Clarabelle woke before the house was fully awake.
She shared the upstairs bedroom with three of her sisters, and for a few moments she lay still beneath the blankets, listening. Someone stirred beside her. Floorboards creaked somewhere below. From the kitchen came the first sounds of Mother and Emma beginning breakfast.
Sunday was different.
There were still chores to finish, but today the family was going to chapel, and everyone would wear their best.
Clarabelle dressed carefully, smoothing her dress and fixing her hair before heading downstairs.
Mother and Emma were already busy with breakfast. Clarabelle helped set the table, laying out the plates, spoons, and cups.
One by one, the other children came in from feeding the animals.
And that was when the trouble usually started.
A shove in the hallway. A playful tug. Someone trying to ruffle her hair.
Clarabelle gave as good as she got.
By the time everyone reached the kitchen, there was usually plenty of laughter to go around—and sometimes a little arguing, too.
After breakfast came the dishes, then the final rush to get ready for chapel.
At seven o’clock, the family would leave the farm.
The walk to chapel was part of the morning, too. There were hedgerows to watch, stones to find, and plenty of things a child might notice along the way.
Last week, Mads found a smooth stone just perfect for hopscotch. Clarabelle had been looking for one ever since.
Perhaps she’d find an even better one today.
Want to see how they played? → [Hopscotch in 1885]