No Ocean Too Wide

by Carrie Turansky

  That was just like Garth, always believing the best about people and situations. But no one had promised them they could all stay together. In fact, they would’ve lost touch with each other if they hadn’t passed messages back and forth at Grangeford. Unwelcome tears filled her eyes, and she blinked them away. She was not going to cry, not in front of this boy she hardly knew.

  “It will be all right, Katie.” Garth stepped closer, his arm brushing against hers. “You’ll see. This will be a new beginning for us.”

  But she couldn’t hold back her anxious thoughts. “What if we have to go to different families or different towns? How will we find each other? What if I lose track of you and we never see each other again?”

  Garth slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Come on now, Katie. Remember what Dad used to say: don’t go borrowing trouble from tomorrow. We’ve come this far together. I’m sure it will all work out for the best.”

  She leaned against Garth and tried to believe what he said was true, but nagging fears gripped her heart and would not let go.

  * * *

  Laura followed Miss Williams up the stairs toward the top floor of the Hughes Children’s Home. Her hands tingled as she grasped her skirt and passed the next landing. Would she find her sisters this morning? And if she did, what would she do then?

  The need to pray pressed down on her heart, but the words wouldn’t come. How could she ask God for help when she was using a name that was not her own? She would just have to do what she must and hope for the best.

  Yesterday afternoon, after accepting the position at Hughes, she’d gone to Mifflin Hall, hoping to find her brother. She’d used her real name there. The man in charge, Mr. Randolph, had invited her into his office and listened to her story with surprising sympathy. After searching through his records, he told her he was sorry but Garth had already left for Canada.

  Laura was so stunned she could hardly process what he was saying. She knew Garth might not be at Mifflin, but she had held on to hope until that last moment.

  Mr. Randolph told her there was no way to contact Garth until after he was settled in Canada and the staff there sent his new address back to England. Mr. Randolph offered to forward Garth’s address as soon as he received word.

  Fighting back a wave of despair, Laura thanked him and gave him the Grahams’ address in London.

  “Miss Hopkins?” Miss Williams looked over her shoulder as they reached the top floor.

  Laura blinked and focused on the matron. “Yes ma’am?”

  “You will be in charge of Dormitory Number Three along with Miss Rose Carson. She has been carrying the full responsibility of looking after the girls and helping them prepare for their journey since Miss Worthington fell and broke her ankle. She will inform you of your duties.”

  Laura thought she would begin searching for her sisters as soon as Miss Williams assigned her a task and left her on her own. Working with Miss Carson might make it more difficult, but it would not stop her.

  “There are sixty girls assigned to this dormitory,” the matron continued. “Fifty-two will be traveling to Canada in the next party. Eight will be staying behind to prepare themselves to join a future group.” The matron stopped in front of the first door on the left. “Do you have any questions, Miss Hopkins?”

  Laura had a thousand questions, but she didn’t dare ask even one of them. “No ma’am. I’ll do my best to help Miss Carson.”

  “I hope you do. Remember, you are here on trial. You have only one week to demonstrate your ability to handle your responsibilities.” Miss Williams pushed open the door without waiting for her reply. “Miss Carson.”

  A petite woman with dark brown hair stood across the room, talking to one of the girls. She turned and looked their way. All the girls straightened and stilled as the matron strode in.

  Miss Williams glanced at Laura before letting her gaze travel around the room. “This is Miss Hopkins. She will be assisting Miss Carson. I expect you girls to obey her and treat her with respect. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Miss Williams,” the girls chorused.

  “I have made my decision and selected the girls who will be going to Canada in the next party.”

  A few whispers rose from the girls, and several glanced at one another with hopeful expressions. It looked as though they were all eager to be chosen for the journey.

  Laura scanned the faces of the girls she could see clearly. There were four rows, and some girls stood behind others, making it difficult to see all their faces. If Katie and Grace were here, she prayed they would not call out.

  Miss Williams opened her notebook. “The following eight girls will be staying behind to improve their character and bring their manners and skills up to our standards.” She read the eight names, prompting a few gasps and red faces. When the last name was called, a short, blond girl burst out crying and threw herself down on one of the beds.

  Miss Williams glared at the girl and snapped her notebook closed. “We can all see why Alice Palmroy is not ready for a new life in Canada. Hughes girls know how to behave themselves. They don’t have emotional outbursts or wilt like a flower when the wind changes direction.”

  Alice’s crying softened, but she didn’t raise her head from the pillow.

  “The rest of you will finish your packing and prepare yourselves to leave on Thursday, May 13.” Miss Williams’s stern gaze traveled around the room once more.

  A shiver traveled down Laura’s back. She could well understand one reason the girls might be eager to leave Hughes. Miss Williams was one of the most austere, unlikable women she’d ever met.

  “Miss Carson and Miss Hopkins will check your trunks and see that you have what you need.” The matron turned to Laura and Rose. “Ladies.” Without any further explanation, she strode out of the dormitory.

  Rose crossed the room and met Laura by the door. Her smile was warm and genuine, and her pretty blue-green eyes sparkled as she offered her hand. “Welcome to Hughes, Miss Hopkins. I’m very glad you’ve joined us.”

