" The girl who had been Mercy Carter stood for a long time watching the canoes disappear down the St. Lawrence. She had waved after Daniel, had been too crushed to wave after Sarah and Eben, and never thought of waving after Deacon Sheldon. Ransom, she thought. I didn't take it. Nistenha removed the hat, folded it and touched the heavy gold braids. "Daughter?" It seemed to the girl that sky and wind and river held their peace and waited to hear. Mother, she thought, beloved mother in heaven, forgive me. I walk now into another life. "Nistenha," she said. "It is your choice? For if not, my daughter, we follow them." "It is my choice," said Nistenha's daughter."