Read Darkwater for Free Online Page B

echoing along the hall. A distant door closed. It seemed to her that the light had grown dim in the room.
    * * * * * * *
    Helen said, “Would you like me to bring the children in now? You’ll want a chance to get acquainted with them before you actually start lessons.”
    â€œYes. I will need to know just what they have been taught before, and then there is the question of their textbooks. What have you here?”
    â€œThere are some textbooks there,” Helen said, indicating one of the lower shelves. “Whatever else you think necessary can be ordered. I will bring the children.”
    She was back in a few minute, shepherding the three youngsters. Jennifer saw that Peter and Mary looked a bit apprehensive but nonetheless excited at the prospect of a new routine. The oldest of the three, the girl Liza, looked sullen and resentful. Jennifer guessed that, as she was obviously quite a bit older than the other two, perhaps she resented being treated as a child the same as them.
    Whatever the reasons, her instincts told her that whatever problems she might have would center around Liza and not the other two.
    Helen left them alone in the library. Jennifer faced the three youngsters and said, “Now then, so we make no mistakes, let us get reacquainted. I am Miss Hale, and will you each please tell me your name again and how old you are?”
    â€œI’m Peter and I am seven,” the boy said.
    â€œSix,” the little girl said.
    Peter’s bright smile turned to a frown. “I am almost seven,” he said with an angry look at his sister.
    â€œVery well,” Jennifer interceded, “Six and a half will do nicely. And you?”
    â€œI am Mary, and I am eight and a half.”
    The oldest of the three sat gazing from the window at the green field outside. She pointedly ignored the others in the room.
    â€œAren’t you going to tell me your name?” Jennifer asked her.
    â€œYou have already been told my name.”
    â€œPerhaps I would like to hear it again,” Jennifer said firmly. “And I would like you to look at me when you are speaking to me, please.”
    The girl turned then and looked directly at her. Jennifer was startled by her expression. It was not one of girlish temper, as she might have expected, but a look of mature malevolence. For a moment it disconcerted her.
    â€œI am Liza,” the girl said, almost spitting the words at her.
    â€œAnd how old are you, Liza?” Jennifer asked, recovering her composure. It would not do, she knew from experience, to let this child start off on the wrong foot. It would undo any future attempts at discipline.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œYou don’t know?” Jennifer asked, astonished. The girl only continued to stare at her, now with a blank expression that told nothing of what she was thinking or feeling. “What of your parents?”
    â€œI have no parents.”
    Unexpectedly, Peter cried, “Her mother is the swamp witch.”
    â€œThat isn’t true,” Liza cried, leaping to her feet. Afterward, Jennifer was certain that Liza would have struck Peter had not she also risen to her feet and spoken sharply.
    â€œLiza,” she said. The girl froze where she was and looked at her angrily.
    â€œThat wasn’t true,” Liza said.
    â€œWhether it was or was not, we shall have discipline while we are at lessons,” Jennifer said sternly.
    â€œI am not afraid of you.”
    Jennifer was momentarily taken aback by this display of impertinence. She hesitated briefly, not knowing just how far she was permitted to go in disciplining the children.
    â€œYou will do as I say or I shall have to speak to Mr. Dere.”
    That threat at least had some magic effect. The taut anger seemed suddenly to leave Liza’s body and without further argument she returned sullenly to her seat.
    Jennifer studied the three faces before her. She saw that Peter and Mary had been