A Marriage for Meghan

by Mary Ellis

  Catherine stopped smiling. “Without waiting for my answer?” Her tone revealed her irritation.

  “You’re a good girl, daughter. I knew you would come home if we needed you. And we do. Some of the elders weren’t happy about how I had handled matters with your older sister.”

  She knew he referred to his willingness to mortgage the farm to raise bail money when Abigail had been arrested for an incident regarding her midwife duties. “I’m not a girl, daed. I’m a grown woman who has a home to prepare for when Isaiah returns.”

  He met her gaze, his eyes pleading. “Your wedding is almost a year away. Please, Catherine, your schwester might learn how to be a good teacher under your supervision. You can’t believe how excited she is about this opportunity.”

  How could she say no to the man who had sacrificed in countless ways to provide for his wife and five children? She released a sigh. “All right. As long as the class appears normal, instead of a herd of wild mustangs, I’ll take the job.”

  He jumped to his feet. “Danki. Why don’t you drive the buggy to the school? You could see Meghan in action and talk to Joanna before she leaves for the day.”

  “Right now? I haven’t unpacked my bag, washed my hands and face, or had a bite to eat.”

  Ruth appeared in the doorway. “I fixed you a sandwich and threw some packets of hand wipes into the bag. James has brought the buggy around and heated up a lap robe.” She held the paper sack in her outstretched hand. “Plus, I’ll unpack your suitcase while you’re gone.”

  Catherine shook her head and marched to where she’d hung up her coat and bonnet. “Why does it feel as though I’ve been ambushed?” she muttered, taking the sack from her mamm on her way by.

  “Don’t fret. I put half a dozen of your favorite cookies in the bag too.” Ruth was grinning almost as broadly as her ehemann.

  Catherine barely had time to eat the sandwich before arriving at the schoolhouse. The oatmeal raisin cookies would have to wait for the trip home. Tying the horse at the hitching post, she didn’t bother to unharness because she wouldn’t be staying long. Fortunately, the students were outside at recess, and she immediately spotted Joanna Kauffman. A moment later the teacher approached holding the hands of two little girls. With her coat unbuttoned, she definitely looked thicker through the middle than the last time Catherine had seen her.

  “Welcome, Catherine,” Joanna greeted. “I’m very glad to see you.”

  “Danki, it’s good to see you looking in the pink of health. But where is my sister?” Catherine looked left and right. “I thought she was in training.”

  “She’s over there, in the ball field. Meghan organized a game of kickball.” Joanna gestured her head toward the left.

  “On such a damp and slushy day?” Catherine asked, focusing her eyes in the indicated direction. Sure enough, even at this distance, she spotted plenty of skirt hems and trouser legs among the students.

  “Jah, I thought the same thing, but it’s been a week. I had to start allowing her to make decisions, even if she must live with the consequences of her choices.”

  Catherine nodded in agreement. “How is she doing? And please don’t mince words.”

  Joanna dropped the children’s hands. “You two run off and play,” she ordered. Once they headed to the swings, she continued. “Meghan has only had playground duty thus far. Although she’s good at finding interesting games to play, unfortunately she joins in the game with them. Yesterday she organized a boys-against-girls snowball fight. I must say, that worked out rather poorly for the girls.” Joanna arched one eyebrow. “I had to point out to her later that we don’t allow combat on school grounds.”

  Catherine swallowed hard. “I wouldn’t think so.”

  “She hasn’t yet grasped the idea that all the students are her responsibility. She must monitor every activity instead of involving herself in one. I’m monitoring the rest of the children during her kickball game, but she must prepare for solo duty if she wishes to become a teacher.”

  The discussion had made Catherine feel disloyal to her sister. “Maybe she will excel with indoor subjects. I know for a fact Meghan is a gifted storyteller.”

  Joanna pondered the new information. “In that case, this afternoon she’ll get her chance.” To a nearby child, she said, “Please tell Meghan I wish to speak with her. And try not to get muddy,” Joanna called after the girl.

