Morning Star by Judith Plaxton Page A

quavered only a little at the beginning. Finally, Felicia sang out, surprising herself with the pure pleasure of performing. They swayed with a shared rhythm at the end. Their audience stood up and moved along with them. After the girls finished, they were rewarded with whistles and cheers and wild applause. The girls clapped back to the students, laughing and hugging each other.
    â€œVery nice,” said Mr. Butler, his voice barely audible over the din. “Yes, very nice, thank you.”
    The girls made their way back to their seats, feeling happy and accomplished.
    Josh leaned forward from behind Felicia and patted her on her shoulder. “You were amazing.”
    â€œSuch talent,” said Matt, “here in our little burg.”
    Mr. Butler took charge once more. “We have quite a few readings, so let’s get started. I need six First Nations people. Who’s interested?” Three hands were raised. “That’s three, how about another three?”
    â€œHow about we skip this?” whispered Dodie. “We have our parts and the clock’s ticking. If we hurry, we can still fit in our riding class.”
    The girls stood up and made their way out.
    â€œLeaving?” asked Josh.
    â€œWe’ve got to go riding,” explained Felicia.
    â€œI’ll call you later and tell you what happened,” said Josh.
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œGiving up already?” Ashley had her legs stretched out so each girl had to make her way over them.
    â€œWe’ve got things to do,” said Renate, as she stepped on Ashley’s left foot. “Bye!”

CHAPTER 23
    Flower
    FLOWER AND her family
climbed out of their hiding place and stepped down off the wagon. Before them
was a wooden-frame farmhouse, weathered and worn. A thin woman who looked as
weather-beaten as her house stood on the covered verandah. She held a baby in
her arms and was surrounded by four children. The tallest was a girl who brushed
unruly hair from her eyes and stared at Flower.
    Eldon and the driver unloaded supplies from the
wagon. They were directed by Mrs. Jenson to carry them to a shed. No one said
anything until the men came back and the driver asked about Mr. Jenson.
    â€œYou can see him if you like. His days are long and
hard. He needs the talk of another man,” said his wife. She turned to Eldon and
his family. “I’ll show you your place.” She led them to the barn, the children
following behind her like ducklings. The barn was large, with an open area in
the center and stalls on each side. A ladder led to a hayloft. One of the boys
ran ahead and started to climb it.
    â€œGet down from there before you break your neck!
That’s just what I need, another one lame.”
    The boy skittered down the ladder and stood again
with his siblings. Flower watched his efforts with fascination and then turned
her gaze to include the other children, only to discover they were all staring
at her, even the baby in its mother’s arms.
    Mrs. Jenson continued, “There’s some hay to sleep
on, and the animals can come in if you need more warmth.”
    â€œThank you, Missus,” said Cleo.
    All was quiet again as Mrs. Jenson appeared to
organize her thoughts. Finally she said, “You’ll be wanting some
nourishment.”
    â€œThat would be most kind,” said Cleo.
    â€œMuch appreciated,” said Eldon.
    They started back toward the house, the wind
blowing dust up around their feet. The adventurous boy led the way, but stopped
at the door to let his mother enter first. The interior of the house was sparse,
not at all like the Pembertons’. In the center stood a rectangular table with
benches on either side. A rocking chair sat by a black woodstove, and in the
corner was a cot, the driver standing beside it. The children scurried to sit on
the benches, except for the eldest girl, who took the baby from her mother’s
arms and settled in the rocking