The Secret Contestant

The next morning, Clara was up bright and early.

After she finished washing up and getting dressed, she came downstairs just as Miriam was bringing a pot of steaming oatmeal out of the kitchen.

Miriam noticed her out of the corner of her eye and quickly called out, "Clara, the oatmeal's ready. Come have a bowl to tide you over. The bread might take a bit longer."

"Aunt Miriam," Clara said as she w