  “I’d love to see her in action,” said Catherine. “It will help me make up my mind.”

  Joanna looked bewildered. “I thought an arrangement had already been reached. I’m starting to show. I can’t stay much longer.” She lovingly placed a hand on her belly. “Meghan isn’t ready, Catherine. Perhaps by the fall she will be, but she isn’t now.”

  Catherine lifted her chin. “In that case, my mind is officially made up.”

  “Danki. I’ll sleep easier tonight with that knowledge.”

  Meghan darted across the playground with glowing pink cheeks and a dazzling smile. “Hi, Cat. You’ve come! Welcome.” She threw her arms around Catherine’s shoulders and hugged until the teacher cleared her throat.

  “Meghan,” said Joanna, “I understand you enjoy telling stories. Are you familiar with Jesus’ parable of the Great Feast? It can be found in Luke 14.”

  Meghan pondered for a moment. “Jah, sure. A man prepared a big feast and sent out many invitations. When the food was ready, he sent his servant to spread the word. But folks started making excuses as to why they couldn’t come, and the man became very angry.” She smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt.

  “That’s right,” said Joanna. “What happened then? Do you fully understand the meaning, the lesson we’re to learn from the parable?”

  Meghan nodded. “The man went out to gather the poor, the blind, the crippled, and the homeless from the streets until his house was full. He said none of those who were first invited would receive the smallest taste of the banquet.” She gazed from one woman to the other.

  “Exactly, but what was Jesus trying to teach us?”

  Meghan needed no time to consider. “That anybody who hears His Word but turns his back on God won’t be getting a second invite to heaven.”

  Catherine relaxed and exhaled, while Joanna smiled. “Well said. Now, I would like you to blow the whistle. Recess is over. Take the students inside and read Luke 14:15-24 aloud to the entire class. Afterward, the middle grades, Group B, will retell the story in their own words. The oldest scholars, Group C, will do the same, but also write down the moral of the parable in their own words. With Group A, the youngest kinner, you will talk about the story and then practice reading up front. Do you understand my instructions?”

  Meghan’s jaw dropped open. “By myself?”

  “Jah, by yourself. I think you’re ready. Catherine and I will come inside in a little while. That way you won’t be as nervous the first time you take charge.”

  All color had drained from Meghan’s face as Joanna handed over the whistle. “Right now?” Meghan squeaked.

  “They can’t play all afternoon. It’s past time.” Joanna crossed her arms.

  “We’ll be right here and will join you soon,” added Catherine, hoping to build confidence in her sister.

  It took three blasts from the whistle, but Meghan finally got their attention. She herded them inside, single file. It was a shame that at least one-third of the kinner were Meghan’s size or taller. Somehow size matters when a person assumes control, Catherine thought as she whispered a silent prayer.

  “Let’s give Meghan a little time,” said Joanna, after the students disappeared through the double doors. “It’s unnerving to be watched when you’re new on the job.”

  The two women sat on the swings and enjoyed discussing baby names, the cabin addition, and Catherine’s sketchy wedding plans. After fifteen minutes, they toed off their outer boots in the hallway and entered the classroom

  All vestiges of decorum had evaporated. It was amazing they hadn’t heard the cacophony o
ut in the yard.

  Clusters of girls stood talking by the window. Groups of boys were huddled on several benches, discussing who knew what. Several of the taller boys competed in a game of basketball using paper wads and the trash can. Most of their shots hadn’t been accurate. Meghan sat perched on the folding chair in front of the room with a primer on her lap. Primers were open on the little ones’ laps too, but most of those children were crying.

  Joanna and Catherine exchanged a momentary glance and then flew in different directions.

  “You boys pick up those paper wads immediately.” Joanna didn’t shout nor even raise her voice, yet her tone meant business. “Then take your seats and put your heads down. I don’t wish to see your faces for ten minutes.” She garnered immediate and total compliance.

  Catherine marched to the group of girls chatting as though at a social event. “Sit down this instant and take out paper and pencil. Write out the parable in your own words instead of talking about it all afternoon.” The girls quickly obeyed, blushing with shame. With two calamities resolved and quiet restored, Catherine joined Joanna by the teacher’s desk.

