by Linda Finlay
‘She is due here this afternoon, is she not?’
‘Always manages to arrive in time for luncheon even though her hours don’t officially start until afterwards.’ The housekeeper sniffed.
‘Really? Goodness, I don’t remember seeing her in the dining room,’ Sarah replied.
‘No, well, you wouldn’t. She demands that a plate of food be brought to her in the schoolroom when she arrives. Master Higgins says I shouldn’t pander to her but she makes such a fuss if it’s not there. Then she takes it out … well, let’s just say she’s not very nice to the girls.’
‘I see,’ Sarah said, her lips tightening. ‘Leave it with me, Mrs Daws. I think it’s high time I paid this Miss Green a visit.’
‘Thank you, miss. I don’t want to cause trouble but it’s been playing on my mind,’ the housekeeper said, getting up to go.
‘You did the right thing coming to me, Mrs Daws. The children’s welfare is paramount.’
‘That’s how I feel,’ she agreed. ‘Well, I’d best get on.’
Sarah continued working her way through the pile of papers until she heard the dinner gong, then made her way to the schoolroom.
‘Miss Green?’ she asked. A smartly dressed woman in her mid-twenties, with a cap adorning her dark brown hair, looked up from eating her luncheon and frowned.
‘I didn’t hear you knock,’ she said, narrowing her eyes.
‘That’s because I didn’t,’ Sarah replied, taking an instant dislike to the woman’s superior attitude.
‘Well, it’s only manners to,’ Miss Green replied, turning back to her luncheon.
‘When I feel the need to knock on the door of my own schoolroom, then I will,’ Sarah replied. ‘As for manners, I think you should be looking towards your own behaviour before questioning others.’
‘How dare you …’ the woman spluttered, spraying crumbs of bread in the air. ‘I am the schoolmistress.’
‘And I am Miss Sullivan, the new proprietor of Red Cliffs. It has been brought to my notice that your treatment of the girls is somewhat heavy-handed, Miss Green.’
The woman sneered. ‘Want them wrapped in cotton wool like babies, do you?’
‘No, but I expect you to treat them fairly,’ she paused to let her words sink in. ‘I have also been looking up your terms of employment, Miss Green, and nowhere can I find reference to your entitlement to a free meal.’
‘Is everything all right in here, Miss Sullivan?’
Sarah looked up to see the schoolmaster standing in the doorway. ‘Yes, thank you, Master Higgins. I was just acquainting myself with the schoolmistress here. Please will you inform Mrs Daws that Miss Green no longer requires food to be brought to the classroom for her. Her terms of employment don’t mention a free meal, though if she finds herself in need of food, she can of course join the others in the dining room, and the cost will be deducted from her salary.’
‘No!’ the mistress protested.
‘I insist. We never let anyone go hungry at Red Cliffs, Miss Green.’ Hearing a muffled chortle from the doorway, she looked up to see Higgins staring at her admiringly.
‘Now, Miss Green, I would be interested in hearing what you intend to teach our girls this afternoon,’ she said, turning back to the schoolmistress.
‘Nobody has ever questioned me before,’ the woman hissed.
‘As the new headmistress, I feel I should know exactly what goes on in my school,’ Sarah replied. The slight emphasis she put on the word ‘my’ didn’t go unnoticed by the mistress and her mouth tightened.
‘This is my afternoon for instructing the girls in the sewing of their samplers,’ she replied.
‘May I see one?’ Sarah asked. Reluctantly, the woman went over to the cupboard at the front of the room and drew out a slim parcel. With a heavy sigh, she placed it on the nearest table then slowly pulled back the cloth to reveal a dozen or so samplers. Sarah picked one up and studied it carefully. ‘A fine example of cross-stitching, Miss Green.’
The woman smiled graciously. ‘I do pride myself on my instruction of the perfect needlepoint, Miss Sullivan.’
‘So there are examples of other stitches, then?’ Sarah asked, flicking through the other samplers, which all proved to be identical.
‘Alas, no. Only when they have mastered the cross-stitch to my satisfaction will I allow them to progress to something more difficult.’
‘Surely the older ones should have learnt more than one stitch by now,’ Sarah said.
