Chapter 168 – Trying for a New Routine (long)

Gabe left and Jacobs went to sit back down.

"What project do you want him for?" Dee asked.

"I know that McGinty is trying to exercise all the Mountie horses." Wynn said. "But I figured that Gabe might be able to help. He was good with Balder."

"I think we can arrange that." Jacobs said. "I might ride with him and talk to him about the Mounties as well."

"Whatever you want." Wynn said. "Let's get back to work. Abigail did you have any other questions?"

"Not at the moment." Abigail said. "I might later."

"We will be here." Wynn said. "What time is the stage coming today?"

"It is scheduled to be here at about three." Dee said. "It is bringing Patty's trunk for sure."

"Please have Bill and/or McGinty there to meet it." Wynn said.

"I will." Dee said.

"Anything pressing in the wires I need to know?" Wynn asked. "I will look later, but I'm just wondering."

"Your auditors will be boarding a train this afternoon from Ottawa." Dee said. "Also there is a wire from Andrew."

"What did he say?" Wynn asked.

"He said that he is sending the paperwork for Abigail and there is also paperwork coming for Beth." Dee said. "It should be here Thursday on the stage."

"Okay." Wynn said. "I won't worry about it until then."

Each went back to the stack of work in front of them. They only talked as questions needed to be asked.

By lunchtime, Elizabeth had adjusted her lesson plans. She only had a few things that her aunt needed to cover in the afternoons and then her and Patty would be free to work with the new students as well as be there if the other students had questions. She wasn't sure when Charlotte would be back, but it would be easy to divide the work three ways.

"Students." Elizabeth called out.

She waited until all thirty-three pairs of eyes were on her.

"Before I let you go for lunch." Elizabeth said. "I want to explain what is going to happen this afternoon and also give you your homework for tonight. Mrs Delaney and Miss Winters will be here this afternoon and the other Mrs Thornton when she gets back tomorrow or Wednesday. They will explain more, but you are going to be working on a science project. It needs to be ready for the science fair next Friday. You will also have a writing assignment each afternoon. In addition, today I have already given you your vocabulary words and I have a math worksheet that you need to have done and turned in in the morning.

The classroom rules still apply and I expect you all to be good. Mrs Delaney and Miss Winters will be letting me know who breaks the rules and there will be consequences in addition to any punishment they give you. Please be respectful as they also work with the new students to try and get them caught up. There is plenty of work for everyone. If I find out that you are causing trouble, I can assign much more tomorrow and the rest of the week. I am sure that you have plenty of questions about the science project, but Mrs Delaney will be explaining more to you about that. Any questions about the other homework?"

William Weaver raised his hand.

"Do we have to do the math worksheet?" He asked.

"I want all the new students to try and do as much of it as you can." Elizabeth said. "It will help us to know where everyone is and what we need to cover with you."

"Yes, Laura." Elizabeth said.

"Other than the chapter earlier." Laura said. "Is there additional reading for this week?"

"Yes, thank you Laura." Elizabeth said. "The younger children need to do chapters two and three. The next group should be through chapter seven by the end of the week and the older group chapter fifteen. There will be a test next Monday on your reading. Those that want to get a jump on your history you need to read chapter ten. There will be a test next week as well."

Elizabeth watched as the children wrote down the additional assignments.

"As we figure out things this week." Elizabeth said. "It may seem like there is a lot of homework, but remember you all have this afternoon to work on a lot of it."

Elizabeth rang the bell and the students went outside. The older boys helped Becky down the steps and with the help of the cadets. Elizabeth went back to her desk for a moment. She made a couple more notes and grabbed a few things to take home. As she was doing that, her Aunt came in.

"Patty is watching the children." Elizabeth Rose said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Any word on Charlotte?"

"Bill said she should be back tonight or tomorrow." Elizabeth Rose said. "She needed some space."

"I told the students about the science project and said you would explain more." Elizabeth said. "I have math worksheets that need to be handed out, they know about them. I assigned vocabulary and reading. I also told them about a history test on chapter ten next week. I was just going to put their writing assignment on the board."

"What did you decide?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"My favorite Easter memory is …." Elizabeth said. "Also remind them that math worksheets are due in the morning. And Will Walker is to go to the office after school to sit with Jacobs. He can do his homework there."

"Mayor's office?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"I believe so." Elizabeth said.

"Patty and I will walk him there." Elizabeth Rose said. "Anything else?"

