Saraphine

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

September 17th 1845

Birds were singing cheerfully, welcoming in the dawn. The rising sun shone with renewed vigor, lighting up the grasses, rooftops and windowpanes. A log hanging mist hugged the earth, draping across it as if it were a blanket.

It was a beautiful, peaceful September morning—and Saraphine was already exhausted.

Today was the day of Ellen's wedding and Saraphine had not slept for two nights. She had been far too busy ensuring that everything would be perfect.

"Saraphine!" Ellen's shrill call had Saraphine leaping to full attention as she shoved herself away from the wall, which her tired mind seemed to have mistaken for a bed.

Swiftly, she found Ellen in the kitchen. "Is there a problem.....?"

Saraphine's questioned trailed off when she saw Betsy, a young slave girl, standing in a pile of spilled bread dough. "I'm sorry, Miss Ellen..." Betsy gasped.

Saraphine turned her attention to the other woman—and a laugh burst from her mouth.

Bread dough was splattered across the front of Ellen's morning dress and a large droplet was dangling precariously from her nose. "Are you honestly laughing at me?" Ellen demanded.

Saraphine quickly lowered her gaze and bit her tongue to quell her laughter. "No, Miss Ellen. Of course not. I merely laughed at the situation."

"I hardly think this is a situation that calls for laughter."

Saraphine nodded. "Of course, Miss Ellen."

"This girl all but threw this dough at me."

"No. No, Miss Ellen. I didn't realize you were there and I was startled I turned!" Betsy insisted.

"Enough!" Ellen snapped. "Saraphine, take her to the foreman. I want her punished with lashings!"

The poor girl's lips quivered as a tear rolled down her cheek. Saraphine was desperate to do something. "Miss Ellen, I am certain this was an accident. Would it not be more efficient to have the child clean up her mess and make more dough as punishment?"

Ellen merely glared and Saraphine quickly continued. "We want today to be a perfect day for you and it will be. But we need everyone to help make that happen. If she is lashed, she won't be fit to do her work."

Ellen's cheeks were red and her jaw tight. It was clear she was still very angry. Saraphine had done all she could. If Ellen still insisted on having Betsy punished, there would be no choice but to do as the woman demanded.

Slowly, Ellen's shoulders released a bit of their tension. "Fine. I want this mess gone and these floors shining."

"Yes ma'am!" Betsy exclaimed, tears streaming more freely down her cheeks. "And I'll bake the best bread you've ever tasted!"

Saraphine pulled a clean kerchief from her pocket and held it out to Ellen. "Why don't we go get you a hot bath? You should be resting and relaxing today."

Ellen nodded as she took the kerchief and cleaned a bit of dough from her face. "I certainly don't need this stress today," she agreed.