  “Thank you. I’m happy to be here.” Laura glanced past Rose to the girls farther down the first row, hoping to spot Katie and Grace, but she didn’t see them.

  “We have twenty minutes before classes begin. That doesn’t give us enough time to check every trunk, but we can get started and then finish up after lessons this afternoon.”

  Rose picked up a large basket filled with books. “I finished distributing clothing and most of the personal items yesterday. Today we’ll give each girl a Bible, a hymn and prayer book, and a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress.” She held out a basket to Laura, then picked up a second basket. “Why don’t you come with me while I see to the first girl? Then you can check on the other girls in this row.”

  Laura nodded and followed Rose as she approached the nearest girl, who looked about ten years old. She had large brown eyes and an abundance of curly, dark brown hair pulled back in a thick braid. She wore a plain brown dress covered by an ivory pinafore and thick-soled brown shoes.

  “Ellen, would you please open your trunk?”

  “Yes ma’am.” The girl knelt and lifted the lid on the large wooden trunk.

  Rose smiled. “Everything looks very neat.” She shifted the stacks of clothing and looked deeper into the trunk. “Did you add the sewing kit and the extra stockings we discussed yesterday?”

  “Yes ma’am. I went down to see Mrs. Robbins. She didn’t believe me at first, even though I told her you said I needed them. She thought I was making up a story and said I should leave. But I just crossed my arms and told her I was going to stay right there until she gave them to me. She fussed and fussed, and I had to wait almost an hour, but she finally handed them over.” The girl scowled. “I don’t know why Mrs. Robbins had to be such a mean old—”

  Rose held up her hand and cut her off. “Ellen, I’m sure you don’
t want to say anything unkind about Mrs. Robbins. Remember what we talked about.”

  Ellen closed her eyes and released a deep breath. “Yes ma’am. I remember.”

  Rose took a Bible from the basket and handed it to the girl. “Keep this Bible close and read it often. Take the truths to heart, and they will help you build a good life in Canada.”

  The girl’s expression softened as she accepted the Bible. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “This will help you as well.” Rose handed her the hymnbook. “I often like to sing while I’m working. It lifts my spirits. I hope you’ll do the same.”

  Ellen nodded and accepted the hymnbook.

  “I’ve read this book many times.” Rose handed her Pilgrim’s Progress. “It’s been a great encouragement to me.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be sure to read it.” Ellen held the Bible and books to her chest.

  Rose laid her hand on Ellen’s shoulder. “You’re a good girl, Ellen. I’m sure you’ll be a great help to your new family, and you’ll make us all proud.”

  “I’m glad you’re going with us, Miss Carson. I wouldn’t want to go alone.”

  Rose touched her cheek. “You’re never alone, Ellen. Remember that.”

  The girl nodded and smiled at Rose.

  Rose turned to Laura. “Why don’t you go ahead and check the next girl’s trunk?”

  Laura leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve already gone over the packing list with each girl and seen they have the clothing they need. You’re just checking to make sure it’s neatly folded, then you can give them the Bible and books.” Rose sent her an encouraging smile. “And take a few minutes to meet each girl and encourage her.”

  “All right.” Laura took the second basket of books and greeted the next girl, twelve-year-old Lucy. She looked through her trunk and asked her a few questions, then gave her the Bible, hymnbook, and Pilgrim’s Progress. Their conversation wasn’t as meaningful as the one shared by Rose and Ellen, but Laura did the best she could.

  As she moved down the row, she continued to look around the room for Katie and Grace, but she didn’t see them anywhere. Were they in another dormitory? Perhaps when it was time for their next meal, she would have a chance to see the rest of the girls and find her sisters.

  When she came to the last girl in the row, she set down the basket by her open trunk. “I’m Miss Hopkins. What’s your name?”

  “Jenny Crawford, ma’am.” The girl was thin and pale and had short, light brown hair. Her features were plain, and her eyes slanted down on the ends, making her look sad even when she smiled.

  “How old are you, Jenny?”

  “Fourteen, but I’m turning fifteen in June.”

  Laura bit the inside of her mouth. Katie’s birthday was June 3. She would turn fifteen that day. She focused on Jenny again. “Where are you from?”

  “I was born in Whitechapel, London, ma’am.”

  Laura’s heart clenched at the mention of that poor area. What circumstances had brought the girl here? This wasn’t the time to ask. She nodded and looked down at Jenny’s trunk. “Everything is nicely packed. It looks as though you’re taking good care of your clothing.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. I try to do what I’m told.”

  Laura took a Bible from the basket and held it out to Jenny. “We’d like you to have this Bible.”

  “No, thank you, ma’am. I already have one.” The girl reached under her pillow and pulled out a Bible that looked just like those in the basket. “My friend gave me her copy before she left for Canada. She didn’t want me to have to wait for mine.”

  “That was kind of her.”

  The girl smiled. “Yes ma’am. Katie’s very kind.”

  Laura stilled. “Katie?”

  “Yes ma’am. Katie McAlister. She’s the one who gave me this Bible.”

