John turned to Susan, and asked, “Did you get all the information you need for now? I was thinking we should returnhome.”
“Yes, if you like. But Elizabeth does seem to be enjoying herself. I hate to take her away when she’s having so muchfun.”
“We can arrange for her to play againsoon.”
“Very well, I’ll go fetchher.”
Susan went to the group of playinggirls.
“Elizabeth, it’s time for us to go home,dear.”
Elizabeth looked up. “Ah, do I have to? I’m having such a lot offun.”
“We can do this againsoon.”
Elizabeth grabbed the hand of a girl her age and brought her over toSusan.
“This is my new friend, Sara, and she has a twin brother, Patrick. Can they come to play with mesometime?”
“That might be possible. We’ll need to speak to your father about that.” Susan squatted down and took Sara’s hand. “Hello, Miss Sara, I’m Miss Wilton. It’s a pleasure to meetyou.”
“Likewise,” she said shyly, pulling at her dress and tilting herhead.
“And what’s your lastname?”
“Franklin.”
“Then Sara Franklin, Elizabeth needs to go home now, but we’ll try and arrange for her to play with you again verysoon.”
“Good. I’ve got to go back now. Good-bye.” Sara said and scamperedoff.
* * *
Elizabeth was exhaustedby the time they got back to Haverford. She was stretched out across the carriage seat where Susan was sitting, her head resting on Susan’slap.
“Elizabeth really enjoyed herself this afternoon. And I’d like to make arrangements to have the Franklin twins come to play, as she is quite taken withSara.”
“Isn’t it too far for them to walk here?” Johnasked.
“Yes, we’d have to arrange transportation for them. Or I could pick them up in thetrap.”
“That’s not yourresponsibility.”
“I wouldn’tmind.”
“You need to be with Elizabeth.” John seemed agitated by theidea.
“Is it the fact that they are workers’ children? I thought you were open to having them play with Elizabeth?” Susan said a littlesternly.
John wagged his hand. “I have to say I’m still ambivalent about that. I’m sorry. I know I was supposed to put together a list of neighbors with children for you. But I’ll think aboutit.”
When they arrived back at the house, John carried Elizabeth up to her room and laid her on her bed. Susan removed her shoes and pulled back the bed covers to slip herunderneath.
“She missed her nap,” Susan said, pulling the covers back up. “I’ll let her sleep for now and make sure she has her supper when she wakesup.”
“Thank you for your help today. I look forward to working with you on the school. I can see by the way you are with Elizabeth that you are an excellentteacher.”
He reached out and put his hand on Susan’s arm. And once again she felt that charge of energy surge betweenthem.
