Hannah's Journey Read Online Free PDF Page B

Margaret looked from Hannah to her husband, as if he could explain the terrible charge.
    “Because the answer sheet got tucked in my brace. I don’t know how it got there. Truly, I didn’t cheat. You must believe me.” Hannah’s fists clenched in her lap. Searching their faces, Hannah saw looks of bewilderment and concern. Caroline gazed at her parents, not understanding what had happened.
    “Miss Trent wants to talk with you tonight at seven o’clock,” Hannah finished. For a moment everyone remained quiet. Uncle David and Aunt Margaret exchanged glances. Her brow wrinkled with worry, Margaret said, “Hannah, why don’t you go up to your room and rest. This must have been a difficult day for you. I’ll have Delia fix something special for dinner tonight.”
    Hannah escaped to her room with Caroline following behind her. When they reached the airy bedroom that Hannah loved, the younger girl asked, “What does cheated mean, Hannah?”
    “It means that everyone at school thinks I looked at the answers to a test instead of knowing them myself. Cheating is wrong, and I’d never do it. I knew the answers.”
    “I believe you, Hannah,” said Caroline. “You know everything.”
    Hannah tried to smile at the younger girl. Caroline’s words reminded her of Teddy. What would he think of the situation?
    Everyone sat quietly at supper thinking their own thoughts
    except Caroline who chattered about the upcoming picnic. After the meal, the family gathered in the parlor to wait for Miss Trent. Even though they expected her, they all jumped when her knock sounded.
    Delia brought the young teacher into the room. “Please sit down, Miss Trent,” said David Logan, gesturing toward the settee. “May we offer you some lemonade?”
    “No, thank you, Mr. Logan. I’ll get right to the reason I’m here. I’m sure Hannah told you what happened today.”
    “Yes, she told us of the incident. Even knowing Hannah for a short time, it’s difficult to believe it’s true,” Aunt Margaret replied.
    “I agree,” Miss Trent said. “I’ve been unable to speak with Mr. Dobbs yet. He left school on a family matter, but he will return tomorrow. He will have the final word on this. I just want you to know that I don’t believe Hannah cheated, but we have to get to the bottom of the mystery.”
    As she spoke, Miss Trent reached over and patted Hannah’s slumped shoulders. “We’ll straighten this out, Hannah. There’s surely a logical answer.”
    Rising to her feet, Miss Trent announced, “My nephew, Tom, is waiting for me. I’ll see you in the morning, Hannah. Please try not to worry.”
    Uncle David walked the teacher to the door after the family’s goodbyes.
    Sleep didn’t come easily that night. Hannah laid awake, wondering how such a humiliating thing had happened and, most of all, why?
    Morning came much too soon for Hannah. As she slipped on the pink flower-sprigged dress and new shoes, her thoughts flew in a different direction. She knew she was innocent. Why did she get blamed? How could Miss Trent and Mr. Dobbs solve the mystery since the answers were found in the brace belonging to her?
    Going downstairs, Hannah followed the smell of sizzling
    bacon. Delia sang as she prepared breakfast. A platter piled high with fluffy scrambled eggs sat in the center of the table. Nestled next to the eggs were bacon and fat, brown sausages. Frosty glasses of fresh orange juice complimented the sunshine yellow tablecloth.
    Hannah knew Delia worked hard to prepare delicious meals, but this morning she couldn’t face the thought of eating anything.
    “You’re early this morning, Hannah. Let me fix you a plate.”
    “Good morning, Delia. I’m not very hungry. If you don’t mind, I’ll just have some juice.”
    “Why, child, what’s the matter? You need to eat a good breakfast. You have a long day at school, and…”
    Before Delia could finish, tears streamed from Hannah’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Her shoulders