I was put to bed upstairs alone in a room. The first time in my life I
was ever alone at night, but I was not afraid, only homesick. I took my
doll Jane in my arms, saying my prayers I went to bed, but not to
sleep. My thoughts went back to my home on the island. I could see my
pets, father, mother and John sitting around the table, mother sewing,
John reading, and the tears would come in spite of all my efforts to
keep them back. Then I thought about what Elizabeth said to me that I
must have patience, yes I must not cry and I would soon see brother
Charley. I would ask Mr. Shepard in the morning about my brother. Then I
whispered so low to Jane, telling her it was naughty to cry and
complain, and that we must pray God to help us, asking her if she had
forgotten the big storm when we were on the lake. In talking to my doll
I fell asleep and only awoke when Mr. Shepard was building the fire in
the morning. I was soon dressed and was down stairs, where I began
dressing the children, and always after that I took care of them. The
dear children, how they loved me and I loved them! Never once were they
cross to me, and I hope I never was to them. Of course I could not comb
my hair. It was long and heavy. Mrs. Shepard did it for me. I helped her
with the dishes and soon learned how she did her work. She was very neat
and her home was always in order. By standing on a little stool I could
reach the dishes on the pantry shelves and soon could do the dishes
alone and help about the other work.