by Barbara Goss
The ladies ran outside.
“Welcome to our new schoolhouse,” Margo called.
As he reined in the panting horses, Geoffrey Grandville’s mouth widened with pleasure. “I’ve brought over my contribution to education.” He pointed to the large object lying on the bed of the buckboard.
The women stared for several moments before speaking.
“A real chalkboard!” exclaimed Kate, finally. “I’ve never used one before!” In her excitement she threw her arms around Geoffrey’s neck. “Oh, thank you! That’s the most wonderful surprise yet!”
Geoffrey momentarily returned her embrace. “Certainly glad I went to the trouble! Never thought I’d be rewarded so generously. His eyes met hers warmly.
Kate quickly withdrew her hold on him. “Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to be so forward, but I’m so thrilled. So few teachers have a real chalkboard! I must be dreaming!” She gasped, holding her heart to calm its pounding. Was the throbbing due to the excitement of the gift or her embrace with Geoffrey?
Margo spoke, reminding Kate of her presence. “Geoffrey, how wonderful. I didn’t think you supported the school. You never came to the meetings…
“But Margo, my time is so precious. While I don’t have myself to contribute, I am blessed with finances.” The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “It was the least I could do.”
“We certainly appreciate it,” murmured Margo, as if genuinely surprised by Geoffrey’s gesture.
“I, too, thank you, Mr. Grandville,” a gruff voice agreed heartily from behind Kate, causing her to jump in surprise” Very thoughtful of you! In fact, surprisingly so,” Josh Redfield added almost sourly, approaching the wagon slowly.
How long had he been standing there? Kate wondered.
“Let me help carry it into the schoolhouse,” Josh offered. When he grabbed one end of the large slate, his brown eyes met Kate’s green ones. “If you show us where you want it, we’ll attach it to the wall for you.”
Slightly frightened by Josh’s boldness, Kate flew ahead of the men, and when she’d chosen a spot on the wall for the board, she merely pointed.
As the men set down the chalkboard Geoffrey held up one hand. “Sorry, good people, I’d love to assist in placing the thing, but I have a pressing engagement… You will all excuse me, I hope?” He bowed politely.
“Certainly,” said Margo. “Thank you again.”
Kate held out her hands. Geoffrey took them, and her eyes blurred with tears. “You’ll never know how thrilled I am by your generous, thoughtful gift. I never dreamed…” Her voice broke, and she pulled out her handkerchief.
“My dear lady,” replied Geoffrey gallantly, “had I known, I would have purchased a half dozen.” He bowed again. “Farewell.”
Kate patted her eyes as Geoffrey turned his wagon around and rolled down the long drive to the main road. “Such a dear, sweet man he is!” she murmured.
Josh nearly dropped the chalkboard. Kate saw him frown, and then caught Margo throwing him a look of warning. He shook his head, grimaced, and continued with his work but she heard him grumble softly, “Pressing engagement by backside!”
Kate sensed Josh Redfield’s deep dislike for Geoffrey Grandville. She stiffened her back and busied herself with unpacking books. Why should a man with Josh’s reputation like a fine man like Geoffrey? Josh was merely jealous of the Englishman, decided Kate.
When Kate arrived at the schoolhouse on Monday, children played in the fields nearby. Margo stopped the wagon by the door, and Kate, Carl, and Earl jumped down. Waving, Margo turned the wagon around and headed back to town and her bakery.
Kate rang the chime to denote the beginning of school. She counted heads as she walked toward the door: fifteen. Not bad for the first day, she thought. After arranging papers on her new desk, she straightened, took a deep breath, smoothed the front of her yellow gingham dress, and then walked with assurance to the students standing just inside the door.
Kate noted that while most of the children’s clothing was by no means new or fine, each was clean and tidy—or at least she could tell they had been sent that way. A few boys showed signs of their rough play before school. Only a couple of the pupils dressed poorly or were in need of a good scrubbing.
At the sight of the school’s fine furnishings the pupils stood in awe.
“My name is Miss Hunter. When I touch your shoulder, I’d like you to introduce yourself and tell me your age. I will then direct you to your seat. “
Kate lightly touched the shoulder of the first boy.
