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“Ye’re right, Pierce.” Instantly, Timmy covered his pet. “Daphne said she’d hold ’im while I’m ’elping the men.”
“A wise idea. That way there’s no chance of Henry escaping and getting into trouble. A construction site is a very dangerous place for small creatures like lizards.” Pierce raised his voice until it boomed pointedly across the grounds. “In fact, a construction site is dangerous for anyone who doesn’t follow directions. Therefore, any of our helpers who can’t do as they’re told will spend the remainder of the day watching Daphne watch Henry.”
A round of groans.
“Good.” Pierce grinned. “I see we understand each other. Now let’s gather round and approach the schoolhouse safely, as a group rather than helter-skelter, like a chaotic mob. At that point the workmen can give us our instructions.”
Reluctantly, the children stopped dashing about, making their way, one by one, over to Pierce.
Gazing after them, Miss Redmund beamed at Pierce, her pudgy cheeks lifting in an adoring smile.
With a cough that sounded suspiciously like a smothered laugh, Chambers averted his head, intently studying the men as they unloaded the last of their materials.
“Who are ye?” William suddenly demanded, cocking his head at Elizabeth.
“I’m Daphne’s mother. My name is Elizabeth.”
“Daphne ’as a mother?” He looked incredulous. “But she’s old.”
“True.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with humor. “But her advanced years are a recent occurrence. She used to be about the same age as you. So she does indeed have a mother.”
“Ye’re pretty,” Prudence declared, hugging her new doll. “Are you a snowdrop, too?”
Elizabeth’s gaze met the vicar’s. “Do you know, I believe I am.” She touched the doll’s bright head. “What is your name and who is your beautiful friend?”
“My name is Prudence. My doll’s name is Daphne.” Prudence’s earnest little face screwed up thoughtfully. “When Daphne bought ’er fer me, she said to give ’er a name that was special. So I did.”
“Oh, Prudence.” Daphne squatted beside her, tears glistening on her lashes. “That is perhaps the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. I’m honored. Thank you.”
“I gave ye my lizard to hold,” Timmy protested. “That’s an honor, too.”
“Of course it is. What Prudence did is just a different kind of honor. Right, Prudence?” She gave the little girl a conspiratorial smile.
Prudence smiled back. “Right.”
“Mr. Chambers, are we gonna be able to ’oist the beams and nail the slate?” William questioned.
“Let’s go find out.” The vicar gestured for them to follow.
“I’ll set up some benches for you and Elizabeth,” Pierce told Daphne. “Then I’ll go give the workmen a hand.” His eyes twinkled. “I’ll leave you ladies to tend to Henry.”
Within the hour, the shingles were ready to go, and the heavy wooden beams soon to anchor the new roof were lying side by side on the ground. Two powerful plow horses were brought in, tossing their heads as a foreman tied one end of the thick rope to their harnesses, the other to the first beam he intended to hoist.
Pierce tugged Timmy away from the horses, then turned to roll his eyes at Daphne.
From a dozen feet away, Daphne laughed. “I wish Pierce wouldn’t hold me to that silly promise,” she complained to her mother. “I want to help.”
“Oh, we shall.” Elizabeth settled back on the bench Pierce had made for them under a cluster of trees. “One more incident such as that and Timmy will be joining Henry. My instincts tell me he won’t be alone. In fact, I suspect that most of the children are going to spend more time watching Henry’s antics than they’ll spend assisting the builders.”
“Doubtless.” Daphne looked around. “Where is the vicar?”
“Assembling nails for the slate.” Elizabeth pointed. “See? Alongside the building.”
“And Miss Redmund? I thought she’d be delighted to sit here with us.”
“Miss Redmund is evidently more delighted to stand by the schoolhouse and gaze worshipfully at your husband,” Elizabeth returned with a sideways look at Daphne.
Simultaneously, they dissolved into laughter.
