Education

Josephine Ewell was unique in the eyes of her family. She was seven years old, and she alone looked forward to the first day of school. Her brothers and sisters hated the routine they went through every year, but Josephine had never been to school before.

She ran to school far ahead of her siblings and found a seat in Miss Caroline Fisher's classroom. She remembered her older brother Burris's encounter with this teacher last year. It wouldn't be repeated—he'd been moved up to grade two after four years of attending the first day of first grade.

Miss Caroline opened the class by introducing herself. Josephine listened attentively all day long. She didn't know beforehand anything Miss Caroline told her.

There was one remarkable event that happened that day. When Miss Caroline went down the list, calling out names, hers was called.

"Ewell," Miss Caroline said primly. Then she scrunched up her nose, as if disgusted. "Burris, are you here?"

"Nome," Josephine said eagerly. "They's moved him up to the second grade. I'm Josephine Ewell, 'is lil sister."

Miss Caroline smiled at her, but it was a forced smile, as if she didn't really mean it. Josephine was a little upset, but soon forgot about it as the day went on.

When she returned home with her siblings, Josephine was all a-whirl. She rambled excitedly to her older siblings, chattering about her wonderful day at school.

Mayella interrupted Josephine. "Josie—"

That was one of her nicknames, the others including Phinny, Jo, and occasionally Zephine.

"Josie, y'aren't goin' back tomorra, are ya'?" Mayella asked.

Josephine paused, frowning at her eldest sister. "Why, yessum, I was gonna."

"No yer not," a voice growled from behind her. Josephine jumped at the sound of her approaching father.

"Why not, Pappa?" Josephine whined. She tried to look as pleading and sweet as possible. She knew none of her siblings ever returned to the schoolhouse, but that was just because they didn't want to... right?

"Two of us c'n read 'n' write already, Phinny," Mayella explained. "Me'n Pa. We's don't need you to go no more."

"But I wanta!" Josephine complained. "I wanta learn!"

"Yer not goin', Jo!" her father shouted. "And that's final!"

Josephine, not understanding, began to cry.

"Aw, shut yer yammerin'," Burris growled as he passed her. "Stop it or I'll hit ya!"

Josephine stopped crying, but only on the outside.