“Peter Balcomb,” he said shyly. “I’m eleven, but I’ll be twelve on Saturday!” he exclaimed excitedly.
Kate pointed. “Peter, this is where I’d like you to sit.” Walking back to the line, she touched the shoulder of a somewhat raggedly dressed girl.
“Effie Groom, and I’m already twelve,” she said politely.
“Thank you, Effie. You may take a seat next to Peter.”
One by one the children gave their names and ages, and Kate noticed something special about each one.
Suntanned Peter Balcomb had big, expressive brown eyes though it was hard to see them, as he badly needed a haircut. Effie had manners, even if she lacked presentable clothes. Helen Aldrich was an eight-year-old who stuttered, and her older sister Irma had flaming red hair, brighter even than Carl and Earl’s. While little Josie Aldrich hid behind ten-year-old Irma’s skirt and wouldn’t tell her name or age, Helen came forward and helped her little sister, leading her to the appointed seat.
Kate placed Ella Kessler with the others in her age group and noticed her deeply dimpled cheeks as she smiled at Peter Balcomb. Martha Kessler wore a dress of the exact same material as her sister Ella’s; only the styles were different. Kate thought Jane Kessler had put a whole bolt of cloth to excellent use.
Willie, Lucy, and Jonathan Balcomb were respectively ten, seven, and five. Kate noticed their mother’s Indian heritage in their high cheekbones. Nancy had each dressed smartly.
The Dutton twins, as Carl and Earl were called, were their usual shy, giggly selves. They seemed quite chummy with Georgie Plumb, an only child who was also ten years old. She seated them together, glad that by now she knew them well enough that their individual mannerisms identified them.
Sarah Haun, also ten, sat on the other side of Georgie Plumb and had pigtails that almost reached the floor. Rollie Groom, had clothes as disheveled as his sister Effie’s, exuded courtesy and manners.
Kate stood back and admired them. An unusual bunch, to be sure, but she liked them all and could see good qualities in each. None seemed to be difficult, and she felt confident she could teach them and help them become better citizens of this grand nation, the United States of America.
Kate folded her hands. “Each morning, before we begin learning, we will bow our heads and thank God for our blessings and ask His help and guidance. For now, I’ll say the prayer, but you must repeat it in your own heads and thus let God know I speak for you. Later, when we’re better acquainted, we’ll take turns saying the morning blessing.”
As the children bowed their heads a disturbance at the main door drew all eyes. In walked Josh Redfield with a small girl in tow. Kate couldn’t help but feel aggravated.
“Mr. Redfield, school begins at nine o’clock sharp,” she chastised him firmly but softly, as not to frighten his child.
The children stared at him as if unsure of his reaction to being scolded.
Color shaded Josh Redfield’s face like a shadow, and for the first time Kate witnessed his lack of confidence. “I’m sorry—I, that is w-we—, ah-h,” he faltered uncomfortably. Pushing the small girl forward gently, he cleared his throat. “This is Anna. Her mother taught her some, so she isn’t starting from scratch—I mean—“ he stuttered, at a complete loss for words. “She’s five.”
Kate could hardly believe this was the same man who seemed so terrifying just a few days ago.
Kate smiled warmly at Anna. “Thank you f
or coming, Anna. But do see if you can get your father ready on time, from now on.”
The other children giggled, and Anna’s frightened face loosened somewhat, but still she didn’t smile. Her large blue eyes were watery, as if she were about to break into tears at any moment.
Kate’s heart went out to the child. “So Anna is five,” Kate remarked to herself aloud. “Her mother has already taught her the essentials, so I shall try her with the middle age group. Anna, please take a seat here,” she pointed, “beside Helen Aldrich and Martha Kessler.”
Instead of moving toward the seat, Anna bolted straight for her father and the door. Kate called quickly after her, “Anna! Would you be in charge of the chalkboard this week?”
The child froze in her flight toward Josh Redfield. Slowly turning, she gave Kate a startled look. “Ch-chalkboard?” she whispered.
“Why, yes. I’ll need someone to wash it every day after school and care for the eraser rags. Everyone will get a chance, but I’d like you to be first.” Kate smiled warmly. “Somehow I have the impression you’ve experience with a chalkboard and should show the others.”
