than they are. You can help the other girls because you understand what they are feeling.”
Tien’s shoulders sagged, but she still didn’t move.
“We’ll be gathering downstairs to tell everyone.” Dolly waited another moment, then she finally left the forlorn girl whose life had changed yet again today.
As Dolly began the slow walk back to the parlor, she knew the Chinese girls would depend on her more than ever. It was up to her to be the comforter at this time, since Mrs. Field hadn’t yet forged any personal relationships.
After the staff delivered the news of Miss Culbertson’s passing, the quiet that settled over the mission home was one of mourning and memories. Mrs. Field stayed in the office for hours at a time, and Dolly canceled classes and spent time with the women and girls. Most of them had called Miss Culbertson their “mama,” and this loss was deeply felt. Dolly wasn’t even sure she had slept a full night in many days, as she was awakened over and over by someone knocking on her door in tears. Dolly could not turn away the brokenhearted, no matter how exhausted she was. She would invite whoever had knocked into her room and offer hugs and soothing words.
Just when it seemed a new routine had finally taken root, with Mrs. Field in charge, Yuen Qui returned from the marketplace one afternoon with purchases for dinner. Instead of ordering the dinner preparations to begin, she sought Dolly where she was teaching Bible study. One look at Yuen Qui’s pretty face clouded with worry told Dolly that she needed to excuse herself from class. She asked Lonnie to be in charge in her absence, then followed Yuen Qui out of the room.
Tien came after them, always Yuen Qui’s little shadow. Dolly didn’t have the heart to chastise Tien for leaving class. Besides, whatever was distressing Yuen Qui, Tien would find out soon enough anyway.
“There are rumors going around Chinatown,” Yuen Qui said once they were in the hallway.
“Should we report to Mrs. Field then?” Dolly immediately suggested.
“No,” Yuen Qui said. “This is about you. We already know the tong members celebrated Miss Culbertson’s departure.”
Dolly glanced over at Tien, who had told her as much. The girl was watching them with open curiosity.
“But now, the tong plans to enact their revenge on you, Miss Cameron,” Yuen Qui said. “They plan to stop you at all costs. They’ve hired lawyers to issue warrants that will accuse our girls of theft so the police will have to return the girls to their owners.”
Dolly’s breath stalled. The issuing of warrants wasn’t new. It was one of the reasons Miss Culbertson allowed only a staff member to answer the mission home door.
She felt Tien’s gaze on her, and Yuen Qui’s fear was palpable. “We will find a way,” Dolly said at last, lifting her chin. “None of these girls would be here if it weren’t for Miss Culbertson. If she were still alive, she wouldn’t let a few rumors stop her. She faced threats every day, and so will I. As Miss Culbertson did, we will continue to put our faith in the Lord.”
Dolly stepped past Tien and Yuen Qui and reentered the classroom to resume the Bible study. One day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time, would be the way to move the work forward. Threats would not stop her. The words of Officer Cook would not leave her mind. This was truly a war, and the tong were only raising the stakes by issuing warrants. So Dolly would raise the stakes too.
No, not every rescue had gone smoothly. A few months ago, one of the young Chinese women had been returned to her owner due to a fictitious search warrant that claimed the woman had stolen jewelry. The woman had been taken away sobbing, and when her court date had come, Miss Culbertson had come back to the mission home saying that the girl had not shown up. They could only conclude that the owner had taken her and fled.
As Dolly stood in front of the classroom again, she clapped her hands for full attention. “We will memorize the words of Paul. Repeat after me: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
The dark-eyed girls, sitting in their rows, clasped hands resting on their white outfits, repeated the phrase back to Dolly.
“Again,” Dolly said. As the girls repeated the holy words, she let the cadence of their feminine voices wash over her.
Tien