The little girls rushed over and fought for a place on my lap. I settled each on a knee. “We love yo
u, Papa,” Cymbeline said.
Fiona snuggled against my chest. “Love my papa.”
I kissed them both on top of their sweet-smelling heads as I darted a glance at Miss Cooper. She was looking into the fire with glassy eyes.
Chapter 11
Quinn
* * *
On Monday morning, my students appeared bundled in coats, hats, and scarves. They brought the scent of the outdoors and woodsmoke. Most carried their lunch in a bucket or wooden box. I greeted them with a slight smile, too nervous to take in the details of their faces or ages, and gave them specific instructions to hang their coats, put their lunches on the table near the door, and take a seat. “Tallest in the back, please.” I used my formal teacher voice and held my head high, as if I were used to positions of authority. Given my age and slight figure, I knew it was important that I present as mature and strict.
My legs wobbled as I took my place in front of the room. I wore my teacher uniform, a black skirt paired with a jacket of the same fabric over a crisp white blouse, sewn by my clever sister. She’d sewn a necktie as well, made of a smart black-and-white-checkered fabric, wide enough to cover my throat and chest.
I did a quick count of pupils. Besides the Barnes children, there were nine others, making a total of thirteen. Wasn’t thirteen an unlucky number? I hid behind my desk for a second and scanned the faces until I found Josephine. She gave me an encouraging smile.
No one else moved or made a sound. Have courage, I told myself. Lord Barnes is counting on you.
I took a deep breath and began.
“We’ll start each day promptly at nine. I’ll expect the older ones to keep the fire stoked and bring in firewood as needed. The younger of you will take turns cleaning the blackboard and erasers. We’ll have two fifteen-minute recesses and one hour for lunch. Those of you who live close enough may walk home for lunch. The rest of you may eat at your desks and then go outside to play if it suits you. You may not speak unless I call your name. If you have a question, you may raise your hand.”
I stood in front of the chalkboard and looked out at the innocent faces of the children of Emerson Pass. “I expect obedience and respect while you’re here at school. However, there are only three rules that matter most in here and out in the world.” I wrote in big letters on the board: BE CURIOUS. BE KIND. PROTECT ONE ANOTHER. “If you conduct yourselves in this manner, we will be worthy of praise in my classroom. If you deport yourselves this way throughout your life, you will have lived a life worthy of the sacrifices your parents have made to get you to this classroom.” I glanced around the room. “Is this clear?”
Other than Poppy and Josephine, who nodded, the children stared at me.
“When I ask a question, I would like you to answer with, ‘Yes, Miss Cooper.’ Shall we try it? One, two, three.”
“Yes, Miss Cooper.”
I stifled a smile. Their voices sounded good as a unit. “Does anyone have any questions before we begin?” I asked.
Poppy raised her hand.
“Yes, Poppy?”
“Why do we have to protect one another?”
“Because we’re a team now,” I said. “Teams are a group of people with a common goal or purpose. Together we are stronger than we are alone.”
Flynn raised his hand.
“Flynn?”
“Why should we be curious? I thought we were supposed to learn boring things.”
This child was going to give me a permanent sore from having to bite the inside of my mouth to keep from laughing. “Because curiosity leads to questions, which lead to answers, which is what learning is all about.”
He tilted his head, as if truly contemplating such an idea. Whatever conclusion he came to, he kept that to himself. Thank God for small favors, I thought.
I continued with the business of the day. “I’ll have you come up one at a time to my desk so that I might learn a little about your former education and reading levels. While you wait your turn, you will sit quietly and read or look at one of the picture books from the shelf. We’re very lucky to have a library, and I’ll expect you to treat the books as you would a precious baby.”
Cymbeline giggled. Josephine shook her head at her little sister and put her finger against her mouth.
I moved over to the bookshelf and asked them to form a line. For the older children, I gave them chapter books. The younger ones were given ones with pictures. When all had books, I sent them back to their desks.