  Meghan glanced up at them. “I asked Group A to read silently and then tell me what they read, but they just stare at the page. And I don’t know why they’re so upset.” She also looked ready to cry.

  Joanna’s expression turned remorseful. “I’m sorry, Meghan. I should have explained that the first graders can’t read on their own. They’re still learning the spoken English language. They follow along word by word while I read to help sight recognition. They’re crying because they want to do what you asked, but they cannot.”

  Meghan paled. “Oh, my! Mir leid,” she apologized as she opened her arms wide. The six-year-olds ran into a huge group hug. “I didn’t know,” she explained in Deutsch over and over.

  Catherine had to look away when she noticed tears on her sister’s face. Joanna allowed them another minute, and then she calmly took charge of the reading group. Soon the rest of the class were copying spelling words to write twenty times, while the youngest practiced the alphabet from big block letters mounted above the chalkboard.

  Both sisters had crept to the back of the room. They squeezed onto the eighth grade benches to observe Joanna juggle balls in the air expertly. Meghan sat with the girls, but Catherine settled next to the boys, whose behavior improved dramatically with her close proximity. When dismissal time arrived, Catherine breathed a sigh of relief. The sisters told Joanna goodbye and walked out into the bright sunshine. Meghan’s face was as long as a winter shadow.

  “I’ll never learn to be good teacher,” she moaned. Her tone sought neither pity nor a denial. She merely stated the obvious.

  “That’s not true.” Catherine reached for her sister’s hand. “You will master classroom management given enough time, along with my help and guidance.”

  “Do you mean you’ll stay until I learn? You’ll come every day?” Meghan’s face brightened with hope. “I have never wanted anything so much as I want to be a teacher—a good teacher.”

  Catherine drew Meghan close to her side. “I’ll stay as long as I’m needed. Even if Isaiah has to build a temporary cabin behind the school.”

  Meghan hugged her tightly. “You’re the best schwester in the world. Danki.”

  “You remember that when we’re sharing a bathroom again and both trying to get ready for work. In the meantime, let’s go home. Our poor horse needs his oats. I hadn’t planned to stay this long today. And we have cookies to eat along the way.”

  Just as they climbed into the buggy, a voice called out. “Wait up, Meghan.” Jacob Schultz stepped out from the row of pine trees where he’d parked his two-seater buggy. “I’ve come to drive you home.”

  Meghan jumped at the sound of the male voice behind them. Jacob Schultz. Will I get no peace from that man? She’d just seen him yesterday and accepted a ride home. If they kept this up, word would get around the district that they were courting. She slowly turned to face him but remained on the buggy’s step. “Hello, Jacob. You came out two days in a row? You should better plan your errands. I’m riding home with my sister.”

  He ducked his head into the buggy and tipped his hat. “Hullo, Catherine. You back home from Abigail’s?”

  Catherine shifted on the seat. “Jah, for the time being I am. I’ll be helping Meghan in the classroom.” She looked at her sister. “If you would prefer to ride home with Jacob, my feelings won’t be hurt.”

  “And let you eat all the oatmeal cookies?” asked Meghan, sitting down beside her. “Not a chance.” She turned her best smile toward Jacob. “Danki for the offer, but Catherine and I should discuss what happened today in class. Apparently, I need more teaching pointers than I thought. When we get home, we’ll have chores besides dinner to fix. So this might be our only chance.”

  “Sure, I understand,” he said. “Were those boys acting up again? Don’t forget my offer to speak to them privately.”

  Meghan reached under the seat for an extra lap robe so he wouldn’t see her roll her eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”

  Jacob removed his hat and leaned further into their buggy. His green eyes sparked with the late afternoon sun. “Pardon me for speaking in front of your schwester, Meggie, but I wondered if you’re coming to the Sunday’s singing. It’s at our house this time, and I’ve split so much wood the barn will be as warm as a July afternoon. If you can catch a ride there, maybe with Catherine, I’d be happy to give you a lift home.” He clutched his hat to his chest like an old-fashioned gentleman in storybooks.

