Miss Goodrow and the Consonants

Miss Goodrow never ages, almost as though she had been teaching first grade for years and years; so knowledgeable with the vowels and consonants; why, she told me once that I had three consonants in my name and that they were hidden from the vowels, and she called on me one time to come to the blackboard to point out the vowels and consonants.  (We had to raise our hand to be called on) I wanted to come to the wonderful slate blackboard because the pointer with its brass tip always made an exciting sound when it touched the slate.  I wasn't sure which letters were vowels and consonants outside my name and the beautiful sound I made as my pointer touched vowels and consonants, without knowing which was which, had Miss Goodrow upset and I was sent back to my seat. We were friends, Miss Goodrow and I, even though the vowels and consonants were difficult for me to understand.

I hope she remembers how much I loved her and how sad I was to tell her the news that my family would be leaving the city and that I would be in another teacher's first grade room.  And so she picked me up in her arms and hugged me and kissed me and even cried a little; so sad a scene, Miss Blue, and never would I see her again.  Never!  And now you tell me that she is teaching the after school class all about understanding the needs of poor children and helping them along the way. Be sure to tell Fanny my story so that she will love Miss Goodrow too. 

  

Give my love to Fanny and all the family for I do so miss all of you, Pearl