Page 44 of The Governess Who Stole My Heart

“I would absolutely lovethat.”

“Do you know how todraw?”

“I do. But I’ll bet you’re a better drawer that Iam.”

“Maybe, maybenot.”

“I’ll tell you what. I have to go for now, but I’m going to come back and be here all the time. I’m going to be your friend and we’re going to play together every single day. Would you likethat?”

Elizabeth nodded furiously. “When will you be back,Susan?”

“Tomorrow or the next day. I need to pack my things and move inhere.”

“In this room?” Elizabethasked.

“Not here. This is your room. But I’ll be nearby and we’re going to study and play together each and every day. How does thatsound?”

Elizabeth got up and rushed over to give Susan ahug.

As Aunt and Susan walked down the hallway toward Susan’s new suite, Aunt said, “What a lovely connection. I can see you are going to be a great asset in Elizabeth’slife.”

“Thank you. I really love her already, and I’m excited to be working withher.”

“Here’s your suite. I hope you likeit.”

It was just down the hall from Elizabeth and close to Aunt’ssuite.

It was every bit as lovely as Aunt’s—with a fine view of the park and with comfortable and pleasant furnishings. Susan knew immediately she was going to like it. It even had a window seat like the one she enjoyed so much at home. She could just see herself sitting there reading Daniel’s letters and seeing her hero out atsea.

Susan turned to Aunt. “It’s lovely. And now I’m going to return home and wrap up a few loose ends, and I should be back late tomorrow or the next day. Will that be allright?”

“Yes, dear. Do what youmust.”

Susan thought for a moment. “Do you think John’s going to be all right? I worry that he seems sotroubled.”

“I don’t know. I was taken by surprise at his announcement. But I know he is a resourceful man, and I feel certain he’ll find a solution to whatever’s troublinghim.”

* * *

It wasSusan’s last day at school. Peggy Alexander, the new teacher, was to work alongside her all day, following along with the established curriculum. Susan attempted to answer all her questions, but the thing she most dreaded was introducing her to the boy’s class. She was afraid the poor, timid seeming, Peggy would be eaten alive by the afternoonwolves.

And, indeed, the morning with the girls did go well. About half way through the class, Susan let Peggy take over the teaching. She showed Susan she knew how to teach and the girls seemed to likeher.

Then it was time for the boy’s class. And Susan braced herself for the onslaught. And sure enough, when the boys came in, they took one look at the petite Miss Alexander and sensed redmeat.

Susan clapped her hands for the boy’s attention and when they finally quieted down, introduced their new teacher, Miss Alexander. This set the classroom into a howl. The boys were jumping up and down, calling out names, andjeering.

Peggy just stood in front of the class and stared at them, as though sizing up the enemy. She waited and waited for them to quiet. She said nothing but looked at each boy in the eyes, one at a time. And slowly, one by one, the boys quieted down and sat at theirdesks.

And when the room was completely quiet Peggy said, “Well, it took you long enough. And I hope you got it all out of your systems, for I am your teacher and you are my pupils. I am here to instruct and you are here to learn. And let me make this unequivocally clear—I will harbor no nonsense or misbehavior. Is thatunderstood?”

A boy at the back of the room gave Miss Alexander a verbal raspberry. That set the classroom laughing. Peggy had seen who the culprit was and marched right up to the boy and flicked his nose hard with her forefinger. He cried out more in surprise than in pain and the class immediatelyquieted.

“Did I not make myself perfectly clear?” Peggy asked, as she again scanned each face and pointed in warning. The class was perfectlysilent.

She marched back to the front of the class and said, “Now, take out your chalkboards and let’s practice our cursivewriting.”

Susan nodded. She had found the perfectreplacement.