As the sun began to rise the next day Pleasant breathed into her hands. She lit the schoolhouse stove then mopped up the melted snow she had tracked in. Polaris and the chickens were fed and warm so she set to the task of heating the school.

Josie Langmaid and Katie Hood arrived early to help get the class prepared. They fetched the water that would be used for drinking and extra wood that might be needed for the stove to save on coal.

"Thank you girls," Pleasant said as the students secured their lunches in the coatroom.

"You're welcome, Miss Day," Josie said. "I can't wait for spring."

"Me too!" Katie agreed. "Might we have lessons outside again then?"

"I see no reason why not," Pleasant said.

"You won't be leaving us will you, Miss Day?" Katie asked.

"I don't plan to, why?"

"Because my mother says no one wants to be a country teacher," Katie said. "She says that's why you're a Negro teaching mostly white students."

Pleasant looked at the girl. It was true that most teachers would jump at the opportunity to teach in the city but Pleasant couldn't see herself there. Natt Fristad New Hampshire had called for a teacher and she had been the one to answer it. Yes many were surprised and even more thought she wouldn't last but what had once been a feat to prove them all wrong had become her passion. "Well I guess it's good for you that I like being a country teacher. It reminds me of home."

Katie smiled. "Will you tell us about it?"

"Mississippi?" Pleasant laughed. "There really isn't much to tell. Well, there's the river. We'd fish there as often as we could. It doesn't get as cold there as it does here which is why the South was good in agriculture. It seemed every tree and meadow had a story. Believe me the children were quick in making up tales of haunts."

"Mr. Drew says that Moody's Meadow is haunted," Josie said. "He shouted at me when I chased my puppy there."

"Well," Pleasant said. "I guess its best you stay out of Moody's meadow."

When all other students were arrived and accounted for they started the day with a prayer followed by a passage from the Bible on good morals. After arithmetic had ended Pleasant lead the girls in needle work.

"Remember, each of your squares will be part of a quilt at the end of the term in April," she said. "And the best part is it is going to charity." She looked at each girl hard at work. She was glad May would be coming with her magnificent quilts. She amusingly feared; however, that she had spun her sister an enchantress among her students. "While we are on the subject of charity, girls, don't forget to take home a box and fill it with things you do not need. Always remember that there is someone in the world less fortunate then you and what may feel like a small kindness on your part could make a world of a difference to them."

She looked over at Mamie Kelly's empty desk. She found it a great injustice that the orphan girl had to work so hard.

After lunch the girls had their spelling text which every student did good enough to pass at then they had a recess but played indoor games since no one wanted to brave the weather. After school ended Josie and Katie stayed again to polish the floor and straighten the book shelves while Pleasant cleaned the blackboards. After finishing with the books Josie took it upon herself to clean the classroom windows. She suddenly paused and beckoned Katie over. "It's Espen Monhollen," she whispered.

"I wonder what he's doing out this way," Katie said as they watched the man go by on his horse.

"My mother says he wonders aimlessly for hours like that," Josie said.

"My mother says he has secrets that not even his own family knows about and that he is not a gentleman," Katie said. The two girls hushed when they heard their teacher approaching.

Pleasant looked out the window and watched Espen go. "On his way to the farm I presume," she said. It was little to no secret that the two of them didn't get along well. Espen had been the only one in his family to object to her being the teacher for the girls of the town.

Turning away from the window Pleasant went to the stove to kill the heat. "You girls should get going," she said. "Thank you for your help. Remember make your manners to your parents when you get home."

"We will, Miss Day," Katie said as they went to the coat closet. "Stay warm!" she curtsied then stepped outside to wait for Josie.

Josie collected her charity box, curtsied to Pleasant then hurried out the door with her friend.

Pleasant watched them go from inside the classroom, smiling as the girls sang on their way home. It didn't feel like long ago that she had been that merry. Sometimes she could still feel the heat of the flames. Stepping out onto the porch she looked up the road toward Timber Acre farm. If one continued up the road they would eventually reach Singer Springs where her uncle lived. His property baked up to Amber Forest which separated the grand houses from the rest of Natt Fristad. From Moon Thread Hill you could look down on Collect Lake where everyone ice-skated in the winter.