Anna’s eyes grew round and bright. “Oh, yes! I have a small slate at home.”
“I thought so,” said Kate. “Will you sit with the eight- year-old girls?”
Anna nodded and jumped into the seat beside Helen and Martha without giving Josh Redfield another glance.
Kate nodded sternly at Josh. With a look of approval, he tipped his hat and disappeared out the door.
Chapter Five
Even the children who lived several miles away walked to school. Despite the long trek ahead of them, Kate discovered they still looked forward to school. Some even expressed dismay as the weekend drew near. On bad-weather days many parents drove their children to or from school on a buckboard. On Friday of that first week, it rained, and Kate had the opportunity to meet several more parents.
Archie Kessler arrived shortly before nine, with two girls beneath his large raincoat. “Been praying for rain, Miss Hunter?” He laughed, shaking the rain from his coat. “Your prayers have been answered! I’m Archie Kessler and glad to finally make your acquaintance. The girls talk so much about you, I had to come and see for myself if any of it were true.” He shook her hand.
Shy Ella and Martha Kessler surely took after their mother, thought Kate. Yet she liked Archie Kessler and his outgoing ways. He reminded her of her brother, Benji.
Josh Redfield walked Anna to school every morning and picked her up every afternoon. Kate thought perhaps it was because she was only five. In bad weather Josh drove a lovely carriage.
It continued to rain all day Friday, and Archie Kessler picked up his girls at three o’clock. Josh came by for Anna, and just as Kate was bundling up the Balcomb children against the rain, Nancy bustled in with her husband, Buzz Balcomb.
Nancy was tall, lithe, and extremely pretty. Buzz had dirty blond hair, and despite his acne-scarred complexion, Kate thought him boyishly handsome.
“I’m Nancy Balcomb; this is my husband, Bynum, but we all call him Buzz. We’re so happy to meet you, Miss Hunter. The children talk of nothing else but you these days.
Kate shook her hand. “Happy to meet you. It’s reassuring to hear that my pupils don’t forget me as soon as they leave here at three!”
Buzz extended his hand. “The amazing thing about it is they can’t wait to come to school. You must be doing something right! I’ve never seen them so enthusiastic. I salute you for whatever it is that you do.”
“Peter is one of the most helpful boys,” said Kate. “Willie is a great reader, and Jonathan is a math whiz. Of course Lucy is our class artist.”
“God bless you, Miss Hunter,” Nancy said softly. “I can hardly wait until we have a turn having you in our home.”
“To say nothing of the kids’ excitement!” Buzz laughed.
After the Balcombs had left, Kate chastised herself. How could she have ever let gossip frighten her? Nancy was a lovely woman and Buzz an extraordinary man. She no longer feared staying with the family. Margo is right again, she thought.
As Kate packed the papers she’d need to correct into a cloth bag, she mentally reviewed her first week. All her fears had been needless. Not one parent had objected to her choice for the schoolhouse. Every child, with the exception of Georgie Plumb, was quite cooperative. Georgie, she’d learned, sassed back and balked whenever she gave him a chore, but eventually gave in.
Beautiful Anna could hardly be called a behavior problem, though she spoke hardly at all and often stared out of the window instead of doing her work. The only activity the child showed excitement about was taking care of the chalkboard. What would happen when Kate had to select a new helper, next week? It was only fair. But the schoolteacher knew somehow she’d need to reach Anna soon. Was the little girl missing her mother? Kate yearned to know the details, so she could help this bright child.
She’d ask Mr. Redfield to pick her up at four, on Monday, Kate decided. That way she could talk with Anna. Perhaps she’ll open up to her, and she’d be able to help her come out of her shell.
Church services were now also held at the schoolhouse. Since they didn’t have a traveling preacher nearby this week, Ottmar Holman conducted the service. Kate noticed most of her pupils attended, with their parents, giving her an opportunity to study each family.
The Grooms did not attend, nor did the Plumb family. How would she attend services when she stayed with these families? Kate wondered.
