The next few days at the Ponderosa passed rapidly. After speaking to Lizzie and then to Jake, Sheriff Foster concluded that he had found the missing orphans. He wired Carson City with the details he had, with the promise of more information when Maisy had fully recuperated.
Maisy regained consciousness the following day when her fever lessened. When she was strong enough to receive visitors, Maisy was confronted by Lizzie and the other children. Being lied to was something they did not appreciate, especially Luke. All the children involved in "Plan B", were restricted to their rooms, except for when they were working on the extra chores that they were given. Lucas, however, received a firm bonus from Adam for his creative vocabulary. Maisy said very little regarding her and Jake's experiences while on the run, including why they began their journey in the first place. She only expressed remorse for the trouble she caused everyone and promised her past actions would not be repeated. Whether the remorse shared was genuine or not was unclear. Maisy had a talent for theatrics, perhaps this was a very good performance.
Jake, on the other hand, was giving Mary a run for her money. He talked from sun up to sun down about anything and everything. Most of his talking, however, was in question form. There were so many new things to see and experience on the Ponderosa for a young boy. Jake asked questions about the animals, equipment, nature, the food he ate, even about the clothes pins that were in the laundry basket. No one seemed to mind his quizzical manner, especially Evelyn, whom he constantly shadowed. Wherever she was, Jake was sure to be also. He was thriving in this environment, and so was Maisy. What would happen when the time came to send them back to Carson City?
There were still many unanswered questions regarding Jake and Maisy, which needed to be answered before the runaways became too settled. Evelyn, especially, was becoming attached to the two new additions. Adam worried about the repercussions these attachments would have, not only on his wife and children, but on Maisy and Jake as well. "Evvy, while I was in town today, I wired the orphanage in Carson City," Adam casually mentioned after he, Evelyn and Rebecca sat in the great room after the children had gone to bed.
"Adam, you didn't need to do that, the children are doing fine", she replied while looking up from her mending.
"Evelyn, those children are not ours. We have a legal responsibility to return them to Carson City."
"Maisy is not well enough to travel, Adam, and I will not put her health at risk due to a legal responsibility."
"I am aware of Maisy's condition, Evvy, which is why only you and I will be going to Carson City. That is if I can persuade my lovely sister-in-law to stay with our brood."
"I'd be happy to Adam. I may need to enlist Jamie for help," Rebecca replied.
"I'm sure my kid brother would be glad to pitch in, if you can pull him away from Martha Jean, that is."
Both women chuckled over the statement. "He is rather sweet on her," giggled Rebecca.
"It's that Cartwright charm," crowed Adam, "We're just plain irresistible. So what say you, Evvy? Are you up for a trip with your charismatic husband?"
Evelyn blushed, "I suppose we should look into the matter. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow after church. We'll stay in a hotel over night and go to the orphanage first thing Monday morning. Rebecca, we will be back Monday evening. Hopefully it won't take too long to get to the bottom of this."
Adam and Evelyn arrived at the orphanage at about half passed eight and were received by a young Sister still in her noviciate stage. She escorted the couple down a long dismal corridor to the office of Mother Lioba. The center was large but gave one a sense of being closed in thanks to the many children that swarmed the halls. Evelyn couldn't believe the number of unwanted children. Her heart broke at the sight. When they reached the office, Sister Gregory, their young guide, softly knocked on the door.
"Come in," a voice behind the door responded.
Sister Gregory opened the door. "Mother, the Cartwrights are here to see you."
"Thank you, Sister Gregory. Please show them in and see to it that we are not disturbed."
"Yes, Mother Lioba."
Adam and Evelyn entered the modestly furnished office and politely greeted the elderly nun. After a few minutes of simple formalities it was down to business.
"I must say, I was relieved to have received your wire, Mr. Cartwright," Mother Lioba began. "We have been searching and praying for Margaret and Jacob since it was discovered they were missing. "
"And just how long was it until your discovery?" Evelyn curtly enquired.
"With all due respect, Mrs. Cartwright, with so little financial support and so many children we do the best we can."
"Forgive me, Mother Lioba. It has been a rather emotional week for our family," Evelyn apologized.
"Yes, I can imagine it has been with those too," she smirked. "I understand that both children are doing well, which is good. So when can we expect their return?" Mother Lioba asked, getting to the point.
"If we can address that issue after a bit more information, that would be appreciated," Adam said.
"Of course. Shall we begin with Margaret?" the nun responded, rising from her desk and walking to a set of wooden filing cabinets. Pulling two files, she returned to her desk and opened one of the files and spreading its contents in front of her, "Margaret Jane Harris, also known as Maisy - dreadful name for a girl if you ask me. Ten years old, although no specific birth date given. She came to our institution three years ago from New York City on what is known as the Orphan Train. She was sent hoping to be adopted by a family out west. Margaret was placed with two families before coming to us. Neither of the couples could handle her obstinate and vulgar behaviour. This last episode is the fourth time she has run away, and frankly I've had enough. When she is returned, we will see to it that it is for good."
"Mother Lioba, it is understandable that Maisy… er… Margaret would run off if it means being with her brother. I would hope there would be more effort made to see that siblings were not separated," said Evelyn tersely.
"There is, Mrs. Cartwright, but not in Maisy's case. Jacob and Margaret are of no relation, despite what she may have told you."
"I beg your pardon," said Adam.
"Jacob has been at the orphanage since he was an infant, about five years now. For some reason when Margaret arrived she took a liking to the boy and they have been inseparable ever since. They are only related in Margaret's imagination, not biologically." Seeing the shocked look on the Cartwrights' faces, Mother Lioba decided to continue instead of waiting for a response. "Jacob, we know, even less about," she said opening his file, "He was dropped off anonymously on the evening of June eighteenth, five years ago, in a grocery crate. He was wrapped in a ladies coat with a note simply saying, 'Please find him a good home'. Since it was Sister Bernadine who discovered the infant, we gave her the privilege of naming him. She named him Jacob for her father. Upon further inspection of the coat and crate we found this," Mother Lioba stated holding up a silver pocket watch. "It was in one of the pockets of the coat, whether on purpose or on accident we know not." She handed the watch to Adam who examined it closely. It was an old, yet beautifully crafted device with a while enamel dial and roman numerals. "If you open the watch, Mr. Cartwright, you will find the maker's name inside. If memory serves, it says, 'Geo. Graham, London', that is where we got the boys last name from. And there you have the story of Jacob Graham."
After handing the pocket watch back to Mother Lioba, Adam and Evelyn sat in quiet unbelief. It was worse than he thought. "I know this is much to digest," the nun sympathized. "You are not the first couple to be manipulated by Miss Margaret Jane Harris. I urge you to return the children as quickly as possible, so we can put this ordeal behind us."
Rising from his seat Adam said "Thank you for your insight, Mother Lioba. If you will excuse us, my wife and I have much to discuss. I will wire you as soon as possible of when we are returning with the children." He reached out and shook her hand. Evelyn, following her husband's lead, did the same and then the pair exited the office. Tears started to well up in Evelyn's eyes as Adam helped her into the surrey. Seeing his wife's distress, Adam tenderly grasped her hand in his as they began their journey back to the Ponderosa.