End of the Line

Chapter 25. Betty and Archibald

Chapter Twenty-five

Betty and Archibald 

The years of futility, trying to inspire a love of learning in uninterested agrophiles, had taken its toll on Archibald McLeod. His dour features were now permanently wrinkled, his once black hair a shock of silver. All his attempts at career advancement had come to naught. It seemed as if he was destined to end his days toiling at Tibbit's Hill School, trying to cope with the likes of William Benson, whose main scholastic ambition seemed to be avoiding graduation from Grade 4. Now, in the fall of 1926, another Benson, Jack, was to come under his tutelage. Thank goodness for Betty. 

After the much-celebrated graduation of Mary and George, Betty became the sole private student of the lonely Scot. His Saturday afternoon sessions with her became the highlight of his week. She was such a brilliant girl, and devoted to her studies. There was every prospect of her matriculating before her sixteenth birthday, a prospect the dominie viewed with mixed feelings. 

Betty, despite her fragility, had blossomed in to a beautiful young woman. She was very slender with doll like features, skin resembling fine white porcelain, and possessed a rather special gentility, probably a consequence of the care she had to take when carrying out the most mundane of tasks. She was not only gentle in her actions, but also in her speech. McLeod never heard a word of complaint from her, just words of thanks for all the help he was providing. The middle-aged teacher, so unused to such kindness, became obsessed with his young charge. 

Archibald. McLeod.B.A. had suffered more than one rebuff in his time, but he was nothing if not resilient. This was maybe his last chance. He started to pay more attention to his toilette, always bathing, shaving, and donning clean clothes before meeting with Betty. This did not go unnoticed. 

"Have you noticed the change in the dominie, Annie?" commented Mrs. Maclean

"What d'ye mean Molly?" 

"He's started to take an awful lot of care with his appearance. I think he might have a thing for young Betty." 

"You must be joking. She's so young and he's so much older." 

"Men don't change with age Annie. They can't resist young nubile girls." 

"Betty? Nubile?" 

"Are you blind Annie? She's turning in to a looker. You're gonna have to keep an eye on her." 

Later, Annie broached the subject with her spouse. "Pop, do you think we should chaperone Betty during her study sessions?" 

"Why on earth should we do a thing like that?" 

"Well Molly seems to think there might be something going on." 

"Good for them." 

"What do you mean George?" 

"I think it should be encouraged." 

"What do you mean encouraged? Just think of all the opposition you created for Mary and Belle." 

"That was different." 

"How?" 

"They were fit, active girls able to help around the farm. We needed them. Betty is not much use to us. She unfortunately is always going to need a lot of care. We won't be able to give this care much longer. I think this is a godsend. The fella must have a decent living, and if he wants to take care of her I'm all for it." 

"You can be such an unfeeling bastard George Benson." 

"Not unfeeling, just realistic." 

"But what about the age difference? Betty's so young." 

"Come on Annie. How old were you when we married?" 

Annie had no answer to that retort. "So you don't think we should worry about this?" 

"Nay. Let nature take its course. Betty's a sensible girl. She'll know if it's right for her. We shouldn't interfere." 

"I wish you'd treated Belle the same way," muttered Annie under her breath, 

"What did you say?" 

"Never mind!"

Betty took her matriculation exams amidst all the excitement surrounding Lindbergh's famous flight. She did exceptionally well, much to the delight of her parents, and Mr. Macleod. Tutorials now ended, but his weekly visits to the farm continued unabated. He had been given permission to come calling by Betty's father, and the young girl, so inexperienced in these matters and flattered by all the attention; saw no reason to discourage his suit. 

The unlikely couple married in the spring of 1928. It proved to be a tragic match. Betty, despite numerous warnings from her mother, soon became pregnant. Her fragile body was unable to withstand the rigours of childbirth and Betty died from internal injuries sustained during the delivery of a stillborn child. Mr. McLeod. B.A. fell in to a deep depression, gave up his teaching position, and moved away.  

This was not an auspicious start to the year 1929.