Happy Land

Over the next year, Luella and the other women make major contributions to the kingdom. They sell their liniment, which goes really well at the local shop, while also making home deliveries. They also begin harvesting and selling vegetables by the road, drying and curing meat, and taking clothes from locals to sew and mend.

One afternoon in early 1877, Luella is working with the ladies on the liniment. Jola points out that Luella might be pregnant. To Luella’s surprise, she realizes that her body has been changing. When she tells Robert the news, he is kind and comforting while giving Luella space to make decisions about how much to work and when to rest. She is delighted at the idea of having a girl who will “speak her mind” (157).

Shortly after her pregnancy, Robert begins working with a white shoemaker. The man is near death, so he plans to leave his tools and his trade to the kingdom. Robert travels several miles each night, returning later and later. One night, when he comes home, he is being dragged by two men, his clothes torn and his eye swollen.

Two weeks later, Robert calls a meeting of the council. He tells them that he was jumped by men on his way home the first time, then they met him again to make demands.