Monday April 14, 1862
The spring morning is too beautiful to be stuck in my classroom with Mr. Williams. Scents of fresh air and flowers waft through the open French windows, where Anna sits on the floor and gazes out. One might think she is wishing to be outside, but Anna does that every day while I’m having my lessons, silent and still in her long, gray dress. She has grown to be much taller than I am now, and I don’t like having to look up at her when I speak, so I usually try not to look at her at all.
“Go to the veranda, Anna. I’ll ring if I need you.”
Anna goes out to the veranda…one step out…and sits right beside the door where I can still see her.
I cross my arms and slump in the hard, wooden chair at my desk. “I’ve asked Papa for years to get her away from me and make her do s
