The Pioneers

The group from the Mansion House travels to the academy. As she travels, Elizabeth looks at the signs hanging over the doors and marvels at how much the town has grown and changed in the short time she has been away. Elizabeth stops when she recognizes a building she knows—the Bold Dragoon tavern. Standing outside are the tavern’s owners, the Irish Hollisters. Elizabeth greets them warmly. At the academy, Richard has already arrived and is asking the townsfolk about their families and children.

Opposite from the academy is the still-unfinished church of St. Paul’s, which Richard and Hiram had started building in the summer. Temple has funded its construction, but has not settled what denomination the church will be, as the Judge does not want to prejudice the outcome. Richard has secretly promised the Episcopalian church that it would be of their denomination, but he has struggled to convince the townsfolk without Temple’s backing. Though Richard and Hiram modelled the church on St. Paul’s in London, it is a very poor imitation and instead looks more like a vinegar pot.