Mr. Landis Is Surprised

Angela and Allie returned to school after recess. Angela went to her seat, and Mr. Landis stopped Allie. "Are you a friend of Angela's?" asked Mr. Landis.

"Yes, I am. We're kindred spirits," answered Allie proudly. Mr. Landis looked confused. "It's in the book, Anne of Green Gables. Did you ever read Anne of Green Gables, Mr. Landis?" Mr. Landis just stared. "You should read it. It's about an orphan girl who is adopted by a brother and sister on Prince Edward Island. Anne is best friends with Diana Barry." Allie corrected herself. "They're not just best friends. They're bosom friends, really kindred spirits. That's what Angela and I are."

"I'm glad to hear that, Allie. Can I ask you something? Now it was Allie's turn to just stare. Do you think Angela will be able to keep up with the rest of the class? We don't want to have one student keep the entire class from learning."

"Mr. Landis, you must be a smart man, but you've got some things to learn; no disrespect intended. First, Angela is probably the smartest girl in the school. Have you heard her play the piano?" Mr. Landis shook his head. "If you heard her play, you'd know she won't hold anyone up. Angela hears a song one time, and she can play it from memory. Her mother and Mrs. Thornton taught her how to read Braille over the summer. I think Angela can teach us a few things, Mr. Landis. I hope you give her a chance." Allie went to her desk, grabbed her books, and went to sit beside Angela. Mrs. Thornton smiled at her.

"Class, please take out your readers, and read Chapter 1. We will be discussing this in the morning." Elizabeth walked to the back of the school to where Mr. Landis was sitting. She used her teacher voice and said, "Could I speak to you outside, please?" They walked down the steps to a bench in front of the school. "Mr. Landis, I agreed to let you observe our lessons today, but I don't appreciate you asking one of my students for her opinion on Angela Canfield. That's not fair to her or Angela."

"Mrs. Thornton, I certainly didn't mean to cause a problem. I thought if Allie and Angela were friends that she might be able to give me her honest opinion about how Angela would do at this school both socially and academically."

"And did she?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact she did. After my inquiry of the past few days, observing your class today and having the benefit of Allie's input, it is my professional opinion that Angela should remain in this school as a regular student. That will be my recommendation to the Board, Mrs. Thornton."

Elizabeth didn't know what to say. She wondered if she heard Mr. Landis correctly. "Mr. Landis, you're going to let Angela stay, here, in this school, as a regular student?"

"Yes, that will be my recommendation to the Board. You know, I really wasn't sure how this was going to work out. There isn't another school in the province that is allowing this. None of the educational experts I consulted ever thought something like this could work. I had my reservations mind you, but your student, Allie Grant, convinced me. You are quite a gifted teacher, Mrs. Thornton, to have a student speak up for her friend like that. You are to be commended."

Elizabeth, again, was speechless. She couldn't believe what she just heard. "Thank you, Mr. Landis. You won't regret this. Oh, and although I appreciate your complimenting me on being gifted, I think it's really my students, who are gifted. I just want you to know that."

"I believe you're right, Mrs. Thornton. You may have just started something special here at your little school. I think the Board will approve your plan. If it works out well, we may consider implementing it in other schools in the province. I think your rationale of including Angela with the school population will help her adjust better to live in a seeing world, and it seems to me your other students will certainly benefit from Angela's special gifts. Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Thornton. Good day."

"Good day, Mr. Landis, and thank you." Elizabeth watched Mr. Landis walk back to town. She smiled, shook her head, and went up the stairs to her classroom. "Class, if you have finished reading your chapter, you may go home for the day. Cooper, could you wait in the back of the classroom, please. Allie and Angela, would you remain for a few minutes after school? Class dismissed." Elizabeth rang the cowbell.

The students were happy to leave school a few minutes early, and they ran outside, talking and laughing on their way home. Elizabeth took a deep breath and walked to Allie's and Angela's desks.

"Mrs. Thornton, I can't stay. Uncle Nathan is waiting for me."

