Marcella was learning to play a few songs on the piano, but not too well. Aunt Beulah said Marcella didn’t come to practice often enough. And Mama said that Marcella's homework came first and anyway she didn’t want us children being a bother to our relatives.

We were all so busy since school started, having lessons to prepare, and chores around the house. There was rarely any time to play. Margaret missed school one day each week to do the laundry. Most days were cold and laundry had to be done in the kitchen. She boiled the clothes in two big dish pans on the stove. Mama mixed the bluing to whiten the sheets, shirts, towels, and underclothes. The clothes were hung on two wire lines on the back porch. In the late evenings I helped iron the shirts and dresses.

Each of us took turns feeding the chickens and gathering a few eggs.

Mama decided that we would eat chicken twice a week. She put on a kettle of boiling water and went outside to chop off the head of the hen. Then she poured the boiling water over the chicken so the feathers came off quickly. In hardly a minute Mama had the chicken plucked clean. Mama cut open the hen with a sharp knife. I watched her so I would know how to get a chicken ready for cooking.

It was a treat for us when we saw a big bowl of chicken and dumplings on the table. We hadn’t had a lot of meat to eat since Papa left, just mostly beans and potatoes and eggs. Mr. Theo brought us squirrel meat – already skinned and cut up a couple of times. Mama fried the squirrel and we ate it with white beans.

My brother Pledge was very busy. He had his paper route in the morning and in the evenings he and Terry had to cut wood and more wood for the fireplace and stove.

Mama ordered a load of coal for the fireplace but we had to use it sparingly with wood to make it last. My brothers gathered dead limbs and twigs from the near by forest to put in the fireplace.

It is a wonder Mama didn’t wear her foot off on that treadle sewing machine. She sewed everyday but Sunday making dresses, drapes, sheets and aprons for the women in our town. She was known as the town seamstress.

We all had to help each other. It was our way of surviving the depression without a man in the house to help.

Most of the town’s people treated us kindly but there was Mrs. Snootkin and Mrs. Blabberson who sometimes said things that hurt our feelings.

At the store one day Mrs. Blabberson said to Pledge and me, "Do you honestly think that papa of yours will ever come home?"

We never answered her because we didn’t talk to grown ups who said things about our Papa. I could see why those old biddies talked like that for maybe he wasn’t coming home. Sometimes in the mornings I felt so sure that this was the day for his return. But by afternoon I realized it was just wishful thinking.

There were never birthday parties at our house where friends were invited. Mama could not afford to buy refreshments. She usually gave us permission to attend parties. If we were invited to a girl’s party, Mama would make beautiful handkerchiefs for us to give or a purse bag with draw strings. There were always scraps of material in her sewing basket to make these things.

Mama would take a square of solid color material, pull out thread from an inch on each sides, then run embroidery thread through the space left where she had removed thread. Sometimes she made red and pink roses with French knots. Mama could make so many pretty things.

It was Cuddly Hagar’s twelfth birthday and Mama sat up late the night before making handkerchiefs for Margaret and me to take to Cuddly’s party. We wrapped the three beautiful hankies in white wrapping paper and tied the package with red yarn.

Many of the girls at school had told us that they were not coming so Margaret and I were not surprised that only Cuddly and two other girls were there when we arrived.

It was rumored that Cuddly’s mother was a strange woman. Janelle Snootkin said, "That woman is a witch." She was not about to go to that party. Because it was Janelle that spoke of Stella in that manner Margaret and I did not believe it. Cuddly’s mother would not hurt us. We were sure of that.

Cuddly lived on the side of a hill in a white house trimmed in black. The windows had black shutters and the two front doors were painted black. There was a black wooden swing on the front porch. The flower pots had nothing growing in them because it was late fall and the plants had died.

Margaret and I flung ourselves on to the swing and the chains creaked as we pumped ourselves with our feet.

Cuddly heard the noise. She and the other girls came out of the house and squeezed into the swing with us. We had a time of swinging and singing. I had the feeling this was a wonderful celebration and those who did not come were missing a lot.

After we grew tired of swinging, we played hide-and-seek. What a great time we had running in and out of the house, slamming doors, laughing and hollering. Cuddly’s mother didn’t care what we played or did. She just smiled a lot.

When our energy level had dropped, we sat in the living room to play. We played GOSSIP and WHO’s GOT THE THIMBLE. Then we rested for a few minutes, surveying the room.

