She smiled at them all.
“I am reckoning that the men will have the hole in the ground ready by then and I will return the day after tomorrow with everything possible to add to what you have supplied from your own homes.”
There was silence for a moment.
Then one of the women burst into tears.
“I don’t believe this is happenin’,” she said. “I’m sure I’m dreamin’. It’s been like hell to see my bairns suffer. My mother died because we couldn’t feed her properly. I’m sure I’m not hearin’ you right.”
She put her hands up to her eyes.
Julia walked to her and put her hand on her shoulder.
“It’s true,” she said, “and you have to believe me. I know that my mother, who is dead, sent me here to help you and it is God’s idea, not mine, that you should find treasure. Even if it is not what
