Free Mail Order Bride: The Master: A Historical Mail Order Bride Story (Mail Order Brides) by Lily Wilspur Page A

Felix went on. “That the Master has to open a window just to make room for his big head.”
    “What does that mean?” Timothy asked.
    “I don’t know,” Felix snapped. “But that’s what he says. He says he’s going to make it so hot for the Master that he’ll leave town. He says what we need is a lady schoolteacher.”
    “I like the Master,” Matthew put in. “He’s kind and patient with all the children in the school, especially the little ones, and he knows more than just about everyone else in this town. I think we should keep him.”
    Alan jabbed his finger at Felix. “Your father just wants a lady schoolteacher so he can go after her, too. He goes after every lady he lays his eyes on.”
    Felix clenched his fists and puffed up his shoulders. “Don’t you dare say one word against my father!”
    Just then, the school bell clanged. Timothy and Matthew stepped back from the confrontation, breaking the circle. But Alan and Felix faced each other for another ominous moment. The ball clattered a second time, and Felix stepped back.
    He held up a warning finger at Alan. “Don’t you talk against my father.”
    “What are you going to do about it?” Alan sneered. “All you ever do is hide behind your father.”
    Felix took another step toward the schoolhouse door. “You know what will happen to you if you cross my father. You better watch yourself.” He disappeared around the corner into the schoolhouse.
    The three remaining boys lingered in the cloud of tension Felix left behind. “You better be careful around Felix,” Matthew told Alan. “You know Noah Bartlett is dangerous when he doesn’t like somebody.”
    “Felix is a coward,” Alan spat. “He wants someone to give him a solid thrashing.”
    “Someone should tell the Master that Noah Bartlett is going after his new bride,” Timothy put in.
    “But what can the Master do?” Matthew asked. “No one dares stand up to Noah.”
    “And who will tell the Master?” Alan asked. “Whoever does it will have Noah coming after him, too.”
    “You should tell him, Matthew,” Timothy suggested.
    “Me?” Matthew gasped. “Why me?”
    “The Master likes you,” Timothy pointed out. “He always takes extra time to help you with your lessons. He says you have a special gift. You should tell him. No one else will do it.”
    “I don’t want to get mixed up in this,” Matthew argued. “I’ve managed to stay clear of Felix for five years. I don’t want him or his father after me now.”
    The final bell rang, and the boys dispersed. Matthew always made sure to get to his lessons on time but this time, he hesitated outside the schoolhouse door. The Master stood at the front of the schoolroom. Matthew took a long look at him before he went to his desk.

Chapter 2
    Matthew couldn’t keep his eyes off the Master for the rest of the day. He couldn’t concentrate on his lessons at all, and when the Master called on him to recite them, he failed miserably and sat down in disgrace.
    He hung his head. He prided himself on learning the lessons well and impressing the Master. He never missed a lesson, and he even studied by the fire at home at night to ensure he knew them well in the morning.
    The Master studied Matthew quizzically, but said nothing and moved on to the next pupil. Only after he turned away did Matthew raise his eyes and return to watching him.
    The School Master stood a full six inches taller than every other man in the village. But he didn’t impose himself on anyone. He spoke politely to everyone and maintained a genteel, polished bearing when he walked through the streets.
    He never beat the children at school. He never even scolded them when they neglected their lessons or failed to understand something. He only stared at them in a scrutinizing way he had and encouraged them to try again. His word and the fear of disappointing him inspired all the children to study much harder than they would have if he had beaten them.
    Matthew