Free The Dawn of a Dream by Ann Shorey Page B

monthly flow? She sank into the chair and rested her head in her hands. It was before Brendan left. Luellen feared she might faint. I’m going to have his child.

9
    After a sleepless night, Luellen rose at dawn and selected the work dress she’d often worn at the hotel. Round-necked and high-waisted, it would be more comfortable than the brown skirt and tucked bodice she’d been wearing.
    Luellen lifted her nightgown, studying her body for signs of pregnancy. Her abdomen looked slightly rounded, her breasts were fuller, but all in all she didn’t see much change. If she could conceal her condition, she’d be able to complete the school year.
    Lord, why? You know how much I want to teach.
    The breakfast bell tolled across the campus. Luellen jerked the laces of her corset together, dropped a chemise over her head, and buttoned the soft yellow calico dress. Dipping a comb into the water pitcher, she swirled her hair up at the back of her head, pinning the curls in place.
    She grabbed her books and opened the door just as Belle stepped into the hall from the next room. “We’re both late,” she said. “If we hurry we’ll have time to eat.”
    Sounds of chatter and clinking cutlery greeted them as they dashed down the stairs. Once in the dining hall they collected their plates from the cook’s assistant, who dropped viscous white globs onto slices of bread. “Ham gravy this morning, girls,” she said. “Enjoy your breakfast.”
    Choosing a table near the door, Luellen and Belle joined three women who were finishing their meal. The one in the center, a serious-looking person with hair pinned tightly to the back of her head, smiled at them. “You’d better eat quickly. The bell for class will chime in a few minutes.”
    Belle scrutinized her plate. “Quickly is the only way to eat the food here. If you stopped to think about it, you’d die of starvation.”
    Chuckling, the three girls stood and headed for the door.
    Luellen raked her fork through the gravy, her stomach protesting at the sight. “It’s been a day or two since ham was anywhere near this stuff. Looks like flour paste to me.”
    “Probably tastes like it too.”
    “Well, we better eat it. Dinner is a long ways off.” Luellen lifted a bowl from the center of the table. “I’m going to put applesauce on mine. Might make it taste better.”
    Belle scooped a spoonful of butter onto her plate. “I’ll try this.” She cut a corner from the bread. Around a mouthful she said, “Are you ready for the constitutional history examination this morning?”
    Luellen choked on a bite. “I forgot all about it!” Her mind jumped to the instructor’s lectures. Maybe she could dredge enough from her memory to pass the test.
    “I thought you stayed in last night to study. How could you forget the examination?”
    “I must’ve been distracted.” Luellen kept her eyes on her plate.

    Fighting drowsiness, Luellen entered the Ladies Hall after her last class. Her corset pinched her waist. As soon as she reached her room, she’d be able to loosen the strings and breathe.
    “Miss McGarvie.” Matron Bledsoe appeared at the doorway of the parlor. “You have a visitor.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Mr. Price, from the registrar’s office.”
    Luellen swallowed. Had she broken one too many rules? She tried to read Mrs. Bledsoe’s features to see whether she’d made good her promise to report her to Dr. Alexander. The matron’s face was expressionless.
    She led the way into the parlor, Luellen following. As soon as they appeared, Mr. Price jumped to his feet, knocking a stack of books off the table in the process. “So sorry.” He bent and scooped the books from the floor.
    “Please, do sit down,” Mrs. Bledsoe said. “You young people have your conversation. Pay no attention to me.” She settled her bulk into an overstuffed chair and picked up a piece of needlepoint.
    Luellen glanced between the matron and Mr. Price and chose a chair across from him.