Jacob Yoder smiled amicable at the group of outsiders.  "Welcome.  It is nice ta see ya, yup.  We'll all go in an have dinner, and then get ya situated for the night."  Randy, one of the six classmates with Karina, and the leader of the group, shook hands with Mr. Yoder.   Randy was a tall fellow with curly red hair and a big nose.  Mr. Yoder was shorter, with a small beard and a peaceful face.<br/><br/>It was about six o'clock and a brisk wind was bringing the cold and leaves in, down the street.  Mr. Yoder was bundled, but, though not all of the students had dress as warmly.  They were lead into a long dining hall, where family groups were sitting together around long tables.  They were singing from song books, something about the beauty of the Earth.<br/><br/>The female children had on a variety of fabrics, but all wore dresses cut seemingly from the same pattern, with little head scarves.  They sat next to their brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers.<br/><br/>The students were each lead to a table, some in pairs and some one their own, where ever they could be found a place to sit.  Karina was lead to a seat between Mr. Yoder and his wife, a small, and tight face woman, who was eying her round faced children, with suspicion.<br/><br/>Across the compound, Patience was climbing out her bedroom window, and climbing out onto the branches of the old apple tree.  She was determined to see the outsiders for herself, even if it was dangerous to climb the old tree.  Her dress was torn in the process, but she managed to get to the ground safely.<br/><br/>Within minutes she was across the compound and seated across from the Yoders.  Her black hair was in a tangle, and her dress was a mess, but she was there.