The Mandie Collection : Volume 6

© 1994, 1995, 1996 Lois Gladys Leppard

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Ebook edition created 2011

Ebook corrections 10.05.2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-6017-8

Cover design by Dan Pitts

Cover illustration by Chris Wold Dyrud

MANDIE® and SNOWBALL® are registered trademarks of Lois Gladys Leppard

CONTENTS

     Cover

     Title Page

     Copyright Page

Mandie and the Invisible Troublemaker

Mandie and Her Missing Kin

Mandie and the Schoolhouse’s Secret

     About the Author

     Other Books in the Mandie Series

     Back Cover

CONTENTS

Back to Main Contents

MANDIE AND THE INVISIBLE TROUBLEMAKER

Chapter   1  Home Again

Chapter   2  Trouble Begins

Chapter   3  Where Is Grandmother Taft?

Chapter   4  More Trouble

Chapter   5  A Terrible Possibility

Chapter   6  Help From Tommy

Chapter   7  Visitors

Chapter   8  Teatime

Chapter   9  Sad News

Chapter  10  Joe Arrives

Chapter  11  Nighttime Visit

Chapter  12  The Troublemaker

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,

and he shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say, on the Lord."

(Psalm 27:14)

CHAPTER ONE

HOME AGAIN

Mandie Shaw grabbed her bag and Snowball, her cat, and jumped down from the wagon as Uncle Ned brought it to a stop in the driveway. It had been a long journey through the North Carolina mountains from his house in Deep Creek, because travel in 1901 was slow.

I really enjoyed my visit at your house, Uncle Ned, she told him.

The old Indian smiled down at her from the wagon seat and said, Papoose come see again. Now I go.

Don’t forget to come back to see my mother and Uncle John, Mandie said.

Soon. He began turning the wagon and said, Papoose be good and think.

I will, Mandie yelled back at him as she grasped Snowball while she swung her bag in the air and raced toward the front door, dragging Snowball along on his leash.

Dropping her bag and leaving Snowball in the front hall, she hurried to find her mother, Elizabeth, and Uncle John, who had married her mother after her father died. They were sitting in the parlor. Mandie was overcome with joy when she saw that her mother’s cheeks were rosy and her eyes clear. Signs of the fever were finally gone!

Amanda, darling, I’m so glad you’re home, Elizabeth said as Mandie rushed to embrace her.

I am, too, Mother. I love you. And, Uncle John, I love you, too, Mandie said as she turned to give him a big hug.

And you know I love my little Blue Eyes, Uncle John said, patting her shoulder. But where is Uncle Ned? He brought you home, didn’t he?

Oh yes, he asked me to tell y’all he had other places to go and he’d see y’all later, Mandie explained.

Just like Uncle Ned, Uncle John said, looking at Elizabeth. He knew this would be a special time for just us, having Amanda back home.

Mandie plopped down on the footstool in front of her mother and asked, Now that I’m back home, couldn’t I just stay home, Mother? Grandmother sent me a letter with Uncle Ned when he went to Asheville on business. She said my school may be sold. So couldn’t I just stay home now?

No, I’m sorry, dear, but you must return to school, Elizabeth answered. The Heathwoods haven’t even found a prospective buyer for the school yet—and they may never find one. So back to the Misses Heathwood’s School for you.

I hope they won’t ever be able to sell the school, Mandie said with a slight smile.

Elizabeth looked at her and asked, Do you mean you’re hoping the school won’t change hands? And last year, you didn’t want to go there.

Mandie frowned as she replied, Well, you see, Celia and I might not end up together in another school if we have to leave that one. Besides, the new owners might just fire Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Cal because they’re getting old.

Elizabeth reached to smooth Mandie’s blond hair as Mandie removed her bonnet and dangled it by the strings. I’m sure Celia’s mother and I could agree on a school for you two if you have to leave the Heathwoods’. And I don’t imagine that school could run without Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Cal. Why, they’ve been there so long, they’re permanent fixtures, her mother said.

I hope you’re right, Mandie said.

At that moment, Liza, the young Negro maid, appeared in the doorway. She became excited when she saw Mandie. Lawsy mercy, Missy ’Manda, I sho’ is glad you’s back, she said. Been too quiet heah wid you gone.

Mandie ran to embrace the girl and said, I’m glad to be back, Liza. But you know I have to get ready to go back to school in Asheville in a few days.