I saw an old blue and green tiffany lamp with gold fringe around the bottom of the shade. There was a guitar hanging over the fireplace. Cuddly said that the instrument had belonged to her daddy before the coal mine had caved in on him, causing his death. My eyes caught a glimpse of something very strange to me. A wooden rod was hanging out from the wall with weird things on it like little celluloid skeletons, celluloid skulls and little stuffed furry black cats. As I continued to look at it a shiver went down my spine. I turned away and looked in another direction. I never dared to ask why the strange decoration hung there.

"Cuddly," said her mother, Stella Hagar. "Show your friends pictures on the stereoscope.

We took turns looking through the lenses and enjoyed all the scenic views of places where we had never been.

Seafoam candy, vanilla drop cookies and grapeade were served to us. The sweets were good. I asked Mrs. Hagar how to make seafoam candy and she gave me the recipe. I tucked it in my sweater pocket to take home to Mama. Next time I had a birthday, I wanted Mama to make seafoam candy instead of fudge.

Cuddly opened her gifts. She received a new pair of shoes and a new dress from her mother. In the box from her grandmother was a pair of beads and a pink sweater. Nellie gave her a dresser set which included a looking glass, brush and comb. Violet brought a little bottle of perfume.

Cuddly’s mother said that our Mama made the most beautiful handkerchiefs that she had ever seen.

Violet and Nellie could only stay a little while and left after the gifts were opened. Margaret and I lingered. We sat down with Cuddly and her mother at the table covered with white oil-cloth. Cuddly offered us more cookies. Margaret said, "Just one more, please."

Stella Hagar joined our conversation at the table.

"Dear," she spoke to Margaret. "I hear both of your parents are dead. Is this so?"

"Yes," said my new sister. "I miss them very much, and I wish I could see them."

"How would you like to talk to the spirits of your Ma and Pa?" asked the woman.

"Hunh," returned Margaret. She could hardly believe what Cuddly’s mother had asked. "I don’t think we can talk to dead people."

"My dearie, that’s where you are wrong," returned Stella Hagar. "I can call up their spirits who will speak to you."

"I don’t know," answered Margaret. "It sounds spooky."

"Don’t worry," assured Cuddly’s mother. "No harm will come to you or your sister when we invite the spirits in."

My insides shivered again. What are we getting into I thought. Maybe this woman is a witch. I don’t know much about witches except they cast spells on people.

Stella brought out a white sheet and covered the oil cloth on the table. Then she placed a white candle in front of each one of us.

Things were getting stranger by the moment. I wanted to leave but I felt that I must stay with Margaret so she could talk to her Ma and Pa. She had often cried in her loneliness for them.

"Let’s hold hands," said the woman. She grabbed my hand and her daughter’s hand. Then Margaret clasped my hand.

The sun had set behind the hills of Rolling and evening shadows were falling. It was rather dark in the kitchen except for the table area where four candles glowed.

The woman began to mutter. Then the voice was sing-song. A chant was developing.

I had never felt anything so mysterious and seemingly wicked in my life. Could I hold out to finish this encounter with the dead, even for Margaret.

"Come, spirits, come," Mrs. Hagar called in a low voice. "Come, speak to your child, Margaret who waits for you".

We waited for what seemed like a long time to me, but was probably only a minute or two. Then I felt a chilly breeze brush my face and the white curtains on the kitchen window flapped even though the windows were closed. Was I ever scared!

Suddenly we heard a deep voice speaking, "Margaret, I am your Pa, I’ve come to tell you all is well with me. One day you will join me and your ma."

Margaret shook like a leaf. I could see that the voice disturbed her much. Suddenly Margaret felt a cold hand on her shoulder. She screamed loudly.

"Minnie," she said quickly. Let’s go! We don’t belong here!"

Just then the broom came flying through the air, followed by silverware, pots and pans.

"You angered the spirit of your pa," Stella said as we ran out of the door to the kitchen.

Cuddly followed us to the outside of her yard. "Please don’t mention this to the boys and girls at school," she pleaded. "They give me a hard time already because of my mother. I know she does strange things but she really is good to me."

We promised not to tell anyone at school. Then we hurried down the hill side as darkness was coming on fast and we had no desire to be out after dark, especially after our experience.

Mama was taking up supper to put on the table.

"Fill the glasses, Minnie," Mama said. "Then take your place at the table."

"But Mama," I said. "I am not hungry."

Margaret and I sat at the table with the others, not saying much. We were glad no one asked us what we did at the party. Marcella was talking about the dress she would wear to the church in the morning. Terry said that he polished his and Mac’s shoes. Mama said she would be glad to see Aunt Beulah again at church.

The two relatives had been very good to our family. Even though they did not take Papa’s place, they were his real blood-kin. We all liked that.

