The Jumping-Off Place

Maria lifted her hand to knock, but stopped when she heard a woman speaking.

"Pastor, I met the most pathetic-looking girl yesterday," the voice said.

"Where was that?"

"Here at the church . . ."

Maria felt her face burning with shame. She had fallen into disgrace, but not far enough to endure the term "pathetic."

* * *

"Did you come to the Ladies' Aid Meeting?" the woman asked.

"Yeah. I came for aid," Maria answered, trying to control the bitterness in her voice. "I came for aid yesterday, but you asked me to eat and I did. I came again today to see if you needed a janitor to clean the church, but I know you don't, so I'll leave." * * *

Maria Grant feels she at her wit's end-hungry, weary, and bedraggled-all for the love of a boy. Why did she leave her loving family to be near Orville? He didn't care one iota for her. She had sunk so low, all because of Orville.