Marika

Chapter 3: The Teacher Intervenes

Chapter 3: The Teacher IntervenesMarika rode into the Haven's barnyard and saw Audrey Denning going towards the barn with the milk pails. They waved at each other and Audrey called out to her.

“There you are. Your mother is pacing the floor. Mr. Vanderman and his son, David, have been here for over one-half an hour. You are expected in the house right now.”

In response, Marika turned Ginger towards the Silver and Green Institute and kicked her heels into Ginger's sides. She was out of the yard at a gallop and Audrey was left staring after her with an open mouth.

Marika pounded into the Institute's courtyard and raced for the Administration Building. Teacher would be up at this time of day and she prayed that he would listen to her. The various younger Brothers that were visible in the pathways stared or frowned at her as she dashed up, tied Ginger to a rail, and ran into the Administration Building.

She ran down the hall and pounded at the dark door with the golden star set in the middle, and heard the Teacher say, “Yes, who is it?”

She could hear footsteps behind her and she opened the door and stepped inside. “Please, Teacher, I need your help. Please, I haven't my father here to protect my hold.”

The Teacher looked up from his charts and reached for his black skull cap. “What in the name of your Pathway has brought this about?” He could see how agitated she was and saw the looming figure of Brother Anton behind her.

Marika advanced into the room. “It's Mama. She is selling the hold against my wishes. Oh, Teacher, I don't want to sell it and she says I must. She even has the two of the Vanderman men there to buy it.”

“That is ridiculous.” Teacher held up his hand to stay Brother Anton who had lumbered into the room. “You are not yet eighteen. The hold is still held in trust.”

“Mama says that this is a promise to sell. Mr. Vanderman will give a down payment, and then the balance of funds when I am eighteen. Andy, Susan, Dickon, Phoebe, and Devlon would have to leave there and David Vanderman would take over.” The words tumbled out.

The Teacher took a deep breath. “Brother Anton, would you send someone to request that Mistress Stauss come see me, and to give the note that I am about to write to the elder Mr. Vanderman?”

“Of course, Teacher. I'll be right back for the note.” Brother Anton turned and walked back down the hall.

The Teacher opened his folio, took out a clean sheet, and used his fountain pen to write a quick note. He was stuffing it into an envelope when Brother Anton returned.

“Would you like me to escort Mistress Strauss home? Brother Anton was sure the Teacher would wish to be rid of this female interloper.

“Of course, not. I want her here when I explain to her mother why she cannot proceed with this scheme and why it must be Marika's choice next year.” He handed over the note. “Oh, and order some chicolet tea for all of us, please.” The Teacher turned to Marika.

“You need to sit down and compose yourself before your mother arrives. She is going to be a tad upset with both of us.”

Marika took a deep breath. “Thank you, Teacher. I don't know if I want to sell the hold or live there. I just know that I do not want to live at the Haven. If I tell Mama that, she will rant and carry on for days. It is her dream that I take over someday. It is not my dream.”

Teacher smiled at her. His brown eyes were as kind as they were so many years ago. His dark hair was retreating, and he had gained about twenty pounds over the years. “Where do you want to live, Marika and what do you want to accomplish?”

“I don't know,” she admitted. “Sometimes I want to live on the hold and ride horses all day. Sometimes I think about going away to Anoth or Braunburg and studying mathematics and engineering at one of the new universities that accept women now.”

“Why did you decide on those subjects?”

“I'm not completely sure why I chose them, but I love math. You can see the designs in them, but I'm not sure where I could apply that.” She closed her eyes. “You see, Teacher, that is why Mama says I should listen to what she says as I have no plan for my future like she did.”

The Teacher frowned. “She didn't have any plan at your age. By the time she was twenty and two, she had a dream that two ladies who were wealthier than her supported. That is why Audrey Denning and Betsy Mauser are at The Haven.”

A knock came at the door. “Yes,” said the Teacher.

A young Brother appeared with a cart filled with an urn of chicolet, several cups and saucers, plus cream and sugar. “Uh, Brother Anton didn't say how many guests you would have. I can return what you do not want.”

“This is fine, Brother Bailey.”

They heard more commotion from the hallway and Venta rapped at the doorjamb. They could see both Kermit and David Vanderman behind her. All three were scowling.

“Ah, the guests have arrived.” The Teacher smiled. “Thank you, Brother Bailey.” He looked at the three in the doorway.

“Won't you come in? Mr. Vanderman, you and your son may bring the chairs from the back if you like and pour some tea. This, however, should not take long to explain.”

“We were promised a contract of sale,” growled the older, white haired Vanderman. “How can she or you deny of that without paying a penalty?”

“You would have to discuss any penalty with Mistress Strauss, but that should have been mentioned before any negotiations and put into writing. The facts are quite simple. The Donald hold cannot be sold until Marika Strauss comes into possession at the age eighteen. Mistress Venta Strauss is the trustee until that occurs, but no one has the right to sell it now; not Mistress Venta Strauss, not Marika Strauss, and certainly not me. I am giving you the benefit of doubt, Mr. Vanderman, in that you were not aware of the provisions of Jack Donald's will.”

The elder Vanderman bowed to the Teacher and turned to Marika. “Will you be ready to sell when you are eighteen?”

Marika took a deep breath and stood, her green eyes as hard as her face. “I don't know and will not know until I have read everything my father has left for me.”

Venta gasped. “I have provided for you all this time. Why are you so stubborn?”

“I am not stubborn,” Marika looked at Venta. “The hold has helped to provide for me, for your Haven, and for this Institute.”

“Good day, Teacher. Mistress Strauss, there will be no need to contact us if there are any change in plans. We are no longer interested.” The two Vandermans left the room.

“Now see what you have done,” wailed Venta.

“No, Mama, you cannot force me to sell; not now and not later.” Marika turned to the Teacher.

“Teacher, I thank you for being here for my father. I don't think he wanted me to sell right away. I think he wanted me to experience what life and living is about.” She bowed to the Teacher and walked out of the door.

Venta sank down into the chair and hid her face in her hands. Then she looked up at the Teacher. He handed her a cup filled with chicolet. “Here you need this.”

Venta sighed and took the cup. Then she looked at the Teacher. “I only wanted what was best for her. Why did you side with her? She isn't meant to run that hold.”

“Mistress Strauss, neither of us knows what Marika is meant to do. She is one of the best students at the local school, if not the best.” He held up his hand to stop Venta's protests. “What if she decides she wants to continue her education before making a decision? There is enough money in her account for at least two years at a university in Braunburg or Anoth. By then she would be a young woman and would know her Pathway. It isn't for you or for me to decide her Pathway.”

He held up his cup. “I propose a toast. To the future for you and for Marika.”

Venta nodded and touched her cup to his before drinking, and still her mind tried to devise someway to convince Marika to sell the hold.