Ch.10 What Miss Emmeline Thinks
Miss Whitehurst began teaching the first full week of February. Whatever reserves she had held at the house seemed to be released. The children adored her, and everyone's marks improved. Anne never visited the schoolhouse, by way of trusting Miss Whitehurst. She heard nothing but glowing reports from mothers of the pupils. Miss Emmeline, however, felt very differently.
"It's a shame. Teachers too often put friendly relations above scholastic achievement."
"Children are more willing to learn if they can trust and respect their teacher," Anne answered, rocking absent-mindedly on the porch rocker.
"Children respect a teacher with hard-fast discipline. No need to spoil them, they get enough of that at home."
"It's not that Miss Whitehurst doesn't have rules; it's that she makes learning enjoyable."
"Education isn't meant to be enjoyable; it's a necessity." Anne smiled discreetly and let the topic rest. Ever since Miss Whitehurst had returned to school, combined with the discovery of Anne's "condition," Miss Emmeline had taken to calling nearly every day at Green Gables. Jack visited when his creative juices ran low, but it wasn't frequently enough for Anne.
"It's a comfort, at least to know not all of the children will be getting foolish ideas of what a teacher should be," sighed Miss Emmeline that unusually warm afternoon. Her visit was not welcome by any means; Anne was feeling especially puny that day in addition to a lengthy list of household chores.
"How's that?" she asked, a bit too sharply. Miss Emmeline Horner glared at Anne over her bifocals.
"Young Murray and Marlow, and even Miss Stole will be receiving an education at Queen's—where much more serious teachers are employed."
"Any teacher is serious—but every teacher is unique. Emily has been good for the children and the school. And I hope she stays for quite a duration." Anne retorted sharply. Miss Emmeline looked at her knitting with forced fascination. Anne's blatantly defiant well-wishing for Miss Emily Whitehurst had taken her by surprise. Few people disagreed openly with her; and when they did, it was the quiet, cautious chiding that she might easily dismiss. Anne closed her eyes and let the rocking motion soothe her temper. This woman tried her very soul.
"I'm afraid this unusual heat isn't good for me," Anne excused herself, rising from the rocker. Miss Emmeline shot Anne a suspicious glance. Then she scooped up her canvas bag, stuffed her knitting inside, and rose from her wicker seat.
"If you will please excuse me, Mrs. Blythe, I remembered there's a cake I need to put in the oven before four or it won't be ready for tomorrow." She bustled off, leaving Anne in tired relief.
*~**~*
Jack visited for supper again that night. Miss Whitehurst seemed to be more accepting of his presence now. She had fewer "headaches" and would sometimes follow the party into the parlor to chat after the meal. Dominic was always her joy, and when the conversation lulled or grew too annoying for her, she focused her attention on the lad. As much as Anne loved Dominic she found him to be more tiresome lately. Gilbert strongly objected to Anne carrying Dominic now; the boy was growing at a rapid pace and Gil refused to take any chances.
"I have to ask you a favor, Anne," Jack said, stretching his long legs out in front of him. They were all sitting in the parlor, digesting. Dessert had been served and eaten, and Emily had decided to grace them with her presence that night.
"If this is anything like previous favors," Anne said warningly. Jack laughed and waved his hand.
"No, no, my secret-agent days are over. But I do need you to keep Dominic for me next Saturday. I need to meet with my editor to discuss the outline of a book and he refuses to come up here. Says he has other clients," said Jack sardonically.
"How inconvenient," offered Miss Whitehurst with a hidden smile. Dominic sat at her feet, amusing himself with giving and taking the toy from her.
"I'm afraid I can't. I've agreed to help Diana with a tea she's giving that afternoon. In addition to it taking all day, I promised her little ones that they could spend the night at Green Gables afterwards." Jack's face fell.
"What am I to do?" he asked.
"What about me?" Gilbert offered. Jack gave Gilbert a suspicious smile. Gilbert took up the defense.
"Oh, come on now. I taught for a few years, too. I can handle kids! What!" He cried, waving his glass around for emphasis. Emily hid a smile and returned her gaze to Dominic.
"Okay, okay," Jack answered, holding his palms up in surrender. "I'll drop him off around four a.m. I have to catch the 5:30."