There was also the ghostwell in Rabbit Meadow at Fanfare where people said you could look down it and see the faces of the ones you loved that had died. The Purefoy boys, naughty as they were, had been ones to try this as children and one of the brothers had fallen in. Wrapping her arms around herself, Pleasant returned inside the school to put out the oil lamps save for one to grade papers by. She also took the time to write a note to the Mrs. Barry requesting that Mamie not be forced to miss so many days of school.

By the time she had finished classroom chores and writing letters the sun was setting. Packing up the letters she took her lantern and closed up the schoolhouse. Polaris would still need to be fed and the task was all the more difficult in the dark.

Tucking the letters into her apron pocket she walked over to his paddock. "Evening, friend," she greeted him. "Glad to see you didn't get out of your blanket." She went over to the shed using her free hand to open the weathered doors. She had filled the wheelbarrow with hay that morning so it would already be done by the evening feeding. Putting the lantern on one of the handles she wheeled the hay over to the paddock and filled the tub. After returning the barrow to the barn she set the lantern on the post and climbed into the paddock. Polaris looked at her curiously then went back to eating.

An owl hooted and they both turned in the direction of it. When Polaris nudged her, Pleasant smiled. "What do you say to an evening ride?"

She had him saddled in no time. The black horse carried her across the darkening land, pass the farm, through the forest and along the shadowed street of the houses built with old money. From Moon Thread Hill they watched the sun go down. So much of her life passed seemed like it had belonged to someone else. As much pain as the memories caused her she found it hard to let it go.

A cold wind swept around the hill and Pleasant sighed. She patted Polaris' withers and turned him down the hill. Polaris' ears turned back and the horse pulled at the reins as he turned his head to look over his shoulder. Pleasant reined him and looked back in the direction of the lake.

Leaping through the trees was a light. It sent shadows turning through the branches as it floated through the forest toward Collect Lake. It descended to the icy bank then went out. Pleasant blinked twice, not sure if it had all been a trick of the moon and snow. "You saw it too, boy?"

Polaris moved uneasy and pulled at the reins.

"All right, let's go," Pleasant said clicking to him. As she rode back to the school every tap and rustle from the forest made her spin in its direction. She urged Polaris faster, eager to get home ahead of the falling darkness. Her breath escaped before her as they passed Moody's Meadow. The cold wind blew over the high dry grass making it rustle.

Pleasant quickly took her lantern from her saddle bag and lit it. "Come on, boy," she said, encouraging Polaris forward. The horse suddenly stopped and pinned his ears, taking two steps back. "What's wrong?" Pleasant asked over her quickening heart. She raised the lantern to better see up the road. "Hello?"

She turned at a crunching sound come from the meadow that sounded like someone coming towards them. She held the lantern in the direction of the grass just in time to see a black outline vanish in it. "Go, Polaris!"

The horse shot forward, turning the lantern into a glowing blur. Pleasant held on to the reins with one hand and the precious light with the other, lighting the road just in front of them. Finally the belfry came into view and they galloped through the open gate.

Out of breath she dismounted and pulled the reins over Polaris's head and led him up the steps to the cottage. Pushing open the door she slammed and shut and locked it tight behind her, wiggling the knob. Quickly she went over to the fire place and got it going then she lit candles on the mantel and the oil lamp on the kitchen table and bedroom knight stand, checking the closet and under the bed.

Lastly she lit a low candle and carried it back into the open dining room and parlor area. She turned to the window by her rocking chair, glad to see she had closed the curtains before going out. Putting her hand over her heart she took a deep breath to calm down. When she heard a snort she let out a small scream, sending her heart racing all over again. Spinning around she gasped at seeing Polaris standing at the door. She had to laugh at herself. "My dear, you startled me."

Setting the candle on the table she went over to him. "Well..." she looked around the cottage. "Dogs are allowed to do it." Taking the reins she led him into the parlor where he would have more space. "Mind the sofa and the table." She cautioned. She removed his bridle and saddle, putting them on a quilt rack. "Only don't make a mess. Wake me if you need to go out."

Polaris looked at her then went over to the fire.

