It's difficult not conversing with him overmuch during the study time. The silence in the room nearly engulfs her as the children work at their books and papers. There's so many things she could be saying--so many things she wants to be saying--to him. She debates passing him notes, the way some of the children in her class might when wanting to relay secret messages, but she brushes off the urge. It wouldn't be proper, after all. It wouldn't be adult.

It is difficult to concentrate on her chores when Doc is working at her desk, though she imagines he must know that's so. More than once she wanders close to sneak a glance at the characters he is etching out, wondering where he learned such a skill.

When she eventually dismisses her class for the day, few run immediately out the doors the way they usually would. Doc has a cloud of young ones around him for at least twenty minutes, the girls at the forefront, tittering and flirting in their innocent, young way.

Katherine smiles and gives him space to interact with the children as much as he wants until they all finally trickle from the schoolhouse.