by Riker, Becky
The couple looked to each other, dismay manifested on both faces.
To the surprise of all, Karlijna did not give in to tears. She was too livid, “When Mr. Sodergaard informed me I would have to stay at this house while his guest was here, he asked his sister to stay as well. This was to spare my reputation, but, clearly, it served the opposite purpose.”
Mrs. Anderson shook her head, “I am sorry this has come about, Miss Bergstrom.”
Karlijna nodded. She appreciated their grace in approaching her. It certainly was not an enviable task.
“What do you propose I do?” the girl asked.
Pastor Torkleson shook his head, “Unfortunately, there is little you can do. Gossip needs no proof to continue. It just needs willing ears and tongues.”
“I’m afraid,” his pretty wife added, releasing the young girl’s hands, “it may get worse before it gets better,” she worried her lip, “We have many good people in our congregation, but plenty of them simply don’t see how sinful and damaging it is to slander others.”
Karlijna’s shoulders drooped and she covered her face with her hands.
“Tell us what happened,” Mrs. Neilson prompted.
Karlijna gave them a brief overview of the week’s events, ending with the disastrous noon meal on Friday and the conversation she overheard between the siblings.
The pastor listened closely, “I’m sorry to ask this,” he asked at the conclusion, “but is there any way someone could have gotten the impression you were,” he paused as if searching for a delicate way to say what he needed to communicate, “involved with the man.”
“Mr. Beauchamp retired early most evenings. I went to bed when Miss Sodergaard did every night with the exception of the last. I retired before her that night.”
“And the mornings?” Mrs. Torkleson was going to cover all the bases.
“We rose and left the room together every morning except Friday. Mr. Beauchamp woke me early by knocking on my door.”
“Did it rouse your roommate?” Mrs. Torkleson seemed nervous.
“I don’t believe so,” Karlijna thought about this a moment, “but I met him in the kitchen and the cook was there when I arrived.”
Mrs. Neilson looked to her husband who seemed to be pondering the information.
“Miss Bergstrom,” he finally spoke, “what you have told us is undoubtedly true. You could even prove it through your employer, not to mention the other gentleman.”
“Thank you,” Karlijna said, though she sensed he was not finished.
She was right.
“Unfortunately, we have little to do to stop the lies circulating. When we questioned Miss Sodergaard, she said she had left you the night before and did not see or hear from you again until she saw you having breakfast with the visitor. She also said your bed was made when she rose, apparently undisturbed from the night before.”
Karlijna didn’t know what to say so she remained silent.
“The best thing we can do,” Mrs. Neilson rejoined, “is to carry on and pray that this will soon pass.”
Karlijna hoped they didn’t expect her to stay silent if questioned.
The woman cleared up that question, “I am not saying you should not defend yourself if questions arise, but it would be best to remain silent as much as possible. We will speak to the other woman and try to put an end to it.”
Having never dealt with a situation like this, Karlijna decided to yield to their greater wisdom. There may have been a better approach to solving the problem, but nobody knew the course it was going to take.
Mrs. Neilson had been right. It was certainly going to get worse before it got better, and the latter wouldn’t happen until Karlijna’s world had been turned upside down – again.
“Miss Bergstrom,” Mr. Sodergaard called her into his office a week later, “I must speak with you as soon as possible.”
She hung her coat in the entry closet and joined him. “How can I help you?”
“There have been some stories spreading about you. They are very disturbing.”
Karlijna sat down in a chair, wondering what else was going to go wrong. The last few days had been a nightmare. She could feel people’s eyes on her as she walked to and from work. Even at church, she heard whispers of her name as she slid into the pew.
“Sir,” she spoke before he could say another word, “I have heard some of them as well. You know as well as I do they are groundless.”
He eyed her, his mouth a grim line.
Karlijna began to sweat. If he could believe such a thing of her. . .
“I am not accusing you of the things they are saying,” his voice was sharp, “but it seems the rumors have been started by you.”
Karlijna jumped to her feet, “Me?” she pointed a finger at herself, “Why would I say such horrible things?”
Mr. Sodergaard narrowed his eyes as if wondering whether this girl was as innocent as she seemed.
“Do you know all the things that are being said?”
She nodded, ashamed to even have to voice it, “That I . . .I behaved . . .indecently with Mr. Beauchamp while he was here,” she looked up at her employer, her eyes wide, “but you know it isn’t true. You were with me whenever he was.”
She knew her voice was shaking and her words sounded like a plea, but she couldn’t help herself. The whole situation was more than she knew how to handle.
Mr. Sodergaard snorted, “If that were all that was being said, I could let it slide.”
He turned from her and began pacing the room.
“They are saying that I keep you around for purposes other than translating, that you give favors to my associates. Most of my sources say that you’re advertising this, and I’ve even heard that you’re running a certain kind of business here at. . .”
He stopped speaking when he turned and saw her face.
Karlijna had gone completely white. She was trembling so hard that she could hardly stand up, indeed he felt if he did not get her to sit, she would surely fall over.