I knows, Missy ’Manda. So do Aunt Lou. You gotta see whut Aunt Lou done. She been sewin’ night and day since you went to visit dat Injun man. She made all kinda fancy dresses fo’ you to take to dat school, Liza said, dancing happily around as she talked.

Mandie gasped and said, She made me new dresses? But I’ve got so many clothes now that I’ll never be able to wear them out.

Dear, said Elizabeth from across the room, of course you’ll never be able to wear out all your clothes for the simple reason that you are outgrowing them. But there are plenty of girls we can find who need them.

Mandie looked at her mother, then back at Liza. Am I outgrowing my clothes? But, Mother, I haven’t grown a fraction of an inch in the last year.

Elizabeth laughed and replied, You’ll be surprised when you put on some of the dresses that were made for you a year ago to take to school.

Mandie glanced down at the blue gingham dress she was wearing. She flipped her skirt around. I don’t believe this one is any smaller on me. Then looking at Liza, she asked, Where is Aunt Lou? I’ve just got to see how big she’s making these new clothes.

She be in de sewin’ room upstairs, Missy ’Manda. And she know you home. Dat white cat, Snowball, he done been round lettin’ ev’ybody know you’s back, Liza said.

Mandie glanced at her mother. Now that she was home, she didn’t want to leave her mother for a single moment. She had almost lost her when the fever struck.

Go ahead, dear. Aunt Lou may need to do some fitting, Elizabeth told her.

I won’t be gone long, Mandie promised. She followed Liza out into the hallway and picked up her bag.

Mandie found Aunt Lou laying out material on a worktable in the sewing room and rushed to embrace the old Negro woman. I love you, Aunt Lou. I’ve missed you, Mandie told her as she threw her arms around the woman’s large waist.

I’ve missed you, too, my chile, Aunt Lou replied, squeezing Mandie against her, then holding her back to look down into Mandie’s face. But we got work to do. We’se gwine make you de bes’ dressed young lady at dat school in Asheville. She pointed around the room at several dresses, hanging from whatever their hangers would catch on.

Oh, Aunt Lou! They’re all so beautiful! Mandie cried, rushing from one to another. She stopped suddenly to ask, But, Aunt Lou, how did you know what size to make these dresses when I wasn’t here to try them on?

Aunt Lou reached for Mandie’s hand and pulled her up beside her. Heah, the old woman said as she marked Mandie’s height against her own shoulder. You done growed. Last time I made dresses you could walk under my arm. Now you reach my shoulder. You see?

Mandie gasped in surprise. Why, I didn’t realize I had grown any at all. Mother said I had, but I didn’t really believe her. She smiled and looked up. Pretty soon I’ll be as tall as you are, Aunt Lou.

Now I doubts dat, my chile. You done turned thirteen year old, and most times when people reach dat age they done growed all they gwine grow. Aunt Lou turned back to the table where she had been cutting out a dress and said, Now git along wid you. I got one mo’ dress heah to make ’fo’ you goes back to school—and dat ain’t long off.

Mandie ran her hand across the smooth, pink silk material as Aunt Lou laid a pattern on it. Oh, Aunt Lou, it’s so soft and silky. Thank you for making me such beautiful clothes, she said. She picked up her bag, which she had left by the doorway, and added, I have to take this to my room and then I’ll go back downstairs. See you later. She threw the old woman a kiss as she left the room.

After Mandie had left the bag in her room, she raced down the stairs, almost colliding with Jason Bond, Uncle John’s caretaker, at the foot of the steps.

Slow down there! the gray-haired man told her with a big smile as he caught her by the arm to keep her from falling. I want to take you back to school in one piece, he laughed.

Mandie looked up at him, smiled, and said, I’m sorry, Mr. Jason. Are you going to take me back to school?

That’s what Mr. Shaw said. He doesn’t want to let your mother out of his sight, and she’s not well enough to travel, Mr. Bond explained.

I’m glad Uncle John is taking such good care of my mother, Mandie said. And I’m glad you’re going to Asheville with me. She paused and sniffed the air. M-m-m-m! I smell something good cooking. I’ll just slip into the kitchen and see what Jenny’s doing.

Mr. Bond smiled at her and continued on down the corridor. Mandie softly pushed open the door to the kitchen and looked inside. Jenny, the Negro cook, was bending over the oven door of the big iron cookstove.

