Ezra put the cookies onto a plate and took her arm to lead her out the back door. "Let's get cleaned up first and then we'll try them. They need to cool down or you won't be able to enjoy them," he said sternly as he led up the steps. He motioned for her to be a little quiet since now was around the time his parents took small naps. He placed the cookies on the counter in the kitchen and led her to the bathroom. "By the time you get showered my parents will have woken and my mother will put a fresh dress in here for you."

He passed her the towel she had used yesterday and closed the door. He went back to the living room and and began to boil water for himself. Ezra usually refused to bathe in the bath tub unless his parents were away for the weekend. It only held so much hot water and he preferred his parents to use it. He brought the bucket from his parents bedroom and hid it behind the wall separating the kitchen from the small dining area and began to clean himself off. He figured by the time Marta finished he'd already be dressed and done. Girls tended to take longer in the bathroom.

He was in the process of cleaning himself when he heard some shuffling feet and looked up to his mother and father staring at him a bit confused. "Marta is in the bathroom. I hope you don't mind. I told her you'd lay out some clothes for her," he said sheepishly. 

"Ezra, you were attacked earlier! I have no doubts it was because of this girl. The neighbors saw you too kissing yesterday! You can't be doing that Ezra! You are promised to another girl!" His mother was doing her best to keep her voice low. She gave a dramatic sigh and went to the bedroom to lay out clothes.

"Pa! You told her I was attacked?!" Ezra said folding his arms across his chest annoyed.

His father was next to speak, "I know you told me you you did it to yourself, but I know you son. You would not have lost that necklace by yourself," he said with a roll of the eyes, "you watch yourself with that girl, Ezra. Christian girls like her can cost you your life son. I don't want you dying before me."

Ezra frowned a little as he sat in the water a little upset. He'd always been careful with his actions, never acted out once, but the one time he went out of line his parents seemed to be on his case. He finished bathing himself and then grabbed the towel he had hanging on the chair. He'd finish getting dressed in the bedroom.