In the days that followed the encounter between Dan and Ethan, things seemed to settle down. Ethan began going to classes with the rest of the children and Jo quickly discovered that he had an active mind that was hungry for knowledge. He was often found in the barn or schoolhouse reading some book or another. He remained standoffish from everyone at Plumfield, particularly Dan and Nick. It was quiet at Plumfield for only a while, however. Two weeks after Ethan's arrival, the peace was shattered by an event that none expected.
It was a Tuesday afternoon and all the kids were in the schoolroom. Franz was supervising and Jo was at the house helping Asia with the ironing. Nick came in and poured himself a cup of coffee. He had a troubled look on his face that Jo and Asia both noticed immediately.
"Nick, what's wrong?" Jo asked, putting down her hot iron. Nick was silent, staring at his cup, then he raised his hand in a fruitless gesture and said, "I was in town today and..." he trailed off.
"And?" Jo asked, leaning forward.
"And I heard something. Something about Ethan. At least, I think it was Ethan." Nick sighed, then continued. "There was a guy in the store, talking about some kid named Joe who had stabbed his stepfather after the man beat him pretty bad. The boy ran off and the police are looking for him. The stepfather died."
Silence reigned in the kitchen for several minutes, then Asia spoke up, "Well, that doesn't have to be Ethan, after all, his name isn't Joe."
"Oh, come on. Who else could it be? I mean, we have this beat up kid show up the same night a kid was beat up in town. Ethan could easily be Joe and just lied about his name." Nick said.
Jo sighed deeply. "We don't know for sure, but, it does look very suspicious. I think we should ask Ethan about this."
Nick shrugged. "Okay by me." Asia nodded. Jo left the kitchen and went over to the schoolroom. Franz was in the middle of a lecture on the habits of muskrats and Jo watched quietly until he finished. Ethan sat in the back corner, alone, but completely attentive. After Franz finished, Jo walked quietly over to him and beckoned him away. Ethan got up and followed her as the rest of the schoolroom watched in silence.
"Go ahead, Franz." Jo said, as the two left the schoolroom. ...................... Ethan looked at the three in the kitchen warily. "What do you want?" he asked. Nick leaned forward to speak, but Jo put her hand on his arm and began the conversation.
"Well, today Nick was in town and he heard that, well, that the police are looking for a boy who stabbed his stepfather and ran away. This happened the night that you came here and, well, you must confess, it does look suspicious."
Ethan looked from one to the other. "You think this kid is me."
Jo nodded.
Ethan looked down at his lap. He was quiet. Then he raised his head and looked Jo in the eye. "Yeah, it was me."
Nick, Jo, and Asia were all taken aback by the straightforward reply.
"You mean, you're Joe and you stabbed your stepfather?" Nick asked.
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, and I'm not sorry."
"Not sorry." Asia said. "How can you not be sorry for killing someone?"
"Did he die?" Ethan asked, a trace of fear showing on his face. The lack of a reply answered his question. Ethan dropped his head into his good hand. Then he looked up again. "I didn't mean to kill him." He said, almost in a whisper. "I didn't think I hurt him that bad. I just wanted him to feel some pain for what he did to me."
"What did he do to you?" Jo asked, leaning forward and putting her hand on Ethan's knee.
"He, he beat me up a lot and I hated it and I hated him for it." Ethan said. Silence reigned, then Ethan rose to his feet and left the kitchen, heading outside. The adults watched as he walked quickly into the woods. Nick rose to his feet.
"I'd better follow him." he said, putting on his hat. Jo got up as if to speak, but Nick put up his hand. "I know you don't like it, but he's a criminal and he's got to face justice." Jo acquiesced and stepped back.
After Nick left, she and Asia stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Then Nat, Dan and Emil burst in the door.
"Where's Nick?" Nat asked. "And why did you need Ethan?" queried Emil. Jo took a deep breath as she tried to think of a fitting reply.