Emma Field Book I - coming of age in the changing times of the mid-19th century

Chapter IX - Vera Goes to the Boarding School

Emma was leaving the schoolhouse as Dr. Watson pulled his horse up short. "Whoa! Hello, Emma! How is the doctor's assistant today?" he asked.

"Fine, thank you," Emma responded with a voice as hollow as the sound of axes ringing in the southwest.

"I am going back to see the Planks now. Would you come with me, please? I may need your help."

Emma's stomach began to churn. She glanced toward her cabin. "I must be fixing Father his supper," she said.

"I just saw your father – he is felling trees with Caleb Williams and John Cooper and their lads. He won't be home for a while yet."

"But I – "

"I need your help, Emma. Hop in, child." Dr. Watson slid over and patted the cutter's black leather seat. Emma climbed up reluctantly and sat on the patch of warmth left by the doctor's body.

"Giddy-up, Lily." They pulled ahead. "You don't seem very happy today, Emma."

"I'm not."

"Anything you care to talk about?"

"It's Mr. Brown. It is Samuel's turn to light the fire tomorrow morning but Mr. Brown told me that I have to do it because I was unable to help Anna Williams with her mathematics."

"Hmm, that doesn't seem fair. What did she need help with?"

"Pardon me?" Emma was already lost in thoughts about unfairness.

"What does Anna not understand?"

"Division. I just can't seem to explain that it is the same as multiplication, only backwards."

"Would you like me to show you a trick for that?"

"A trick? You know a trick for mathematics?" She brightened.

"I know lots of tricks. How do you think I became a doctor? By my good looks? I'll show you after we tend to the situation at the Planks' house – whatever it may be. Whoa, Lily. Helloooooo, Mrs. Plank," he called out.

The woman was standing in the door frame, her hands again hard on her hips, her eyes scrunched up tightly as she glared at the doctor and Emma. "I's told yous we not be needin' yous," she shouted.

"I should have brought more jelly so that you might allow me to doctor your daughter? I'm sorry I forgot it. I'll bring it to you the next time I come." Dr. Watson ducked around her rigid arms and disappeared into the darkened cabin. Emma followed quickly.

"Vera?" Dr. Watson chirped brightly. "I'm just checking – Oh my God! What have you done to her?" He wheeled around to Mrs. Plank, his face red with anger. Now his hands were on his hips. "What the hell have you been doing to Vera?" the doctor burst out.

Emma peered past him to where Vera lay curled up on a filthy blanket. Her face was purple and swollen, and one eye showed only as a slit. She was staring straight ahead.

"This poor child's been hurt enough without your compounding it!" Dr. Watson continued.

Mrs. Plank charged at him.

"Stop it right there!" he shouted. The woman hesitated. "Vera, get up! We can't leave you here in such danger. You are coming with us. Emma help me!" He lifted Vera's shoulders.

"Don' you touch 'er!" screamed Mrs. Plank as she lunged at the doctor again, her teeth bared like a caged animal.

"Look out!" shrieked Emma. She dove toward the woman, her shoulder hitting Mrs. Plank in her large belly. They toppled against the table. Emma caught herself and she twisted back toward Dr. Watson.