She grinned. “Those boys are being terrible today, aren’t they?”
“Yes, and a couple of the girls are going right along with them.”
She nodded, her braids bobbing and face solemn. “You should make them all stay in after school this afternoon.”
He chuckled. “You’re probably right. But I think I’d rather just send them outside and let them run off some of their energy.”
He walked over to one of the front desks and asked Molly to gather up the assignments. As soon as she’d handed them to him and he had them stacked, the class settled down in anticipation of being dismissed for lunch.
Charles raised a hand to get their attention. At the serious look on his face, a few of the students had the grace to appear embarrassed. “Boys and girls,” he began. Enunciating carefully and signing as well, he reprimanded them for their behavior and said that most of them deserved detention.
Faces crumpled and a few groans rent the air.
Charles let them think about it for a few minutes. “However, consider this your only warning. Next time will result in staying after school at the end of the day and extra chores.”
Relief washed over their faces and they perked up.
“Now everyone line up at the door quietly and in order. It’s almost time to go.”
They scrambled to obey, and Charles went to the front of the line to get their attention once more. “Remember, no running in the halls.” He gave a nod to the girl who was door monitor today. She opened it, then stood with her back against it as the rest of the students filed past her.
As the last of the children scurried downstairs to wash their hands before the meal, Charles sat at his desk for a moment of silence.
Now that the hectic morning was over, a spear of excitement shot through him. Livvy would be here after the noon meal to teach the girls’ first riding lesson. Maybe she’d let him observe. Nah, better not ask. But maybe he could sneak a look or two.
A rumble in his stomach reminded him that the students would be lining up by the dining room door. He stood and sauntered down to the main foyer where boys and girls were already standing on the shining hardwood floor in two orderly lines.
The delicious aroma of Selma’s chicken and dumplings tantalized his taste buds. He was also hoping for pecan or apple pie today.
Howard, the boys’ dorm parent, stood at the head of the boys’ line, so Charles took the rear.
Sonny turned his head and gave him a grin. “Sorry we were bad in class, Mr. Charles.”
“You weren’t bad, Sonny. But you did misbehave. I’m sure you won’t do it again.”
“No, sir! Don’t want them extra chores.”
“Those extra chores.”
“Yep, sure don’t want ’em.”
Charles grinned and started to ruffle the boy’s hair, but thought better of it. It lay neat for a change. He grinned and gave a gentle pull to Sonny’s ear instead.
Within a few minutes, everyone was seated and two servers with white aprons and their heads tied up with white scarves, entered, each carrying a container of soup. Gumbo, Charles hoped. Sissy lifted the lid on hers and started down the table. The smell of creole spices, tomato and okra floated through the room. Charles grinned in appreciation. There was nothing that satisfied his palate quite like Georgia gumbo.
Sissy grinned as she ladled the stew into his bowl. “Here you go, Mr. Charles, especially for you. Cook say so herself.”
“Well, tell Cook I give her my humble thanks. I’ve been yearning for it for three weeks now.”
Her cocoa-colored face shone, and she giggled. “It only been two weeks since she made it last, Mr. Charles. You know that.”
“Well, it seems much longer.”
Charles loved the lighthearted banter around the table. The children and staff ate together for the midday meal and it seemed that everyone went out of their way to make it a happy time. Or maybe it was a happy time because of the children. They did tend to lighten the mood.
Molly Flannigan’s hand shot up.
“Yes, Molly?” Hannah Wilson responded.
“I have a question for Mr. Charles.”
Charles looked over and smiled. “And that would be me. How may I help you, Miss Molly?”
She giggled. “Do we get to ride the horses today?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know the answer to that. I’m not sure what Miss Olivia has planned for your first lesson. But I rather doubt it.”
“Oh.” She drooped a little, and then bounced back up with her usual smile. “But we’ll probably get to pet the horses.”
Another hand shot up. Margaret Long stared straight at him, her hand waving.
“Yes, Margaret.”