Not too gently, the man assisted her back into the chair. He leaned out the door and called to Olaf, “Bring a glass of water. Miss Bergstrom is unwell.”
Karlijna felt the glass being pressed into her hand, but could not put the glass to her lips.
“I’m sorry,” Mr. Sodergaard said, “I know you are innocent of all these things.”
Karlijna looked up at him, her eyes telling how she was afraid to hope.
“Do you know how the rumors got started?”
Karlijna nodded.
“How?”
She shook her head.
“How can I stop them if I don’t know where they started?”
“I cannot give that information,” Karlijna refused to repay an evil with evil. She would not gossip.
He emitted a noise of frustration, “Who told you about them?”
Karlijna wondered if she should give him this information. After a few moments of deliberation she decided Pastor and Mrs. Neilson would know how to handle this better than she. She gave him their names.
Mr. Sodergaard stormed from the room and grabbed his coat from the closet, “I will find out who started these rumors and I will put an end to them.”
Karlijna did not move from her spot for ten minutes after he left. She may have sat there longer but for Olaf.
“Miss,” his voice was kinder than she had ever heard it, “Shall I get you something else to drink? Coffee? A small glass of wine, perhaps?”
Karlijna looked up at him, unaware of the tears making tracks down her cheeks, “Thank you, Olaf. No.”
She rose and set the glass of water on the desk and turned back to the man, “When Mr. Sodergaard returns, tell him I was unwell and decided to take the day off.”
“Yes, Miss,” the man hurried to help her into her coat. “If you will wait just a few moments, I will drive you home.”
The young lady shook her head, “No, thank you, Olaf. I think the walk will do me good.”
&nbs
p; Olaf watched as she hurried out the door and turned to go home. Taking only enough time to throw on his own coat and tell the cook where he was going, he followed her down the street.
Karlijna was never aware of her shadow and managed to slip into her room without being noticed by Leif or his family. Once there she fell to her knees and begged her Father for aid.
“Father, I cannot bear up under this burden. I do not know how to right the wrong nor how to endure while I am being so slandered. My good name was all I had, and now that is being torn from me. What will I do? Please give me strength to live through this time. Please let the truth come out.”
She continued along this vein while Olaf slipped into the store and captured Leif’s attention.
“Mr. Anderson,” he frowned as he approached, “I would have a private word with you.”
Leif looked around his busy store and scowled, “Is this something that can wait, Olaf? I have customers to attend.”
Olaf’s frown deepened, “It cannot wait. It is a most pressing issue to do with Miss Bergstrom.”
That caught Leif’s notice, “Come into my living room.”
Leif was not unaware of the lies circulating about his young friend. Whenever they were spoken in his presence, he was vigorous in defending the girl, but he knew there was no stopping some people from infecting all around them with their malice.
“What can I do for you?”
Olaf told the man what he had witnessed at the Sodergaard home.
“Where is she now?” Leif wanted to know.
“I believe she came in here, Mr. Anderson,” Olaf shrugged, “This was where she said she was heading.”
Leif thanked the man and, after seeing him out, went to the back room to check on the lady in question. Seeing her on her knees by her mattress, he left her, intending to send his wife to her shortly. It was nearly an hour before Ingrid got back there and, when she did, she found a sleeping girl, still on her knees.
“I will continue to check on her, Leif,” she said, “but it will be good to let her sleep some now.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
When supper time arrived and Karlijna had not made an appearance, Ingrid decided it was time to wake her.
“Karlijna,” she stepped into the dark room, “it’s me – Ingrid. Would you like some supper?”
“I’m not hungry, Ingrid,” Karlijna’s voice sounded alert and not as though she had been weeping.
The older woman moved toward the sound and knelt beside the girl, “I heard what happened today, Karlijna.”
Silence.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not right now,” the girl didn’t sound angry, just worn.
“Shall I assume you will come to me if you need to talk?”
“Please, ask me again,” Karlijna suggested, “when I’m not so tired.”
“I’ll do that,” Ingrid rose from her position, “Can I bring you something to eat?”
The small laugh that escaped Karlijna’s lips surprised the older woman, “You have so little to do that you are going to begin serving my meals here while I wallow in the dark?”
Ingrid chuckled a little, “I think you are not one for wallowing, Karlijna. You are going to make it through this just fine.”
“I hope so,” a sob choked the words.
Ingrid said no more to her, but exited quickly so she wouldn’t cry in Karlijna’s hearing.
Karlijna didn’t bother going to work the next day. She knew Mr. Sodergaard would find her when he was ready for her to return – if he ever would be ready for that.
It was Friday before he came. Karlijna was working in the store when he entered, a solemn expression on his face.
“May I speak with you, Miss Bergstrom?”
“I will get Leif,” she answered as she turned to fetch her friend.
Leif and Ingrid led Mr. Sodergaard and Karlijna to the living quarters.
“I am sorry it has come to this,” Mr. Sodergaard spoke as the four sat around the table.
