The Thorndlike of Valley Spring

Chapter IV

The following Monday, a few days later

When you hold something in the air and let it fall, the law of inertia dictates that it should stay in the air. However, it fell to the ground. Can you tell me why it falls? There is something called... Anyone? It's gravity. And gravity should not be... Elisabetta said

As the student murmurs,

If I drop this shoe and this hair at the same time, which one will hit the ground first?

(The student's shoe!)

Miss Letcher, why did the shoe not hit first? 'It's heavy,' said a boy.

Remember when I said that gravity is the force that pulls things toward the earth? Well, even though the earth pulls stronger on a heavier object like a shoe, that heavy object is more reluctant to get moving. Elisabetta said

So, is it a tie? A little girl said

That's right Emelina, it's a tie; now it's your turn to give it a try. I want you to partner up with someone sitting next to you, get up on a chair, and pick two objects to drop. But nothing breakable, please! Elisabetta said

In the evening, after school

Oh, and I made stew and biscuits for dinner. As Elisabetta stated

Oh, well, that is very kind of you, Elisabetta, but I think I would fall asleep on my plate, Abby said.

Aren't you just everywhere? As Elisabetta stated

Later that evening

I am responsible for keeping an eye on what Seth says.

Is there anything more you could be doing than sitting around looking smug? Elisabetta stated

The rules and regulations of my organization prohibit me from taking sides in this matter. Seth said

At least not until you have to enforce Mr. Gowen's eviction, right? Elisabetta said

In the event that they become necessary, not because I would take pleasure in doing so, but because I am required to do so by law, Seth said

Well, they won't be necessary.  Elisabetta said

How can you be so sure? These ladies they've taken on an impossible challenge. Seth said

Just because they're women? Elisabetta said

The woman who needed a man's help lifting her crates into the saloon. Seth said

You think I'm weak. Elisabetta said

What I'm saying is that if there was ever a time for you to use those big-city brains to look for another way out of this mess, it's now. Seth said

Next morning

As the student whispers, what should we do? School has already begun; she drools like a horse, which might explain why the paper is stuck to her head. Miss Letcher? Rachel said

Hi Rachel, Oh, my goodness! What time is it? Oh, dear children, I, um... I was trying, but... never mind, it just got very late, and I must have... Elisabetta said

You definitely did. A student said

Oh, my... Elisabetta. said

What's our first assignment for the day, Miss Letcher? Math A girl said

Yes, on the note she had on her head, it said, ''Use the kids to help with research." No, actually. I want each of you to grab a research manual or encyclopedia from the bookshelf and bring it back to your tables.