the first term was safely inside. After tucking it under her handkerchief, Luellen smoothed her skirt, folded the quilt across the end of the bed, and straightened her scattered belongings. She tied her bonnet under her chin and closed the door behind her.
Halfway along College Avenue, she heard the bell toll two o’clock. Picking up her pace, she hurried the last blocks to the school. The corridor in Allenwood Hall felt blessedly cool after the heat outside. She strode toward Dr. Alexander’s office.
The young man at the front desk looked up. “Miss McGarvie. You’re expected. Go on back.”
She lifted her head, remembering with a smile Franklin’s friend, Lieutenant Calder. Hold your chin up and look everyone in the eye , he’d said. Somewhere in his life he must’ve had reason to put his own advice into practice, or he wouldn’t know it worked.
Dr. Alexander stood until she’d seated herself, then lifted her test papers from a stack on his desk. His eyes met hers. “I’m sure you must realize your answers in many places were insufficient. In addition to practice teaching in our Model School, our students are expected to reach high standards academically. You cannot teach what you do not know. Allenwood is not organized to compensate for the failures of secondary schools.”
His words stung. Luellen had been at the top of her class every year. She’d read all the books her school offered, and purchased as many others as she could afford. She rose, resting her fingertips on the edge of his desk.
“May I propose a bargain? Admit me for this term and allow me to study the areas I don’t yet know. I’m certain Allenwood’s library can provide the materials. Then let me take the test again. If my answers are still inadequate, I’ll leave. If I succeed, enroll me in the following term without reservations.”
Dr. Alexander studied her, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. “Fair enough. I must say, with that attitude you’re several steps ahead as far as classroom control is concerned.”
He gestured toward the chair. “Please sit. I need to enter your name in the registry.” An oversized ledger lay open beside his right hand. “You’re aware of our fees?”
“The acceptance letter spelled them out quite clearly. Ten dollars for the term, and thirty-five for room and board on campus—is that correct?” She placed her hand over her reticule.
“Yes. You will lodge in the Ladies Hall. You may have noticed the building to the left when you entered.”
She nodded.
“Matron Bledsoe will assign your room.” He held out his hand. “On receipt of satisfactory fees, you may have your possessions delivered there at any time.”
Luellen passed the draft across his desk.
He hesitated.
“Isn’t that the correct amount?”
“It is, but since last month’s bank panic in New York, local bankers have put severe restrictions on even routine transactions. I’m reluctant to accept a draft. Would you be able to pay in specie? Gold or silver coin?”
A headache squeezed her temples. Where would she get forty-five dollars in coin? Were her savings in Bryant County Bank at risk? “I could go to the railroad depot and telegraph my father.” Her voice wobbled. “Even if he’s able to help, it will take time.”
Dr. Alexander cupped his hand over his mouth and studied her. A compassionate expression crossed his face. Again, he reminded her of Uncle Matthew. “Let me see what our bursar advises.” He made a notation in the ledger. “Meantime, feel free to occupy a room in the Ladies Hall. Classes will start next Monday. My assistant has the schedule.”
She stood and extended her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Alexander. For everything.” Luellen left the office, her head spinning. She’d been allowed to register, but for how long? Could a bank failure in New York affect her savings in Illinois?
Belle called a greeting from the parlor when Luellen entered the rooming house. “Come sit with
Halfway along College Avenue, she heard the bell toll two o’clock. Picking up her pace, she hurried the last blocks to the school. The corridor in Allenwood Hall felt blessedly cool after the heat outside. She strode toward Dr. Alexander’s office.
The young man at the front desk looked up. “Miss McGarvie. You’re expected. Go on back.”
She lifted her head, remembering with a smile Franklin’s friend, Lieutenant Calder. Hold your chin up and look everyone in the eye , he’d said. Somewhere in his life he must’ve had reason to put his own advice into practice, or he wouldn’t know it worked.
Dr. Alexander stood until she’d seated herself, then lifted her test papers from a stack on his desk. His eyes met hers. “I’m sure you must realize your answers in many places were insufficient. In addition to practice teaching in our Model School, our students are expected to reach high standards academically. You cannot teach what you do not know. Allenwood is not organized to compensate for the failures of secondary schools.”
His words stung. Luellen had been at the top of her class every year. She’d read all the books her school offered, and purchased as many others as she could afford. She rose, resting her fingertips on the edge of his desk.
“May I propose a bargain? Admit me for this term and allow me to study the areas I don’t yet know. I’m certain Allenwood’s library can provide the materials. Then let me take the test again. If my answers are still inadequate, I’ll leave. If I succeed, enroll me in the following term without reservations.”
Dr. Alexander studied her, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. “Fair enough. I must say, with that attitude you’re several steps ahead as far as classroom control is concerned.”
He gestured toward the chair. “Please sit. I need to enter your name in the registry.” An oversized ledger lay open beside his right hand. “You’re aware of our fees?”
“The acceptance letter spelled them out quite clearly. Ten dollars for the term, and thirty-five for room and board on campus—is that correct?” She placed her hand over her reticule.
“Yes. You will lodge in the Ladies Hall. You may have noticed the building to the left when you entered.”
She nodded.
“Matron Bledsoe will assign your room.” He held out his hand. “On receipt of satisfactory fees, you may have your possessions delivered there at any time.”
Luellen passed the draft across his desk.
He hesitated.
“Isn’t that the correct amount?”
“It is, but since last month’s bank panic in New York, local bankers have put severe restrictions on even routine transactions. I’m reluctant to accept a draft. Would you be able to pay in specie? Gold or silver coin?”
A headache squeezed her temples. Where would she get forty-five dollars in coin? Were her savings in Bryant County Bank at risk? “I could go to the railroad depot and telegraph my father.” Her voice wobbled. “Even if he’s able to help, it will take time.”
Dr. Alexander cupped his hand over his mouth and studied her. A compassionate expression crossed his face. Again, he reminded her of Uncle Matthew. “Let me see what our bursar advises.” He made a notation in the ledger. “Meantime, feel free to occupy a room in the Ladies Hall. Classes will start next Monday. My assistant has the schedule.”
She stood and extended her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Alexander. For everything.” Luellen left the office, her head spinning. She’d been allowed to register, but for how long? Could a bank failure in New York affect her savings in Illinois?
Belle called a greeting from the parlor when Luellen entered the rooming house. “Come sit with
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