Elijah sighed. "I don't know. I know how it's always been done but if he wanted to go to school, he should be allowed." He sighed and walked into the kitchen  to start breakfast. He didn't want to hear any more.

"He won't..." Will muttered. The boys continued to whisper angrily among themselves.

Elijah sighed. "Boys, time for breakfast" he called out a few moments later. He brought out some porridge for them and went back to the kitchen to make their lunches. He took a deep breath and ran a shaky hand through his hair. He was hoping they would calm soon.

The boys had just sat down, when there was a knock at the door.

Elijah looked confused and went to answer the door. His eyes widened a little. "Is everything alright?"

Though Alice looked pale, she nodded. "Father's actually improved quite a bit. Don't worry, Elijah. It's just... Will! Bram!" She called out to her brothers. "Father says you are not to go out to sea today. The wind has turned and its too dangerous. Bram is to go to school, and Will must help Elijah where he can."
"Nooo!" Bram whined. "I wanna help Elijah too. I don't want to go to school."
"Thus spoke the future teacher." Will muttered.

Elijah sighed but looked grateful to Alice. "Thank you for coming all this way to tell me. Please be safe heading home. If you want to stay for breakfast I can get some more warmed up for you?" He asked as she'd come so far. He looked quickly at Bram. "You know you are to go to school if you aren't working."

Alice looked rather breathless. "It's alright..." she said. "I just need a momen..." she took a deep breath and collapsed.

Elijah gave a cry of surprise and dropped to his knees. "Alice, are you alright?" He picked her up in his arms and took her quickly to the sofa. "Do you boys know where to find the doctor?" he looked at them quickly.

Alice came to soon after she hit the ground. "What?" she muttered as Elijah carried her to the sofa. "No, no doctor... I'm fine...."
William brought a glass of water.
"I know where the doctor is!" Bram shouted.
"No! Bram! No doctor! It's just me corset!"