LITMIR.BIZ

Скачать книгу

themselves in small groups, but the moment Ben entered, they all quieted and hurried to their seats.

      There was one seat in the second row and Ben motioned for her to take it. Then he turned to smile at everyone.

      “Good evening, ladies. It’s nippy out this evening, isn’t it? Glad you all could make it. You might’ve noticed there’s a new classmate with us tonight.” He motioned to Rebecca. “This is Rebecca Dickerson and she’s my landlady’s daughter. I’d like you all to meet her, so if you stay over after class, I’ll introduce you.”

      Then he opened his book and went to the chalkboard where the same math problems she’d worked on earlier in the day were written out on the board. Rebecca relaxed a bit when she realized she could work them all. Maybe starting class now would be easier than she’d thought.

      She loved Ben’s style of teaching. He made it fun and had them all laughing from time to time as they worked through the problems. She could tell his students all liked him...some probably more than a little. He lavished praise when one got a problem right and was encouraging when the answer was wrong.

      Rebecca realized class was over only when Ben gave out the next assignments. The time had flown by. Evidently the others thought so, too, for no one seemed to be in a rush to leave, and she was pleased when a couple of them introduced themselves to her.

      A young woman named Sarah came up first. She had blond hair and hazel eyes and a sweet smile. Molly introduced herself next. Her hair was brown, her eyes green and fairly sparkling with liveliness. She would probably be fun to be around. Rebecca had a feeling they wanted to know how well she and Ben knew each other, but they didn’t have a chance to ask.

      Ben came up right then and introduced some others to her, explaining that Rebecca had a young daughter and wanted to be able to make a good living to support herself and her child, like many others there.

      A few appeared skeptical but still welcomed her to the class. She wouldn’t remember all of their names right away, but hopefully she’d put names to faces before long.

      As they all said good-night and went their separate ways, Rebecca realized she looked forward to the next class. Ben erased the board and then they headed back outside. It had turned even colder and she was glad when Ben drew her arm through his and took the brunt of the cold breeze as they hurried toward the trolley stop.

      He stopped abruptly at a small café near the stop and looked down at her. “Want to get some hot chocolate to warm us up for the ride home?”

      Rebecca hesitated only a moment. There was no need to hurry. Jenny would be fast asleep by the time they got back anyway and she was really cold. “That sounds wonderful.”

      The small café felt cozy and warm—probably because it was nearly full of customers. But Ben seemed to know the proprietor and they were quickly shown to a table near the front window. Ben gave the order for two hot chocolates and smiled at her as the waiter hurried away. “At least it’s warmer in here.”

      Rebecca shivered and chuckled. “It’d have to be. I hope this cold spell eases soon.”

      “So do I. But I’m not ready for it to get too warm. I’m looking forward to doing some ice-skating soon.”

      “Oh, that would be fun. Jenny’s been asking to learn, but I haven’t skated in a long while.”

      “I’ll be glad to teach her.”

      “That’s very nice of you, Ben.”

      The waiter brought their drinks, and Rebecca wrapped her hands around the cup, warming them before she lifted it to her lips. She took a small sip and let the warm liquid thaw her insides. “Mmm, this is delicious. Thank you for thinking of this, Ben. I’m warmer already.”

      “You’re welcome. I stop here often.” He smiled and took a sip of his own hot chocolate. “How did you like class?”

      “I enjoyed it. You really are a very good teacher, Ben. Those women hung on every word. I think there might be a few students who are a little sweet on you.”

      “Oh, no. I don’t think so. They are quick learners, though. I’m pleased with their progress. Do you remember any of their names?”

      “I seem to recall...Sarah. I think that’s it? Blond hair.”

      “Yes, that would be Sarah Jarvis. She’s one of the women I thought might benefit from getting to know you. She seems a little lost at times and I think she needs another woman to talk to.”

      “She seems a little shy. But very sweet.”

      Ben nodded. “Then, to her opposite, is Molly, who doesn’t have a shy bone in her. She’s very outspoken, but kind.”

      Rebecca nodded. “I remember her, too. How old are they?”

      “Sarah is seventeen going on eighteen and Molly is almost nineteen.”

      “I thought they might be around those ages. And they are very nice. But, Ben, I’m still not sure I can help.”

      “Please don’t say no until you get to know them and their situations better, Rebecca.”

      The plea in his eyes had her asking, “Why is helping these women so important to you, Ben?”

      He took a sip of his chocolate and leaned back in his seat. “Over half of the women I teach are living in the tenements, raising children by themselves with no man around to help support them. As you saw, several young women in class are obviously expecting babies.” Ben shrugged. “They aren’t all married and I fear any of them might give their children away if things get too hard for them. I want to help them be able to find positions that will provide a living for them, so they won’t do...what my own mother did. Drop those babies off at an orphanage.”

      Rebecca’s heart seemed to shatter at his words. The very thought that Ben’s mother had abandoned him made her want to weep. She blinked to hold back tears. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I didn’t know.”

      “It’s not something I talk about. But you wanted to know why I care so much and that’s it. However, I am a man and their teacher, and I must be careful in how I help. I feel my job is to teach them the skills they must have to get a decent job.”

      He looked out the window for a moment before continuing. “But I believe they need to talk to a woman who has lived in similar conditions, who knows things can change for the better. They need someone to encourage them on a level I can’t. That’s why I asked you to help.”

      Rebecca couldn’t resist—not after he’d opened up to her. Besides, she wanted to help others and he’d just given her an opportunity to do so. “I’ll do what I can.”

      “Thank you, Rebecca. That’s all I ask.”

      Wanting to comfort him, Rebecca impulsively reached over and touched his hand. “Ben, for what it’s worth, and speaking as a mother...I’m sure your mother must have thought she had no choice. And giving you up had to have been the most difficult thing she ever had to do.”

      Ben’s fingers curled around hers and squeezed, sending a shot of electricity straight to her heart. “Thank you, Rebecca. Your thoughts are worth more than you realize.”

      The expression in his eyes warmed her as much as the hot chocolate she’d been sipping had and she quickly slipped her fingers away from his. “I guess we’d better be going.”

      “I suppose so.” He looked out the window. “I think our trolley is coming now.”

      They took one more sip of their drinks before heading outside. Rebecca almost hated for the evening to end, but the sudden burst of cold air took her breath away and brought her to her senses. She couldn’t start weaving sweet moments into impossible dreams—no matter how very much she longed to.

       Chapter Four

Скачать книгу