The Sun was hidden behind grey clouds and very little light filtered into the classroom at Pearl Orphanage . Not that it mattered , the inside of the classroom was as depressing as an old man's tomb . Grey , listless ... lifeless .
There were sixteen desks , two bulbs in the roof , no pictures on the wall . The black board had a single word on it ; Oui . This was Sister Tarry's French class . The last class of the day before the boys would be called for their chores .
" Students ! " Sister Tarry said walking into the class . The boys had been sitting , patiently waiting for her . They didn't dare talk without her permission in that class . The ruler she loved to use layed on her desk like a warning .
" Greet ! " she said .
" Bonjour Madame . " all the boys said .
" Greet ! " she said again and the boys turned to the person next to them .
" Bonjour Monsieur ." they said .
" Salutations ! " she said .
" Comment ca va ? " the boys said
" Well fare ! " she said .
" Ca va tres bien ." they said and she nodded her head .
" Today we will learn the romances of French . It is more than just communication , it is art . " She said , " Each word is an expression of yourself and to speak it , you must understand all angles of life . Your life and one part of it is love . Love for The almighty first , love for each other second and then love for love last . There is nothing else to love outside of this . "
Henric listened quietly along with everyone else in the room . This was a respite from their usual routine of French lessons , Sister Tarry didn't often talk to them unless it was important .
" So this is what we will shall do this week . " She said reaching into a drawer in her desk and pulling out paper . She asked one boy to distribute it to everyone in the class .
" You shall take this paper and write five things you love about the almighty , then another five things you love about anyone you know and finally you will write down five virtues of love and see if what you wrote above fits in with it . Don't fall into the wrong path and write what is not holy and approved . "
" Yes , Sister ." they all said and she turned back and began teaching them French .
....
" Catch it ! Quickly ! " The boys yelled to Henric as he chased the rooster .
They were outside , three boys including Henric . They wore wool coats of black and long grey trousers . The air was frigid and cold , the sky covered by breezy grey clouds that kept blocking the sun .
They were by the chicken coop , their classes over and their time for chores begun . The chicken coop was surrounded by a wire fence , three feet high and sixteen metres wide in a square . Today it was Henric , Stuart and Link's turn to fetch the eggs to be sold in the town .
" Oh , Henric hurry and catch the blasted bird ! " Link said angrily , " It's freezing out here . "
" Oh really ? " Henric asked wryly , " I hadn't noticed . Incase you have not seen , I have worked up quite the sweat whilst you three have been standing there."
" I'm scared of the bird . " Stuart said and Link scoffed again .
" Coward . " he said , " I would go in teach that rooster a thing or two myself . If I wasn't allergic to feathers . "
" Well then , you wait while I catch it then . " Henric said and processed to race after the rooster again . The bird jumped and ran , always slipping past him .
" If you don't hurry up , Sister Auster will punish us . " Stuart said , " We'll be made to feed the chickens fir the week . "
" That's it . I can't wait anymore ." Link said and he reached for the gate to go in and teach the bird a lesson .
" No ! " Both Stuart and Henric said vehemently .
" You'll be wheezing and coughing in seconds if you come in here , you oaf ! " Henric said , He turned around and faced the rooster with determination .
" I'll get it . This time for sure ." he said and he ran after the bird . It jumped up and he reached for it , catching it by a leg . The bird dangled and struck out , it's sharp claw slashing across Henric's arm and drawing blood but he didn't let go .
" There , I have the rooster , now Link put out the food to lure the chickens . " He said and Link lifted a bucket filled with cornbread crumbs , he littered it onto the ground and when it was empty , he tapped the bucket to draw the hens .
They came running out from the coop and as they did Link stepped back from the fence . Stuart walked into the fence and went to the coop . He began picking eggs and placing them inside the basket he held . When he had enough , about fifty four eggs , he rose and walked out of the gate .
" All right , Henric ." He said showing the eggs , " You can let it go now . "
" Good , then let's go . " Henric said letting the rooster go and it ran to eat with its hens .
" What about you're arm ? " Link asked him , " You could get infected if your not careful . "
" Why don't you speak go to Sister Cali ? " Stuart suggested , " We can hand the eggs over ourselves and explain that you were injured."
" I'll go after we hand in the eggs . I don't want to start a squabble without good reason ." Henric said holding his arm so the blood would not stain his clothing .
" Did you hear the news ? " Stuart said as they walked on the path to the orphanage main building .
The path was paved with small stones and next to them , tall acorn trees stood in line . Link pulled up his coat as a breeze blew up .
" What news ? " Henric asked them .
" They say Sister Cali could be transferred soon . " Stuart said , " To someplace warmer , fir her health they claim ."
" I have no doubt it Sister Becca who came up with this ." Link said , " Everyone knows she never liked her . Just tolerated her . "
" Did the Reverend father agree to this ? " Henric asked Stuart but the blonde haired boy shook his head .
" No , it's not certain yet . It's merely a suggestion I think . " Stuart said unsure .
Henric frowned a moment and then he gave a cough .
" I believe I will go to Sister Cali now . My hand is aching quite irritably ." he said and the other two boys nodded their heads knowingly .
Everyone knew that Henric and Sister Cali had a close relationship . Although they didn't show it openly , their relationship was like that of a mother and son . With good reason .
" I'll see you later , my friends ." Henric said and left them quickly .