A cake! Mandie cried.

Sh-h-h-h! Don’t shake de floor or it won’t be no cake. It’ll fall, Jenny told her.

Mandie caught her breath and stood perfectly still. I’m sorry, Jenny, she said. I know it’ll make the cake go flat if I shake the floor. It smelled so good I had to see what you were doing.

Jenny pulled the broomstraw out of one of the layers of cake in the oven and stood up to look at the straw. It be done anyhow, she said. She picked up two heavy towels to use as potholders and took the pans from the oven.

Mandie watched and counted, Four layers! Oh, Jenny, that’s going to be a big cake!

Jenny closed the oven door and straightened up. She held out her arms and Mandie ran to her embrace.

It be special, it do, Jenny said. You done got home and yo’ mama done got bettuh. We celebrate wid a big four-layer cake all covered wid chocolate icin’ ’cause it gwine be a while ’fo’ Missy gits back home agin from dat school.

Oh, thank you, Jenny! Mandie exclaimed with a big smile. I sure won’t be late for supper.

The back door opened, and Abraham, Jenny’s husband, pushed through, his arms loaded with wood for the cookstove. He hurried to the bin nearby to stack it.

Abraham! I’m back home, Mandie said, excitedly rushing to squeeze the black man’s big hand as he straightened up.

Abraham squeezed Mandie’s hand and said, I see you is. We done be missin’ you, Missy ’Manda.

But I won’t be here long. I have to go back to that school in Asheville, and it’ll be a long time before I can get a holiday to come home, Mandie told him.

Abraham frowned and looked at Mandie seriously as he told her, But, Missy ’Manda, don’t you fuss ’bout dat. Be thankful you kin git eddicated.

Mandie quickly became solemn as she replied, I am thankful, Abraham. I just hate going off and leaving my mother so long when I only found her last year.

Dat bad yo’ mama and papa got separated when you born, but you ought not dwell on bad things, Jenny spoke up. Think how good things be now.

You are both right. I can’t change the past. I can only hope to help make the future brighter, Mandie said. And right now I’ve got to go back to see my mother. See y’all at suppertime.

Mandie hurried back to the parlor and sat down next to her mother just as Liza came hurrying in to say, Missy Polly, she be at de do’.

Polly Cornwallis was Mandie’s next-door neighbor. Mandie tried to be friends with the girl, but sometimes Polly was hard to be nice to. Mandie wondered what Polly wanted now.

Before anyone could reply to Liza, Polly appeared behind her in the hallway and stepped through the doorway. I’m glad you’re home, Mandie. I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes, Polly said, glancing at Elizabeth and John Shaw.

Go ahead, dear, Elizabeth urged Mandie, who was reluctant to talk to the girl. We’ll see you at suppertime. That’s not long off.

All right, Mother, said Mandie. She stood up and joined Polly in the doorway and said, Come on, let’s sit on the front porch.

The two girls went to the veranda and sat in the swing, and Mandie pushed it back and forth with her foot.

Polly put both her feet on the floor and said, Be still a minute, Mandie. I have some exciting news. She turned to face Mandie. Her eyes, black as chinquapins, sparkled with excitement.

What? Mandie asked, not too interested.

I am going to your school this year, Polly began with a big smile.

Mandie was immediately interested. Polly had been going to a very expensive girls’ school in another city. Why? she asked.

Polly frowned and asked, Why? You don’t want me to go to school with you?

Oh, Polly, I didn’t say that, Mandie replied. Why are you not going back to the school you’ve been attending?

Well, give me a chance to explain, Polly said. My mother has decided Asheville is much nearer home. Therefore, I could come home more often. And not only that, but Miss Prudence Heathwood has cut her prices. They are putting the school up for sale. Therefore, they are trying to get more girls to go there so it will look good to prospective buyers.

Mandie sighed and said, I know. My grandmother wrote me that they were trying to sell the school. But my mother says they may never be able to. I hope they keep it until I finish there. I have three more years to go, I suppose.

And I will probably stay there until I finish, too, Polly added. She suddenly stood up and said, I have to go home now. I just couldn’t wait to tell you that I’ll be going to school with you.

Mandie stood up and asked, Are you going with me when I go back to school?

Oh no, my mother has to take me, but I’ll be seeing you there, Polly said. Maybe we’ll even share a room. That would be fun.