‘These unfortunate children are slow to learn, Miss Sullivan,’ the mistress sighed.
‘Really? You do surprise me,’ Sarah replied. ‘From what I’ve seen, they appear to be rather bright at picking up things.’
‘Picking up their spoons, maybe, but as for learning?’ She shrugged her shoulders theatrically. ‘It takes all my time to discipline them.’
Sarah pointed to the plaque on the wall. ‘Love Never Faileth, Miss Green. Isn’t that the maxim Red Cliffs abides by? Well, the bell will be ringing for lessons in a moment, so I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Once more unto the fray,’ the mistress sighed. ‘Do feel free to call into my classroom again, Miss Sullivan.’
‘I will indeed be paying another visit to my classroom, Miss Green. Good day to you,’ she said, sweeping from the room. ‘Sanctimonious little prig,’ she muttered.
‘Really, Miss Sullivan, I’m surprised at you, although I couldn’t agree more,’ Master Higgins said, grinning as he passed by on his way to the workroom. Then he stopped and retraced his steps. ‘A word to the wise, Miss Sullivan. Be careful not to get on the wrong side of Miss Green, for she has friends in high places.’
16
Back in her office, Sarah was unable to settle after her confrontation with the schoolmistress. The woman’s superior attitude had riled her, but should she have handled the situation differently? Knowing she needed to eat or she wouldn’t be able to function properly, Sarah nibbled half-heartedly at the bread and ham Mrs Daws had insisted she bring back with her. The housekeeper had been delighted that she would no longer have to kowtow to ‘her ladyship’, as she’d put it, and had taken April’s hand and danced a jig around the kitchen.
Well, this won’t help me sort out the paperwork, Sarah thought, pushing her plate to one side and returning to the form she’d been reading earlier. It was a typically confusing local authority document setting out guidelines for school funding; she knew it was important, but she was distracted and couldn’t concentrate. When she’d re-read the paper for the third time and still hadn’t really taken in a single word, she put it down and rubbed her eyes. The heated exchange of words with the schoolmistress was playing on her mind, and she knew she wouldn’t settle until she’d smoothed things over. Maybe if she shared her idea of the girls using their sewing to adapt donated clothing to fit, she and Miss Green might find some common ground. Particularly if she pointed out that this would also help towards them gaining some of the practical domestic skills she had just learnt the school was required to teach in order to qualify for one of the available grants.
She would go to the schoolroom right now, she decided, picking up her plate and taking it through to the kitchen, where April was scrubbing the deal table.
‘Thank you, that was delicious as always,’ she told the girl.
April beamed. ‘I made that bread, miss,’ she said proudly.
‘Well, you’ve certainly the makings of a fine baker, young lady.’ She was about to ask how Monday was, then remembered her godfather saying all the children should be treated the same. Not wanting to be showing any favouritism, she changed her mind. ‘I’m just off to see Miss Green if anyone wants me,’ she said instead. April grimaced but didn’t pass comment.
Outside, the air was cold with a fresh wind blowing in from the sea. Sarah stared at the lowering clouds, wondering if she should go back for her shawl. Deciding it was more important to get things sorted with the mistress, she made her way around the back of the building towar
ds the schoolroom. Suddenly, a scream stopped her in her tracks. Frowning, she peered around. Another shriek was followed by heart-rending sobbing. It sounded as if it was coming from the coal house, Sarah thought. Rushing over to the windowless store, she tried the handle but it wouldn’t turn. From inside, the sound of hysterical crying was growing ever louder.
‘Who’s in there?’ Sarah called, banging on the door. All went quiet and then a pitiful voice wailed.
‘Miss, oh please help me, miss.’
‘Edith, is that you?’ she asked, recognizing the girl’s voice. ‘Have you shut yourself in?’
‘M-Miss l-locked me in for w-wanting to learn m-more s-stitches. S-she s-said I w-was an un-ungrateful p-pig. It’s s-so c-cold and d-dark in h-here, I’m f-frightened.’ The pitiful wailing started up again.
‘Is there a problem, Miss Sullivan?’ Harry Higgins called from the doorway of the workroom.
‘Edith’s locked in the coal house,’ she called. Even from a distance, she could see the master’s lips tighten.
