A/N: Are you guys ready for Day 3 of the 12 Chapters of Christmas? Tune in December 7th for an all new and exciting chapter!

(Chapter Forty-Two)

Belinda

The Thorntons were invited to supper by the Redwood family. After getting to know Mrs. Redwood, she really wasn't so mean. Belinda, the young girl who had been rescued, was staying with Jack and Elizabeth. She loved baby Gloria, and would babysit for Elizabeth during school hours. The truth was, Elizabeth wasn't sure whether Belinda should be in school herself. She hardly looked more than 18. Of course Belinda would join the family for dinner at the Redwoods.

"How old are you, Belinda?" Elizabeth asked one day before heading off to school.

"21, ma'am."

"Wow, I'm sorry. You just look way younger."

"Yeah, I know. My ma always said so."

"I was thinking," Elizabeth began. "How would you like it if your mother came for a visit?"

"Oh, Mrs. Thornton!" the girl squealed. "Could she? She would just love baby Gloria," she exclaimed as she cuddled the baby closer to her.

"Well, it's not for sure. But I will check with Constable Thornton tonight. We'll send a telegram, and – we'll see," said stopped herself. She did not want to get the girl's hopes up too high, encase her mother were not able to travel or if they could not even locate her.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Thornton," the girl started weeping and Elizabeth gave her a comforting hug.

"So you have obviously completed school then," Elizabeth presumed.

"No, ma'am."

"No? Oh. Well, how much schooling have you had?"

"My family is very poor, ma'am. We didn't have the money for schooling so my mother taught me and my sister for a while. But when she got sick – " she stopped. It was obviously very hard for the girl to talk about.

"And where is your sister now?"

Belinda hesitated. "Sarah died," was all she said.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Marcus – my best friend growing up, was very helpful in our time of sorrow. He had promised that one day, he would marry me."

"What happened?"

"He died. 2 years ago. Scarlet fever. We were engaged to be married. The date was set and everything."

"I am so sorry, Belinda." There was silence for a long moment. "So how far did you get in school?"

"I don't rightly know, ma'am. We didn't really go by the grades. Me said that was 'a bunch of hogwash'."

"Oh, I see."

"I know all my letters and numbers, and I can read some."

"How old were you when you stopped?"

"Ten years old, ma'am."

"Well, would you like to come to school with me?"

"Oh, I don't know, Mrs. Thornton. Wouldn't I look – out of place?"

Elizabeth thought about that for a minute. It was true, she would look out of place. As a student.

"How about you be my assistant?"

"Assistant?"

"Yes. You could help me hand out papers, clean the chalk board, stuff like that. And you'd get to sit in on class and learn with the children.

"Well, I don't know . . ."

"Can we at least give it a shot?"

"But, what about Gloria?"

"Oh, she's no problem. Mrs. Coulter would be more than happy to babysit. And I'm sure Mrs. Redwood would love a turn every now and then."

Belinda seemed to think about that for a minute.

"So, do we have a deal?"

Belinda nodded excitedly.

"Good," Elizabeth replied with a broad smile. "Shall we go then?"

"Yes!"

"Alright then, let's go next door."

There was a light rap on the door and Rosemary sprang out of her seat to answer it.

"Hello!" she greeted them cheerfully. "Please, come in!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Rosemary. We can't stay. Belinda has decided to come to school with me this morning. So we were wondering if you could watch Gloria for us. I will be back just as soon as school is out. If you need a break, I'm sure Mrs. Redwood would love to watch the baby. So, will you do it?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, Rosie!"

"You're welcome," she replied as she took the small bundle from Belinda.