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Chapter 3
ShewantedtoknowaboutBeth’sdietandherschoolworkandwhatplansshehadforthesummer.Mrs.Wheatleydidmostofthetalking.Bethcouldseeherbecomemoreexpansivewitheachquestion.“Youcanhavenoidea,”Mrs.Wheatleysaid,“ofhowmarvelouslywellBethhasadjustedtotheschoolenvironment.Herteachershavebeenimmenselyimpressedwithherwork…”
BethcouldnotrememberanyconversationsbetweenMrs.Wheatleyandtheteachersatschool,butshesaidnothing.
“IhadhopedtoseeMr.Wheatley,too,”MissFarleysaid.“Willhebeheresoon?”
Mrs.Wheatleysmiledather.“Allstoncalledearliertosayhewasterriblysorry,buthecouldn’tcome.He’sreallybeenworkingsohard.”ShelookedoveratBeth,stillsmiling.“Allstonisamarvelousprovider.”
“IsheabletospendmuchtimewithBeth?”MissFarleysaid.
“Why,ofcourse!”Mrs.Wheatleysaid.“Allstonisawonderfulfathertoher.”
Shocked,Bethlookeddownatherhands.NotevenJolenecouldliesowell.Foramomentshehadbelieveditherself,hadseenanimageofahelpful,fatherlyAllstonWheatley—anAllstonWheatleywhodidnotexistoutsideofMrs.Wheatley’swords.Butthensherememberedtherealone,grim,distantandsilent.Andtherehadbeennocallfromhim.
Duringthehourtheywerethere,Fergussensaidalmostnothing.Whentheygotuptoleave,heheldouthishandtoBethandherheartsank.“Goodtoseeyou,Harmon,”hesaid.Shetookhishandtoshakeit,wishingthathecouldstaybehindsomehow,tobewithher.
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AfewdayslaterMrs.
