"Doctor Jacob Ferrand, I'd like to introduce Daniel Scott, our newest addition to the mission." Alice's smile was unshakable, Christy noted as she descended the stairs into the scene.

Daniel held out his hand and Ferrand paused only a moment before taking it, shaking firmly.

"And what is your role here Mr Scott?"

"I aim to help wherever I'm needed, but I am studying under Doctor MacNeil – an apprentice of sorts – and hope to use my growing medical knowledge to serve the people of these mountains, and share some of Miss Alice's and Doctor MacNeil's burden."

"A noble goal." Ferrand continued to question Daniel about his home, his time in Cutter Gap so far, his cabin and the events surrounding the burning of his first attempt at a home.

Christy excused herself, feeling a little guilty because she was relieved not to be the target that morning. It was a Saturday and she'd planned to walk with Fairlight, visit Aunt Hattie, and enjoy some peace and quiet, meandering across the mountains. She gathered a book, a bible, some fruit and biscuits, a gift for Aunt Hattie – she'd trade it for a story or two if she could. Basket in hand, she walked to Fairlight's.

The walk to the Spencer's was an exercise in quieting her mind, but by the time the Spencer's cabin came into view she'd breathed in enough mountain air to calm her right down. With Fairlight, she walked up past Dan Scott's – his half finished cabin was looking more and more like it might be someone's home one day.

"Is Mister Scott down at the mission today?"

"Yes, he's meeting Doctor Ferrand."

"Oh."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothin – only I heard a rumour and I was wondering..."

"What is it, Fairlight?"

"Well, I heard a whisperin about you being sent away – it aint true is it?"

"No – well, no."

"You're worried about something – if it aint that what is it?"

"Doctor Ferrand is concerned about – oh, it's ridiculous no matter how I say it – he's concerned about Doctor MacNeil's involvement in the mission's work – at the school, training Dan Scott..." she shook her head in disbelief, "He disapproves because Neil isn't a believer."

Fairlight didn't answer for several steps. They were climbing a steep incline and puffing to much to talk comfortably. When they reached the top Fairlight leaned against a tree, looking back where they'd come from, out over the mountain ranges.

"He might become one – being around the mission all the time could help him."

"Yes."

"Are you sure that's all that's botherin Doctor Ferrand?"

Christy started walking again and Fairlight jogged to catch up.

"Is it because of your friendship?"

Christy slowed down then stopped.

"Your friendship with the Doc."

"Yes."

Fairlight put her arm around Christy's shoulder.

"Is there talk?" Christy asked.

"Around the cove? There's always talk."

"What are they saying?"

"Christy..." Fairlight warned.

"No, I need to know what's being said. I need to know how bad it is."

"It's not real bad – just that you're sweet on eachother."

Christy looked up at the trees towering above them.

"It's not like when Bessie Coburn told that lie about you'n John. But you was with Doc then, and I guess you're with him plenty o' times, so people just assume, but there's no slander."

Christy sighed.

"If Ferrand sent you away people might jump to some conclusions though. But I s'pose then it won't matter none – you'd be gone."

"I suppose."

"I'd hate for your good name to be sullied, it being a pack o' lies 'n all."

"Leaving would be the worst part. I don't know what to do Fairlight. I can't bare the thought of going back to Ashville for good."

"I'd miss you some'n fierce."

Christy turned to Fairlight and hugged her tight. "I'd miss you too."

Miss Hattie welcomed Christy with open arms and they shared her biscuits.

"You've heard near all my songs, Christy. Do you have a request?"

"Actually, I was wondering about something. I've been trying to teach the children about accepting people who are different."

"You're trying to help Daniel?"

"In part – but it's an important lesson. Forgiveness and grace. I'm an outsider here, but the children accept me now, and my mistakes have been forgiven. I'll always be an outsider, perhaps, but there was something Doctor MacNeil told me once – that when he came back from Scotland he was a stranger, divided from himself, and he had to work hard to earn the trust of his own people."

"Neil was young, he had all the answers." Hattie laughed, "It was hard for him. He was idealistic, knew he could help, but they wouldn't let him. Coming home was hard. That boy worked harder than I've ever seen a body work – it cost him everything but it earned their trust and that meant he could help, so it was worth it."

"He had to prove himself again and again."

"And he still does, though he doesn't have to any more, he just thinks he does."

"He's still an outsider?"

"In a way." Hattie went on to tell the tale of an ancestor of hers who married an outsider. He went from being in the centre of the community, everyone's friend, never had to watch his back, to being suspect and excluded, as fast as he could say 'I do'. It was a love story and a sad story. He eventually died and his wife and their children moved away.

Christy was waiting for the rest of the story.

"You were hoping for a happy ending?"

"I guess I was."

Hattie laughed graciously, "Those young'ns like you a lot, Christy. And their folks, for the most part like you, trust you in their way. You've only been here two years, but it seems a lot longer. And Daniel – well he's doing okay. He has some friends and you don't need much more'n a few friends."

"True."

"I feel like a song. What do you say, Miss Huddleston? Will you sing with me?"

Christy laughed, "I may not be very harmonic."

"I don't mind." She began, "He took wild mountain laurel and he twined it in her hair. She said she didn't love him, she said she didn't care..."

She still had the song going around her head when she went to bed that night. It made her think of Neil and Margaret – as if she needed any further encouragement to think about Neil. She hadn't seen him since Ferrand's censure. She tried to speculate as to how he was reacting. He was staying away, that was for sure, and it was probably for the best.

