Episode-5
780 Words
I answered quickly, maybe there was a chance. 'It means you've earned it by having the highest grades for eight years and that's why they're giving it to you. Too late I realized the significance of my words.
Grandpa knew that I understood it was not a matter of money. It wasn't that. He went back to hoeing the weeds that sprang up between the delicate little bean plants.It was a time-consuming job; sometimes the small shoots were right next to each other Finally he spoke again as I turned to leave, crying.
Then if you pay for it, Martha, it's not a scholarship Jacket, is it? Tell your
principal I will not pay the fifteen dollars'
I walked back to the house and locked myself in the bathroom for a long time. I was angry with Grandfather even though I knew he was right, and I waswere. Why did they have to change the rules just when it was my turn to win the Jacket?
Those were the days of belief and innocence.
It was a very sad and withdrawn girl who dragged into the principal's office the next day. This time he did look me in the eyes.
'What did your grandfather say?'I sat very straight in my chair.
He said to tell you he won't pay the fifteen dollars!
The principal muttered something I couldn't understand under his breath and walked over to the window. He stood looking at something outside He looked bigger than usual when he stood up; he was a tall, gaunt man with gray hair, and I watched the back of his head while I waited for him to speak.
'Why' he finally asked. Your grandfather has the
money. He owns a two-hundred acre ranch '.
I looked at him, forcing my eyes to stay dry. 'Iknow, sir, but he said if I had to pay for it, then it wouldn't be a scholarship Jacket. I stood up to leave. 'I guess you'll just have to give it to Joann. I hadn't meant to say that, it had just slipped out. I was almost to the door when he stopped me. 'Martha-wait'.I turned and looked at him, waiting. What did he want now? I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest. Something bitter and vile tasting was coming up in my mouth, I was afraid I was going to be sick. I didn't need any sympathy speeches. He sighed loudly and went back to his big desk.
He watched me, biting his lip. 'Okay. We'll make an exception in your case. I'll tell the Board, you'll get your Jacket.
I could hardly believe my ears. I spoke in a trembling rush. 'Oh, thank you, sir!' Suddenly I felt great. I didn't know about adrenalin in those days, but I knew something was pumping through me, making me feel as tall as the sky. I wanted to yell, jump, run the mile, do somethI turned and looked at him, waiting. What did he want now? I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest. Something bitter and vile tasting was coming up in my mouth, I was afraid I was going to be sick. I didn't need any sympathy speeches. He sighed loudly and went back to his big desk.
He watched me, biting his lip. 'Okay. We'll make an exception in your case. I'll tell the Board, you'll get your Jacket.
I could hardly believe my ears. I spoke in a trembling rush. 'Oh, thank you, sir!' Suddenly I felt great. I didn't know about adrenalin in those days, but I knew something was pumping through me, making me feel as tall as the sky. I wanted to yell, jump, run the mile, do something.ing.I sat very straight in my chair.
He said to tell you he won't pay the fifteen dollars!
The principal muttered something I couldn't understand under his breath and walked over to the window. He stood looking at something outside He looked bigger than usual when he stood up; he was a tall, gaunt man with gray hair, and I watched the back of his head while I waited for him to speak.
'Why' he finally asked. Your grandfather has the
money. He owns a two-hundred acre ranch '.
I looked at him, forcing my eyes to stay dry. 'Iknow, sir, but he said if I had to pay for it, then it wouldn't be a scholarship Jacket. I stood up to leave. 'I guess you'll just have to give it to Joann. I hadn't meant to say that, it had just slipped out. I was almost to the door when he stopped me. 'Martha-wait.'
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