Chapter 3

The betrothal gifts filled an entire flatbed cart, making Lowell Sullivan's gifts from yesterday look like nothing by comparison.

Yesterday his betrothal gifts had been a few bottles of malted milk powder, a bolt of red cloth, and two bags of fine white flour.

But today, on top of all that, Elijah had brought a sewing machine and a radio.

It drew a crowd at once. "I never would have guessed Elijah had built up such a fortune all on his own."

"Right? Never mind out here in the country, these things would be top-notch even in the city."

"I thought Loretta's betrothal gifts yesterday were already quite respectable, but next to Lily's today they hardly count for anything."

Loretta and Lowell happened to overhear this just as they came back from shopping, and their faces turned very ugly.

Loretta looked at the gifts on the cart, a flash of jealousy in her eyes, then stubbornly spoke up. "Lowell's betrothal gifts yesterday were more than just that. There was five hundred dollars in cash too."

At that, everyone gasped. After all, monthly income in the countryside was only a few dozen dollars—ten years of saving might not add up to five hundred.

Seeing the surprise on everyone's faces, Loretta grew even more pleased with herself.

"Lowell said it's not that he wouldn't buy me a sewing machine and a radio, he just couldn't be bothered to haul them over. He's already got them ready for me at his home in the city. Isn't that right, Lowell?"

Only then did Lowell snap out of it and nod. "That's right."

Just then Elijah took a wad of bills from inside his shirt and handed it to me, saying only one word. "Betrothal."

A full two thousand dollars. Loretta's expression turned uglier still.

The crowd pressed in again. "Congratulations, Lily, you're so lucky. Who'd have thought Elijah was this capable, saving up so much all by himself."

I was stunned too. He wore the same tattered undershirt all year round, and in winter he didn't even own a padded coat, yet I never imagined he'd saved this much money.

Seeing how surprised I was, he explained, "Saved it from hunting. Can't let you lose face. It's all yours."

I stared blankly at this man whose ears had gone red even as he spoke, and my own cheeks began to burn.

"Thank you."

Loretta turned and walked straight off, and Lowell turned and left too, displeased.

"What are you showing off for? Do you have to make your sister look bad?"

My father suddenly spoke up, pointing at me, his eyes full of anger. "Lily, do you have to steal your sister's thunder?"

Sensing that the mood had turned, the onlookers awkwardly drifted away.

Elijah shielded me behind him. "I brought the betrothal gifts. It has nothing to do with Lily."

"You—"

My father raised his hand as if to strike, then let it fall. I said mockingly, "So Dad means the spotlight can only be my sister's, and I should go out looking shabby, is that it?"

My father had no answer. My mother stepped forward. "Your sister is marrying a city youth sent to the countryside. She'll be moving into the city someday. How can you compare with her?"

"Our family has no money to put together a dowry for you, so these things are perfect for your sister to take with her—consider it your way of making amends."

I looked at her in disbelief. "No way. These are all mine."

My father raised his hand to strike again, and I lifted my chin and faced him head-on. "If you dare do that, I'll shout out the truth about the rescue in the river. Let's see how Loretta gets married then."