Chapter 3

           “Iseethatyouwillbethirteenintwomonths,Elizabeth,”Mrs.Deardorffsaid.

           “Yes,ma’am.”Bethwasseatedinthestraight-backedchairinfrontofMrs.Deardorff’sdesk.Fergussenhadcomeandtakenherfromstudyhall.Itwaseleveninthemorning.Shehadnotbeeninthisofficeforoverthreeyears.

           Theladyonthesofasuddenlyspokeup,withstrainedcheerfulness.“Twelveissuchawonderfulage!”shesaid.

           Theladyworeabluecardiganoverasilkydress.Shewouldhavebeenprettyexceptforalltherougeandlipstickandforthenervouswaysheworkedhermouthwhenshetalked.Themansittingnexttoherworeagraysalt-and-peppertweedsuitwithavest.

           “Elizabethhasperformedwellinallofherschoolwork,”Mrs.Deardorffwenton.“SheisatthetopofherclassinReadingandArithmetic.”

           “That’ssonice!”theladysaid.“IwassuchascatterbrainatArithmetic.”ShesmiledatBethbrightly.“I’mMrs.Wheatley,”sheaddedinaconfidentialtone.

           Themanclearedhisthroatandsaidnothing.Helookedasifhewantedtobesomewhereelse.

           Bethnoddedatthelady’sremarkbutcouldthinkofnothingtosay.Whyhadtheybroughtherhere?

           Mrs.DeardorffwentonaboutBeth’sschoolworkwhiletheladyinthebluecardiganpaidraptattention.Mrs.DeardorffsaidnothingaboutthegreenpillsoraboutBeth’schessplaying;hervoiceseemedfilledwithadistantapprovalofBeth.Whenshehadfinishedtherewasanembarrassedsilenceforawhile.