Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(69)

“Is there nothing that can be done to improve the situation of the working-class girls?” the headmistress asks.

“I can set up something like a food and clothing fund,” I say, remembering that I received a huge sum from the municipality as a wedding gift, and so far I haven’t spent even a penny of it. “I’ll draw funds from my own allowance and also ask for donations. We’ll provide uniforms for the girls, as well as free breakfasts in the mornings.”

“I object,” the aristocrat growls. “It is the responsibility of the parents to provide for their children. If they find you’re giving out free food and clothes, then they’ll relax their duties.”

To my alarm, most other members of the school board are nodding.

“But what if the parents are too poor to provide for them?” I say. “You make it sound like it’s improvidence that is at fault, not the possibility that the poorest simply cannot afford the basic necessities.”

“I’ve been to some of the poor quarters,” a man says. “You’d be surprised at how many of them are drinking—men and women—and some of them even feed their babies drugs.”

“But in the end, it’s still the children that suffer,” Elle says, her voice not loud but firm. She is less brash, less impulsive compared to me, and when she speaks up, I find that people are more inclined to listen to her. “Should the children suffer because their parents are neglectful?”

In the end, we agree to Elle’s scholarship, as well as maintaining the original curriculum, though my idea of setting aside funds for the poor is on hold. All working-class girls have dropped out now, so unless we enroll more of them, the charity idea is currently useless. Again, I remember Molly crying for buyers in the streets, her voice hoarse and her hands chapped, and I wish I could figure out a better solution.

After the meeting, Elle invites me to her foundation to see about the scholarship, but I have to decline. I had promised to take tea with the queen. Ever since my quarrel with Edward, the queen has made it a point for us to have tea every month, making sure that my life at the palace is well.

Elle hurries off, and I continue to the gates. Bianca’s incensed face, her beauty marred by her anger, flashes through my head. Even if I donate all of my annual allowance to maintaining the school, it’s going to be useless if all the students are gone.

At the same moment, Lady Gregory emerges from a classroom, along with two girls carrying baskets, who curtsy when they see me. My God, there really is a drastic dip in the attendance. Last time I saw Lady Gregory, the classroom was full.

“Good afternoon, Katriona.” Her eyes are twinkling. “Child, are you all right? You look rather pale.”

I’m about to answer that I’m fine, but since she is also teaching at Princess College, I might as well let her know our difficulties. So, I brief her on the meeting, adding that I really don’t want the school to shut down.

Lady Gregory looks thoughtful. “My great-nephew is enrolled in Heron—it’s one of the top secondary schools in the capital. He used to whine about the lessons, but he also mentioned that his favorite activities were the games and school trips.”

“Are you suggesting that we could organize some kind of extracurricular activity for the girls?”

“Obviously a football match will not work. But if you could take them to a park or a museum, it might encourage them to stay in school. I am not sure about getting more students, but surely it’ll help to retain the few students we have left.”

I’m reminded of my original idea to have Edward teach a class. Suddenly, a brilliant idea hits me.

“Thank you, Lady Gregory.” Making sure we’re alone in the corridor, I add, “By the way, has Meg visited lately?”

“She just dropped by last week.” Lady Gregory smiles warmly. “She was excited to learn that you married the prince, especially when she had assisted you going to the ball. Would you like to meet her next time she comes by and regale her with some anecdotes of your royal life?”

“Of course,” I say, surprised but pleased. I also wonder if Meg has improved in her spells, but a teacher happens to pass by, so I say goodbye to Lady Gregory. I have a plan to carry out.





33





I race to Edward’s office and end up coughing and wheezing when I arrive. Geez, my stamina has really worsened since I came to Athelia.

“Easy there.” Edward gets me a glass of water and pats me on the back. “I’m glad that you are so eager to see me, but honestly, there is no need to run. You might trip on those long skirts and twist your ankle.”

I cough and take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. “Edward, I just had a wonderful idea! Let’s organize a field trip for the girls. We can bring them to the greenhouses and the menagerie. You can introduce them to all kinds of plants and flowers, and I’ll ask the gamekeeper to show them the animals. Oh, and we should get Elle and Henry to come out with us. It will be just the excuse to get them together.”

To my disappointment, he doesn’t share my enthusiasm. He looks kind of skeptical, in fact. “Henry and Elle should sort out their problems on their own. We shouldn’t interfere.”

“But we aren’t just interfering. It’s also an excellent opportunity to take the girls out and boost their spirits.”