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“We’re farmers We want to plant our crops We want to take care of ourselves”

“Enough,” Tony said He shoved his seat back and stood up “Co”

When Elsa glanced back, she saw the disappointment on Bennett’s face as more families followed the Martinellis out of the schoolhouse

THIRTEEN

Elsa stood in the falling snow The sounds of the world werelayer of white; she marveled that she could still find beauty in nature As she headed down into the root cellar, she heard Bella’s low, ry and thirsty as the rest of the with cold, Elsa stared at the empty shelves There should be boxes of onions and potatoes, etables; instead there were bare shelves

And now … this news froovernment expert

Elsa had thought of the plains pioneers, people like Tony and Rose, as indomitable, invincible People who had co but a drearit and determination and hard work

But apparently they’d ed the land Or, worse, misused it

She thought about their daily chores, done this week in a bitter, skin-biting cold, and tonight there would only be a slice of bread, a few of last season’s soft potatoes, and a bit of sh to fill any of their bellies And then it would be tio their oay, into their own black, frigid roo as fanciful as light, and they would crawl into beds that always felt gritty no ed the sheets, and try to fall asleep

Now she took three shriveled potatoes fro not to notice hoere left, and walked back out into the falling snow

“Mom?”

Elsa turned

Loreda wore layers of ill-fitting clothes, and two pair of knee socks, which no doubt increased the discorown shoes In the past few row out and so her hair was al past her nose and continually covered her eyes She said it didn’t matter what she looked like anymore because she had no friends

Even so, her beauty was remarkable No bad haircut or cheap frock could diant bone structure and luxurious black hair And those eyes, like Elsa’s and yet more intensely blue Almost violet Someday men would see her across a crowded street and stop in their tracks

Loreda’s cheeks were bright pink; listened on her dark lashes and full lips “I want to talk to you”