"This will just take a minute, Allie." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Girls, I want to let you know that Mr. Landis is going to recommend to the Board that Angela remain a student at the Jack Thornton School." Both girls smiled and held hands. "Angela, he was very impressed with your musical ability, the fact that you were able to learn Braille this summer, as well as your language skills. Allie, I heard what you said to Mr. Landis. That's why I asked to speak to him outside. I was not too happy that he put you on the spot like that."

"But, Mrs. Thornton, he asked me a question. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want to be rude. I promised Uncle Nathan that I, that I,"

"I know, Allie. I didn't think it was fair of him to ask you that question, and that's what I went outside to tell him. He was the one who surprised me though. He was touched by what you said about Angela; at how kind and selfless you were. You really helped to sway him, Allie. Thank you." Elizabeth held both girls' hands. "Cooper, can you walk Angela home, please? Tell your mother I'll be by to see her at Abigail's after school to fill her in. Thank you, Cooper." Cooper took Angela's arm and walked her out of school.

"Allie, could you please stay for just a minute longer?"

"I'm supposed to meet Uncle Nathan at home, Mrs. Thornton. We're going fishing."

"It will only take a minute, Allie, please?" Allie nodded, and Elizabeth sat at the desk with her. "That was a wonderful thing you did for Angela today. I saw you girls at recess. I was worried about both of you, and I did happen to hear some of what you were talking about. I really didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just concerned for both of you." Allie looked down. "Allie, what you and the other children did, walking Angela and Cooper to school this morning, was so kind. I think Mr. Landis was a bit surprised. He doesn't understand what a special place Hope Valley is. Then you and Angela vowing to be best friends, just like in Anne of Green Gables, was incredible. I don't think Angela has ever been able to have a best friend, I mean a bosom friend, and I'm glad that you chose each other."

"Mrs. Thornton, I, I just,"

Elizabeth interrupted. "Allie, you and I haven't been able to talk since, well, since yesterday."

"I know what happened, Mrs. Thornton. Uncle Nathan told me."

"Oh, OK, well, I'm glad he told you." Elizabeth gathered her thoughts. "Allie, I care very much for both you and Nathan. I know things didn't turn out as you hoped they would." Allie looked up, and there were tears in her eyes. "Allie, I'm so very sorry. I want you to know that this doesn't change anything between you and me. I know I'm your teacher, but I also want to be someone you can come to; someone you can talk to about anything. I know you must not be too happy with me right now, and I don't blame you for that. I really haven't been myself the past few months. I've behaved badly, but that's not an excuse. Learning about Fort Clay was difficult for me, and I'm very sorry if you thought I blamed your uncle for Jack's death. It wasn't his fault. I never meant to hurt you or Nathan. I'm so very sorry for everything, Allie. I hope in time, you can forgive me."

"I thought we were going to be a family, Mrs. Thornton—you, Uncle Nathan, Little Jack and me too. I want a family more than anything."

"I know you do, Allie, and you do have a family and people who love and care about you: Your Uncle Nathan, Judge Avery, Angela; actually, the entire town. Allie, everyone in Hope Valley is your family, including me. I hope you'll consider me part of your family. I'm so sorry for everything." Allie reached out and hugged Elizabeth and Elizabeth kissed the top of her head. "It's OK, Allie. I promise it will be OK."

Through her tears, Allie whispered, "Uncle Nathan said the same thing."

"Look at me, Allie. Here, let me wipe your tears. Are we OK, Allie?" Allie smiled and shook her heard in agreement. "Thank you. Why don't you head home so you can go fishing with your Uncle Nathan. I'll see you in school tomorrow, right?"

Allie agreed she would be back tomorrow, grabbed her books and was out the door. She was surprised to see Angela and Cooper waiting for her. "Allie, is that you?" asked Angela.

"Yes, it's me. Before you ask, yes, I'm OK. Mrs. Thornton and I talked about Uncle Nathan. I'm OK."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Thank you both for waiting for me. Come on, let's go. Uncle Nathan and some fish are waiting for me."