Chapter 66

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That evening, as we sat at the kitchen table after our meal, James discussed the rest of his trip before asking about the raid on our farm.

“It was not a raid.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“Nay. A lot has happened since you’ve been gone. I must be careful about going to Yanube City these days. Not everyone is friendly.”

“It was already turning that direction.”

“Yes, but it’s worse than ever now. There’s a new preacher in town named Jeremiah Berglund, and he’s on the hunt for sinners. He and Smith have started making comments about naked boys and men. They accosted me on the street in Yanube City and deliberately set out to humiliate me.” I explained the boys’ visit and the two Maartens brothers working shirtless on the barn roof.

“I think Smith’s a sodomist who hasn’t faced up to the fact. At any rate, he’s twice made comments about me having naked boys and men around the place. So he’s sensitive to the matter. He’ll be suspicious of any close relationships.”