The other women murmured agreement.
Their voices had taken on the tone reserved for discussing actual saints.
Eleanor realized what they were doing.
Testing her.
Inviting her to compete with a dead woman whom no living person could equal.
"She sounds like a remarkable woman," Eleanor said quietly. "The boys speak of her with great love."
"Do they?"
Mrs. Henderson's eyebrows rose.
"And how are the poor dears adjusting to having a stranger suddenly placed in their mother's position?"
Heat rose in Eleanor's face.
Before she answered, a small voice spoke.
"She's not a stranger."
Samuel slipped his hand into Eleanor's.
"She's our new mama."
He looked proudly up at her.
"And she teaches letters and knows sailor knots."
The women appeared surprised.
Eleanor squeezed his hand.
"Well," Mrs. Patterson said stiffly, "children do adapt quickly."
"They do indeed."
Mrs. Murphy approached with a determined expression.
"And speaking of adapting, Eleanor has done wonders with those boys."
She smiled warmly at Eleanor.
"You should see how well behaved they are now, and how much Samuel has learned."
Gratitude flooded Eleanor.
Mrs. Henderson refused to retreat.
"Oh, I'm sure Mrs. Caldwell is adequate in her domestic responsibilities."
The word adequate was sharpened.
"It's simply that some of us remember when this family was the heart of the community."
Her eyes remained on Eleanor.
"Margaret organized church socials. Led the ladies' auxiliary. Coordinated help for families in need."
A sigh.
"Such large shoes to fill."
The challenge was unmistakable.
Eleanor wasn't merely expected to be wife and mother.
She was expected to inherit every public role Margaret had occupied.
Roles Eleanor had neither experience nor confidence for.
"I'm sure Eleanor will find her own way to contribute," Mrs. Murphy said firmly. "Every person brings different gifts."
"Of course."
Mrs. Henderson smiled.
"Though we do hope those gifts will be substantial. The Caldwell family has always been so generous with time and resources."
Eleanor felt trapped.
If she tried to imitate Margaret, she would fail and be criticized.
If she didn't try, she would be judged selfish and inadequate.
Either way, she couldn't win.
"Mrs. Caldwell."
Reverend Morrison approached.
"May I have a word?"
Eleanor followed him several steps from the women, grateful for the escape despite suspecting his topic would be no easier.
"I wanted to discuss the children's religious education."
His tone was carefully neutral.
"Margaret was very involved in their spiritual development. I trust you plan to continue that tradition."
"Of course. I've been reading Bible stories with them in the evenings."
"Good. Good."
He adjusted his spectacles.
"And the church school. Margaret started the Sunday program for younger children. The ladies hoped you might take that on."
Expectation settled like lead on Eleanor's shoulders.
"I... I'm not certain I'm qualified for that responsibility, Reverend. Perhaps one of the other women."
"But you're a trained teacher."
He seemed genuinely puzzled.
"Surely that makes you the most qualified person in the community."
Before Eleanor could answer, a commotion near the church steps turned everyone's attention.
Daniel and Billy Henderson were facing each other with fists raised.
Thomas crossed the yard immediately and gripped Daniel's shoulder.
"What's going on?"
"He said my new mama is a gold digger!"
Daniel's face was wet with angry tears.