Page 71 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

First, Li had been born, then five years later, baby Fai.

“We were happy. But then the sickness came, and both Quon and Ting died,” Li said. “And we had no one to hunt for us.”

Jun cried as she told us this last part of their sad tale.

“Samuel came and told us not to worry. He would look after us.”

For several years now, they’d relied on Samuel for fresh meat and supplies from town. He chopped wood for their stove so they would not freeze. Rachel had sewn clothes or sent ones her children had outgrown. “We would have died without him. Then he stopped coming. For days and days, we waited but he didn’t come. We’ve eaten the last of the beans. The baby cries and cries from hunger.”

Jasper, clearly beside himself, stood and began unpacking the basket. A hunk of Lizzie’s homemade cheese, a bottle of creamy milk, a loaf of fresh sourdough bread, several apples, and slices of ham were soon spread out on the table.

“Come eat,” Jasper said to the children.

They jumped from the floor and ran to the table. The little one squealed as her brother lifted her onto the chair Jasper had occupied. I rose from mine and told Li to sit.

Jasper sliced bread and made sandwiches from the cheese and ham for all three of them. He found two tin cups on the shelves and poured them each a glass of milk. We gave them time to eat before asking further questions. I paced by the door, wondering what in the bloody hell I was to do now.

When they’d had their fill, Fai jumped from the chair and twirled in a circle. With her shiny black hair and round face, she was absolutely precious.

And Jun, raising them all alone without money. Relying on the kindness of a man who could provide food but no real life outside of this shack.

I knew this was arrogant of me, but I wanted to save them. I had no right to project my English ways onto them, but they could not live this way. It wasn’t right.

“Mrs. Wu, I have a position in my kitchen. My cook needs someone to help her. We have a large garden in the summer that also needs attending. Would you be willing to work for me?”

Li told her what I’d said.

Jun shook her head.

“I don’t know English cooking,” Li translated. “And how would I get to your house?”

“You and the children would live in the staff quarters downstairs,” I said. “I’ll pay you a salary, plus offer room and board. Li could go to school with my children. Fai can stay with you. I have a three-year-old daughter, too. They can play together.”

The stunned expression on Jasper’s face was almost laughable. I was sure to catch hell on the way home. Lizzie wouldn’t be able to resist offering help to the Wus. I could count on her to find lighter-weight tasks for the old woman. We had one spare room downstairs. It was small but certainly better than this.

“I am old and not much use,” Li translated. “And the other children are all white. How could Li go with them?”

“All children are welcome at our school,” I said.

“I’m afraid to leave,” Li translated. “What if we need to come back and someone else is living here?”

“You won’t need to come back,” I said. “We’ll make sure of it.”

If only I were as certain as I sounded.

“We will come,” Li translated.

Chapter 21

Quinn

* * *

The morning of the Coles’ first day of school, they had not shown when I rang the school bell. Most of my students were already inside, huddled around the stove, other than Flynn and Cymbeline, who were in a heated snowball fight. As they set down their weapons and bounded toward the steps, a sleigh pulled up outside the schoolhouse. Three children bundled in green coats and hats jumped out and shuffled toward me. I gestured for them to come inside, then waved to their uncle. Wilber tipped his hat.

I showed the Cole children where to leave their coats, hats, and lunch pails as the others took their seats.

I knelt to their level and looked them each in the eyes. “I’m Miss Cooper. Can you tell me your names and ages?”