The Schooldays of Jesus Read Online Free Page B

like him.’
    Inés is silent. He, Simón, speaks for the first time. ‘We can’t afford a private tutor. As for academies, there were no academies in Novilla. At least no one spoke of them. What exactly is an academy? Because if it is just a fancy name for a school for troublesome children, children with ideas of their own, then we wouldn’t be interested—would we, Inés?’
    Inés shakes her head.
    â€˜There are two academies in Estrella,’ says Roberta. ‘They are not for troublesome children at all. One is the singing academy and the other is the dance academy. There is also the Atom School; but that is for older children.’
    â€˜David likes to sing. He has a good voice. But what happensin these academies besides singing and dancing? Do they hold proper classes? And do they accept such young children?’
    â€˜I am no expert on education, Inés. All the families I know in Estrella send their children to normal schools. But I am sure the academies teach the basics—you know, reading and writing and so forth. I can ask the sisters if you like.’
    â€˜What about the Atom School?’ he asks. ‘What do they teach there?’
    â€˜They teach about atoms. They watch the atoms through a microscope, doing whatever it is that atoms do. That is all I know.’
    He and Inés exchange glances. ‘We will keep the academies in mind as a possibility,’ he says. ‘For the present we are perfectly happy with the life we have here on the farm. Do you think we can stay on after the end of the harvest if we offer the sisters a small rental? Otherwise we will have to go through the rigmarole of registering with the Asistencia and looking for a job and finding a place to live, and we are not ready for that, not yet—are we, Inés?’
    Inés shakes her head.
    â€˜Let me speak to the sisters,’ says Roberta. ‘Let me speak to señora Consuelo. She is the most practical. If she says you can stay on the farm, then maybe you can give señor Robles a call. He offers private lessons and doesn’t charge much. He does it out of love.’
    â€˜Who is señor Robles?’
    â€˜He is the water engineer for the district. He lives a few kilometres further up the valley.’
    â€˜But why would a water engineer give private lessons?’
    â€˜He does all kinds of things besides engineering. He is a man of many talents. He is writing a history of the settlement of the valley.’
    â€˜A history. I didn’t know that places like Estrella had a history. If you give us a telephone number I will get in touch with señor Robles. And will you remember to speak to señora Consuelo?’
    â€˜I will. I am sure she won’t mind if you stay here while you look for something more permanent. You must be longing to move into a home of your own.’
    â€˜Not really. We are happy with things as they are. For us, living like gypsies is still an adventure—isn’t it, Inés?’
    Inés nods.
    â€˜And the child is happy too. He is learning about life, even if he doesn’t go to school. Will there be jobs around the farm that I can do to repay your kindness?’
    â€˜Of course. There are always odd jobs.’ Roberta pauses thoughtfully. ‘One more thing. As I am sure you know, this is the year of the census. The census-takers are very thorough. They call at every farm, even the remotest. So if you are trying to dodge the census—and I am not saying you are—you won’t succeed by staying here.’
    â€˜We are not trying to dodge anything,’ says he, Simón. ‘We are not fugitives. We merely want what is best for our child.’
    The next day, in the late afternoon, a truck pulls up at the farm and a large, florid-faced man alights. He is greeted by Roberta, who leads him to the dormitory. ‘Señor Simón, señora Inés, this isseñor Robles. I will leave the