Thomas and Daniel carried supplies through the front door during the quiet hours, while Walter helped build a sturdy loading platform near the side entrance.
It wasn't ideal.
But it worked.
The following day, Bram sent another notice.
This one threatened to prohibit use of the company well.
Loretta looked at it for a long time.
Then she opened her ledger.
She had records showing that the cookhouse had contributed to the well's maintenance.
Elias suggested bringing the matter to the appropriate local authority rather than arguing at the gate.
Walter confirmed that the water access had been shared for years.
The dispute became another question for the records.
Bram grew angrier.
And the miners began noticing that every time Loretta asked for an explanation, the foreman tried to make cooking more difficult.
That observation changed more minds than any speech could have.
One afternoon, Daniel Mercer's wife arrived at the Copper Pot carrying a small child.
Her name was Anna.
She was twenty-nine, with tired blue eyes and a wool shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Their daughter, Ruth, was four and carried a rag doll with one missing button.
Anna had traveled to Red Dog after receiving a letter from Daniel explaining the wage deductions.
She wanted to understand why so little money had reached home.
Loretta welcomed her.
She prepared tea and a small plate of bread.
Then she sat beside Anna at the kitchen table.
The young mother studied the ledger.
For several minutes, she examined the figures.
Then she looked up.
"He's been sending us everything he could."
Loretta nodded.
"That's what the records suggest."
Anna's eyes filled.
"I thought he'd started drinking again."
Loretta looked toward her.
The woman continued.
"He kept saying the company was taking more than he expected. I thought he was making excuses because he didn't want to admit what was happening."
She looked toward the paper.
Then whispered, "I was wrong."
Loretta reached for her hand.
"You didn't have the information."
Anna began crying.
Ruth looked frightened.
She climbed into her mother's lap.
Loretta quietly brought the child another piece of bread.
For a moment, Anna stared at her.
Then she smiled through tears.
"Thank you."
Loretta nodded.
After they left, she sat alone at the table.
Elias approached.
"Everything all right?"
She looked toward the door.
Then shook her head.
"Those deductions aren't only numbers."
Elias sat opposite her.
"I know."
She continued.