  Laura stared at her. “You said she left?”

  “Yes, she and her sister sailed with the last group.”

  Laura stifled the cry rising in her throat. She was too late! Her sisters were not at Hughes. They were already headed across the Atlantic Ocean and on their way to Canada!

  Jenny’s brow creased as she studied Laura’s face. “Don’t worry. Katie got another Bible before she left.” She ran her fingers over the cover, and her expression eased. “She told me to read it every day and follow the Golden Rule and they’d choose me for the next group. And she was right.”

  Laura had to force out her next words. “You’ll need these as well.” She passed Jenny the other two books.

  “Thank you, ma’am.” The girl carefully tucked them into the corner of the trunk.

  Laura straightened and glanced around the room. Her head throbbed, and she had a hard time focusing her thoughts.

  Rose looked her way, and concern flashed in her eyes.

  Laura quickly shifted her gaze away, but she was too late.

  Rose crossed the room toward her. “Miss Hopkins, are you all right? You look quite pale.”

  Laura lifted her hand to her forehead, shading her eyes from view. “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.”

  “Come with me.” Rose placed her arm around Laura’s back and guided her across the dormitory and through a doorway into a small adjoining room. It was furnished with two beds, a desk, and a comfortable chair by the fireplace. “This is my room. You can rest here, and I’ll go and get you a drink of water.” She motioned to the chair. “Please sit down, or you can lie down if you’d like.”

  “No, the chair is fine.”

  Rose watched her a moment more. “Rest easy. I’ll get the water and be right back.”

  “Thank you.” Laura sank into the chair and lowered her head. How could this happen? She had come as quickly as she could, but she was too late! What would she tell Mum? After Dad’s passing and Mum’s suffering through her recent illness, losing her three youngest children would be a heartbreaking blow.

  Pain throbbed at her temple. What should she do now?

  Slowly she lifted her head and glanced around the room. Her gaze landed on the large wooden trunk at the end of the bed. Rose Carson would be traveling to Canada as an escort with the next group of girls.

  Laura straightened in her chair. If she could hold on to this position, she would have free passage to Canada. Then, once she arrived, she could continue her search for Katie, Grace, and Garth. Her salary would probably be enough to cover her expenses.

  But Canada was such a vast land, much larger than England, and the children could be sent anywhere. How would she find them? The memory of her conversation with Mr. Randolph at Mifflin came to mind, giving her the answer. The Canadian receiving home would keep a record of where the children had been placed. All she had to do was find that information, then…

  Tremors traveled down her arms. She had no idea what she would do after that, but she had to go and try. Katie, Grace, and Garth couldn’t spend the rest of their lives in Canada separated from their family, never knowing they were loved and cherished by those back in England.

  Someone had to speak up for them, right this terrible wrong, and bring them home. Mum couldn’t go, and no one else cared enough to travel across the sea to find them. It was up to her. She had to sail to Canada and continue the search.

  * * *

  The ocean breeze ruffled Andrew’s hair as he leaned on the railing of the Parisian and scanned the sky. The temperature was cool for mid-May, but the sun broke through the clouds, warming the shoulders of Andrew’s black topcoat.

  Down on the dock, a long line of passengers waited to show their travel documents to the agents and come aboard. Some of the ladies wore colorful dresses in the latest fashion and elaborate hats covered with feathers and flowers. The men with them were dressed in finely tailored suits, and sev
eral were accompanied by servants in uniform. Other passengers dressed in plain clothing waited in a separate line. They were probably headed for the second- or third-class accommodations, but they wore the same expectant look as they gazed up at the huge steamship.

  On the upper promenade deck, where he and Henry stood at the railing, well-dressed men and women paraded past, taking in the view of the ship and the other passengers while they exchanged polite conversation with their companions.

  Henry smiled. “It’s quite a show, isn’t it?”

  Andrew glanced at those standing along the railing. “Yes, it is.”

  He had sailed across the Channel several times on similar ships, but this would be his first voyage across the Atlantic. Eight days of relaxation aboard ship would be a welcome change from the intense work of the past few weeks and the travel they expected to undertake for their investigation once they reached Canada.

  Seagulls swooped overhead, calling out to each other as they circled the ship. The crew on the dock attached ropes to a shiny new motorcar. It rose up in the air on an elaborate crane-and-pulley system and hovered over the deck for several seconds before it was lowered aboard.

  Henry nodded toward the motorcar. “Someone must have paid a hefty sum to bring that along.”

  “I wonder if he knows he could buy a new one when he arrives in Canada?”

  “I suppose he is attached to that particular model and has the funds to do as he pleases.” Henry shook his head, then turned his attention to the dock once more. “Look, here comes a group of children.”

  Andrew followed his friend’s gaze. “Do you think those are the girls from Hughes?”

  Henry studied them for a few seconds and nodded. “I suppose they’ll stay down in steerage with their chaperones.”

  Andrew’s brow creased as he thought of their spacious, first-class cabin with its large windows and comfortable beds. No doubt he and Henry would have the best of everything, including dinner with the captain one night. He was quite certain the girls’ accommodations wouldn’t be nearly as comfortable.