"I left you a note and a copy of the week's lesson plans." Elizabeth said. "I told the students that they need to behave or there will be consequences from me in addition to whatever you give."

"I am not worried." Elizabeth Rose said. "How was Becky this morning?"

"Mostly bored." Elizabeth said. "I allowed her to pick out some of the more advanced books to read through. She was also working on something in her sketchbook. I still expect her to do the vocabulary, and writing assignment. I am sure that she is beyond the math worksheet, but it would help if she at least did it."

"I got it." Elizabeth Rose said. "Slow down. We got this. Go home to Jack, get something to eat and rest. We will find a routine. I am going to say the same thing to you as I told Abigail this morning – we are all learning a new normal together and we will find our way."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "It was hard to find a routine with thirty-three students this morning."

"Not the most I have had." Elizabeth Rose said. "But I also have help. If we need, we can make other arrangements to help Abigail and we can be here sooner."

"No." Elizabeth said. "I guess I didn't think it would be that hard. It didn't help that I was up with Jack last night."

"Then it will get better." Elizabeth Rose said. "We can only do so much and I am here at least through the end of the month, which means Patty is here through the end of the month as well. We will do what we have to to help you."

"Again thank you." Elizabeth said. "Think you can stop by the house later and let me know how the afternoon went."

"I promise we will." Elizabeth Rose said. "What are you planning for supper or do you want me to bring something from the cafe?"

"I was going to pick up some chops." Elizabeth said. "Faith reminded me that I need more meat and vegetables. As much as I love supporting Abigail, Jack and I agreed not to eat there all the time, especially supper."

"Then pick up enough for Wynn, Dee, Patty and I to join you." Elizabeth Rose said. "All else you have leftovers. I would also suggest that you pick up some soup bones. I doubt that Jack is going to want large meals right now. Maybe a vegetable beef soup with lots of stock would be good. You can make that as well and it will keep for a few days."

"That sounds good." Elizabeth said. "I will do that. Think the cadets will mind helping me run errands."

"They will do it." Elizabeth Rose said. "If they grumble or complain, let Wynn know tonight."

Elizabeth smiled, hugged her aunt and picked up her basket. Elizabeth Rose sat down at the desk and looked over what her niece had left her as Elizabeth headed out.

"Home ma'am." The cadet said as Elizabeth walked out.

"Actually." Elizabeth said. "I need to run a couple of errands in town. One of you will stay here and one will come with me. If you have a problem with that, I can speak to Sergeant Jacobs."

"No problem ma'am." Cadet Morin said.

"Good then lets go." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth headed straight for the butcher shop as she needed chops and soup bones. She figured that she could stop at the vegetable stand by the mercantile on the way back to the house. She was able to get six pork chops at the butcher and two pounds of beef bones. She placed those items in the bottom of her basket and headed toward the mercantile. She was able to pick up several early season vegetables as well as some canned ones from last fall. Knowing that Dee got everything else, she headed to the house. Since there were two guards there, she dismissed Cadet Morin. He headed back to town as Elizabeth went into the house.

She sent the guard inside back out, checked on Jack and then set about getting things going. She got the bones going to make stock for soup. She put the chops in the icebox and left the vegetables on the counter. She saw that there had been a delivery from the mercantile, so she put that all away as the water for tea heated. Elizabeth pulled some of the leftovers that were sent from Abigail the day before and got to heating a plate for herself. She was almost done when Jack came out.

"Hey Beautiful." Jack rasped.

"Hey yourself." Elizabeth said. "Want something to eat, I can make another plate?"

"Not really hungry." Jack said. "But maybe some peppermint tea."

"The water is almost ready." Elizabeth said. "Sit down."

Jack sat down.

"I have chops for supper." Elizabeth said. "I also picked up some beef bones as Aunt Elizabeth said you might not be up to eating much."

"Soup actually sounds good." Jack said.

"Then I will make you some." Elizabeth said. "Vegetable beef okay?"

"Yes." Jack said. "Just make lots of stock, I might have more of that than the actual contents of the soup."

"Already thought of that." Elizabeth said. "I already have the bones going for stock. Need me to heat some water for another steam treatment?"

"I did one about eleven." Jack said. "But I will need to do one when Jacobs comes between one and two."

"I will keep water on then." Elizabeth said. "After lunch, I was going to work on grading the large amount of homework that was turned in. I forgot that I had assigned so much for the break."

"I just wanted to sit with my wife for a bit." Jack said. "After you eat, I think I will go lay back down until Jacobs gets here."

