The Secrets of the Rosary

A Lesson in Loving Neighbors

"I still don't get where we're supposed to be going," said Gretchen.

It was two days after Cassandra's Coming up ceremony, and nobody in the family felt ready for what was happening next. Cassandra had been very eager to depart on the adventure, but Gretchen had no idea where to even start. She had tried asking the Bishop for help, but he had withdrawn to the church and was not receiving appointments. Then,s he had tried asking Father Joseph for guidance. His first suggestion had been that she travel to the Library in Dinlan, the capital city of Glindor. There might be a clue in there, but he had added, "I'm only a priest. Not only am I not the one who has been chosen to find the lost pages, but I'm not even the one to help her."

Hearing that, Gretchen had decided to go to her sister. Unfortunately, that had proven to be about as helpful as she expected. "Honestly Gretchen," Cassandra had said. "What do you think I would know about something like this?"

"Nothing," Gretchen admitted, "except that helping me is supposed to be your whole purpose in life as ordained by God." So far, you haven't been doing such a great job of it."

Gretchen paused and thought for a moment. "Is there anyone els in this town that we could ask for help?"

"I doubt it," said Cassandra. "Everyone in this town attended my coming up. If they knew anything about the prophesy of Aldus, they would have said so then." Now Cassandra smiled. "You see, I am helping you. In a negative kind of way."

Gretchen didn't appreciate that, but she had to admit her sister was right. Everyone in the town had been invited to Cassandra's party and most had attended.

"Really," said Cassandra half to herself, "the only person who wasn't there was Old Widow Pritchett, and we didn't expect her to come. Thank goodness she didn't."

Gretchen couldn't deny that. Throughout the entire village Old Widow Pritchett was one of the oldest and most hated of allpeople. She lived by herself on a farm and seldom left her property. When she did, she had absolutely nothing good to say to the people she met.And if anyone else dared to appear on her property, that person might as well have been hanged. This, in fact, was exactly what had happened to the girls a few month ago. They had both been passing but the property when they noticed that the apples in her orchard were very ripe. Cassandra had suggested sneaking intop the orchard and trying to grab just a few of them. Gretchen had known this was a bad idea,but somehow had let hers sister talk her into it.

Well, the girls were actually in the apple tree when they hear a loud voice call out. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

The girls had been so startled that they had both tumbled out of the tree and had the wind knocked out of them.

"I should use this cane to pound you both into flour and bake bread," said the Widow brandishing her cane in the air.

The girls didn't know if whe was serious about that, but they decided not to take chances. They leapt to their feet and raced all the way home.

Gretchen thought about this now and she said, "You know, we probably owe that woman an apology."

Cassandra's face turned pale."Are you crazy?"

"Not at all," said Gretchen with a smile. "You know, i wouldn't have thought of it if you hadn't mentioned her, so I guess you are being helpful after all."

Cassandra smacked herself on the forehead.

* * *

But Gretchen felt considerably less brave as the girls approached the widow's farmhouse. Cassandra, meanwhile, was as terrified as ever and not even trying to hide it.

"I still can't believe we're doing this," she said. "Aren't you scared?"

"i'm terrified, but, you know, I think it would be a lot worse if I didn't have my sister by my side."

Cassandra wasn't flatterd. "And what do you think I'm going to do about it? Win that woman over with my charming personality?"

"You can try."

The girls were on the Widow's front porch. Gretchen took a deep breath and knocked.

"Maybe there's nobody home," said Cassandra hopefully.

But then the door swung open, and the Widow Pritchett stood before them. Shed was not a very tall woman. She was actually quite old old and frail, but something in her piercing eyes made you feel that she was somkebody not to bhe trifled with. "Who are you?" she demanded and what do you want with me?"