Chapter 236 – The Science Fair
Shaking his head, Mr Landis started to walk around the room with Elizabeth and Abigail right behind him. Charlotte, Aunt Elizabeth and Patty quietly spoke between themselves, noticing something, Pastor Frank came over and asked if there was a problem. Aunt Elizabeth and Charlotte exchanged a look and then motioned to step outside the side door.
While Mr Landis, Elizabeth and Abigail went around and looked at each of the science projects, Aunt Elizabeth, Charlotte and Pastor Frank stepped out the side door. Both Jacobs and Wynn noticed, but were going to wait to see what the ladies had to say. There was something about Mr Landis that he didn't trust and wanted to keep an eye on him. He didn't think that the man would do anything while the students were there, but he wanted to be safe just in case.
Once they were on the steps, Frank looked at Charlotte and Elizabeth Rose.
"So what is going on?" Frank asked.
"Mr Landis." Charlotte said. "It was the way that he looked at Elizabeth."
"He looked her up and down, then snorted in disgust." Elizabeth Rose said. "I know that the children were looking forward to asking her questions about the baby and she promised to answer some of them before they left today, now I don't know if she will feel comfortable. Nor do I think that she wants Mr Landis to hear some of her answers."
"I am confused." Frank said.
"Normally." Charlotte said. "Married teachers are NOT the norm, especially married women teachers."
"And especially married, in the family way, female teachers." Elizabeth Rose added.
"This is however a different situation." Charlotte said. "Abigail explained to me that this is considered a private school since the mothers are paying Elizabeth's salary and it is not coming from the town budget."
"There are different rules for private schools." Elizabeth Rose said. "It is basically up to the head of the school to decide what teachers they will allow and what rules they will enforce. I specifically asked Abigail about this after the thing with Higgins. She assured me that she has no problem with Elizabeth finishing out the school year and taking next fall off to have the baby. She even told Elizabeth that there will always be a teaching spot here for her if that is what she wants."
"Then I am afraid I still don't understand." Frank said.
"This, Mr Landis." Charlotte said. "He can make a fuss and try to get her teaching certificate revoked or he can try and make trouble for the town when and if they become a part of the county system."
"And Elizabeth won't want to use her family name to squash it." Frank said, understanding.
"Exactly." Elizabeth Rose said. "That doesn't mean I am not above using the family name and my husband to do so, but we also need to be careful and not overstep since we technically are not the ones employed by Abigail."
"Got it." Frank said. "I suggest that we step back in and see what happens. I will stick around and support Elizabeth in any way that I can."
"Thank you." Elizabeth Rose said.
"Yes, thank you." Charlotte said.
The three all nodded to each other and quietly stepped back into the schoolhouse and stayed by the side door.
As they walked around, Mr Landis asked the children several questions. He made notes on this clipboard. Elizabeth also made notes so she would be able to give the children a grade. This was especially helpful as she hadn't had a lot to do with the children preparing their projects. She was eternally grateful for her mother-in-law and aunts' help over the last few weeks. She wasn't sure that they would have gotten as much done as they had or gotten most of the students nearly caught up to their peers.
Elizabeth was impressed with the students and the projects that they prepared. Obviously the older students had done more complex projects, but they all had put in a lot of work, even the new students. Elizabeth couldn't tell what Mr Landis thought nor could she see what he was writing. She just hoped that everything turned out alright. She had a feeling he was angry about something, but she couldn't figure out what. Abigail had made several motions toward the man with a questioning look and all Elizabeth could do was shake her head. It must have been bad if even Abigail had picked up on things.
At one point, Elizabeth looked around and realized that her aunt, mother-in-law and Pastor Frank had stepped out. She caught Patty's eye who motioned toward the side door. Elizabeth nodded and went back to paying attention to what Mr Landis was saying. She knew the man wasn't happy and didn't want to further upset him by not paying attention in case he asked a question.
Satisfied that he had spoken to all the students and seen the projects, Mr Landis walked to the front of the room and looked around. Some of the students were quietly talking to others who had gone to look at some of the projects. He looked at Elizabeth and she stepped forward. Elizabeth stepped forward and clapped her hands. As she did that, she realized that there were a lot more people around the edges of the schoolhouse. She was happy to see some of the mothers there to see how their children did.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" Elizabeth called out.
The students stopped talking and turned toward Elizabeth. Everyone else also stopped and looked toward the front of the classroom. Despite all the people in the classroom, it got very quiet in the schoolhouse.
