Courting Miss Amsel Read Online Free PDF

other things to learn today.” More groans followed, but she offered a compromise. “If you all work hard the rest of the morning and through the early afternoon, we’ll come back out at the end of the day and play some more before you go home.” She shifted to include William, who had risen to his haunches. “Does that sound like a good idea?”
    “Yes, Miss Amsel!” the children agreed.
    “Inside, now, and take out your reading primers.” Edythe herded the youngsters back into the classroom, giving Little Will a slight push on the back of his head to encourage him forward when he lagged behind.
    The morning passed quickly and pleasantly, and at exactly noon Edythe dismissed the children for lunch. In a noisy throng, they charged into the cloakroom to retrieve their lunch buckets. Then they headed outside to choose spots around the grounds for impromptu picnics. During the winter months they’d have to eat inside, but Edythe intended to send them outdoors at lunch break for as long as the weather allowed. She sat on the steps of the schoolhouse and ate the lunch Mrs. Kinsley had sent – an apple and a sandwich of cold sliced beef and pungent cheese on hearty rye bread. Simple, yet filling.
    While she ate, she kept an eye on her young charges. She smiled when she spotted Martha peeling an orange for little Jenny. At fourteen, Martha would graduate from the Walnut Hill school after this year. Edythe hoped she’d be able to attend the high school in nearby Lincoln Valley. Sweet and helpful, Martha was very bright and deserved to continue her education. In many ways, Martha reminded Edythe of Missy. She quickly shoved aside thoughts of her youngest sister – it would do her no good to reflect on her former life.
    Her gaze drifted to the boys, who sat in one big circle, jabbering and bopping each other with the heels of their hands while they ate. After only a few days, she’d already become fairly well acquainted with her pupils, and she prided herself on not only knowing their names but something of their unique personalities. She looked from boy to boy, tagging each with designations such as “ornery,” “studious,” “determined,” and “cheerful.” Her smile faded when her gaze reached William Sholes. She could only define him as “obstinate.”
    Puckering her brow, she watched the boy snatch a hunk of cheese from nine-year-old Henry Libolt. She rose, opening her mouth to call out a reprimand, but Johnny Townsend leaned over and wrestled the cheese from William. He handed it back to Henry. William clenched his fist, and Edythe stood poised, ready to intervene. But then William shrugged and went on eating his own lunch.
    Edythe sat back down, pleased the situation hadn’t required her involvement. When the children solved problems on their own, they were teaching themselves. Munching on her apple, she wondered if the other children found William’s rude behavior as unpleasant as she did. If so, they could possibly encourage William to behave respectfully. She would give that some additional thought. In the meantime, she’d keep a close watch over the boy. Based on his conduct thus far, she feared he might turn out to be a troublemaker.
    At that moment, William spun around on his seat. He seemed to search the schoolyard, and when he looked toward the schoolhouse his gaze locked with hers. A conniving grin curled his lips before he turned away. Despite the pleasant fall day and warm sun, Edythe experienced a chill of apprehension. Yes, she most definitely must keep a close eye on William.

Chapter
FOUR
    At the close of the school day, Edythe gave the oldest child in each family a handwritten note indicating the day and time she planned to meet with his or her parents. Juggling the schedules for almost a dozen families hadn’t been easy, and it would take three weeks to visit all of the houses, but at least she had a plan in place.
    When she had distributed all of the notes, she addressed the class.