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Chapter 1

Meredith hal walked, hal ran along the wide hallway

o Union Station. Her heavy bag banged against her

leg as she struggled to keep up with the woman striding

briskly toward a stairway.

Quickly, Margaret. Te car is waiting. Mrs. Stinsons

sharp words cut through the bustle o the busy railway sta-

tion. And or heavens sake, make yoursel presentable!

Merediths ace went hot. She wished shed washedher ace beore the train pulled in. She could still taste the

peppermint stick Mama had tucked into her pocket just

beore shed boarded the train or the long trip to oronto.

Remember, Mama had said, you can always come

home. Well manage. Merediths younger sister, Ellen, had

thrown her arms around Merediths neck and cried.

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Meredith dug in the pocket o her coat, shed out

her hanky and scrubbed at the corners o her mouth. She

didnt regret that peppermint stick one bit.Mrs. Stinsons polished shoes clicked up the stairs so

ast that Meredith had to scramble. Her arm ached rom

lugging her suitcase. Its sides strained against the twine

Mama had tied around it when theyd nished packing the

night beore.

Tere, Mama had said, that should keep all your

things sae until you need them.

All her things. Meredith blinked away the memory o

Mama and Ellen at home in Port Stuart.

Halway up the staircase, Meredith set the bag down

to rest her arm, but Mrs. Stinson had already reached

the top and disappeared rom view. Meredith heaved the

bag o the step, but the handle slipped out o her sweaty

ngers.

Look out! she cried. wo startled soldiers jumped

aside as the battered bag bounced past. It hit the center

railing, then tumbled end-over-end down the stairs, nar-rowly missing a small dog being coaxed up by an elegantly

dressed woman and fying past an elderly porter who

nearly lost his ooting.

Te twine snapped as the bag thumped onto the foor

and popped open. Out spewed Merediths possessions into

the trampling paths o travelersher nightgown, everyday

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dresses, blouses and skirts, the two sweaters Mama had knit,

her Bible, three pairs o woolen stockings, writing paper,

the pencils rom Aunt Jane, a washcloth and towel and pre-cious bar o soap, and, mortiyingly, all her underthings.

One stocking lay marooned against a shoeshine

stand. Te shoeshine boy was grinning. Te little dog was

barking. Te soldiers were laughing.

Merediths ace burned or the second time since the

train had pulled in.

Margaret? Mrs. Stinson called, sharp as ice. For

heavens sake, come along! She stood at the top o the

steps, shaking her head at the exploded suitcase.

Im sorry, Meredith said. I lost my grip.

How very careless. Mrs. Stinson rowned as she

surveyed the mess.

Meredith hurried down the stairs. She plucked her

belongings rom the foor and stued them into the suit-

case. Te catch wouldnt close, so she scooped the awkward

bundle into her arms and started up the stairs.

I am not convinced you will suit the Waterton am-ily, Margaret, Mrs. Stinson said. We shall have to see.

Meredith orgot her embarrassment. Shed never

have dropped the suitcase i she hadnt had to sprint ater

Mrs. Stinson. She pulled hersel up to her ull height and

glared at Mrs. Stinson, her scowl refected in the womans

shiny black patent purse.

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Its Meredith, she said. Meredith Hollings. She

met Mrs. Stinsons cool gaze square-on.

You need to learn to curb your tongue, Mrs. Stinsonsnapped. Her eyes traveled over the hat that had been

Mamas, the too-small coat and the scued brown leather

o Merediths school shoes. What a lot o uss over a

name. Follow me, and or heavens sake, dont dawdle.

Mrs. Stinson turned abruptly and marched toward a

set o tall brass doors.

I willsuit the Watertons, Meredith vowed as she ol-

lowed Mrs. Stinson through the soaring hall o the train

station. I have to.