Mandie groaned inwardly. Sharing a room with Polly would never work out. Besides, Mandie had taken it for granted that she and Celia would be able to share the same room they had the previous school year. She’d just have to get back to school before Polly and make sure she and Celia ended up together.

When are you leaving? Mandie asked as Polly walked down the steps of the porch. I’ll be going back to school next Monday.

My mother and I have already been there to get me registered, Polly said. Miss Prudence gave me permission to be a day late checking in. We’re having some important company at our house, and they won’t be leaving until the day you leave for school. So I’ll be coming along the next day.

Polly turned and strolled slowly down the walkway and into the side yard. See you then, she called before she hurried on through the trees toward her house next door.

Mandie sighed and went back inside the house. She glanced into the parlor and found it was empty. When she looked at the big grandfather clock standing in the hallway, she realized she’d have to hurry to bathe and change clothes in time for supper.

Thank goodness I’ll be getting to school a day ahead of Polly so I can be sure Celia and I get our old room back, Mandie mumbled to herself as she flipped through the dresses hanging in her chifferobe. She quickly pulled down a pink, flowered cotton dress and spread it across her blue-covered bed.

Before long, Mandie was ready to go downstairs to supper. She saw that her mother and Uncle John were waiting for her in the parlor. When Jason Bond came in right behind her, they all went into the dining room and seated themselves at the table.

Mother, did you know Polly is going to my school this year? Mandie asked as Liza started bringing in the food.

Yes, dear. In fact, I told her mother it would be all right for you to wait until Tuesday to go back to school so Polly could go along with you and Mr. Bond. That way her mother wouldn’t have to make the trip, Elizabeth explained.

Mandie gasped and said, But, Mother, I . . . I . . . don’t want to wait till Tuesday. I want to go Monday.

Elizabeth looked at her in surprise and said, I thought maybe you’d like an extra day at home before you leave.

Oh no, Mother, Mandie began—and then she realized her mother might think she was in a hurry to leave home again. "I mean, Mother, I . . . well, to be honest, I just want to get to school before Polly does. She said we could maybe share a room. But I don’t want to share a room with her. I want to get the same room with Celia again this year."

Elizabeth smiled and said, All right, dear. That’s fine. I understand. She turned to Mr. Bond and said, Then you will be leaving Monday instead of Tuesday.

Yes, ma’am, Mr. Bond said with a big grin. Mandie knew he understood.

Thank you, Mother, Mandie said. And with a big smile she added, It’s not that I want to leave you a day earlier than I have to. I just don’t want to be stuck with Polly. We don’t . . . understand each other too well sometimes.

That’s fine, dear, Elizabeth said as she began passing the food. I’m sure Polly’s mother won’t mind. In fact, I believe some of the relatives who are coming to visit them will be going back through Asheville, and Polly could just go with them.

Suddenly the swinging door to the hallway was pushed open and Joe Woodard appeared. Hello, he said, looking around the room. My father had to come to see some patients here in Franklin, so I came with him.

Aunt Lou came in behind him and said, I lets him in, Miz ’ Liz’beth. She turned to Joe and showed him to an empty chair at the table next to Mandie. Jes’ you sits down right dere and I gits ’nuther plate.

Joe did as he was told, and everyone began talking at once while Aunt Lou went back to get dishes and silverware for him.

I’m glad you were able to come with your father, Joe, Elizabeth said as she passed the biscuits. Help yourself now.

Thank you, ma’am, Joe replied as he took a biscuit and accepted the bowl of mashed potatoes from Mandie. My father will be back tonight after he makes his rounds.

Then you’re going to be able to stay a few days? Mandie asked excitedly.

That is, if your mother asks us, Joe said with a laugh.

Joe, you know you don’t have to wait to be asked, Elizabeth told him. You and your father are always welcome here—and your mother, too, whenever she can make it.

Thank you, ma’am, Joe said.

Oh, Joe, I’m glad you came, Mandie said. You’ll never believe what’s happened.

Joe quickly looked at her, but Elizabeth stopped the conversation. I think we’d better eat first, then you and Joe can talk, she told Mandie.

Yes, ma’am, Mandie said with a disappointed sigh. She looked at Joe and smiled. Let’s hurry and get through.

It won’t be hard for me to hurry. I’m starved, and all this food smells so good! Joe exclaimed as he accepted the bowls and platters passed around the table toward him.

