A Simple Solution

Someone is calling. He goes to the house.

Mr and Mrs Spiets are talking to a lady at the back door.

Marie, "Jack, look who just dropped by. This is Minnie, she will be looking after you kids when Dad and I are in the shop. You listen to her. When we're not here, she's in charge. She'll be back Monday morning."

Minnie is a tall and skinny brunette. She seems a little uncomfortable, and soon goes inside to talk to the girls. Jack thinks she may resent him because of Victor.

Mrs Spiets is talking, "Jack, you'll have to concentrate on your Dutch over the next few weeks. It's true we may be on our way to Canada any time, and then you would no longer really need Dutch, but we can't count on that. We may be here for months, and your schooling shouldn't fall behind."

"That's fine, Mrs Spiets, I've been learning the language all along, with the Schuurmans. I'll be alright."

"Okay. Let's do it this way. You're about Winnie's age. For now we won't register you at school, but we'll have Winnie bring all her stuff home every night so you can work with her the way you were doing with Ietje in Bhutan. The school year is not too far along yet. We'll see how you do. If it starts to look like we won't be leaving for quite a while we'll put you in school. And uhh, Jack."