Susanna and Sue

The story opens on a luminous May day where blossom‑laden apple trees spill snow‑white petals across stone walls and a sapphire‑blue lake glints in a green valley. A Shaker settlement rises nearby, its white barns and neatly tended orchards exuding a quiet, almost reverent order; men and sisters move through the fields with purposeful calm, and even the air seems to hum with the steady rhythm of honest labor. The landscape is painted in gentle shades of green, pink and pearl, inviting a sense of timeless peace that feels both secluded and welcoming.

Into this measured world arrive Susanna Hathaway and her young daughter Sue, traveling the familiar mile‑and‑half from the railway station. Susanna is drawn by a yearning for rest and redemption, while Sue simply delights in the journey, eager for a home‑cooked supper after a somber ride. Their arrival hints at new connections and gentle discoveries within the community, setting the stage for a tender exploration of faith, family and the simple beauty of a life lived with intention.