It sure does, Mandie agreed. She glanced at her mother’s plate. She seemed to be eating better now. When Mandie had gone to visit Uncle Ned, her mother was just recovering from the fever. Now she seemed almost completely well.

Uncle John noticed Mandie observing her mother and said, Nothing to worry about now, Amanda. You see, your mother is getting back to her old self.

Mandie remembered the relatives who had come to visit during Elizabeth’s illness. Do you think the kinpeople will come to visit again? she asked.

They promised they would, Uncle John replied. He grinned big and added, They all seemed to be taken with you. I wonder why?

Before Mandie could reply, Joe laughed and said, Yes, I wonder why?

Oh, let’s just finish our supper so we can go talk, Mandie said with a sigh. There is something I want to discuss with you.

Not another mystery, I hope, Joe said. He smiled as he cut the piece of ham on his plate and watched Mandie out of the corner of his eye.

Of course not, Mandie said. It’s more important than a mystery. She gave Joe a solemn look, and the smile immediately faded from his face.

Mandie was anxious to discuss her visit to Uncle Ned’s house with Joe, and she also wanted to tell him about Polly. She could hardly wait to get away from the supper table.

But then Jenny brought in the huge chocolate-covered cake, and Mandie’s attention became focused entirely on it. Joe devoured two pieces before everyone left the table. Afterward, Mandie quickly led him out onto the front porch to talk.

CHAPTER TWO

TROUBLE BEGINS

Mandie led the way and she and Joe plopped down in the swing on the front porch.

Well? Joe questioned as he turned to look at her.

Well, it’s like this, Mandie began with a deep frown. Polly Cornwallis is going to my school this year and—

"Mandie, it’s not your school. You don’t own it," Joe teased.

You just gave me an idea. Maybe I could get Uncle John to buy it. It’s for sale, you know, Mandie said thoughtfully.

I can’t imagine your uncle John buying a girls’ school, but what is it that you’re upset about? Joe asked.

As I said, Polly is going to my school and, not only that, she wants to share a room with me, which I absolutely refuse to do, Mandie said firmly.

There’s no rule that says you have to, is there? Joe asked.

No, but my mother told her mother that I would even wait a day to return to school so Polly could go with me and Mr. Jason, Mandie explained. Anyhow, I told my mother I didn’t want to share a room or wait for Polly, that I wanted to get back on time because I hope Celia and I will be able to share a room again this year.

I don’t see any problem, then, Joe said, smiling. Remember, if Miss Prudence gives you any trouble about sharing a room with Celia, just ask your grandmother to speak to her.

That’s another good idea, Mandie said. My grandmother does have a lot of influence with Miss Prudence. I’m glad she lives near the school.

Tell me what you did at Uncle Ned’s house, Joe said. Did anything exciting happen?

I’ll say exciting things happened, Mandie said with a big grin. But we got it all worked out. Two strange men were digging all over the mountain. Uncle Wirt disappeared and then Sallie got kidnapped. Oh, I wish you could have been there. Mandie went into detail about her visit to Uncle Ned’s house, and Joe listened to every word.

A lot of things sure did happen in a short time, Joe said with a sigh.

Yes, Mandie agreed. And I suppose things will seem dull at school.

Joe cleared his throat, ran his long fingers through his unruly brown hair, then said with a big grin, I’ll come and liven things up if you’d like.

You will? Mandie asked quickly. But how?

I don’t know. My father has to go to Asheville soon for a few days, and he has promised I can go with him, Joe explained, still smiling.

Oh, that would be great! Mandie exclaimed. Then she looked at Joe and asked, But how are you going to do that? You’re supposed to go to school, you know.

Don’t forget we have harvest break back in the country. My father and I will come then because we don’t have to harvest our crops. My father has tenant farmers looking after everything and—

Oh, Joe, I’m so glad you’re coming to Asheville, Mandie interrupted. We can have a great time. Her tone suddenly changed, and she asked, Have you been up the mountain lately?

Joe reached for her hand and held it tightly. Yes, I was going to tell you. I took flowers up to your father’s grave the last thing before we left home, he said softly. And everything looked fine.

Mandie put her other hand on top of his and replied, Thanks, Joe. I hope I can go up there sometime soon. It’s been a long time, even though it was only April of last year that I lost my father.