  Meghan shook her head. “Catherine won’t be attending socials while her intended is away in Kentucky.”

  “One of your bruders then. I know James and John seldom miss events where unlimited cookies and sweets will be served.”

  She laughed in spite of herself. “I won’t promise, but I’ll try to come. We must be off now, Jacob. The horse is hungry and growing restless.”

  He pulled back his head of fiery red-blond hair. “Hope you’ll come on Sunday. And nice to see you again, Catherine.” He disappeared from view as Meghan clucked to the horse and shook the reins.

  Catherine waited to speak until they had reached the township road. “You shouldn’t have referred to Isaiah as my intended, Meghan. We probably won’t announce our engagement until the fall around harvesttime.”

  “That wasn’t the only thing I shouldn’t have done.” Meghan slumped down under the warm woolen cover.

  “What do you mean? I thought you liked Jacob. He’s been your friend for ages. I still remember how you two fished for hours on the riverbank and brought home a bucket of trout for Abby to fry. You would sneak off swimming with him while mamm thought you were reading or sewing in the meadow. You were such a tomboy!”

  Meghan smiled at the pleasant memories. “I do like him, but I also know he’s in the market for a wife. I’m only nineteen, Cat. I want to be a teacher, not find myself in the same pickle Joanna Kauffman is in.”

  “Meghan!” scolded Catherine, but she couldn’t keep from laughing. “Joanna doesn’t consider herself to be ‘in a pickle.’ She and her husband are looking forward to the birth of their first boppli. She can barely contain her joy.”

  “That’s well and good for the Kauffmans, but I hope to enjoy many years of teaching school. I don’t intend to marry until I’m at least as old as you.”

  Catherine wrinkled her nose. “Twenty-three is not old.”

  “Sorry. I just meant I plan to work before settling down as someone’s wife.” She gazed over the fields of glistening snow and felt a wistful longing for something she couldn’t name.

  “Okay, Miss Teacher. Let’s talk about today. Do you understand what went wrong when Joanna put you in charge of the class?”

  Meghan was grateful for the change of subject. “I do. First, I didn’t realize that the young ones couldn’t read yet. I need to read to them while they follow along. Second, when Joanna said the students should tell the parable i
n their own words, she didn’t mean verbally. She meant they should write the story down on paper. You can’t have several groups talking at once; it’s too distracting. And, finally, I should have stopped the boys’ horseplay after the first paper wad hit the trash can.”

  “That’s correct,” said Catherine. “From what I saw this afternoon, Joanna has only one verbal activity going on while the other groups work quietly. She keeps an eye on the lesson up front, while her other eye watches the rest of classroom. That way mischief doesn’t get out of hand.”

  “It’s a good thing I have twenty-twenty vision in both eyes,” said Meghan, patting her sister’s arm. “And I’m very glad you showed up today. Now, where are those cookies?”

  Meghan settled back with her snack to review the day’s events in her mind. She wanted to prepare herself for tomorrow…and forget about Jacob Schultz, with his courting buggy and flashing smile.

  Bishop Gideon Yost was a contented man that January evening. His fraa had prepared his favorite meal—baked pork chops, chunky applesauce, pickled cauliflower, and mashed yams with cinnamon butter. Patting his stomach, he pulled on his boots and coat. His middle daughter was back home and would be a good influence on his willynilly youngest child. His sons had shoveled the driveway all the way to the road. And Ruth had baked an extra apple pie for him to take to the neighbors. As he walked the short distance to Stephen’s house, he gave thanks for his blessings, including that the deacon lived next door. A man needed a strong cup of coffee and an occasional pipeful of tobacco with a friend during trying times. And Stephen could be counted on, provided an apple pie with crumb topping was involved.

  Although neither man’s wife allowed tobacco smoke indoors, Stephen had partially enclosed his back porch on two sides. It comfortably accommodated their evening discussions in all but the foulest weather.