Carol Ritten Smith Read Online Free PDF Page A

Says I’ll get him fired.”
    Tom laid down his sledge and took off his heavy apron. “I tell you what. I’ve got to go over to the school and talk to your sister about something, so why don’t you stay here and keep Jack company. I’ll let her know where you are.”
    Davy jumped to his feet. “Oh boy!”
    “But you’ve got to promise not to touch anything.”
    “I promise.” Davy spat on the dirt floor and, with the toe of his scuffed boot, drew a cross through it.
    Smiling, Tom reached for his hat hanging by the door.

Chapter 3
    Beth was vigorously erasing the blackboard at the front of the classroom when Tom entered. “Did you forget something?” she asked tersely, not bothering to turn around.
    “Nope. Don’t think so.”
    Startled by the deep voice, she spun about. “Oh, I thought you were Freddie North.” She set the brush on the blackboard’s narrow ledge and wiped her chalky hands on her skirt. “Please, Mr. Carver, come in.” As much as she disliked him, she strove for an air of professionalism. “How may I help you?”
    Tom removed his hat and came forward, stopping in front of her desk, and for a moment she thought he might have come to apologize for his rude behavior toward her.
    “I’m here to see you about Freddie.”
    “Oh?” An alarm sounded inside her head.
    “Mrs. North came to see me today. Seems she thinks you’re picking on her son.”
    Beth bristled. Her heart pounded and her face felt flushed. To calm herself she set about gathering up the books and worksheets on her desk.
    “Actually, I’m glad she brought this to my attention. As one of the school trustees, I need to know what’s going on in the classroom.”
    No longer able to contain herself, Beth spoke up in self-defense. “Mr. Carver.” She succeeded in making his name sound like a vile expletive. “What is going on in this classroom is learning. I believe that is why the school board hired me. Freddie North is a troublemaker and if you’re here to tell me I should ignore his disruptive behavior, then you’re wasting your time.” She slammed the books down to emphasize her position.
    It would have been so much more dramatic if a loose sheet of paper hadn’t floated off her desk to land at Tom’s feet. He picked it up, a half smile playing on his lips and definitely on her nerves.
    “If you would let me finish.” He placed the paper squarely on top of the books. “I don’t expect you to let him off the hook. Rather, I would like to discuss your disciplinary actions.”
    “I assure you, there is nothing excessive or unduly cruel with insisting a student write lines.”
    “I didn’t come here to criticize, Miss Patterson, just to offer some advice. Maybe you should consider giving Freddie the strap. That straightens most kids out.”
    Beth was certain Mr. Carver had had more than his fair share of strappings, and she wondered if corporal punishment had done him any good. But the thought of administering the strap caused her to blanch. Her voice became quiet when she spoke. “I prefer not to use the strap. In fact, I threw the old one away.” She straightened as if her spine were a yardstick. “I am quite positive Freddie has had enough of writing lines and this will be the end of it.”
    “Well, let’s hope so. I hate to think that the other students are suffering because of one troublemaker.”
    Her green eyes flashed. “Rest assured, Mr. Carver, none of my students are suffering in any way, but if they were, then by all means I would administer the strap.”
    “Good,” Tom said, “then you won’t mind me bringing by a new one.” He set his hat back on his head. “By the way, Davy is at my shop. I told him I’d clear it with you.”
    “That boy! He supposed to be playing outside, not traipsing around town by himself.”
    “Now don’t get all riled up. He just dropped in for a visit. Seemed a little lonely, what with you spending so much time with Freddie. You know, a little guy like that