"I think Mr Landis has chosen a winner for our science fair." Elizabeth said. "Before I turn it over to Mr Landis to announce the winner, I want to thank all the students for all their hard work over the last couple of weeks. Also, given that there are a number of parents here, I am going to ask the students if we can move the question and answer session that I promised to Monday."
Elizabeth watched as some of the student's faces fell, but then nodded.
"Good." Elizabeth continued. "Then the last thing I will say before turning it over to Mr Landis is that once the presentation is done, the students can start to gather their things and leave with their parents. You have your homework sheets and reading assignments. We will get back into a more normal routine starting Monday. Now, please welcome Mr Landis again."
The students and visitors alike clapped for Mr Landis as he stepped forward. Wynn also stepped back and opened the door to the photographer that he had seen outside a moment ago.
"Thank you Miss Thornton." Mr Landis said.
Elizabeth didn't correct him, but instantly knew why he had looked at her the way he had.
"I agree." Mr Landis continued. "It appears that the students here worked hard on their projects. However there are a couple projects that appear to be at a much higher level and it made it hard to choose at first glance, but once I spoke to the students it became clear.
Normally, I would choose just one winner, but in this case I think it is only right to honor both students, although only one of them can go on to compete at the regional science fair against other students from other schools in a couple of weeks in Union City. There, the students from this school will be going up against students from all over this region. I believe that there will be up to about twenty to twenty-five students if all the schools have participated. I want to wish the student from here good luck and to know that they will be up against much harder competition.
So first the runner up – Miss Walker. Can you come up here please with your project?"
Gem walked up with her project and set it on Elizabeth's desk. Elizabeth hadn't liked the way that Mr Landis was talking about the regional science fair. To her it made it sound like whoever went would not stand a chance. With a quick look at her aunt and mother-in-law, she could tell that they were thinking the same thing. Elizabeth was upset with Mr Landis, but she knew that she couldn't express that anger. Even though they were considered a private school, Mr Landis could still make trouble for Elizabeth. The last thing that she wanted was more attention brought to her. She wasn't sure what had happened with the whole Higgins situation, but her aunt had assured her it had been handled. Still, Elizabeth was hoping and praying that things would get better and not worse. She also knew that a married teacher in the family way was extremely rare. Elizabeth tried not to think about it since Abigail had assured her that there would be a teaching position for her as long as she wanted.
"Can you tell us a bit about your project?" Mr Landis asked.
Elizabeth turned her attention back to Gem to hear more about her project. She took a deep breath and pushed all other thoughts away so she could focus on Gem, since the girl deserved it. As much as Elizabeth was sure that Becky was going to win and rightly so, she was surprised that Gem was as advanced in science as she was, but then with her brother, maybe it wasn't such a surprise.
"My older brother was talking to me about how a engine works." Gem said. "I had asked him questions when we saw Mr Coulter's motorcycle. So my brother Lucas was talking to me about how different engines work and that gave me this idea. I figured most people, especially the other kids, wouldn't know how an engine works. So with a bit of help from my brother, I did my project about the internal combustion engine."
"And what would you like to do with the knowledge you have gained from doing this project?" Mr Landis asked.
"I would like to work with my brother on engines." Gem said. "He wants to work on cars and maybe with the large diesel engines that run the saws at Mr Coulter's sawmill. My brother already works for Mr Coulter and is learning a lot about not only the mill business, but the equipment that is used."
Mr Landis just looked at Gem and smiled. He wasn't sure that working with dirty engines was a job for a young lady, but he couldn't say that. Though he knew that a conversation with the young lady's father might be in order.
"Are you parents here?" Mr Landis asked.
"My mother is over there by the stove." Gem said.
"Can I have your mother join us up here for a picture?" Mr Landis asked.
Mrs Walker came to the front and stood by Gem. Mr Landis and Elizabeth stood on the other side of the project and the photographer took a picture.
"Thank you." Mr Landis said. "Now, what we have all been waiting for. The winner of the Hope Valley science fair is the young lady who did the model bridge."
"Becky Hastings, please come up here." Elizabeth said as the people clapped.
Knowing that her picture was going to be taken, Becky was hesitating because of her wheelchair. Jacobs, seeing her hesitation, stepped forward and pushed Becky and her bridge closer, then took her bridge and set it on the desk. He then turned and extended his hand.
"You can do it, Becky." Jacobs said. "You have taken more steps than this and you are plenty strong to stand here. I will even stay right behind you if you want."
Becky nodded and moved to stand up with the help of Jacobs. It took a moment for Becky to get her legs under her, but once she did, she took the few steps needed to stand in front of Elizabeth's desk. As promised, Jacobs stood right behind her, he had his hand on her waist, but wasn't holding her per se.
