An invitation to the Marshall home for dinner helped ease the let-down of returning from New York. In spite of Jennie's resolve, she was in a slump again. David and Ruth Marshall, a part of the gathering in Jaffrey, also lived on Main Street. With news of the coming of Stephen and Julia from Peoria, they could hardly contain their excitement until the Benton's return.
Jennie always admired the large brick house set back in the trees. Surprisingly for its size, there was a coziness about the home. There was usually a glowing fire in the fireplace set in the far wall of the living room. A small painting over the mantel, and a corner cupboard filled with a small collection of cups and saucers, added to the homeyness. Whenever they were invited for dinner, the delicious smell of roast beef or occasionally a stuffed turkey, would greet them. A quick glance into the kitchen usually revealed a couple of mouth-watering pies on the small table.
Ruth Marshall was a vivacious woman who did not betray her years. With amazing energy, she could work circles around someone half her age. Her husband David was a happy man who walked close to the Lord. This was, no doubt, the reason he could remain calm and unruffled, cheerful in spite of annoying problems that came his way.
As the Bentons arrived for the evening, Mr. Marshall spoke up in his crisp voice, a merry twinkle in his eyes, "At last you girls will have some young friends here in the gathering. I'm so happy for you, and for us, too!" A slow, warm smile crossed his face as he watched the girls' reaction. They couldn't imagine what he was talking about and could hardly believe what they heard, as he continued to explain that his nephew and niece from Peoria, Stephen and Julia, would soon be moving to Jaffrey! Could this really be possible?!
On this warm night, a soft breeze drifted in across the screened porch where they visited. As they moved into the dining room, everyone was talking about the change soon to take place in Jaffrey. The surprise was so overwhelming and unbelievable, Jennie could scarcely take it in. Turning to her sister, she whispered with delight, "Kara! At last we'll have friends our own age!"
Her mind was spinning a hundred miles an hour as she tried to visualize what they would be like. It was an effort to listen to her father who was recounting more stories about Grandpa Benton to David Marshall, the recent trip still fresh in his mind.
Her mind, too, returned to New York and the moments she spent at the window of Mark's room, watching the rain come down. Was there a lesson to be learned here? She had, if only in a small measure, come to some acceptance there concerning her loneliness in Jaffrey. All along the Lord had been planning this for her. She tried to follow her father's conversation, but it was impossible to subdue the excitement that was getting hold of her.
"My father believed in the power of prayer, not just in big things, but in the little things of life, too," he began. "One winter in the mountains with his family, miles from help, he found the car engine wouldn't run. He didn't know what to do. He checked the gas tank, the carburetor and the spark plugs. Everything seemed fine."
"That must have been a distressing situation!" David Marshall remarked, following the account with interest.
Jennie's father nodded and went on, "He cranked and cranked the old car until his arm was weary, with still no sign of life. After perhaps an hour of this, he said to my mother, 'You know, we haven't prayed about it.' So there in the cold, they bowed their heads and asked the Lord to help them. He gave the crank another spin and the motor started right off. It never gave them any more trouble."
As the lively talk continued between the adults, Jennie and Kara kept nudging each other, anticipating how before long they, too, would have friends to visit with, instead of having to sit in the background listening politely to the adults. They heard Mr. Marshall as he carried on in his crisp voice, and tried again to concentrate.
"You know, Peter," he smiled, "sometimes I feel the Lord's presence more where just a few are gathered like this. It is very sweet to me to remember the Lord here."
Last Lord's day's meeting had been special. It was the first meeting since their return home from New York. Instead of finding it dull, as she expected, in contrast to the larger gathering they had visited, Jennie was touched by Mr. Marshall's talk. He spoke after the breaking of bread on 1 Peter 1:1919But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19) concerning "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
He looked at them all now, remembering the subject he enjoyed so much. "His offering shall be of fine flour," he smiled, looking at Kara as he spoke. "When I was a lad, my mother did a lot of baking, Kara. She had a barrel of flour from which she would take out several scoops at a time. In those days it had rough particles in it, so she would allow me to sift out the rough particles, using a flour-sifter. This required two or three siftings. Finally all that remained was fine flour.
"I liked to run my hand through the smooth, fine flour which had no gritty particles," Mr. Marshall continued. "This reminds me of the perfection of Christ, so essential for that great sacrifice. He never spoke a word out of place. He never sinned in word, thought or deed, and in Him was no sin. Nevertheless, He could weep with those in deep sorrow."
Listening to Mr. Marshall, Jennie felt a closeness to the Lord like she remembered having back in California. He spoke with such sincerity and love for the Lord that her resentment disappeared for a time. She was glad now that even before she heard about Stephen and Julia coming, she experienced a small measure of acceptance concerning their move to Jaffrey. If there was a purpose to it all... well, it would be worth the loneliness. She certainly had not expected this happy surprise, but now she believed life would not go on day after day in the dull, changeless way it had during the past lonely months.
When the evening was over, the Marshalls promised to let the Benton girls know just as soon as Stephen and Julia arrived. They were driving with no particular schedule, so when they would actually arrive remained uncertain.
The moment came Wednesday night, which for Jennie distinctly divided the past from a new beginning. Through all the years ahead she would never forget it.
She and Kara bicycled over to the lake, heading home as daylight faded over the rolling hills. As they passed the Marshall's house, they noticed an unfamiliar car with an Illinois license plate.
Kara and Jennie exchanged glances with a knowing look that said: "Stephen and Julia have arrived!" What would they be like? Would it take long to get acquainted? Would Stephen be a boy who would just disappear, not wanting to be with the girls? All these questions were passing through Jennie's mind.
Darkness had fallen as the girls pulled up to the sidewalk with their bicycles. They saw, in the dim light of the porch lantern, strangers standing on the Benton porch, talking to their parents. David Marshall's cheerful voice echoed through the night as Julia walked down the steps toward them and came forward with her friendly smile. She was tall and thin like her uncle, with his slight build.
Stephen, too, stepped out of the shadows. He was several inches taller than Jennie, a sturdy fellow. She could see at a glance that he had character. When he smiled, it was easy to sense his gentleness and kind manner. Jennie knew that for her, life in Jaffrey would never be the same again.