‘Wait there,’ he ordered.
‘It’s all right, Edith, Master Higgins has gone to get the key. Do you know where it’s kept?’
‘Sh-she’s g-got it,’ the voice wailed. ‘I’m s-so c-cold.’
The master appeared, brandishing a key. No sooner had he pulled the door open than the girl shot out of the dark and threw herself into Sarah’s arms.
‘It’s s-so h-horrid in there,’ she shuddered. Heedless of the black dust clinging to the girl’s clothes, Sarah pulled the trembling child closer.
‘There, there,’ she soothed. ‘Who would do such a thing?’ she asked, turning to the schoolmaster.
‘It was her, L-lettuce L-leaf,’ Edith whispered. ‘F-first I c-couldn’t fred the n-needle then I asked to l-learn n-new stitches …’ The rest of the sentence was lost in a burst of frenzied sobbing.
‘Take Edith inside, Miss Sullivan, I’ll see about this,’ he said, removing the key from the lock and holding it up.
‘Can you make Edith a hot drink, please, April?’ Sarah asked as soon as they entered the kitchen. ‘Now, Edith, let’s get you warm,’ she murmured, leading the shivering girl over to the chair beside the range. ‘I presume the girls call Miss Green “Lettuce Leaf”,’ she whispered to April as she passed.
‘Yes,’ April giggled.
Sarah pursed her lips. She’d certainly have something to say to that woman when she next saw her.
‘My, my, Edith Curdy, just look at the state of you,’ Mrs Daws said, coming into the room and staring at the young girl. ‘Whatever have you been up to, young lady?’
‘That wicked woman locked her in the coal house,’ April told her, pouring boiling water into the big brown pot.
The housekeeper pursed her lips. ‘Worst thing that could happen to her an’ all,’ she muttered to Sarah. ‘Well, you’d best save some of that hot water, April. This young lady needs a thorough sponging down, not to mention clean clothes. And as for the state of you, Miss Sullivan,’ she clucked, gesturing towards Sarah’s dress.
Sarah grimaced down at the black grime that was clinging to the material. ‘Oh well, it’ll be the blue serge for me later, then,’ she joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere, even though she was seething inside.
‘You go and change, Miss Sullivan. April and I will see to Edith. I’ll pour you a nice cup of tea for when you return,’ Mrs Daws added. ‘Now, come on, young Edith, you drink this, and we’ll see if we can find you a biscuit.’ As the little girl’s face lit up, Sarah thanked her lucky stars that the kind-hearted woman was here to help.
By the time Sarah returned to the kitchen, she could hear the sound of the children running around outside. The master was sitting at the table, talking to Mrs Daws. There was no sign of April or Edith.
‘That child was so filthy, she needed a right good scrub down. April’s taken her out to the wash-house. There’s tea in the pot so sit yourself down and have a hot drink, Miss Sullivan,’
‘Thank you, Mrs Daws, but I really must speak with Miss Green first.’
‘I’ve already had a word with her,’ Higgins said. ‘Told her that in view of that unfortunate incident, it would be better if she went home early. She wasn’t too pleased when I also told her she would only be paid for half the afternoon, but …’ he shrugged.
‘I hope you told her such cruel behaviour will not be tolerated,’ Sarah replied. ‘Why, I’d half a mind to dismiss her on the spot.’
‘Which is why I thought it better that I speak with her. As I mentioned earlier, she does have influential contacts,’ Higgins pointed out. Already disturbed by the afternoon’s events, his mild manner enraged Sarah even further. Storming around to his side of the table, she glared down at him.
‘I suppose I should have expected you to take her side, Master Higgins. With your attitude to discipline and that repulsive tawse you keep on your desk, you would condone her behaviour. Well, let me tell you this, locking a defenceless child in the coal shed is the most despicable thing I have ever heard.’
‘I agree, which is why I sent Miss Green home. I told her it is time she realized that schools have moved on since the days of incarcerating children for minor misdemeanours. Now, if you think I’m harsh, Miss Sullivan, perhaps you would like to hear about the days when pupils were made to use finger stocks and back straighteners,’ Higgins said, quirking his brow.
