There were numerous children books in the attic at the house, most with pictures. I spent hours pouring over the books, trying to learn for myself how to speak the English language. It was a sad attempt, though, as I found many conflicting phrases. For instance, there were two pictures of apples, but one was spelled "apple" and the other "worm".

A couple days after Harry's return, the three of us ventured out into town, using what small amount of money we had to buy some supplies. We piled the counter with dried goods, but when I handed the woman my stack of bills, she shook her head. After a moment or two, I realized that I hadn't enough money for all of these things. I grew agitated trying to reason with her, trying to get her to help me decide how much I would need to put back, and in the end and ten very frustrating minutes later, we left, only a bag of flour and money in hand.

I hunted a rabbit that we cooked for dinner, and I used the flour to make gravy and some very dry biscuits. Just about everything burned, as I am not used to cooking. The children were disappointed, but hungry, so they ate anyways.

A couple of days later, a young woman arrived at the door. She called herself Colleen, and I didn't understand much more than that at first. When she handed me a book that was a Gaelic to English translator, I hugged her in releif and joy, and then was afraid that I would scare the poor girl off, but she laughed. Using the book, I discovered that she was willing to come to the house each day and help teach my children and I. When I asked what she wanted in return, she shook her head, informing me that it was good training for her as she was trying to become a teacher. Being that she was too young to take over the schoolhouse for another two years (she was only sixteen), she said that this would be excellent practice for her to improve her teaching skills.

When I asked her how she came across such a book, she explained that her father had been Irish, and her mother English, when they came to New Cromwell. The book helped him bridge the gap as well. Unfortunatly, her father had since passed, but the book would be put to good use again, and it made her happy.

I smiled, thanking her profusely and God as well for the wonderful gift that he had bestowed on our family.