LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Oh, yes! Mama said she wants to buy a typewriter like the one at the Ladies’ Aide Society, to keep up with the times, and I’d love to learn to type.”

      Ben nodded. “I think you should. It’s a great skill to acquire. Many large companies hire typing pools now and I believe the future for typists will only get brighter.” He chuckled. “Maybe Mrs. Heaton would like to learn to type, too?”

      Rebecca laughed. “She might, but I think mostly she wants me to learn.”

      “We’ll make sure you do, then. I’ll speak to her about typewriters. The new Underwood is a wonderful machine. So right now, we’ll get you started on basic accounting—some of which you may be familiar with from high school, and then we’ll move on to advanced accounting—more in keeping with running a boardinghouse or any business.”

      “That sounds wonderful.”

      “Once we get you a typewriter, I’ll give you practice lessons you can do here.” He handed her a small manual. “In the meantime, look this over. There are illustrations showing the keys on the keyboard so you can become familiar with them—they will be the same no matter what typewriter your mother buys.”

      “Thank you, Ben. I’m excited to get started.”

      “I can tell, and I’m glad you are. It’s always easier to teach someone who wants to learn.” He pulled out a book and tablet from his stack. “The first few chapters of this math book might be familiar to you. There are problems at the end of each chapter you can work and I’ll check them tomorrow.”

      Rebecca flipped through the first few pages and nodded. “I should be able to manage, although it’s been a while since I had to study.”

      Ben sat back in his chair and smiled. “You’ll get caught up with the class in no time, I’m sure. And you’ll be learning other things from your mother about how she runs Heaton House, too. That should definitely be counted as a business course, for it’s directly connected to what you’ll be doing here. Hands-on experience is the very best kind.”

      “Mama said she’ll start me off with the meal planning and shopping, so I know what we should be spending and can tell if we’ve been charged too much. And I need to learn how to order enough food for everyone, but not be wasteful with it.”

      Ben chuckled. “She does do a wonderful job of keeping us from going hungry. Your mother is a very special woman and there isn’t anyone here who would want to live in any other boardinghouse.”

      “She loves you all, you know.” And she did. Her mother’s boarders were some of the nicest people Rebecca had ever met and suddenly she realized how grateful she should be to each one of them. For, while her mother and brother had constantly searched for her, having these people in their lives must have made the wait a bit easier. Once more she fought back the guilt for what she’d put her loved ones through.

      “We’re thankful for her. And we’re all very glad you and Jenny are here with her now.”

      The compassion in Ben’s eyes made Rebecca wonder again how much he knew about what had happened. But she wasn’t going to ask. She gathered the books Ben had given her. “I’ve taken up enough of your time this evening. I—thank you again, Ben. For this and especially for coming to Jenny’s rescue today.”

      “I’m glad to do it, Rebecca. Anytime. I’ll have a better lesson plan for you tomorrow evening.”

      “All right. I’d best go check in on Jenny. Good night, Ben.”

      “Good night, Rebecca.”

      Something in the way Ben looked at her made Rebecca a little breathless and sent her hurrying out of the room, down the hall and up the stairs before she could give any thought to why.

      * * *

      The next afternoon, Ben tidied up his desk after the last class and was on his way out when one of his students knocked on the door.

      “Mr. Roth? Do you have a minute?” Josh Benson asked. He was one of the orphans Ben had helped get a scholarship and would be graduating with honors at the end of the spring term.

      “I always have time for you, Josh. Come on in. What can I help you with?” He pulled a chair up to his desk and motioned to the young man to take a seat.

      “Well, I have some news to tell you and I want your advice about it.”

      “Fill me in.”

      “I’m applying for a position teaching math at the new Morris High School opening this fall, and I’d surely like an endorsement from you.”

      “Are you sure this is what you want to do, Josh? Teaching isn’t the best-paying job out there, at least at first.”

      “Yet, you do it. I’ve admired you for years, Mr. Roth. I want to follow in your footsteps and help others get ahead the way you do for so many.”

      Ben couldn’t contain his smile. “Thank you, Josh. You will make an excellent teacher and I’ll be more than happy to give you a solid recommendation. What does Annie think about all this?” Annie was Josh’s fiancée and Ben hoped she loved Josh more than Mary Reynolds had cared for him. Ben had thought he and Mary would have a wonderful life together—until he’d proposed and Mary told him she couldn’t live on the salary of a teacher, that there would never be enough money.

      A grin split Josh’s face. “She’s behind me one hundred percent, sir. She knows we won’t be making much, but she shares my dream of helping others.”

      “I’m glad to hear it. Annie is an admirable young woman. Don’t let her get away.”

      “I won’t.”

      “I’ve got an errand to run this afternoon, but stop by tomorrow and I’ll have the recommendation ready for you.”

      Both men stood and shook hands. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me.”

      “You’re welcome. I wish you all the best.” Ben quickly locked up his room after Josh left, and headed down the stairs. He prayed things worked out well for Josh and Annie. They deserved a wonderful life together.

      At the corner, Ben caught a trolley to pick up paper and extra ribbon for the typewriter he’d ordered for Mrs. Heaton at her request last night. He’d spoken with her after Rebecca went upstairs and they’d made arrangements for him to order her a brand-new Underwood. Ben eased the front door open and made sure no one was around before hurrying to Mrs. Heaton’s study. The Underwood had been delivered and Mrs. Heaton clasped her hands together and watched as he unpacked the box.

      “I’m glad Rebecca was out when the delivery boy came, so we can surprise her,” Mrs. Heaton said. “I can’t wait to show it to her.”

      “Neither can I.” Ben set the gleaming typewriter on her desk. “Here it is. What do you think?”

      “Oh, my, it is a beauty, isn’t it?” Mrs. Heaton said.

      “It’s the newest model out. I realize it cost a bit, but it should last you for years to come.”

      “I’m sure it will. I want the best for Rebecca to use.”

      Ben set the typewriter up, installed the ribbon and put in a sheet of paper. “Want to try it?”

      Mrs. Heaton grinned. “I suppose I should find out if it works before we surprise Rebecca with it, shouldn’t I?”

      She looked as excited as he hoped Rebecca would when she saw it. “Oh, I think so.”

      Mrs. Heaton sat down at her desk and began to peck at the keys. “Oh! These keys are much easier to press than the one I’ve tried at the Ladies’ Aide Society! They sometimes stick.”

      Ben chuckled. “Probably needs some servicing.”

      “Most likely.” Mrs. Heaton tapped a few more

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