Margaret and I did manage to wash the dishes and hang up the pots although our insides were still shaking over the happening at the Hagar house.

"You girls are awfully quiet," Mama said as she left the kitchen.

Everyone had bathed early in the day and all were spanking clean in the house but the two girls felt anything but clean. It was as if they were clothed in an evil garment.

"I feel like something dreadful came into me at Cuddly’s house," Margaret told Minnie. "I don’t like it one bit; it’s like I did a terrible thing and we only went to the party to have fun."

"Do you think we sinned?" I asked, not sure what kind of sin we might have done.

"I think maybe we did sin," returned my friend-sister." Or else why do we feel so horrible."

"We got to tell Mama," I said. I’ll never go to sleep without talking to her."

"Good idea," said the girl. "She can tell us what to do."

I went to the bedroom where Marcella was. She showed me the dress she had made for her doll. The stitches were crooked but I told her it was a beautiful dress because the print was very pretty and that someday she would be a seamstress like Mama. This pleased her and she went right to sleep with a smile on her face.

The light was still on in our bedroom. I didn’t want to turn out the light until Margaret and I talked to Mama, maybe not even then.

The door opened slightly. Margaret looked in and saw Marcella asleep. She motioned for me to come. I knew what she wanted and I jumped up quickly.

We tip-toed from the room, went across the hall and knocked on Mama’s door.

"Come in," invited Mama, still brushing her long auburn hair.

"Mama, we need to talk to you," I said.

"What on earth is troubling my girls?" asked Mama.

"We think that we sinned at the party," began Margaret.

"Now, dears," Mama returned. "I hardly think you sinned at a girl’s party."

"Mama, something strange happened," I said.

Mama looked at us, dropping her lower lip and asked, "what happened?"

"Mrs. Hagar asked me about my real parents," said Margaret. "When I told her they were dead, she said I could talk to them. She put a white sheet over the kitchen table and set white candles on it which she lit. Then she began mumbling and talking in a low voice. She said, "Come spirits, come, speak to your child."

That’s when I butted in. "A weird voice said to Margaret. I am your pa. All is well with me and your ma. Someday you will join me."

"Don’t forget about the chill wind that hit us in the face and the curtains flapping even when the windows were closed," added Margaret. "And the worst part of all happened. An ice-cold hand touched my shoulder. I screamed! I was more scared than I have ever been in my life. We ran out the door."

Mama put her arms around Margaret and me. I wished we could have stayed in her arms all night. Giving us comfort like that was the best thing she could do. Then Mama prayed for us, asking God to let us sleep through the night.

We felt a bit better after talking with Mama. She said that we could leave the light on in Margaret’s room. I went into Margaret’s room and lay down by her. There holding hands, we soon went to sleep.

When we awoke in the morning the bad feeling was still with us.

"What is going to happen?" I asked Margaret.

"We are going to church," returned my sister. "Maybe that will change things. If it don’t let’s talk to the preacher."

"I feel like I did something bad, but you know we did no wrong," I said. "We just wanted to hear your ma and pa. Now it’s like a black cloud hanging over me."

Then I went outside to feed the few chickens we had left while Terry built a fire in the cook stove. Mama boiled oatmeal for breakfast. Margaret set the table with bowls, cups and spoons.

We all had oatmeal with a cup of sweet hot tea. That was our breakfast.

Soon Margaret washed the dishes and we all made ourselves ready for church.

We were all looking good when we heard the church bell ring. I was happy to hear that bell ring. It’s a good sign, I thought to myself. There my mind will find peace.

"Ain’t the bell sounding nice today?" said Margaret.

"Yes," I agreed. Actually the bell rang as it always did. It just had a promise for the two of us that everything would be all right again.

We both walked along quietly on the way to church. Mama looked at us and smiled. We knew Mama understood.

When we came into church there were no empty pews where we could all sit. A man and his wife, Brother and Sister Beamer, moved to seats across the aisle so all us Huddles could sit together.

I had never felt so glad to be in church before. It had always been a meeting place for me but today it was a haven, a refuge from evil spirits. No way would they torment me here I thought. So I relaxed to join in the service.

The program began by Brother Dispense praying to God for the meeting and asking God to save some souls today and deliver them from the fire of hell.

After his prayer the congregation sang two songs. The second song went like this: Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

How much I wanted to give God my cares and thoughts of the night before. I sure did not want to go to bed being afraid another night.

After the people sat down, Janelle Snootkin and her mother sang: "Whispering Hope." I never like Janelle’s mother but the words of the song sank deep into my heart.

