Chapter 26
That evening Jane, Bingley, Mary and Mr. Hoskins found accommodation at the local inn, as there were not enough spare rooms in the house. A guest apartment with two bedchambers was prepared for Elizabeth and Cece.
Before dinner, Elizabeth gathered the rest of the teachers in a less formal meeting with tea and refreshments.
Fearful, expecting the worst regarding their own fate, the teachers remained stunned, lost for words, waiting for the verdict.
“You must be assured that my main preoccupation is the children’s well being, as well as yours.” Elizabeth said. “I aim to provide security and a chance for a better life for the children, and due comfort and appreciation for you. Any reasonable request you may have, feel free to apply to me.”
“This is what we hope for too, Lady Barrington,” Mrs. Russell replied.
“Forgive me, but my own observations so far have proven otherwise. I will need some time to change my opinion.”
The teachers lowered their eyes in shame, but Mrs. Russell continued daringly.
“As superintendent, I take full responsibility and I accept any penalty. The rest of the teachers did their best for the children, with the little they had. They are beyond reproach.”
“Mrs. Russell is blameless,” one of the young teachers said. “She argued with Mr. Mullen many times, but… we knew he was Lady Sedgewick’s nephew. He always did as he pleased. He is the clergyman of the parish and all the villagers obeyed him. He said he could dismiss us all...”
“We wished to leave many times, but we could not abandon the girls,” another teacher said. “Mrs. Russell is blameless—she is all we have here.”
“You must not worry—any of you,” Elizabeth declared. “We are not speaking of punishment, but of finding a way to improve things. And I trust each of you will contribute to this goal. I am counting on Mrs. Russell’s experience and goodwill, as much as in your willingness to work hard.”
“Lady Sedgewick spoke very highly of you, Mrs. Russell,” Cece interjected warmly. “Sadly, her ladyship's health did not allow her to travel in her last years, but now Lady Barrington will take care of everything.”
“Is Mr. Mullen gone for good? He will not return?” another teacher asked shyly.
“Mr. Mullen should not be allowed in the school again without my consent,” Elizabeth stated.
“The girls will be happy,” the teacher whispered, barely audibly.
“Lady Barrington, we would be grateful if you would tell us your specific requirements for the school,” Mrs. Russell said and the others approved.
“I will—and I am expecting your honest opinion. The first thing I have noticed is that, while the girls were starving, there was an entire orchard with apples, pears and plums, completely neglected. The produce may be gathered for jam and stewed fruits.”
“But…Mr. Mullen forbade us to enter the orchard! The food was provided by his servants, twice a week,” the answer came.
“I imagined as much. We will change this, starting tomorrow. We should take the girls, after class, to collect the fruit. I hope they will enjoy some time in the fresh air!”
“Dear Lord, they will love it,” Mrs. Russell said with excitement.
“Excellent. It will be the first small step towards managing this property so it may provide everything the school needs in terms of proper food. We will immediately purchase chickens, goats, pigs and two cows. We will need workers to build some shelters as soon as possible. In the spring, you will lay out a garden and will start growing vegetables. We will rent part of the estate for farming.”
The women stared at Elizabeth in disbelief.
“But…Lady Barrington, as much as we are willing to try, we do not know how to do that. We are teachers. And most of our time, we are involved in study and the girls’ education.”
“I am well aware of that. You should dedicate your time to the girls. I will hire more staff to run the school properly. You need more maids for proper cleaning, gardeners, workers for the animals, and most certainly farmers.”
“But… how will we afford all these things? The income barely covered the expenses as they were until now,” a teacher asked shyly.
“That is far from the truth. From what we saw—and Miss Cecilia, who is quite proficient in business, might confirm—the expenses were less than a quarter of the income. I assume the rest of the money was wasted! Or stolen.”
The astonishment silenced the teachers once again.
“We did not know that…I give you my word that we…” Mrs. Russell mumbled.
“I have not accused you; I am well aware the only one who controlled the finances was Mr. Mullen. This is why from now on, both the manager of the school and the future steward of the estate will work together as treasurers. If this estate is managed efficiently and honestly, despite the additional staff, I am sure the expenses will diminish and the income will increase in the next two years.”
“This is quite extraordinary,” Mrs. Russell whispered with great preoccupation.
“I am glad you approve of it, Mrs. Russell, as I hope you will take on the responsibilities of the school manager immediately. You may need to hire more teachers, since three have left and you now have a different assignment. I trust that you will act for the benefit of the pupils.”
The superintendent was lost; doubtful, tearful, she covered her mouth with trembling hands, gazing at Elizabeth in disbelief, while the other teachers began to applaud enthusiastically.
“First, however, I must finish laying out my demands. I forbid any child to work! All children are here for shelter and education—orphaned or not! Of course, the girls must be taught to accomplish the usual chores appropriate for their ages. Everyone must contribute to keep their rooms clean. This is mandatory for a young woman. I also expect that, besides their daily studies, encouraging the girls to do something they enjoy. Some of them might like gardening, others cooking, or teaching others, or singing or drawing. They must be taught good habits, but not those implied by Mr. Mullen. They need to be taught to follow the rules and disciplined when they do not, but in a kind, respectful way. We must show them the behaviour we expect from them! They must be punished if needed—but the punishment must be appropriate to the wrong. No children will ever be beaten or physically hurt in any way again! This is my firmest demand, one that I expect to be obeyed unconditionally.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mrs. Russell replied solemnly.
