in Canada.” A hint of uneasiness lined her face as she looked their way. “I hope you’ll pass on a good report regarding our work here.”

  “We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us and give us a tour. It’s been very interesting.” Henry’s tone remained as noncommittal as his words.

  Her expression hardened. “You’ll have to excuse me. I need to meet with our cook. You’ll find the exit at the top of these stairs.” Without waiting for their reply, she turned and strode down the hall.

  Henry shook his head. “Well, that was certainly an enlightening visit.”

  “That’s not the word I would choose to describe it.” Andrew huffed out a breath. “That woman’s approach is not only outdated—it’s harmful. The preparation she gives those girls guarantees they’ll be locked into a servant’s position the rest of their lives.”

  Henry cocked one eyebrow and smiled. “Now that’s the kind of response I’ve been waiting to hear.” He turned toward the stairs. “Come on, we have another home to visit before we call it a day.”

  9

  Katie rose from her swaying bunk and grabbed hold of the pole at the end. The ship dipped, and her stomach dropped with it. She closed her eyes and prayed she would not lose her supper.

  Grace turned over and looked up at her through glassy eyes. “I’m thirsty, Katie.” Her sister’s pale face and miserable expression tugged at Katie’s heart. The poor dear! She had barely been able to leave her bunk since their first afternoon at sea. And though Katie brought her tea and toast after every meal, Grace had managed to keep down only a few bites since they’d come aboard ship four days ago.

  Katie laid a gentle hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Rest easy, Grace. I’ll get you some water.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered. Closing her eyes, her sister turned her face away.

  Most of the girls in the emigration party had been laid low with seasickness. Even the escorts had taken to their bunks by midmorning the second day of the voyage.

  Katie made her way across the large, open steerage room toward the pantry where meals were prepared for those who were able to eat. She asked for a glass of water, then started back toward her sister’s bunk.

  If she had known they would be this sick on the voyage, she might not have come. She paused and shook her head. That wasn’t true. She would endure almost anything if it meant she and her brother and sister would not be separated. Garth and Grace were all she had left now that Mum was gone and Laura was too wrapped up in her own affairs to care about them.

  How could Laura turn her back on them when they needed her so much? Why hadn’t she come to claim them before it was too late and they had to set off on their own to a strange new land?

  Laura’s silence and rejection hurt almost as much as Mum’s death. But Mum hadn’t chosen to leave them. She’d been taken. Katie pulled in a slow, deep breath and blinked back hot tears. The same was true of Dad. She had begged God for healing after the accident, and they had all grieved when hope was gone. But that was not true for Laura. She had chosen to ignore their pleas when they had needed her most.

  Katie wiped her eyes and pushed those painful thoughts away. She ought to forgive her sister and let go of the hurt, but she had no idea how to do that when the wound was still so fresh. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard if she wasn’t also still reeling from Mum’s passing.

  She returned to Grace’s bunk and helped her sit up so she wouldn’t spill her water.

  Grace took a sip and then licked her dry lips. “How long till we reach Canada?”

  “Miss Allen said about four more days.” Katie glanced at the youngest escort resting in the bunk across the way. She had been kind to them that first night, comforting them and bringing a bucket and towel when they were overcome with seasickness. Now the young woman’s face was pale, and she was as ill as Grace.

  Her sister drank the last of the water and handed the cup back to Katie. “I wish my stomach would stop hurting.”

  Katie patted her sister’s back. “I know. I’m sorry, Grace. Some of the girls are doing better today. I think you’ll be up and around soon.”

  Grace sighed and lay back on her pillow. “I hope so.” She closed her eyes and snuggled down in her blanket, looking a bit more at peace.

  “Try to sleep for a while. That will help.” Katie rose and returned the empty cup to the pantry. The ship creaked and swayed, and she reached for the wall to steady herself. The smell of greasy onions, burnt coffee, and sickness assaulted her nose. If she could just get some fresh air, it would be such a relief.

  She glanced at the stairs leading up to the deck, then glanced back at Miss Allen and the other escorts. They all rested on their bunks with their eyes closed.

  She bit her lip, considering her choice a moment longer. They had been told to stay in the steerage compartment, but if she was careful, she might be able to slip away for a few minutes.

