Page 88 of Ghost of the Ton

“Vack…” Billy began, then frowned.

“Vaccine!” Jamie said. “Billy, dinnae ye know anything?”

“I know how to tie a bandage better than ye, Jamie Sutherland.”

“And I think, on that note, we’ll bring the class to a conclusion,” the teacher said. “What do we say?”

“Thank ye, Miss Lucas!” the children chorused.

“Very good. Tidy yer desks, then ye’re free to go.”

The children busied themselves arranging books and papers, then filed out of the schoolroom. Mia chatted to the teacher while she tidied the bandages and jars on the table at the front and placed them in a basket. She glanced up as Hamish approached.

“That was well done,” he said.

“It was nothing,” she replied. “I used to help at a school near the hospital in London. Most children want to learn, and the younger ones can apply themselves to the basics of what I teach them without the need to read and write. Your praise should be directed to Aileen here.” She gestured to the teacher. “A guest in a school is someone new, a change from their routine, which will always excite interest. The real skill in teaching is being able to maintain a child’s interest over a sustained period.”

“Ye shouldn’t talk yerself down, ma’am,” Aileen said. “Ye did well today.” She glanced toward the few children remaining in the classroom and lowered her voice. “And ye handled young Billy, though he cursed something awful. He can be a handful—most folk hereabouts would strip his hide for the way he behaves, and I confess to wanting to give him a leathering after what happened to my Ada. But he cannae help having Murdoch for his da. Whereas his ma…” She hesitated and looked up. “Evie! What are ye doing here?”

Hamish turned to see Murdoch’s diminutive wife in the doorway.

“Ma!” Billy rushed toward his mother and flung his arms around her waist.

“Careful, lad,” Hamish said. “Ye’ll knock yer ma over.”

Evie placed a kiss on the top of her son’s head. “I fancied a walk on my way to see Ailsa,” she said, “and I wanted to meet Billy at school. I hope he’s been behaving, Aileen.”

“I have, Ma!” Billy said. “Just like ye told me.”

“Aye, that’s right,” the teacher said. “He showed everyone how to tie a bandage on Ada’s leg.”

“Ada?”

The boy put his thumb in his mouth and nodded, leaning against his mother.

“You’re looking well, Evie,” Mia said. “I trust you’re still visiting me tomorrow for luncheon? I’ve some more of that nettle soup you love so much.”

Evie wrinkled her nose then let out a soft laugh. Hamish stared at her. When had he last seen Murdoch’s wife smile, much less laugh?

Mia joined in her laughter. “Dr. McIver always says that the more disgusting something tastes, the more it’s likely to be good for us.”

Dr. bloody McIver again!

As if she’d heard his thoughts, Mia glanced at Hamish, frowned, then resumed her attention on Evie.

“I’ll have a bowl with you,” she said. “If I dish out the medicine, I must be prepared to take it myself.”

“Nettle soup?” Billy said. “Does it sting yer tongue?”

“No,” Mia said, laughing. “Once it’s cooked, it’s safe to eat.”

“Ma, we learned about vack…” Billy said. “Vack-seen? Is that it?”

“Yes, vaccines,” Mia said. “A medicine to protect against diseases,” she added as Evie raised her eyebrows in inquiry. “I’m hoping to set up a procedure here at Glenblath to vaccinate everyone against smallpox.”

“Can we have the vack-seen, Ma?” Billy said.

“I’ll have to ask yer father,” Evie replied.