“Another delicate issue is to establish the additional benefits for the children who are supported by their families. We cannot deny them some increase in circumstances due to their family’s involvement.
But we must decide in what way. The basic classes must be mandatory for all the children, as well as the good food and comfortable clothing. ”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mrs. Russell repeated energetically, all her distress put aside and suddenly caught up in the enthusiasm for the long-due improvements.
Elizabeth smiled.
“And, starting tomorrow, we must hire some workers to repair the house. We will have neat rooms, colourful walls, clean beds and inspiring classrooms. And new, decent, age-appropriate clothes and shoes must be ordered for the girls. Simple, but comfortable. Considering there are fifty growing children, as well as the teachers, we will need new clothes often. It may be more efficient to hire two seamstresses and perhaps some of the older girls will learn the skill too. The winter is coming—we need wood to keep the school warm inside and thick clothes and shoes for children to play outside.”
Elizabeth continued to share her thoughts, animated and passionate, watched by Cece with unconcealed pride and by the teachers with equal veneration and disbelief.
Eventually, she stopped and glanced around. “So? What do you think?” she enquired.
“We will do everything we can to fulfill your expectations, Lady Barrington,” Mrs. Russell answered. “But…”
“Yes? Please do tell me what you think.”
“Is your ladyship certain that all this is possible? I do not doubt either your word or your good will, but it seems like a fairy tale. Several hours ago, the girls had burnt porridge for dinner, and now…I would rather not stir their hopes, if they will be shattered. I beg your forgiveness if my words sound offensive…We are truly grateful to you for your support. It is just that after all these years…”
Elizabeth stretched out her hand to the superintendent.
“Mrs. Russell, Lady Sedgewick’s support over the years would have been enough to already have Old Oak as I just described it.
Sadly, her ladyship’s trust and good heart have been deceived and betrayed once again and the girls suffered undeservingly.
All my expectations are the same as Lady Sedgewick intended.
The changes are not only possible but urgently required. As I said, starting tomorrow!”
Mrs. Russell’s eyes filled with tears, and the other teachers were no different. They only nodded, while Elizabeth and Cece struggled with their own emotions.
“Now let us go to dinner. We must announce the changes to the girls immediately. They deserve as much.”
∞∞∞
The dinner marked the start of a new life for fifty girls, their teachers and many others.
Bingley, Jane, Mary and Mr. Hoskins attended too and the latest news was shared with them.
Shocked, Mr. Hoskins insisted on accusing Mr. Mullen of deception and theft, but that was a subject for another time and place.
While the girls greedily enjoyed the food they had not touched in a long time, if ever, gathered closely at two tables back to back, loud discussions began, as never witnessed before at that school.
Through bursts of joy, many girls mentioned they had a sibling, a parent or a relative searching for employment, or expressed their willingness to work themselves.
In the joyous tumult, Darcy’s image appeared vividly in Elizabeth’s mind.
She painfully wished for him to be there, to see how much she had learned from him, how much knowledge and self confidence she had gained from his friendship, to share the sentiment of fulfillment with him.
And there, in the middle of the din, she realised one more time that such strong feelings and such a longing could not just mean friendship.
But since only friendship was possible, she must be resigned to it, if only she could meet him again soon.
The voices drew Elizabeth’s attention back to the room.
Among other girls of her age, shy and still scared, eating from the plate with both her little hands full, Elizabeth noticed May and her companion who had carried the buckets earlier, probably sitting at a proper dinner table for the first time.
That image was her best reward and the feeling that all her suffering in her marriage was worth it filled Elizabeth’s soul. She startled when she heard a weak call and turned to see Ruth—the girl who had been punished—waiting in tears, holding a much younger girl’s hand.
“Lady Barrington?”
“Yes, my dear? What happened? Are you unwell?”
“I am well, ma’am. I just want to say that I am not a thief and a liar,” the girl whispered. “I just took some biscuits because my little sister was hungry.”
Her emotions were too strong to bear and Elizabeth’s tears matched the girl’s. She embraced her tightly, then kissed the top of her head. Then slowly, unconsciously, Elizabeth gently removed all the pins from the girl's hair, releasing her blond locks and allowing them to fall loose.
Soon the other girls noticed and an immediate silence enveloped the room. Disbelief, reluctance, fear, some shy moves from the eldest, then cries of happiness as forty girls struggled to free their hair and their spirits, then surrounded Elizabeth in a circle of joy and gratitude.
The teachers, Mr. Hoskins and the rest of the party watched the scene, bewildered.
“This cannot be. This is beyond imagination,” Mrs. Russell whispered.
“Not at all,” Jane smiled. “This is my sister, Lady Elizabeth Barrington.”
∞∞∞
Lady Barrington stayed for three days at Old Oak School. She assisted in some classes, listened to them play and sing and admired their drawing.
She took them outside for a walk and they collected fruit together, then asked them to choose a place for the gardens. She changed the position of some rooms to offer more accommodation and encouraged the girls to reach an agreement about the colour of the walls in the rooms.
She asked the girls to listen to their teachers, to be diligent in their studies and kind to each other.
She promised to visit them again soon and departed with her heart heavy with happiness, sadness, and hope while the girls waved to her under the old oak, which suddenly did not seem so lonely.