Author's Note: I'm a loser. That's all there is to it. I apologize for the long wait.
Disclaimer: If I was Charlotte Bronte and/or the Disney Corporation, I wouldn't have to place this little disclaimer up, since then I would own both the characters from the film Newsies AND the plot to Jane Eyre. But unfortunately, I am just plain old college-student Anne with no claim to fame and very little originality. So there.
Chapter 5
Each Sunday for the next seven years, Jane Beck visited the grave of her dear friend Kaya Williams. Miss Williams had not been the only casualty to the wave of illness that had swept the School for the Children of God. Indeed, nine more students succumbed to disease before the end of that month.
However, it was not a complete tragedy. All things, it is said, work for the better good, and in a sense, that is exactly what happened at the School for the Children of God. Knowing that without relatives, Master Snyder would have little trouble concealing the unnecessary deaths, Charles Davies went to New York City's bureau of health and explained the situation. A full-fledged investigation was shortly launched that resulted in several major improvements for the school. At the forefront of the reforms was the removal of Master Snyder from his position as the head of the school. Jane wept when the news of his dismissal reached her ears.
After six years at the school, Jane Beck completed her studies at the School for the Children of God, surpassing all of her classmates in all areas of academics, especially arithmetic. That same year, Charles Davies announced that he was going to wed and move Westward. After he made his announcement of leave, the headmaster approached Jane, who was preparing to pack up her own things.
"Miss Beck, I was wondering if I could have a word with you?"
"Yes, of course, sir." Jane responded, bewildered.
"Miss Beck, as you are aware, Mr. Charles Davies has announced his resignation from this establishment."
"Yes, sir, he will be sorely missed by the students, I am sure." Jane blinked.
"Yes, he will, indeed. Nevertheless, I am faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement for his position. Now, I have examined your school records, and have done exceedingly well." He paused. "What is it you are planning on doing once you leave here, Miss Beck?"
Jane began slowly. "To be quite honest, sir, I haven't the faintest idea. I thought I might try and find work somewhere outside of the city."
The headmaster's eyes lit up. "Splendid, splendid. I would like you to consider, then, taking on Mr. Davies' responsibilities as an instructor right here."
Jane was unsure of how she was obligated to respond. She truly had no desire to stay on at the school, even as an instructor.
"I am most grateful, sir, for your offer—"
"This is all very sudden, Miss Beck, perhaps it would be best to give you a few days to meditate on your decision? Ah, splendid, I will seek you out in a few days time, then."
Jane nodded, but the headmaster was already gone. Overwhelmed, she leaned against the nearest wall.
Jane did meditate, quite fervently. Despite her desire to leave the city and the school behind forever, she became aware that it was not her calling to leave the school just yet. When she accepted the position, the headmaster was nearly giddy. The truth of the matter was that after the scandal surrounding the school during Master Snyder's last year, there had been no applicants for replacing Mr. Davies' position. Jane Beck had been the only option. Had she denied the position, he had been quite prepared to lower himself to her feet and beg. He thanked the Lord that it didn't have to come to that.
Jane had been teaching for a year when she started questioning her continuation at the school. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy her pupils, and her teaching, for she did reap great pleasure from her time with the students. But eight years paying her dues to the same institution felt like more than enough. She was a caged bird, one who had stared through the bars day after day at the outside world but had never had the opportunity to stretch her wings and soar into its vastness.
As a bell signaled the conclusion of her class, Jane glanced outside the window. A swallow darted gracefully about the sky. A small, determined smile creeping onto her face, she retreated to her room with a plan.
"Young woman with excellent training seeks employment as governess or tutor. Will work for food and lodgings, minimal wages required."
That ad, followed by Jane's contact information, ran in three local newspapers within the next several days. She spent the next few weeks darting to and from the mailroom, her eyes alternately alight with anticipation and darkened with disappointment. She had little doubt, after an extensive amount of time had passed, that she would serve the remainder of her days in the gloomy halls of the School for the Children of God.
Fate is quite fond of trickery, however, and nearly three months to the day that Jane's advertisement was placed, she was shocked when the mail clerk declared that yes, there was a letter for a Miss Jane Beck.
Trembling hands held the neatly penned letter as she read its contents.
"To Miss Jane Beck;
Your employment is sought at Red Stream Manor. Arrive promptly by Tuesday next. Your train fare will be reimbursed.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kaitlin Ann Sullivan"
Whoever this Mrs. Sullivan was, Jane concluded, she certainly wasn't one to be trifled with. She obviously had not considered Jane's refusal an option. Nor should she have. Jane's bags were packed that night, though she knew nothing of her destination save its name.
She gave her notice to the headmaster in the form of a brief, but polite, note. It expressed in few words how she was grateful to the institution for her education, but she felt that God was calling her elsewhere. She left no contact information.
Coming Up: Jane arrives at Red Stream Manor, and we (finally) meet Mr. Jack Sullivan Kelly.
Author's Note: Thank you, seriously, for bearing with me through this. I am not proud of this chapter, but since it is a transitive one, it was important to get it out before I can start on the really good stuff. Thank you for all who reviewed last time, and I hope you'll continue to stick with me as I attempt to do the unthinkable—actually finish a fic!