Carlton and Mary Jane Haun sat in the front row, with Sarah. As Buzz and Nancy Balcomb slid into a place in the rear, with Peter, Jonathan, Willie, and Lucy, they all waved at Kate. Archie and Jane Kessler took a place in front of Kate and the Duttons, and Kate marveled again at Jane’s sewing ability when she saw the lovely dresses the girls wore. Luther and Berta Aldrich sat behind her, with Helen, Irma, and Josie. Though Josie kept poking her finger into Kate’s shoulder, when Kate turned around, she’d hide her face and smile coyly. Kate noted how Josie slowly crept from her shell of shyness.
Almost unseen in the rear of the church, Josh Redfield and Anna sat with an elderly woman whom Kate didn’t recognize.
As she sang some of her favorite hymns, nostalgia swept over Kate. After Ottmar’s inspiring sermon, the congregation spoke their prayers faithfully and sincerely. Pleased with the time she’d spent in the meeting, Kate could hardly wait to return next week.
Riding back home after the service, Kate asked Margo about the woman with Josh and Anna.
“That’s Ayda Simcox, Clara Mullins’s mother and Josh Redfield’s housekeeper. Remember the day we made deliveries and stopped to give their family our extras and mistakes? Ayda’s a hard-working woman and good as they come. Despite all the gossip about the Redfields, she not only stays with them, but also doesn’t utter a word about the situation. She simply mumbles: ‘Folks should clean their own houses before they try to sweep someone else’s.’ She’s also a godly woman.”
Monday morning, when Josh brought Anna—on time, to be sure—Kate asked for a word with him. When she motioned him to a far corner, he followed with a questioning look on his face.
“Mr. Redfield, would it be possible for you to pick Anna up at four today, instead of three?”
“I suppose. Why?” he asked, his shaggy eyebrows creased into a frown.
“I need some time with her alone. She’s unresponsive in class, and I need to get to know her better.”
“Sure. I’ll be here at four,” he said, touching his forehead slightly in a mock salute and marching out the door.
When school was dismissed at three and the others had all left, Kate approached Anna and sat beside her. “Why don’t you speak out in class like the others?” Kate asked gently.
Anna shrugged.
“You seem anxious to learn, yet you won’t talk, but simply stare out the window in a daze. Is there a reason? Please tell me; I’m concerned about you.”
Again Anna shrugged.
> “Is it because you miss your mother?” Kate dared.
Anna’s head swung toward Kate in surprise, and she nodded, eyes tear filled.
Sympathy swelled within Kate, and she regretted the need to bring up the subject. “I’m sorry, too, Anna. But if your mother were here, you know she’d want you to learn. Wouldn’t she?” Kate prodded.
Anna nodded. “Mama taught me to read. I can even write!”
“So when she comes back…” Kate began.
“Will Mama come back?” Anna looked hopeful.
“If you were my little girl, I’d surely return, if I could. Maybe she cannot.”
She looked at Kate brightly. “Josh says she will.”
“Josh? Don’t you call him ‘Father’?”
“Oh, no. He’s Josh. But he’s my father. Right?” she asked with wide, blue eyes.
“Yes, of course. My grandmother hated to be called ‘Grandma’ so she asked us to call her ‘Nana.’ It didn’t make her any less our grandmother. It just pleased her more.”
Anna smiled. “Josh likes to be call ‘Josh’.
Time to change the subject a bit, she thought.” Do you think I’m a good teacher, Anna?” Kate asked.
The small girl’s blond curls bounced when she nodded vigorously.
“Then why don’t you like anything except the chalkboard? If I’m a good teacher, you should want to learn.”
Anna’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “No! It’s not you!” The girl flung her arms around Kate’s neck. “You’re the best teacher in the world.” She hesitated. “Except for my mama,” she added in a whisper.
Kate returned Anna’s embrace. “I know that you are a troubled young lady. I understand.” Could she help Anna? Kate patted the small back and broke the embrace to search the girl’s face. “Do you believe in God, Anna?” Kate asked, thinking of the only Comforter she knew.
Anna nodded. “Mama told me all about Him and His Son, Jesus.” She smiled, despite her tear-filled blue eyes. “I love Jesus. He came into my heart so I can go to heaven. He helps me be good.”