Thicker Than Water –
Chapter Six – Rebecca Elliot. Is That Correct?
Dallin took Dawn's last request to heart. He raised Rebecca lovingly for four years, and by the time she was five, Dallin had found a school in Port Royal for her to attend. The Walters-Churchill School for Girls: Ages 5-17. Dallin hadn't actually been there, since it was all the way in Port Royal and he hadn't a boat. He did, however, hear that most all of the girls that attended the school were married to future governors, admirals, and other high class citizens. Dallin sent a letter enrolling Rebecca to the school as soon as she turned five.
Walters-Churchill School for Girls was not cheap. Dallin had to take up many jobs to get enough money for just one year's tuition, but he knew it was worth it. Rebecca would become a fine, respected lady.
School went on all year round, but there were holidays and weekends for those attending the school locally. Rebecca was expected to arrive promptly at 10:00 on the first of September.
It was a day's sail to Port Royal from Tortuga. On the thirty-first of August, Dallin and Rebecca had bought a passage there. It was a rocky ride, both of them never having been on a ship before, but they made it through in one piece. Except for maybe their lunch, which was lost periodically throughout the trip.
Their first night in Port Royal was spent on the ship, which was free, as opposed to having to pay for a room at a lodge. In the morning Dallin gathered up Rebecca's things and they made their way to the school.
Rebecca skipped and swung Dallin's arm as they walked, her straight, dark brown hair blowing in her face and catching in her mouth as she opened it to speak, "Dally, are you coming to school, too?" Rebecca took her free hand and brushed her hair out of the way. She looked up at Dallin with big brown eyes, just like her mother's.
"No, honey, I'm too old." Dallin said. "But don't worry. You'll make lots of new friends."
Rebecca giggled, "I like making friends."
"I know you do." Dallin smiled to himself, remembering one time when Rebecca was four.
A Royal Navy ship had stopped in Tortuga to restock. Rebecca had found their uniforms marvelously fascinating and spent the rest of the day following this one poor officer around. Dallin had been in a panic, unable to find her anywhere. When he finally spotted her, Rebecca smiled and waved. She grabbed the officer's hand and dragged him over to Dallin.
"Dally, this is my new friend! His name is…" Rebecca looked up at the officer. He smiled nervously and said that his name was Officer Yates and that he was terribly sorry, Rebecca had been following him around all morning.
Rebecca had been devastated when the ship had to leave. She had gone back to the harbor every day to see Officer Yates. Dallin would watch her from nearby. Some days she would just watch him and smile. Other days, she would shout out a question like, "Why are you moving those boxes?" "What's a topsail?" "Are those cannonballs?" "Can I help?" Officer Yates would usually reply with a very sophisticated answer, but you could tell from the look on Rebecca's face that she was trying really hard to understand, even though she really didn't.
Rebecca and Dallin turned down a street, and before them was a huge building. It was made of brick with a set of green wooden double doors in front. The building was three stories high and had a tall black roof. There were windows at equal intervals, all with green shudders. Above the door was a green sign with gold writing.
Walters-ChurchillSchool for Girls
Since 1653
Dallin walked up the few steps to the big double doors. He knocked the worn, gold colored knocker, and within 30 seconds, two girls dressed in maid's clothing opened the door and curtsied for Dallin and Rebecca.
Then a very tall woman appeared. Dallin's first impression was that he was looking at a pencil. She was extremely skinny, with a pointy bun atop her head. Even her face was long and bony and had frown lines and wrinkles all over, showing that she wasn't a very cheery person.
"Rebecca Elliot." She said, and looked at Dallin. "Is that correct?"
"Yes." Dallin said nervously. This woman was extremely intimidating. It wasn't that her voice was cold, but it was very down-to-business, as though she didn't laugh very often.
"My name is Audrey Stevens. You may call me Miss Stevens, or Ma'am."
Dallin wasn't sure if she was talking to Rebecca or him.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Stevens. I'm Dallin Elliot, Rebecca's uncle." He bowed.
"Well I hope your niece likes it here, Mr. Elliot. Now, if you don't mind, we at Walters-Churchill School for Girls run a tight schedule."
Dallin stood still, confused. Miss Stevens looked at him as though even an idiot could have figured out what she meant.
"Aren't you going to say good-bye, Mr. Elliot?"
Dallin jumped up, "Oh! Yes." He leaned down to Rebecca and gave her a tight hug and a kiss on the forehead. "Be good," He said, "But have fun, too, all right?" Dallin smiled and Rebecca smiled back.
"Love you, Dally." Rebecca said, still smiling.
"I love you too, Rebecca. See you soon." Dallin waved and walked back down the stairs and out of sight.
Rebecca leaned on one foot to keep him in sight as he walked away, "Good-bye." She said. All of a sudden she felt a boney hand on her shoulder.
"Welcome to Walters-Churchill School for Girls, Rebecca." Miss Stevens's voice was kinder than it had been before, but still strict. "Let me show you around…"