Following the duet Brother Beamer went upon the platform and read a scripture: Matthew 11:28 N.L.V.

The preacher delivered a short sermon that day about the heavy load sinners were carrying and how they should give their packs of trouble to Jesus or their sins would drag them down to hell. He told what an awful place hell is and those who die in sin go into the fire and burn forever and ever.

I found it hard to sit still in my seat. I twisted. I turned. My legs were crossed and uncrossed. My legs swung back and forth. I thought church would help me but I was most miserable.

Margaret rubbed her arms and legs. She was wringing her hands as tears began to flow down her cheeks.

If the preacher had not made the next statement, I think both of us would have screamed to the top of our lungs. His description of hell had become terribly real to us.

"But you don’t have to go to hell," he continued. "You can go to Heaven, the beautiful city of God where no one ever dies – a place where there are no sad good-byes or tears."

Margaret was really crying now. She did not want to go to hell. She wanted to be with her ma and pa again.

Then the preacher moved from the pulpit to the altar rail. He said, "The congregation will sing: Just as I am. All who wish to get rid of their burdens, that which gives them no peace, come to the altar and ask our Savior, Jesus, who died on the cross to take your sins away. He will come into your heart and forgive you."

Margaret grabbed my hand we made a quick walk to the altar. In fact, we almost ran. Then the two of us fell on our knees, crying our hearts out.

Sister Beamer knelt by me and asked me to repeat the words after her: "Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me of my sins. I believe you died on the cross for me, was buried and rose again. Take away my fears and give me joy and peace."

Brother Beamer helped Margaret pray the prayer for forgiveness.

Margaret and I cried and cried. The burden lifted. The dark cloud over us was gone. My smile came through the tears as Sister Beamer gave me a handkerchief to wipe my face.

Margaret looked at me; she was smiling, too. I knew everything was all right with us.

We stood up again and went to our seats.

"The names of Minnie and Margaret are written down in Heaven," said the preacher. Mansions are waiting for them there.

It was as if an angel had pulled us out of a dark pit and we could see the light. How wonderful to have Jesus living inside our hearts.

On the way home I told Margaret it was like hearing music from beautiful golden bells ringing. It was a happy time.

She said that to her it seemed as if angels were playing on gold harps.

We were so elated, we skipped all the way home.

Mama hugged us and said, "Papa would be proud of you sweet girls".

"If only I could tell Papa," I said. "I will tell him when he comes home."

As good as I felt everything must have been fine with Papa. One day he would come home, bringing us presents and a washing machine for Mama.

That Sunday was a good day. We had chicken and dumplings for our mid-day meal. After lunch Mama baked an apple-sauce cake. Pledge bought raisins to put in it with money he earned. The cake was so good. We were slowly getting more things to eat since Pledge had the newspaper job.

In the late afternoon all of us went into the woods, looking for hickory nuts and beech nuts. Margaret and I never told the others about the man we had encountered before in this part of the forest but we were careful, looking over our shoulders. Mama was with us. There was no need to scare Marcella and Mac.

We gathered many hickory nuts, filling our gallon pail. On our way home along the creek bank we found beech trees. We picked up the little 3 cornered nuts and ate some of them, putting others in our coat and dress pockets. The boys stuffed their overall pockets.

Once in the house again, all pockets were emptied, into a bowl. The bowl of beech-nuts and the pail of hickory nuts were set on the hearth of our fireplace which extended out a foot into the dining room.

Pledge got the hammer from the pantry and cracked all the hickory nuts and the rest of us removed the nutmeat from the very hard shells, sometimes with the help of a knife point. We all ate nuts until we did not want anymore.

It was cold Monday morning and it was daylight before Pledge began his paper route, making him late for school. The rest of us went on to school and when we entered the school yard we faced four rowdy boys who had just gotten off of the school bus.

"Bawl babies!" shouted Elmer Crout.

"Cry babies! Cry babies! Joined Erskel Lee.

"Shut up!" yelled Terry as Mac picked up a rock and threw it at the lads.

I started to cry right there. I knew they were laughing at us for crying in church. What an awful life I thought. One day a person is happy. Next day everything's all wrong.

"Grow up!" Margaret said to the teasers. "You can’t even get your necks clean."

"Cry babies! Cry babies!" the boys said in unison.

Margaret pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "Minnie, remember we have a mansion in Heaven."

I smiled and what anyone called me after that only went through the air.

With Margaret leading, we edged our way through the crowd. Those that annoyed us became silent. I thought we won the victory and the rest of the day was very nice.