God's Country

Part Fifty-Six

'Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.'

Proverbs 20:11

Elizabeth Buckingham entered the haberdashery with Catherine Henderson and Henrietta and Georgina Harrington, all shepherded by Miss Ford and Miss Scott as usual, the four girls moving obediently to the side, to be out of the way of any other customers. Mrs Harper, the owner of the obviously thriving business and one of the few people working in the village who was not a Reformist, hurried over to serve them, her eyes sparkling over a noticeably thin mantle. She was pandering to her customers, of course. Beth recognised that, running a critical eye over the woman's admittedly modest appearance, but the gesture would still be appreciated and ensure that her customers always came back for more. Needlepoint, sewing and tapestry were a very suitable pastime for all good Daughters of Eve, encouraged by every guardian Beth had ever met, and Mrs Harper provided everything her customers could ever possibly desire for their hobbies. The shop was Beth's first clear memory of Meadvale outside of Broomwaters and she found herself noticing the differences. It was as her father had told her; things were going to change.

"Good afternoon, Miss Scott...and Miss Ford...and your young ladies," Mrs Harper greeted them warmly, a smile evident in her voice. The four girls immediately curtseyed in perfect unison, their backs held ramrod straight by their corsets and their heavy cloaks flowing all around them. "How can we help you this afternoon?"

Elizabeth stood very still as the guardians ordered some ribbons, cotton and wool for their needlepoint, quite accustomed to the routine and lost in her own thoughts. Harpers had been the first place she had visited in Meadvale, the first time she left Broomwaters after arriving from Deepdene. She recalled her initial surprise and horror at how the Harrington's lived, and her feelings about her own future. It seemed like a different world; she had been a different person living a very different life. Breathing deeply, she returned her attention to the present moment, telling herself to concentrate. Maidens were supposed to be unobtrusive. She could see through her veils but not particularly well, and she was just a still, silent blob of material standing to one side, concentrating entirely on Miss Ford, eager to obey her next instruction perfectly. It was what God demanded of her in His love. She knew that, because everything was all for His glory and His holy love. Everything. She had been trying to help Catherine to see that, as Georgina and Henrietta had once helped her, and in doing so she had reinforced in her own mind all the positives of her new life. It really was all quite simple. She was so safe and protected from sin and constant temptation, and she was blessed to have the chance to devote herself to finding God's love. She was a fortunate girl, thanks to the generosity and foresight of her father, privileged beyond words, and she knew that her father and his devout friends were working hard to make the world a much better place for everyone. Obviously she had resisted her transformation at first. She was simply a product of a depraved world which had lost its way and she had badly needed to be shown the right path and then helped to follow it. And her father had promised her that she would be the first of many who he would help to save.

And Catherine Henderson was living proof of that solemn pledge. Elizabeth had met her only a few weeks before Christmas and of course Catherine was a modern girl, a heathen, and she reacted badly to the idea of being a Daughter of Eve. Elizabeth did not really blame her of course. Catherine had none of the advantages she had; she had never been to Meadvale and she had no proper examples of what it could be like to earn God's love. Meadvale was a kind of paradise. Beth could see that and she believed that, because she had been immersed in what she recognised was a unique environment, and although her beloved father assured her that things were going to change, she did not see how it was possible to achieve outside of the village. But then Catherine had arrived at Broomwaters. Her own father, the Deputy Prime Minister and maybe, God willing, the next Prime Minister, had made the exact same decision for her that Mr Henderson had made for his own beloved daughter. What further proof did Elizabeth need? Both their fathers, both important, dedicated men, had acted in their best interests, and when she could, Beth tried to help Catherine see that, because she believed it herself. She did not know what would happen outside of Meadvale, but something certainly was happening to them and it was God's work, of course. She felt blessed.