“What do you mean, Roald?” Leif folded beefy arms across his wide chest, “You can stop these rumors and save Karlijna’s reputation. It is within your power to do so.”
Mr. Sodergaard looked to Karlijna, regret and a plea for forgiveness in his eyes, “I don’t think I can.”
Karlijna understood. She nodded, “I enjoyed working for you, Mr. Sodergaard,” her voice was soft and even kind, “I am sorry it had to end this way.”
Ingrid looked appalled, “You have the ability to put an end to her suffering and you won’t?” she rose and put her palms down on the table, leaning toward him, she was about to lambast him when Karlijna spoke again, softly, but with enough force to get their attention.
“Ingrid, stop.”
Leif and Ingrid looked at her, astonished to see this young girl who was always so mild, assert herself.
“We know the truth,” her eyes filled with tears, but her voice did not waver. “That is going to have to be sufficient. My character will have to speak for itself and, eventually, people will get tired of this and find other things to gossip about.”
Leif growled, “He’s obviously protecting someone.”
“Yes,” Karlijna admitted, “he is.”
She looked at Mr. Sodergaard who shifted his gaze to the table.
Ingrid sat down and leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder. Mr. Sodergaard rose and turned to go.
“I’m truly sorry,” he spoke while his back was turned to her. “If there was any other way. . .”
Karlijna felt pity for this man, “Goodbye, Mr. Sodergaard.”
Karlijna looked to her friends, “Please do not let this harden your hearts. God is still good.”
Ingrid wiped at her eyes, “You are such an example to me of patience in suffering. I wouldn’t have been able to stand back and let them get away with that.”
Karlijna nodded, “I am going back to work.”
“You don’t have to do that, Karlijna,” Leif spoke up, his voice hoarse.
“I do,” she protested quietly, “I must keep my hands busy to still my heart.”
The girl left the room, but the couple sat in silence for a time. Ingrid finally rose to go back to the store, but Leif, noticing something for the first time, told her he would come along later.
When the door had shut behind his wife, Leif put the coffee pot on the stove and sat back down in the kitchen chair.
“You may as well join me in here, Michael. The light is better in here than it is out in the sitting room.”
Michael looked a little guilty as he stepped from the shadows, “Uncle Leif,” he greeted, “how are you?”
Leif quirked an eyebrow, “I’ve had better days. You?”
Michael took a seat and leaned back casually, “I’m still deciding. What was that about?”
Leif shook his head, “I don’t think I can say.”
Michael didn’t reply. He didn’t want to encourage gossip, but he was concerned about what he had heard.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Please,” the young man watched his uncle rise to prepare the beverage, “Is Karlijna in danger?”
Leif shook his head, “Not physical.”
“Someone’s been spreading stories?”
Leif startled at how close the man had come to the truth. He turned and eyed him, but Michael’s face gave nothing away.
Leif poured the coffee and sat down, “She wouldn’t appreciate me talking about her behind her back. She’s had enough of that.”
Michael took a sip of the scalding liquid in front of him, “I heard the stories.”
Leif’s eyes widened, “How?”
“Uncle Torkel,” the young man replied.
“Torkel repeated that slander?” Leif was incensed.
“No,” Michael scoffed at the idea, “he told me she was having some troubles, and I hung around the dock long enough to find out the rest.”
“Very clever,” his uncle commented dri
ly.
“This man could clear her name?”
Leif shrugged, “Apparently.”
“He won’t because it will get someone else into trouble.”
“That’s what I assume,” Leif shook his head. “That girl has more love for her fellow humans than anyone else I know. After what she’s been through, I don’t know how. . .”
The two men sat in silence for a while.
“What are you going to do to help her?”
“I don’t know, Michael,” Leif scrubbed at his forehead with both hands as if that would stimulate ideas, “She thinks the whole thing will pass over, but I’m not sure.”
“You think your business will suffer for having her here?”
Leif stood quickly, “That wouldn’t change my opinion or treatment of her,” his voice was loud.
Michael waved his uncle back into his seat, “I never thought it would. But,” he speared the other man with a look, “it would change whether she was willing to stay.”
Leif turned his back and poured another cup of coffee, “I know.”
“Is there anywhere we can send her?”
Leif looked at his nephew like the boy had grown a second head, “Like where?”
Michael shrugged, “How about to your cousin up in Malmberget?”
Leif shook his head as he sat down, “No. He’s single. That wouldn’t be a good situation.”
Michael agreed, especially given the present circumstance.
“How did all your siblings and cousins end up staying in the same village?” Michael demanded, “Didn’t anyone have a desire to travel? See the world?”
Leif laughed, “Just your mother, and look where that got her. America.”
Michael smiled. He was glad his mother had taken that step; his parents were very happy together.
“I don’t suppose,” Leif pondered, but then shook his head dismissively.
“What?” Michael was interested.
“I wonder how hard it would be to get Karlijna to your mother.”
“My mother? Why?”
Leif tipped the chair, balancing on the back two legs, “She needs to get away. She needs to get as far from this war as possible. To heal.”
