For Lydia’s part little effort was required to keep her little house tidy and put meals on the table. She found herself with ample time to keep up her journals and read books borrowed from her brother-in-law. Finally she braved a long newsy letter home to her dear friend and coconspirator, Beth. Before many weeks passed, she got a letter in return which she opened with a mixture of excitement and dread. Beth was straightforward about the reaction around the county over her disappearance. “The wags have been so delighted to spread the news that the pastor preached a sermon on gossip last week,” she quipped. Lydia smiled at Beth’s attempt to make light of her unforgivable sin. She went on to tell her that Albert had taken in two of the Renfrow girls to help out with the children and they see