Christy was glad to find Alice at breakfast alone.

"I need to know, Miss Alice." She poured herself a cup of tea. "Am I going to be sent away?"

Alice's sigh could have been heard from another room.

Christy guessed at its meaning, "He hasn't decided yet. What can I do?"

"Teach, Christy. Love those children, do your work. I believe Doctor Ferrand will see. Don't forget, it's in God's hands."

"I know."

"I must admit, I'm impressed, and relieved, that Neil hasn't been back to defend your honour."

Christy smiled at the truth of it.

"He's taking it well?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since that day."

"Oh, well that's probably for the best."

David came and joined them, then Doctor Ferrand. He was polite but cold. They ate, went to church, then went their seperate ways. David and Ferrand had repairs to do on the Mission house, Alice sought solitude, and Christy spent the afternoon with Ruby Mae – for once glad of the constant chatter that didn't leave her space for thought.

There was to be another working the following Saturday up at Dan Scott's. Christy started to view it as a kind of test, of whether her teaching this term had been a success. She'd asked David to do his bible lessons on Grace. He told them of Zaccheus, of the debtors who'd been forgiven, of the rich man who'd invited the homeless to his banquet when his guests didn't show up. He talked about how God sees the inside, the heart of men and women, how it doesn't matter if we look fancy and proper, if we impress people, so long as we are God's children.

"So we just gotta impress God?" Sam Houston asked.

"You have the right idea – but in a way we don't need to impress God because he already loves us just as we are."

"Are you trying to tell me that that negro man is just the same as me if you took his skin off?"

David stifled a laugh. "Yes, Burl, exactly the same."

"Naw, caint believe that."

"Well, it's true."

"Maybe we should ask the Doc."

"Go right ahead."

"But he aint here."

"No – but you can ask him another time."

"But I heared he aint comin back to the mission no more, he aint allowed to teach us no more."

David hesitated – this hadn't been part of his lesson plan. "Doc MacNeil would be happy to answer your questions, even if he isn't here. And you know when you can talk to him? On Saturday, at the working."

"Oh."

David had a feeling Burl wouldn't be there.

When they arrived at the working, Christy was disappointed to see the same crowd had gathered as last time. No difference; her unit had made no difference at all.

Neil was working an axe like his life depended on it, stoically ignoring their arrival.

Later in the morning, Christy took him a drink.

He sat back on a tree stump to catch his breath and looked past her, up the slope, at the others. No one was watching them.

"Thank you." He finished the cup of water in one go.

"More?"

He shook his head and stood up.

She started to move away.

"Christy," he held out some papers he'd just pulled from a pocket.

She took them – the student's essays.

He smiled sadly and got back to work.

She unfolded the essays as she returned to the ladies. Alice looked at them in interest.

"The children's essays – the best of them." Christy handed them to Alice, who read a few lines and whispered, 'remarkable', before putting them aside to read later.

She must have done so that evening, because she found Christy getting ready for bed.

"Is everything alright?" Christy asked on receiving her visitor.

"Fine," Alice held the a single page in her hand, "I was reading the children's essays."

"Aren't they wonderful? What do you think I should do with them? It seems such a waste to put them in a drawer some place. I was wondering about making a book with their best work from the year."

Alice nodded. "That's a fine idea, Christy. I found this between the pages."

Christy looked quizical but took the offered page – a letter. She scanned down to the signature – N.

She looked up to see Alice disappear around the closing door, then sat down on her bed and read,

Dear Christy,

Thank you for sharing these with me. I don't know how to tell you how much this means to me. The children have come a long way in such a short time. I couldn't forgive myself if I was a party to the end of their education. I can't bare to think of your leaving. I'll stay away as long as necessary, but know that it's not because I wish to.

I am sorry I abandoned you that day. I was afraid I might say or do something to make things worse. It seemed like the best course of action at the time. I have started out so many times, planning to confront him, but I fear it would only make things worse.

Rob Allen's assertion that we must accept even those who we do not like or understand has been weighing on me. You might be able to do it, but I doubt I ever will. Ferrand should be schooled in your classroom. Is there anything anyone can say to work on him? Daniel Scott has informed me I am no longer to teach him either. He has shown great potential – is it all to be wasted because of this foolish man?

I cannot believe so much can be lost over such a small thing – a day's lesson, an afternoon in your company. The price is too high.

Yours,

N.

She read it over again and again. Folding it, she held it to her chest.

"I will be leaving in one week." Ferrand announced after they'd all exchanged 'good mornings'.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Alice was all grace, "but of course you must have much work waiting for you at Lufty Branch and..."

"Yes. But before I go I need to be certain that things will be managed in the correct manner from now on."

"Of course," Alice nodded, sipped her tea, "perhaps, before you leave, you might visit the school, observe the first lesson."

"I have no doubt of Miss Huddleston's ability to teach reading and writing."

Alice nodded. She was walking a fine line.

"My concerns lie elsewhere, as you know. Miss Huddleston, you and I will be leaving next Saturday."

They all looked at him, shocked.

"As for Mr Scott, the purpose of this mission must not be sidetracked for one man. When I return I will assess the suitability and success of his position here, and a decision can be made at that time."

Christy could see that Alice was gritting her teeth.

"And so, David, shall we go to church?" Ferrand pushed his chair back.