"Can you tell us a little about your project?" Mr Landis asked.
"It is a model of a suspension bridge." Becky said. "It is similar to what used to be used by the trains over Niagara Falls."
"But that bridge was dismantled because of problems with the wooden supports rotting." Mr Landis said.
"True." Becky said. "But it was still a good design. It is also why when I am an engineer, I will insist that steel be used for the bridges that I oversee. It has already been used in other places and with great success."
"But steel will increase the weight of the bridge." Mr Landis said.
"Yes." Becky said. "That is why you increase the size of the trusses and then every other truss is supported with the suspension cables. It will not only increase the strength of the bridge, but the loads that they are able to carry. By combining both a standard truss bridge with suspension cables it makes a much stronger bridge."
"How can you be so sure?" Mr Landis asked.
"See here." Becky said, pointing to a list of calculations that were displayed on the poster behind the bridge.
"And you are sure that the math is correct and you did it yourself." Mr Landis said. "I have found that type of math is beyond most students your age and definitely never seen a girl that could do that type of math."
By this point, Elizabeth was upset and wanted to say something. However it was Jacobs who beat her to the punch.
"I can assure you, Mr Landis." Jacobs said. "That this young lady is wise beyond her years and she did that model all by herself and the math was completed by her as well."
"How do you know this?" Mr Landis challenged.
"Because I specifically asked her about it." Jacobs said. "I have also seen her calculate other math in her head. Including the lumber that would be needed for an expansion to a building here in town. She not only calculated the amount of lumber needed, she was able to very accurately draw the plans that would be needed. I even checked with Mr Coulter at the sawmill and he was impressed with her calculations."
Mr Landis didn't like being showed up, especially by a girl and a Mountie. Becky could tell that Mr Landis wasn't impressed and she felt like he was going to further challenge her. She wanted to preemptively shut him down. So Becky stood a little taller and squared her shoulders.
"Before he was killed." Becky said. "My father was a structural engineer and he had several friends who were architects. I used to love to sit on his lap or at the table and watch the men go over plans. As far back as I can remember, my father always included me when he talked about the plans. He realized when I was quite young that I understood what he was doing. Not only was I grasping math well beyond my years, but he also realized I have a spatial awareness that couldn't be taught. I could look at complex puzzles and see how they would fit together.
I have always wanted to be an engineer like my father, but even more so after he was killed. Not only do I want to oversee the building of things, but I also want to design them. I have read every book that I could get my hands on. Including college level books that Mrs Thornton ordered just for me."
"Is this true?" Mr Landis asked, turning to look at Elizabeth.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I have ordered several college level math and science books. Not only has Becky borrowed them, but so has Gem's brother Lucas and another young man, Wyatt Weaver. Both of the boys have finished school and are working to support their families. Most teachers never see one student like Becky or the boys and I have had the honor of knowing three. I may not have ever taught Lucas or Wyatt, since they had finished school before they moved here, but I have had the honor of having conversations with both boys. They all have a gift and I hope to see all of them go far."
"And you didn't help Miss Hastings with the calculations?" Mr Landis asked.
"Absolutely not." Elizabeth said. "I had to have her explain it to me several times before I even understood it. I may be good at some math, but even that is beyond me and I am not ashamed to admit that."
"Very well then." Mr Landis said.
He turned back to look at Becky.
"Just so you know." Mr Landis said. "Men don't like to be shown up by girls. If you are determined to pursue this type of career, just know that it won't be easy and no one will make allowances for you."
"If I can survive having both my parents murdered." Becky said. "Sent to an orphanage where I was treated less than human and then to travel from Manitoba all the way to Hope Valley on foot with my brother while sick, only to spend months in the hospital because I was so sick. I can survive anything. Nothing is going to stop me from achieving my dream of following in my father's footsteps. I am smart enough to do it and determined enough to show people like you that I can do it."
Mr Landis just huffed as Jacobs and Abigail looked on proudly.
"Let's get this done." Mr Landis said, holding out the blue ribbon.
The photographer stepped forward and got a couple photos, including a close up of the bridge. The photographer then turned and left the schoolhouse. Becky's knees started to buckle, but Jacobs scooped her up and put her back in her chair before she fell. While that was happening, Elizabeth stepped forward and clapped her hands.
"The students are dismissed." Elizabeth said. "If I could ask the Mounties and a few others to stay behind and help get the room back in order for church services this weekend, I would appreciate that."