Chapter 4 |The Grey Orphanage| As we approached the orphanage after our walk, a horse was in sight and a man was alighting from it. Helen and some of the older children said "hush!" as we came nearer. Helen was close enough to greet the man, and he waved. I was in the back of the group and did not see him immediately, but when I did, we both looked at each other with surprise. Miss Jenkins suddenly appeared and started talking to the owner while we gathered everyone inside. I joined Helen in the schoolroom with the older kids while the little ones went to the nursery in the next room. What an odd thing! I thought, as I again saw the owner. I know him from somewhere. Who could I know here? But then when he spoke to miss Jenkins, I remembered. He was the gentleman who gave me a ride in his carriage not three weeks ago! Somehow, I felt embarrassed. "How are you doing, John?" Mr. Henson asked, for that is what miss Jenkins called him. The boy looked up from his textbook. "I am doing well sir. My cough went away." "That is good to hear." Mr. Henson replied, and walked out of the room. I wanted to follow him, to see what he would say to everything else, so I did. When Mr. Henson saw me again, he said, "Ah, here is the little lady I picked up from the train station. How are you Miss?" "Fine, Mr. Henson, thank you." "It is funny thing that my kindness to you should be repaid. Though," he smiled, "working here at my orphanage is a much greater kindness." "Well then, I'm glad of that." We entered the nursery, where the ones younger than eight were playing with blocks. I thought the room had an unnatural silence about it, even when the owner and Miss Jenkins were talking. They were conversing in low voices, and I didn't want to be rude by standing near them. I did catch one word though, miss Jenkins said, "Jean" and then I really wanted to know what they were saying. "Oh don't build the tower two high." Clara, one of the maids, said to a little girl, standing of tiptoe to place another block on her stack. "Just one more." the girl replied softly. One more proved to be detrimental, for it swayed and then fell towards me. Somehow, I managed to catch some of the blocks that fell from the top, and some of the others fell into my lap. Clara and I looked at each other, and we became friends at that moment. It made me wonder what would have happened if I let the blocks tumble onto the wooden floor. What would have Miss Jenkins done? And why would she punish us for an accident? And wouldn't Mr. Henson understand? Certainly they would still be the best orphanage in the area if a few squares of painted wood fell on the floor. I went back to the schoolroom, and stayed there for another hour, and then there was another break outside in the fenced yard. I sat with Clara and Helen as they sat under a tree watching the kids. Some of the older boys were playing with marbles on the grass, a lot of the younger ones were playing tag, and when one shrieked, she quickly covered her mouth and looked around before chasing the boy who had tagged her. Others were reading books, and some sitting and watching. Helen leaned towards me and said softly, "Tonight after the children are in bed, I am going to talk with you in your room. There are some important things I want you to know." "Take that as a compliment Jean." said Clara, "She only does that to people whom she really wants to stay at the orphanage." "Thank you then, Helen." I told her, "Do you know where my room is? (She shook her head) It is the second door from the left of the staircase." After a moments pause, I inquired, "Does anyone ever play with the children?" "Is that what you want to do?" Clara, raised an eyebrow. "It's not lady like, Jean." Helen smiled at me, and then glanced at Clara. "Is one supposed to act lady like when working with children." "At all times." said Helen, seriously. Suddenly she got up and walked over to where a girl was stomping her foot and pointing to a boy with a smug look on his face. "Sarah," Helen addressed her sternly, "what is going on here?" Sarah proceeded to angrily explain herself, but was stopped by miss Jenkins coming around the corner of the building. "Helen," said she, "Children should be seen and not heard. She may not throw a fit. Take her to her room and she stays there till morning." There was a change in Helens manner when the head of the orphanage was in sight. Suddenly she became more stern and harsh. An anger boiled up inside of me. I would never let miss Jenkins control me. Never.