Surviving this term was going to be nothing short of a major feat on my part, of that much I was sure. It was just minutes into the day, and already I was being faced with the antics of Creed Allen. Scallywag had been banned from the classroom yet again, and now I was involved in the exasperating process of removing numerous frogs from desks. According to Creed, the frogs had been a plague from God, who apparently is opposed to the idea of school.

Ten minutes, and several trips to the pond later, I was fairly confident that all amphibians had been removed from the premises. With that situation handled, I decided that it would be best to begin the day; before any other mishap occurred. I rang to bell, and to my surprise, the students filed in quickly. The older children congregated in the back, they younger ones tended to gravitate towards the front. As I had anticipated, the girls chose the left side of the room, the boys the right. I had learned early on that it was considered improper for members of the opposite sex to sit side by side. I did not protest their choices. The last thing I needed was another accusation claiming that I was running a 'courtin' school.

"Now, first off I would like to welcome everyone back. I trust the planting went well for all of your families?" My question was greeted by a choruses of "yes'ums", then by silence; a trait which was odd coming from my students. "Before we get started, I would like to announce that Ruby Mae and Rob Allen have been selected by Reverend Grantland and I as this year's student teachers. They are going to assist me with classroom tasks, and in some cases help you when I am not available. Ruby Mae, Rob, would you two please come up here?"

Those two moved slower than I'd ever seen them before. By the look on Ruby Mae's face, you'd have thought that she was facing her hanging instead of being asked to call roll. My only guess to their reluctance was perhaps nerves. If that was indeed the case, I hoped they'd overcome them soon. I was going to need all the help I could get. After my student teachers had fulfilled their first duties, I sent them back to their seats and selected a book of poetry by Robert Burns off of the makeshift bookcase.

"Does anyone know who Robert Burns is?" The classroom was still for a moment, but then to my surprise Rob Allen shyly raised his hand.

"Ain't he some kinda writer?"

"That's right Rob, Robert Burns is a writer; a poet to be more exact. I thought that perhaps this semester we would spend time studying the classics of literature; beginning with poetry. Now, I would like for one student from each row to come up and select a poem from this book. We will spend time each day this week reading a poem." I watched in silence as the students conversed amongst themselves for a few moments; attempting to decide which child should be allowed to choose a poem. First Mountie, followed by Creed, then Lizette, and Rob; one by one they made their way up to the front of the room and picked a poem. When the last child had made their decision, I sat down in front of my desk and looked over the list that had been compiled. I chose one at random and found the page that it was on. I began to read, the melodic words flowing from the page to my tongue. I glanced up to see if my pupils were paying attention, and to my surprise nearly all seemed enthralled.

Nearly an hour later, I came to the last poem on the list. The title that was scrawled at the bottom was unmistakable, as was the penmanship. Rob Allen had chosen "A Red, Red Rose." Needless to say, I had not anticipated that from him. I flipped to the end of the book and found the poem. I lifted my eyes for the briefest of moments and locked eyes with Rob. He smiled and nodded his head as if willing me to go on. For some odd reason, his friendly expression troubled me. The last thing I needed was for one of my students to become infatuated with me as John Spencer had once been. Shaking my head, I stood and begin to walk about the room, reading as I went.

"O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:"

Just as I was about to begin the third verse, the sound of footsteps coming from behind halted my words. I turned towards the sound and found Neil MacNeil sauntering down the aisle, reciting the poem as he went.

"Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile."

As he spoke, his gaze never left mine. I blushed under the intensity of his stare, and as much as I tried to glance away, his eyes seemed to root me into the floor. He ended his words with a flourish, and flashed me a quick grin. I found myself smiling back, and soon lost myself within the moment. The sound of snickering and giggles brought me back to reality. Turning an even deeper shade of crimson, I strode to the front of the room and set the book onto the desk.

"Well children, I believe that it is time for lunch. You may all head outside for awhile." My statement was met with shouts of excitement and eagerness. In just a few seconds, the school room was empty with the exception of Neil and myself. I could understand their enthusiasm to be outdoors. It was a beautiful spring day; a stark contrast from the stormy of weather of last week.

When the last child was gone, and the doors pulled shut, I turned my attention back to Neil. "Well Doctor, to what do I owe this visit?"

"There's sickness down in Low Gap. Alice is heading out with me. I came to tell you I was leaving."

"Oh." My face fell. I had hoped that he had come to see me, not to tell me that he was going to be gone for a lengthy period of time. Seeing the expression on my face, he took a step closer and reached for my hands.

"When I get back, we'll announce our engagement and set a date for the wedding." His words momentairly eclipsed the disappointment I felt over his departure.

"Oh! Neil I can't wait to tell everyone!"

"Me either lass. Well, I best be going."

"Stay safe."

"I will Lass." He kissed my forehead, and then he was gone. I wondered how long he would be in Low Gap this time. In many cases, he could be away for weeks at a time. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go that long without seeing him. I watched him jog down the steps, saying hello to the children as he went. He mounted his horse, and waved once, before spurring Duke into a full canter. I lingered by the window, watching Neil's retreating figure, until he was out of sight. I said a quick prayer for his and Ms. Alice's safe return, and for the health of the people in Low Gap. Several joyous cries from the children brought my attention back to the schoolyard.

"Miz Christy?"

I looked down to see Little Burl tugging on my skirt. I crouched down onto one knee and gave him a quick hug.

"Yes Little Burl?"

"We'uns was wonderin' if ya wanted ta play Blind Man's Bluff with us."

"Of course!" I grabbed the young boy's pudgy hand in mine and went out into the glorious spring day with my children.