Free True to the Law by Jo Goodman Page A

good. Would you share an interesting fact about the state?”
    “The name means ‘Penn’s woods.’”
    “It certainly does. Now Maryland.”
    The lesson continued in this fashion until they had covered all the states east of the Mississippi. Finn was the last to volunteer an answer. He offered to name the capital of Delaware but struggled when he had to come up with an interesting fact. She let it pass when Cobb scribbled something on his slate and held it over his shoulder for Finn to read. Finn announced to the class that it was the first state to sign the constipation.
    When the class erupted with laughter, Tru set down her pointer and called it a day. Without meeting Cobb’s eyes squarely, she indicated that he should go to the door. The children were still giggling and ribbing each other as they filed out, but they all managed to mind their manners long enough to thank him when he placed a sand tart in their hand.
    Finn remained at his seat, his head lowered so far that his small, pointed chin rested on his chest. Tru picked up the slate that Cobb used and examined it before she set it down on top of Finn’s.
    “It looks like ‘constipation’ to me,” she said. “I would have to say that Mr. Bridger did not practice his script as he ought to have done when he was your age. That accounts for these badly formed letters. And truly, Finn, when it is written out, there is little to distinguish ‘constitution’ from ‘constipation.’” Because she could not help herself, she flicked his cowlick. It immediately sprang back up. “You made everyone laugh. Usually you don’t mind that.” When he said nothing, she added, “I suppose it makes a difference when you didn’t mean to do it.”
    He shrugged.
    “Maybe you could pretend that you did mean to make them laugh.”
    Finn lifted his head and regarded her suspiciously. “Lie?”
    Cobb had been trying to listen to what she was saying to Finn as the children shuffled out. He caught a few words here and there, but when the last pupil filed past him, he was able to shut the door and clearly hear her comment. Curious, he leaned back against the door and folded his arms across his chest. The sack, with four cookies left in it, dangled from his fingertips.
    “Certainly not,” she said. “The best course is not to comment on it. When Rabbit teases you about it, and you know he will, say nothing.”
    “Nothing?”
    “That’s right. Nothing at all. Just smile.”
    “I’ll want to punch him.”
    “I’m sure you will, but if you smile as if you know something he doesn’t, he will always wonder.”
    “I know lots of things he doesn’t, and he’s eleven.”
    Tru patted him on the shoulder. “You think about it while you start on the slates. There’s a rag and bucket in the broom closet, but you’ll have to pump water.”
    “Sure thing.” He jumped to his feet when Tru stepped aside and went to get his coat. He put on gloves and jammed his hat on his head before he retrieved the bucket. At the door he accepted a cookie from Cobb, but he put it in his pocket for later. “You should have practiced making your letters, Mr. Bridger. Things can get all twisted up on account of poor penmanship.”
    Cobb thought about the letter he was carrying inside his jacket. “You make an excellent point, Finn.” He let the boy out and then extended the hand that held the sand tarts toward Miss Morrow. The sack swung like a pendulum from the end of his fingertips. “There is one in here for you. Mrs. Phillips took pains to make sure of it. Also one for the little girl who nearly flattened me. Priscilla Taylor, was it?”
    “Yes.” Tru closed the distance between them and reached out to take the sack. At the last moment, he withdrew his hand. Her arm remained suspended as he opened the sack and took out a sand tart for himself. He put a third of the rectangular cookie between his lips while he rewound the string around the sack’s neck. Only then did he place it in