Pleasant went into the kitchen and fired up the stove. She placed the kettle on the burner and took another deep breath. Hopefully a hot cup of tea would calm her nerves. She didn't know how the board would react to a horse living indoors. She watched Polaris as he poked around. "This is only for tonight," she told him. "Only because...I don't know what it was I just saw." She suddenly found herself wishing she had another person to talk to. Margaret-Gay would suffice. "Get a hold of yourself, Pleasant." She scolded herself. "You're the one always so proud about living out on your own. You're a big girl."

She stripped out of her coat and hung it on the hook by the door stuffing her gloves into the pockets. When the kettle whistled she removed it from the stove then went into her bedroom to undress. She put her hairs pins in a tray on her vanity then removed and hung her blouse and skirt. Spur of the moment rides were taking a toll on her wardrobe. After removing her corset she changed into her wool nightgown and hung her bed sheets by the fire. Filling her favorite teacup she sat down on the sofa to enjoy her tea.

"What do you think it was?" she asked Polaris who turned to her, his curved ear erect. "They say Moody's Meadow is haunted." She looked to the horse who was now paying attention to the flickering flames. Shaking the thoughts from her head she took another sip of tea and did the same.

/

Baldwin turned away from the window and looked at his three brothers sitting around the roaring fire. What was meant to be an hour meeting between them had turned into three as each voiced his concern for the future of the town. He picked up his cup of spiced tea from his desk and crossed over to them. "Any last thoughts before we close?"

Espen looked at his younger brothers who stayed silent then looked at Baldwin. "I'll only say what I've been saying for months," he said. "Natt Fristad needs progress. Every winter the road to town becomes so muddy commuters are forced to take it by foot."

Minas sighed. "He has a point," he said. "I've seen women fuss over the damage done to the family's clothes."

"Ah," Baldwin said. "I take it you want to pave the road then."

"I think it's a logical investment," Espen said. "And another thing is electricity."

Baldwin scoffed. "Why didn't I see that one coming?"

"It's going to change the world, Baldwin," Espen said. "Come you know I've always had a vision for these things. Natt Fristad boasts some of New England's finest. We have to keep up if you want to keep it that way. I say bring electricity to houses, pave the roads for those automobiles that have everyone talking."

"I really see nothing wrong with our roads," Havelock said. "Not with the cart and horse. Why would anyone want an automobile when you can scarcely feel safe on a train?"

"Don't listen to him, Baldwin," Espen said. "He'll keep us in the past and the town will grow broke. You remember how the people reacted when we opened the bank. It's time Natt Fristad grew up."

"I don't want a bustling city slum," Baldwin said.

"Nor do I," Espen agreed. "But a prosperous town...think about it." He got up from his seat and stretched. "Well it's late and I've got to get across town. He took his coat from the back of the chair. "Minas, you'd better get home to Alice."

Minas stood. "Right you are," he said. "Are you coming, Havelock? I can stop the surrey at the farm on the way up."

Havelock shook his head. "I have more own horse, thank you," he said.

"Suit yourself," Espen mumbled. "Night."

Havelock waited until Espen and Minas had gone then he turned back to Baldwin. "Paved roads...automobiles and electricity?"

"You know Espen always wants the latest."

Havelock's eyes widened. "Don't I?" he scoffed. "That's what is always getting him in trouble."

"You must not judge him so harshly."

"Perhaps I wouldn't if he gave others the same chance," Havelock said. "He judges me, he judged Minas when he married Alice, he judged the school teacher and he was rather cross when Asmund left to study law. He's not like us. He's never been like us."

"I understand that," Baldwin said. "But he is still one of us and shall be treated as such. We don't have to honor his ideas but as his brothers we should respect them."

"If you say so, Baldwin," Havelock said getting to his feet. "But keep in mind how hard our family fought for the preservation of this land. Worlds have been lost in the name of progress."

Baldwin nodded his head as his brother went to the door. "Have a safe trip back to the farm, Havelock," he said.

"Goodnight," Havelock said.

When the front door closed, Baldwin sighed and turned back to the window. Years of training hadn't prepared him to take on the responsibility of the town. It was in good shape and running smoothly but he felt the people held his family next to royalty and didn't like the admiration. He felt before he could help any of them he would have to get his brother to get along. He had seen towns fall to nothing in the fight of progress and preservation.