Thunder and Roses Read Online Free PDF Page B

scandalized if you teach while staying at Aberdare under such irregular circumstances.”
     
    “I hope that Marged can take the regular classes.” Clare looked at her friend. “Would you be willing to do that?”
     
    Marged’s eyes widened. “Do you think I could? Except for Sunday school, I’ve done no teaching, and I haven’t anything like your learning.”
     
    “You can do it,” Clare assured her. “The teaching itself is much like Sunday school—reading, writing, spelling, numbers, housekeeping skills. The main differences are that there is less study of scripture, and the older students are more advanced. Of course, during the time you are teaching, you would also draw the schoolmistress’s salary.”
     
    As she had guessed, the prospect of wages tipped the balance, for Marged was ambitious for her three growing children. “Very well, Clare, I’ll do my best.”
     
    “Wonderful! I’ve outlined the lessons and written notes on what different children are doing. If you come home with me after class, I’ll give you everything you need.” Then Clare turned to Edith. “Marged is going to be very busy for the next three months. It’s a great imposition, but would you be able to take my Sunday school classes?”
     
    The older woman looked first startled, then pleased. “Why, yes, my dear, if that would help you out.”
     
    Another member, Bill Jones, said, “Since I live just up the road, I’ll keep an eye on your cottage.”
     
    His wife, Glenda, said robustly, “And anyone who speaks ill of you will get the rough edge of my tongue!”
     
    Clare bit her lip, unexpectedly moved. “T hank you all so much. I am blessed in my friends.”
     
    Inwardly she vowed that she would never betray their trust.
     
      “And here’s the summary of what each student is studying.” Clare gave Marged the last of the papers that she had written out after returning from Aberdare.
     
    Marged scanned the sheets, asking an occasional question. When she was done, she said worriedly, “Three of them know almost as much as I do. After all, it hasn’t been that long since I was a student in your adult class.”
     
    “The advanced pupils are the easiest of all. Not only do they largely teach themselves, but they help with the little ones. You’ll manage very well,” Clare assured her. “Remember, if you have questions or problems, I’m only two miles away.”
     
    Marged’s smile was a little tremulous. “As usual, you have everything wonderfully well-organized. I’m frightened, but—oh, Clare, it’s so exciting that you believe I can do this! Five years ago, I couldn’t even read. Who would have believed I’d ever be a teacher myself?”
     
    “My biggest worry is that the school will turn out not to need me when I come back.” Though Clare said the words lightly, she felt a pang at their truth. With experience, Marged would be a fine teacher, in some ways better than Clare. Though Marged was not as learned, she had more patience.
     
    Business finished, Marged leaned back in her chair and sipped at the tea Clare had made. “What’s he like?”
     
    Caught unaware, Clare said, “Who?”
     
    “Lord Tregar , or rather, Lord Aberdare as he is now.” Marged slanted an impish glance at her. “Our Nicholas. It wasn’t often that he was able to escape his keepers and come down to the village to play, but he’s not a lad one would ever forget. You were younger, of course, so you wouldn’t remember him as well. Mischievous and a little wild, but there was no harm in him, nor snobbery, either. He spoke Welsh as well as any of us. Not like the old earl.”
     
    “I didn’t realize that he knew Welsh.” Since the upper classes of Wales were usually very English in both language and customs, Clare was reluctantly forced to raise her opinion of Nicholas. “I spoke English when I visited him.”
     
    “I remember when he came down from Oxford with those three friends of his,” Marged said dreamily.