"I went up the road near your father’s house, but I didn’t see anyone around there—not your stepmother, her husband, or her daughter. It seemed empty. There weren’t any chickens in the yard, but I couldn’t go close enough to be sure. I don’t believe there was a single cow or a horse around, either," he explained.

Mandie withdrew her hands, straightened up to look at Joe, and asked, Do you suppose those people have moved out of my father’s house?

I’m not sure, but I’ll find out for you when I go home, Joe promised.

Someday I’m going to get my father’s house back, Mandie said wistfully.

You sure are, Joe promised with a smile. Because I am going to get it back for you when we grow up, so you will have to keep your promise and marry me.

We’ll see, Mandie said. She looked down the long walkway and saw Dr. Woodard stop his buggy, step down and open the gate, then drive on into the yard.

Your father is here.

So I see, Joe said as he stood up. I’ll take the horse for him. He hurried down to meet his father.

Mandie watched as Dr. Woodard turned the buggy and horse over to Joe and came on over to the front porch. Joe drove the vehicle around to the backyard.

And how is Miss Amanda? Dr. Woodard said as he came up the steps. He removed his wide-brimmed hat and wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. It’s certainly warm for this time of the year.

Yes, it is, Dr. Woodard. Come on in. Aunt Lou has saved supper for you, Mandie said as she rose, and he followed her through the front door.

Aunt Lou had not only saved supper for Dr. Woodard, but the adults were still sitting around the dining room table drinking coffee. Aunt Lou seated Dr. Woodard, and Mandie and Joe sat down next to him.

Mandie had a reason for sitting at the table again. As soon as she could get a word in, she said, I have a great idea, Uncle John. Why don’t you just buy my school from Miss Prudence and Miss Hope? I’m sure it wouldn’t cost a whole lot. She smiled at him as he turned to look at her.

Oh now, Amanda, Uncle John said as everyone at the table became silent. I don’t think I would want to engage in the business of a young ladies’ school. This young lady right here named Amanda is quite a handful for me. He laughed.

Mandie frowned and tapped her foot under the table as she impatiently replied, Uncle John, I’m serious. You could at least buy it and keep it until I finish, and then you could sell it. She wanted to make sure she sounded serious.

Amanda, Uncle John said, still smiling. Most of the time I know I let you have your way, but this time it’s just not feasible for me to buy a school over in Asheville. He paused, then continued, Say, why don’t you ask your grandmother to buy it? Mrs. Taft lives in Asheville and just might be interested.

Do you think so? Mandie asked, excited about this new possibility.

Yes, I truly think so, her uncle said.

Mandie looked at her mother. Elizabeth smiled and said, You know, my mother owns so many other things that it probably wouldn’t be any trouble for her to take on a girls’ school, too. We should have thought of this before.

De Lawd haf mercy on dat po’ grandma, Liza muttered from where she stood by the sideboard.

I agree, Joe remarked with a big grin. Because knowing Mandie, she won’t stop until she gets what she wants.

Mandie frowned as she looked at him and said, "That’s not so, Joe Woodard. I only plan to talk to my grandmother about buying my school. I can’t make her buy it."

Now, Amanda, you know those blue eyes can melt your grandmother’s heart just like they do mine, Uncle John teased.

But not mine, Elizabeth said. Now, I think we’ve heard enough of this for the time being.

Yes, Mother. I’ll let y’all know what my grandmother has to say after I see her, Mandie promised.

Mandie and Joe left the table to go outside for a walk in the yard, which Mandie decided was a big mistake when she saw Polly Cornwallis rushing over to follow them around. Mandie knew Polly was only doing this to get a chance to talk to Joe.

After the three had walked together for a short distance, Mandie decided to be blunt with Polly about her plans for going to school. She stopped and looked at the dark-haired girl, saying, I am not going to wait until Tuesday to go back to school, Polly. I am leaving Monday just like I’m supposed to. My mother says your relatives will be able to take you back to Asheville with them on Tuesday.

Polly quickly looked at Mandie and said, That’s all right. I don’t mind going with my relatives. She turned to Joe and asked, "How long are you staying with the Shaws? Will you still be here on Monday?"

Mandie instantly understood why Polly wanted her to go to Asheville on Monday. Polly was hoping to have time alone with Joe after Mandie left.

I don’t know right now, Joe said. My father hasn’t told me yet. But I do know that as soon as he finishes his calls we will go home.

Mandie secretly hoped Dr. Woodard would be ready to return home on Sunday.