  Clutching her sweater close, she quietly climbed the first set of stairs and then three more. At the top she glanced around and spotted a set of double doors leading outside. The passageway was empty, so she hurried across and pushed open the door.

  A fresh, cool breeze rushed across her face and ruffled her skirt as she stepped out on the deck. Pulling in a deep breath, she filled her lungs and let the wind blow away the last of the stale scents from steerage that clung to her hair and clothes.

  She crossed to the railing and held on tight while the ship rose and fell. The deep blue water stretched for miles and miles. To the west the sky glowed orange and gold, with sunbeams setting the clouds on fire just above the horizon. Rippling lights bounced off the water like a thousand diamonds sparkling in a golden path across the sea.

  The wind whistled past her ears, mixing with the sounds of the chugging steam engine and the whooshing waves as the ship cut through the water.

  “Katie!”

  Her heart leaped and she turned.

  Garth and another boy strode across the deck toward her. Her brother’s smile spread wide as he drew closer. “I was hoping I’d see you.” He gave her a quick hug, then stood back. “How are you? How’s Grace?”

  “I’m all right now, but Grace isn’t doing so well.”

  Garth’s eyebrows dipped. “Is she seasick?”

  “Yes, and she’s pretty miserable. But she’s sleeping now.” Katie glanced toward the door. She shouldn’t stay on deck too long, but now that Garth was here, she didn’t want to leave.

  “Most of the boys were sick for the first two days.” Garth stepped up to the railing beside her. “But we got used to it. Grace will too.”

  Katie glanced past Garth to his companion. He looked a little older than her brother and was a few inches taller, with dark blond hair and eyes as blue as the sky.

  “This is my friend, Rob Lewis. We met at Grangeford, then came to Mifflin together.” Garth nodded to Katie. “This is my twin sister, Katherine, but we call her Katie.”

  Rob touched his red cap. “I’m glad to meet you, Katie. Garth has told me a lot about you and your family.” He tipped his head slightly and studied her face.

  Her cheeks warmed, and she returned a smile. “Thank you. It’s good to know Garth has a friend.”

  Garth grinned and bumped his shoulder into Rob’s. “That’s for sure. Some of the boys can be pretty rough. But Rob and I stick together.”

  “That we do. Remember that time Paul Grimes stole my shoes?”

  Garth chuckled. “We sure taught him a lesson.”

  “He won
’t be doing that again to me or anyone else.” Rob gave Garth a good-natured slap on the back. “Thanks for standing up for me.”

  “That’s what friends do.” Garth leaned both arms on the railing. “I would’ve been in a lot of trouble if you hadn’t helped me finish up that last trunk.”

  Katie sent Garth a questioning look.

  “The boys at Mifflin make all the trunks for those going to Canada. We were behind, and Mr. Parker singled me out and said I was not working fast enough. He threatened to keep me in the workshop until the last trunk was finished, and that meant I would’ve missed supper. But Rob gave me a hand. We finished it up in no time.”

  Rob grinned, his eyes glowing. “I know you’d do the same for me.”

  The boys bumped shoulders again, obviously enjoying the memories of their shared experiences at Mifflin.

  Katie’s gaze darted from Rob to Garth, and she tried to make sense of her uneasy feelings. It was good Garth had a friend and wasn’t alone. She had Grace, and that was a comfort. But she and Garth had always shared a strong bond, not just as brother and sister but also as best friends. Now that Garth had Rob, maybe she’d been replaced.

  Her heart sank. She clutched the railing and stared out to sea.

  Garth looked her way. “Have you heard any more about what happens once we arrive in Canada?”

  She shook her head. “Our escorts haven’t been well. I don’t know what happens next.”

  A gust of wind blew past, and Rob tugged his cap lower. “I heard Mr. Stratford say once the ship docks we’ll take a train to Kingston. There’s a boys’ home there.”

  Katie turned to Rob. “What about the girls?”

  Rob gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know. He didn’t say where the girls will go. I suppose they have a separate home for them.”

  Katie’s chest tightened, and she looked up at Garth. “What are we going to do? How are we going to stay together?”

  He reached out and touched her arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll speak to Mr. Stratford and tell him I want to go to the same family with you and Grace. That should take care of it.”