Sarah shuddered. ‘That’s as may be, but that poor girl was scared out of her wits.’ She sank into a chair as the anger drained from her.
‘That was unforgivable and certainly not the way to deal with a miscreant. However, you need to understand that punishment and correction are very much part of the role of a schoolteacher. Children will always try and push the boundaries, Miss Sullivan, and it is our duty to show them right from wrong. I may threaten the pupils with the tawse, but it is merely a deterrent. One look at me swishing the leather and they very quickly remember to behave.’
‘He knows what he’s talking about, Miss Sullivan,’ the housekeeper said, pouring tea from the pot and sliding a cup across the table towards Sarah. ‘Them little perishers can try the patience of a saint at times, bless them.’
Sarah smiled wanly, then remembered the housekeeper’s earlier words. ‘Why did you say that being locked in the coal shed was the worst thing that could happen to Edith, Mrs Daws?’
The housekeeper sighed. ‘Her mother was one of them, how can I put it, colourful ladies of the night.’ Sarah frowned.
‘A prostitute,’ the master supplied.
‘Oh,’ Sarah muttered. ‘But what does that have to do with the coal shed?’
‘She used to lock Edith in the cellar whilst she went about her business. The doctor, God rest his soul, heard frightened screaming and found her in there, filthy dirty and with rats running over her little feet. She were only three. Had nightmares for months, poor little love, and she still hasn’t really got over it.’
‘You mean the mother let the doctor bring her to Red Cliffs?’ Sarah gasped.
‘Let him? She practically threw the child at him. Even offered the doctor a free … well, let us just say he got away as quickly as he could.’
‘That’s terrible.’ Sarah took a sip of her tea and was quiet for a moment. ‘It sounds to me as though it’s the parents who need disciplining.’
The master nodded. ‘I agree. However, put under pressure, adults will up and disappear, leaving their offspring to fend for themselves. At least by showing the children here right from wrong, we are giving them a chance to lead a decent life when they move on.’
‘And hopefully by giving them affection there’s a good chance they will want to marry and have their own families,’ Mrs Daws added. ‘The doctor was emphatic they should learn how decent adults behave. He were such a good man.’ They nodded and fell silent once more, each lost in their own thoughts.
Then the master stared out of the window and smiled. ‘I think young Edith must be feeling better for she’s run
ning around outside with the others.’
‘Shouldn’t she be tucked up in bed after her ordeal?’ Sarah asked.
The housekeeper laughed. ‘I’d like to see you try and get that one tucked up before the night bell goes.’
‘But it’s cold outside and …’
‘Children are tougher than you think, Miss Sullivan,’ Higgins said quickly, cutting off her protest. ‘Running around the grounds gives them a sense of freedom after they’ve been cooped up inside. There’s not much work they can do in the garden at the moment, so we let them have more free time to play. They are getting exercise in the fresh air without realizing it.’
‘Runs off some of them high spirits,’ Mrs Daws laughed.
‘Children live in the moment, Miss Sullivan. As long as they are fed and watered, they are generally happy. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Edith in the schoolroom over the next few days to make sure she has suffered no ill effects,’ the master reassured her.
‘And I’ll get April to make sure she’s all right at night,’ Mrs Daws said. ‘Which reminds me, Miss Sullivan. Now the good doctor’s room has been cleared and cleaned, perhaps you would like to move in there. It would give you space.’
Sarah stared at the housekeeper in dismay. The thought of sleeping in her godfather’s room filled her with disquiet.
‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly,’ she protested. ‘It’s only right that you should, Mrs Daws.’
The woman shook her head. ‘I’ve had the same room since I came to Red Cliffs and it serves me just fine.’
‘How about you, Master Higgins?’ she asked, turning to the schoolmaster.
‘I think my old mother would have something to say about that. She moans she sees little of me as it is,’ he said ruefully.
‘Besides, you’re the head of Red Cliffs now, Miss Sullivan, so I’ll get April to move your things across after supper. Talking of which, I’d better get on,’ Mrs Daws said, getting to her feet and making for the pantry.
Well, it seemed that was that, then, Sarah thought, staring out of the window at the children, who were happily letting off steam. Edith was in a clean dress and seemed to be having fun with the others, apparently having forgotten her earlier ordeal.