She looked back at the writing on the blackboard. Her instincts said Otto’s angry attitude was more than a simple dislike of school. Dinah was the person she hoped could help her solve the riddle of the troubled child.
Two hours later Dinah and Mrs. Kenworthy, a schoolteacher from the local public school, studied the blackboard carefully. Eva was grateful Dinah had been free on such short notice and had wholeheartedly agreed with her suggestion to call one of the local teachers to render another opinion. “What do you think?”
“Otto is eleven so he must be in the fifth grade?” Dinah looked over her shoulder for confirmation.
“That is my understanding. Harley is thirteen and will be a seventh-grader. Maddie is seven and will start the first grade.”
Mrs. Kenworthy shook her head. “This is not the work of a boy in the fifth grade. It could be he has a learning disability.”
“Could it be simple bad penmanship?” Eva asked. Was she making a mountain out of a molehill?
Mrs. Kenworthy’s mouth twisted to the side. “I see more than that. For the most part he has the letters in the right order but he doesn’t seem to realize that they aren’t grouped into the correct words.”
“For one boy in my former community, the problem was as simple as needing glasses,” Dinah said.
“Aren’t all Amish children given hearing and vision exams when they start school?” Eva asked.
“They are in Maine,” Mrs. Kenworthy said.
Dinah turned away from the blackboard. “The vast majority of Amish students are tested by public health officials in their area, but not all. I’m sure it will be in his records from his previous school.”
Eva held her hands wide. “I don’t have them yet. The children haven’t even been officially enrolled. I have reminded Willis that he needs to get it done but he seems overwhelmed with his new responsibilities. I hate to bother him with one more thing.”
Dinah scowled. “Shall I have my husband talk to him about it?”
Eva shook her head. “We have a few more weeks before classes begin. If he hasn’t turned in the forms by Friday I will speak to him again.”
Mrs. Kenworthy tapped the writing on the blackboard with one finger. “The sooner you can address what is wrong with young Otto, the better off he will be. It appears someone is willing to help. The first line is in an entirely different hand. You think it was his older brother?”
“That was my assumption,” Eva said. “I think he wrote out the sentence for Otto to copy and stayed with him until the assignment was finished.”
“Speak to Harley,” Dinah suggested. “Perhaps he can give you some insight. That way you won’t have to bother Willis again.”
“All right I will.”
The three women walked outside. Dinah tipped her head toward Willis’s home. “Is Maddie still conversing with her imaginary friend?”
Eva looked around for the child. “I’m not sure. I saw her earlier and she said that Bubble had gone home to visit her mother.”
Mrs. Kenworthy laughed heartily. “Children do say the most amazing things. That is one thing we should warn you about. As a teacher you will hear many things parents never expected would be repeated in school. Do not be fooled into repeating it as gossip because most times the children have it all wrong.”
“Thank you for the advice. I will take it to heart and seal my lips.”
Mrs. Kenworthy walked down to her car. Dinah turned to Eva. “I had best get home. The bishop and his wife are coming over for supper this evening along with Gemma, Jesse and Hope. I can’t get enough of my grandbaby. I praise Gott he let me live long enough to see and enjoy her.”
“How did her doctor visit turn out?” Eva asked.
“Healthy and happy was the diagnosis the doctor gave Jesse and Gemma. Hope is still small for her age, but she is catching up.”
Eva smiled with relief. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Dinah started to walk away but stopped and turned back to Eva. “You are welcome to join us for supper. I made plenty of fried chicken, Gemma is bringing a casserole and Constance Schultz made some fresh apple pies for dessert.”
“Danki, but I have more homework. I never knew there was so much paperwork involved in teaching.”
“Oh, I remember those days. And the long nights getting everything ready for the first day of class. Being a wife and a mother was the fulfillment of a dream for me, but I do miss teaching at times. All those bright faces so eager to see me in the mornings. It is a satisfying profession and one that isn’t always valued as it should be. Don’t forget that other teachers, Amish and Englisch, are willing to help you get off to a good start. Several of the teachers at our public school have stopped in to tell me they will miss having Amish children in their classes.”
“Thank you again for your help and tell Gemma and Jesse that I said hello.”
“This coming Sunday is the off Sunday in our community so no prayer meeting. We will expect you to come visit us, and homework will not get you out of it.” Dinah smiled as she issued her invitation.
Eva inclined her head. “I wouldn’t dream of missing an afternoon in the company of you and your family.”
Harley came strolling past the school, headed for home. “Good evening, Teacher. Good evening, Mrs. Lapp.”
“Harley, can I speak to you for a moment?” Eva said.
“Sure.”
“I have to get going. Let me know what you find out,” Dinah said.
Eva turned her attention to Harley. She sat down on the steps of the school and motioned for him to do the same. “I noticed that you helped your brother with his writing assignment today.”
“All I did was write it once. He did the rest.”
“Maddie tells me Otto doesn’t like school.”
“Maddie
