The sudden and unexpected marriage of Miss Simms, now Mrs. Walsh, had at least one positive influence on the community. The new bride soon made it clear that she planned to continue teaching not only for the remainder of that year, but hopefully for many years to come.  At a time when it was often difficult to find teachers willing to live in such small communities, this should have been considered a blessing.  Adam, who was having no major problems in grade eight breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the news. The now almost certainty, that the school would remain open for the next few years, meant that the possibility that he would be able to complete high school was very good indeed.

Not everyone in the community however, felt as Adam did about the teacher’s decision. Almost immediately there was a backlash from those who saw it as a forerunner of things to come. Many were saying that it was a disgrace for a married woman to work outside the home. It was her duty to take care of the house and her husband. The talk had actually started among the women, one woman in particular, Dorcas Hayes, wife of Alphonsus,   was outraged.  She had retired from teaching twenty years earlier when teachers were paid just fifteen dollars a month – the salary was  now thirty-five dollars. She, as she reminded everyone within earshot, had taken her marriage vows seriously.  Secretly, she hoped that no one would remember that she had also been pregnant at the time, a scandal when the woman taught in a church run school.

 It didn’t take long for some of the men, with the encouragement of Alphonsus, to join the cause.  Who knew what ideas women would get in their heads if this was allowed to continue? Even Silas was being criticized for not exercising his authority as head of the household.  There were those in the community however, Eli and Mary among them, who sided with the teacher. The education of their children, they felt, was more important and some even hinted that Dorcas was jealous and Alphonsus henpecked. The  matter was settled quickly with the arrival of the priest two weeks later. Doubtless, he had heard about the division in the community, but he made no mention of it. In his homily during Mass however, he applauded Mrs. Walsh for her decision and reminded the congregation of their good fortune. The matter was never mentioned publicly again!
When Becky announced at supper one evening, that her sister Florence was coming for a visit in mid January, all eyes turned towards Simon. The other boys laughed as his face reddened. Adam, enjoying his brother’s embarrassment, touched him on the shoulder. “That’ s okay” he whispered, but loud enough for the others to hear, “ I can sleep on the couch in the kitchen”. Simon made a swipe at him and Adam ran for the door with his brother close behind. Simon caught up with him before he reached the road and wrested him to the ground. With Adam pinned to the ground and squirming, the tables were turned in his favour and Simon relaxed. Adam was made to apologize and promise never to embarrass him like that again. Suddenly, Simon saw two girls from Adam’s class stopped on the road near the house and grinned at his defenceless brother. “Maybe I should call Sarah and Minnie over” he grinned. “They might enjoy seeing you like this – maybe even have some ideas about how I should punish you“. Now it was Adam’s turn to blush but after much begging, he was allowed to go free, while Simon went searching for his buddies.