As it happened, the doctor was finished with his work in the area, so he and Joe left on Sunday.

Don’t forget to come to my school, Mandie called to Joe as he climbed into the buggy. Let me know when.

I will, Joe promised and threw a kiss Mandie’s way as Dr. Woodard got the vehicle moving.

The rest of the day was rushed for Mandie. Aunt Lou had finished the new dresses and other garments and had neatly packed them away in Mandie’s trunk. Mandie left out her navy blue traveling suit to wear to school.

Monday morning before sunrise, she was up and getting dressed because Mr. Bond had said they needed to get to the depot on time just in case the train was early. Mandie knew things never seemed to run on schedule with the railroad.

While she was dressing, there was a soft tap on Mandie’s door, and it slipped open. Liza poked her head inside. I didn’t want to wake you but I sees you done up and gittin’ dressed, the Negro girl said as she danced into the room.

Come on in, Liza, Mandie said as she searched among the trays and ornate jewelry boxes on her dresser. I’m looking for my locket. She pulled a chain out, and the gold heart on the end of it came into sight. Here it is, she added. She opened the face of the locket and gazed at the only picture she had of her father.

Liza came to her side and said, Heah, Missy ’Manda. Lemme fasten dat on fo’ you.

Mandie turned to show the girl the photo. That’s my father, she said in a shaky voice.

I knows, Liza said softly. Now, let me fasten it round yo’ neck so’s you don’t lose it. She reached for the locket as Mandie closed its face.

Be sure you get the clasp closed tight. I don’t want to lose it, Mandie told her.

Liza fastened the chain and stood back. Now you all fixed up. ’Ceptin’ dat white cat. Whut you plannin’ to do wid dat animal?

Mandie looked at Liza in surprise and said, Do with him? Why— She hesitated. She had not made plans for Snowball, but she quickly made up her mind. Why, I’ll just take Snowball with me.

Liza danced around the room and shook her head. You knows dat school woman don’t like no cat now.

I’ll take him with me and leave him at Grandmother’s house. She’ll keep him for me, and that way I can see him when I visit Grandmother, Mandie decided.

Better ask yo’ mama, Liza warned her.

Oh, she’ll agree, Mandie predicted.

And Elizabeth did agree for Mandie to take Snowball with her. Mr. Bond would leave Snowball with her grandmother after he left Mandie at the school.

When the train arrived in Asheville, Uncle Cal from the school was waiting. He had been meeting every train as the students arrived, taking them and their luggage to the school.

Mandie rushed off the train ahead of Mr. Bond, and even with Snowball in her arms, she managed to give Uncle Cal a quick hug.

I’m so glad to see you, Uncle Cal. How’s Aunt Phoebe? Mandie asked.

She be all right, even if’n dat Miz Prudence try to work her to death to git dat school more den spotless, the old Negro man replied as he helped Mr. Bond get Mandie’s luggage and load it in the school rig. Fo’ two weeks now, all’s we kin heah is ’Git dat flo’ mopped, straighten dat curtain, move dat chair, wash dem bedspreads, go, go, go,’ mawnin’ to dark, jes’ to put on airs fo’ de parents whut be comin’ wid de girls to start school.

Mandie frowned as she listened to Uncle Cal. She had never heard him complain about anything before. Miss Prudence really must be on an unreasonable streak to stir up the old man so much. Mandie loved him and his wife, Aunt Phoebe, and she didn’t like seeing them mistreated.

Mandie reached to touch Uncle Cal’s sleeve as Mr. Bond gave her his hand to step up into the rig and said, Don’t worry about it, Uncle Cal. I am going to ask my grandmother to buy the school, and I know when she does she won’t be mean to y’all. She sat down with Snowball in her lap behind Uncle Cal, and Mr. Bond took the seat next to the old man.

Uncle Cal glanced back and said, I doubts you kin git yo’ grandma to do dat. Then motioning to Snowball, he added, You knows dat Miz Prudence, she don’t want no cat in her school.

I know, Uncle Cal. Don’t worry about it. Mr. Jason is going to take him to my grandmother’s house as soon as he leaves me at school, Mandie explained.

"That is if Uncle Cal will be good enough to take me by there on my way back to get the train home," Mr. Bond said with a smile.

Oh, dat I will, dat I will, Uncle Cal promised.

When they arrived at the school, Uncle Cal drew the rig up to the front door. He and