"Sounds like a plan." Elizabeth said.

She finished making her plate and tea for both of them. She then sat at the table with Jack. She offered a prayer and told Jack about her morning with the students.

By the time that Abigail, Wynn, Jacobs and Dee took a break for lunch, they had gotten a lot done. Abigail had gotten all the way through the 1903 ledger and started on 1904. The guys had gone over every piece of information they had and found a few more answers, but it also led to more questions. Dee had made several trips to the mercantile to send wires. As the guys stood at the top of the steps, they saw that it was busy in town. People were going in and out of businesses. There was a lot of activity around Lee's office and there were a few people waiting over at the infirmary. They saw Bill and McGinty talking on the porch of the jail.

"Wonder what that is about?" Jacobs said (point to Bill and McGinty).

"Not sure if I want to know." Wynn said.

Dee tried to hide a snicker, but couldn't. Before they could decide, they saw Bill and McGinty heading their way.

"Dee." Wynn said. "Please go ask the ladies at the cafe to make a basket of sandwiches for us. Scones or cookies as well. Two sandwiches for me please. Also see if they have some lemonade or something. I have had enough coffee."

"I will take two sandwiches as well." Jacobs said.

"Be back shortly." Dee said heading down the steps.

Jacobs and Wynn waited for Bill and McGinty. Abigail had gone down the steps and right over to the cafe. Wynn took a deep breath and slowly let it out as McGinty jogged in his direction. He couldn't quite read his face, but he could tell that Bill wasn't happy.

"Can we talk inside?" McGinty asked as he reached Wynn and Jacobs.

Wynn nodded and opened the door. Wynn didn't wait for Bill, but turned to McGinty.

"So what is going on?" Wynn asked.

"A few things." McGinty said. "Where do you want me to start?"

"The least pressing." Wynn said.

"Okay." McGinty said. "On rounds this morning, I came across five families that had moved onto the land that the settlement was on. When I asked them who gave them permission to be there, they said that they rented the land from a lawyer in Union City. They couldn't show me any documents, but I got their names. I asked what they were doing there and they said they got the land through the Dominion Act."

"Okay." Wynn said. "I can see that is a problem. What did you tell them?"

"I told them I would be checking into it." McGinty said. "I told them that we had problems with that land as there had been other people on it up until a couple weeks ago. When I wired Buxton, they knew nothing about it. I wanted to talk to you, but Bill wanted me to arrest them for trespassing."

"Let me check a few things." Jacobs said. "Then we might ride out there together and talk to them."

"I agree." Wynn said. "If they can show paperwork that we can trace, we might be able to help them. What else is going on?"

"We need to get ahead of this." Bill said coming in. "I think we need to arrest them."

"We don't have room." McGinty said. "Besides there were children."

"Bill." Wynn said. "Let me and Jacobs talk first. McGinty is also right, we are not putting children in jail. They might have thought it was a legitimate transaction."

"What else is going on if that is the least pressing." Jacobs said.

"I am sick of the Cadets." Bill said. "I told you that I am not babysitting them."

"What is going on with them, now?" Jacobs asked.

"There was lots of grumbling this morning about why they are here." Bill said. "They think that this is a test and there is no real danger. They have also made comments about how they should be doing actual work."

Wynn let out a harsh breath and slammed the chair into the table.

"I will deal with the Cadets." Jacobs said. "I guess washing dishes didn't get through to them."

"What else?" Wynn said.

"What are we supposed to do with seven extra Mounties in town." Bill said.

"They can take turns on guard duty." Jacobs said. "Especially with needing two at the house and two at the schoolhouse until further notice. They can also help keep an eye on the one pretending to be Campbell and guarding Amto."

"Okay." Bill said. "What else?"

"Have a couple go with McGinty on rounds." Wynn said. "Then they can help with that and I can use McGinty for other things."

"I take it we are still waiting on information." Bill said.

"Yes." Wynn said. "Divide up the work. There is plenty that needs to be done. Abigail needs help at the cafe. Mary Graves is on bed rest and Clara is only doing mornings this week and then is done to work at the dress shop. I am sure that there are widows that need wood chopped."

"Okay." Bill said. "I will work things out."

"And I will deal with the cadets." Jacobs said. "For now, inform them that they are restricted to quarters until on guard duty or otherwise assigned chores. I also warn them that I hear any more grumbling and the whole group will suffer. They can eat rations and I can come up with a very, very long list of chores."