easy.”
This appeared to satisfy everyone.
“Well, we’re so glad you found the subjects easy, and know you’ll do well,” said Aunt Margaret, who smiled at Hannah over the lovely needlepoint pillow she worked on.
Sighing, Hannah wished all her problems could be solved so easily.
CHAPTER FIVE – HANNAH BETRAYED
On the following morning, Hannah could no longer ignore the little fingers of fear that crept over her. Would this week bring more of Rosie’s anger? Hannah wished she knew what went wrong. Squaring her shoulders, she made a decision.
Hannah carefully chose one of her new outfits for today. It was a navy middy blouse and skirt. She put her hair in braids and locked the brace onto her leg. Her last act was to clasp the gold locket around her neck and she was ready for the day.
Later, as Hannah climbed from the carriage, she said in a voice loud enough for the group of girls gathered under the oak tree to hear. “Thank you, Uncle David. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
As David drove away to his office, Hannah joined the gathering and spoke. “Rosie, what did I do to make you so angry? I’d like for us to be friends.” At first she saw the confusion in Rosie’s eyes, which was replaced with a flat look that disguised all feelings.
To Hannah’s surprise, Rosie answered. “We’ve decided you can join our group, Hannah. We’re sorry for the way we acted.”
Lucy, a small dark-haired girl spoke up. “You can even eat lunch with us, Hannah.” Hannah started to smile when she noticed two of the girls nudge each other and exchange sly looks. She wondered what they plotted, but decided to play along.
“I’d like that,” Hannah agreed, still puzzled as to why Rosie had changed her mind.
* * * *
At home, Hannah reported making new friends.
“That’s wonderful, Hannah. You and Caroline are getting to know each other, but you need friends your own age. Perhaps we can have an ice cream party soon and invite your classmates.
Maybe by that time, she would’ve discovered the mystery, Hannah thought.
Things went well the rest of the week. Hannah became the top student in the class and didn’t worry at all about the upcoming examinations. Some of the girls squealed and said, “Oh, I don’t know if I’ll pass. I don’t understand fractions.” Others asked for Hannah’s aid. “Won’t you please help us, Hannah? You’re so smart.” Lunchtime became study time under the big oak as Hannah helped the others understand the difficulties of division and fractions. She didn’t mind helping at all, but an uneasy feeling came over her when Rosie was nearby.
At last, time came for spring exams. Hannah donned her favorite new outfit and with the Logan’s good wishes ringing in her ears, she and Uncle David set out. She felt confident she could do well. Miss Trent had announced that the student with the top grades earned a medal.
The spelling test came first and Hannah wrote quickly as Miss Trent called out the words. The English exam came next followed by lunch.
As the group ate, talk centered around the afternoon tests. First geography, then the one many feared, the arithmetic test. Hannah munched the chicken sandwich that Delia put in her lunch box. “Do you think you did well, Rosie?”
“Sure,” the girl replied. “And I’ll probably get a hundred on the arithmetic test this afternoon.”
Hannah wished her well.
The geography test gave Hannah a little trouble. She didn’t think she correctly identified all the states on the blank map. The Midwest confused her. She thought again of Teddy as she filled in Nebraska. She wondered if he attended school as well. Toward the end of the test, Hannah’s leg began to ache. She reached down and loosened the buckles on her brace, resting it on the desk legs behind her. The doctor had said she could remove it while she sat, or when she went to bed.
At last, time came for the final test. Miss Trent handed out the problem sheets, then sat
This appeared to satisfy everyone.
“Well, we’re so glad you found the subjects easy, and know you’ll do well,” said Aunt Margaret, who smiled at Hannah over the lovely needlepoint pillow she worked on.
Sighing, Hannah wished all her problems could be solved so easily.
CHAPTER FIVE – HANNAH BETRAYED
On the following morning, Hannah could no longer ignore the little fingers of fear that crept over her. Would this week bring more of Rosie’s anger? Hannah wished she knew what went wrong. Squaring her shoulders, she made a decision.
Hannah carefully chose one of her new outfits for today. It was a navy middy blouse and skirt. She put her hair in braids and locked the brace onto her leg. Her last act was to clasp the gold locket around her neck and she was ready for the day.
Later, as Hannah climbed from the carriage, she said in a voice loud enough for the group of girls gathered under the oak tree to hear. “Thank you, Uncle David. I’ll see you this afternoon.”
As David drove away to his office, Hannah joined the gathering and spoke. “Rosie, what did I do to make you so angry? I’d like for us to be friends.” At first she saw the confusion in Rosie’s eyes, which was replaced with a flat look that disguised all feelings.
To Hannah’s surprise, Rosie answered. “We’ve decided you can join our group, Hannah. We’re sorry for the way we acted.”
Lucy, a small dark-haired girl spoke up. “You can even eat lunch with us, Hannah.” Hannah started to smile when she noticed two of the girls nudge each other and exchange sly looks. She wondered what they plotted, but decided to play along.
“I’d like that,” Hannah agreed, still puzzled as to why Rosie had changed her mind.
* * * *
At home, Hannah reported making new friends.
“That’s wonderful, Hannah. You and Caroline are getting to know each other, but you need friends your own age. Perhaps we can have an ice cream party soon and invite your classmates.
Maybe by that time, she would’ve discovered the mystery, Hannah thought.
Things went well the rest of the week. Hannah became the top student in the class and didn’t worry at all about the upcoming examinations. Some of the girls squealed and said, “Oh, I don’t know if I’ll pass. I don’t understand fractions.” Others asked for Hannah’s aid. “Won’t you please help us, Hannah? You’re so smart.” Lunchtime became study time under the big oak as Hannah helped the others understand the difficulties of division and fractions. She didn’t mind helping at all, but an uneasy feeling came over her when Rosie was nearby.
At last, time came for spring exams. Hannah donned her favorite new outfit and with the Logan’s good wishes ringing in her ears, she and Uncle David set out. She felt confident she could do well. Miss Trent had announced that the student with the top grades earned a medal.
The spelling test came first and Hannah wrote quickly as Miss Trent called out the words. The English exam came next followed by lunch.
As the group ate, talk centered around the afternoon tests. First geography, then the one many feared, the arithmetic test. Hannah munched the chicken sandwich that Delia put in her lunch box. “Do you think you did well, Rosie?”
“Sure,” the girl replied. “And I’ll probably get a hundred on the arithmetic test this afternoon.”
Hannah wished her well.
The geography test gave Hannah a little trouble. She didn’t think she correctly identified all the states on the blank map. The Midwest confused her. She thought again of Teddy as she filled in Nebraska. She wondered if he attended school as well. Toward the end of the test, Hannah’s leg began to ache. She reached down and loosened the buckles on her brace, resting it on the desk legs behind her. The doctor had said she could remove it while she sat, or when she went to bed.
At last, time came for the final test. Miss Trent handed out the problem sheets, then sat
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