"Fine." Gilbert settled back in his chair with a triumphant glance at a very amused Anne.
*~~*~~*
"I'm afraid I have some bad news, Anne-girl," said Gilbert, trudging into the bedroom wearily. The week had flown by as Anne had eagerly been anticipating the social midday Saturday. Anne looked up from her book with concern. She watched as Gilbert pulled off his boots with effort. Spring and April showers had come with a vengeance. Rain had poured all day Monday through Wednesday, but Thursday remained overcast with a promise of sun. That day, Friday, had seen the first of sun in a long time, but it wasn't enough to dry out the mess covering the roads and fields.
"What's wrong, Gilbert?" Anne stood and set her book on the seat of the chair. She took Gilbert's boots from him and laid them on the fresh newspaper waiting in the closet. He sighed and loosened his tie.
"Remember what we talked about, the budget and the baby?" Anne nodded and climbed onto the bed behind Gilbert. She kissed his cheek reassuringly as she began to massage his shoulders. She could feel him relax slightly and he sighed, partly in frustration, partly in relief. "I agreed to take overtime slots at the hospital when necessary, in order to collect extra pay. I didn't know they'd need me so soon. Apparently a Doctor Platts had a sudden death in the family and left about three hours ago."
"Oh no," Anne remarked, anticipating the conclusion.
"Oh yes. They've asked me to work from five to five tomorrow."
"That's twelve hours!"
"They promised me two lunch hours," Gilbert said, continually relaxing under Anne's soothing hands. "But what about Dominic?"
"Dominic will be fine. Emily can watch him."
"But she hates Jack."
"Yes, but she loves Dominic. Besides, once the boy's over here there's nothing we can do. I'll be here most of the morning but once we both leave, she won't abandon him."
"Give her fair warning," Gilbert said in an admonishing tone.
*~~*~~*
"Now, he normally goes down around eleven, but try to make it 10:30, if you can. He'll wake about noon or 12:30 and he'll be ready for lunch. I hope to be home by four-thirty. But he goes down for a nap again at 3:30." Anne pulled on her dress gloves as she gave Miss Whitehurst final brief instructions. She started out the door then turned, her white hand held aloft.
"Oh, but I will need you to start supper. Just cold fruit salad with roasted chicken. The chicken's seasoned now, but I need you to put it in the oven. The directions are written and placed on the table. Have a good time!" Emily closed the door and turned to face Dominic.
"Just you and me, now," she said. Dominic blinked at her with innocent blue eyes.
"P'ay?" he asked warily. The toddler's vocabulary was still limited to a few words, his favorites being "play" and "no."
"Sure. Let's play."
*~~*~~*
Several weary hours later, Anne helped Diana welcome her guests. Just beforehand, she had locked the children away in their nursery with a promise of reward for good behavior.
The women entered, gushing and pink. It was the first tea social of the spring, and the first true social since the war. The girls left the past behind them that day as they giggled and gossiped. As the afternoon progressed, Anne felt her patience wear thin. Most of the women were a great deal older than she and Diana. Miss Whitehurst didn't say much at home often, but at least she was someone else Anne's own age! She felt her attention wan, and Anne turned her imagination to the surrounding nature. She had just finished listening to a very hearty joke from the Wright and Blythe children's clan when someone jolted her daydream.
"Anne?" Diana said gently. She nudged her friend's arm to bring Anne back to reality. Anne started and caught Diana's gaze.
"I'm sorry, I—"
"The telephone's for you." Diana cut into Anne's excuse. For a moment, Anne felt the rush of dread she used to feel during the war when the 'phone rang. Diana was looking at her with marked concern—oh, God, it couldn't be! But no, the war is over, Anne reminded herself. Gil is safe at home.
"Well, I best answer it! I say, Diana, do I get more calls at your home than you do?" Anne joked as she escaped. The sound of laughter behind her assured Anne that any tension was only imagined.
"This is Anne."
"Oh, Anne!" a choking sob came over the line. Anne's hands clutched the receiver tightly.
"What is
it? What's wrong?"
"Anne's, it's Emily. Well, actually, Dominic. I've—I've lost him!"