As Joe strained against the leash, loathing school more and more, Scamp flowered. She enjoyed her lessons, loved Miss Jones and liked being with her friends. She rarely got into trouble, saving her mischief for home. The only thing that bothered her was the slowness of the rest of the class.
"They're so dumb," she told her father.
"I hope you don't include Little Joe in that."
"No, not Joe, he's not stupid, he's just lazy."
Ben chuckled. "You may have a point there but it's still not a very nice thing to say. I'm sure the children are trying their best."
"That's just it, Pa, they don't. They're always messing around. Miss Jones is constantly bawling them out. She even gets the switch out occasionally."
"And I hope you're never on the receiving end?"
"No, of course not!" Scamp answered, rather offended. "Nor Little Joe, although he's far naughtier than me. She's only used it a couple of times. It's just I want to learn and she has to spend time with them. She's told me that she's sorry she can't go into more depth with me but it's not her fault. The questions they ask are so dumb, Pa."
"Well, you've always been a clever little thing. You're like Adam. If he weren't so busy on the ranch he might be able to give you a little extra teaching himself."
"Do you think he'd agree?"
"I don't know. But ever since I can remember he's loved spending time with you and teaching you various things. It's whether I can spare him or not."
"Oh, please, Pa! You could always get a couple more hands."
"Oh, yes? And who's going to pay for that? You?"
"Oh, you can afford it, Pa!"
"Now, listen here, Miss, don't go spending my money for me." She could tell he was not really angry. "You can't just get things because you ask for them, I thought I'd taught you that. You're a very fortunate little girl."
"I know, Pa, I'm sorry. I don't mean to, it's just I think I could do more. I get bored because a lot of things in class I already know. I stick my hand up so often Miss Jones asks me not to so the other kids can have a go. Not that they ever get it right, of course."
"I hope you're not getting arrogant, Scamp."
"I try not to be. It's just I know I'm more clever than them."
He saw she was not being vain, merely honest. She was so straightforward she never indulged in false modesty and told things as she saw them. He furrowed his brow with thought. "Alright, darling. I think I'm making a rod for my own back but I'll think about it. Anything so you don't go on and on."
"Thank you, Pa," she smiled, kissing him. "I know you'd do it for the boys, too."
She skipped off to play with Little Joe while Ben sat in contemplation for a while. He wished he had Marie to talk to. But he decided he would speak to Adam when he got back.
"You want to do your best for her, don't you, Pa?" his eldest son asked that evening.
"How can you ask that, Adam? You know I do!"
"She's bright, Pa, really bright. She's telling you she's bored in class because she already knows the lesson. Really, what is the point of sending her there if she already knows the stuff they're teaching her?"
"But what good will it do her? When she's a wife and mother she'll find she's quite educated enough."
"Look, I can't see that happening."
"She'll want that when she grows up."
Adam sighed. "I don't mind teaching her, in fact I'd enjoy it. Pa, be fair. You know if it was one of us you'd agree. You've always brought her up to be feisty and independent. She's not like other girls, you know that. It would be a pity to waste that brain of hers. She can't help being clever."
Ben put up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright! I can't fight both of you. I'll think about the best thing to do."