THE OVERCOMER




By Tessa Harvey




CHAPTER ONE
(Continued)



More boys angled over, drawn by the spectacle of a new boy slouching as if to become invisible, head down, behind the tall form of a grand lady.

And indeed, his mother was a grand lady introducing herself to his housemaster, Mr Jenks in high clear tones as "Rebecca Cowan."
"My husband is Solomon Cowan, the sweet shop specialist," she declared, smiling. "Now Elias," turning to the boy, "you will have exeat weekends and holidays and you will make us so proud of our lovely son!"

 Some of the boys could hardly contain their mirth, but a very sharp glance from Edward Jenks quelled them.

 Elias was grabbed, hugged, and kissed and his mother swept away on those tottering heels, back to her car, back to their home, back to her busy schedule as secretary of Solomon Sweets Inc.

 Over the next few months, she vaguely recalled Elias Samuel to her mind, wondering how he was doing. Solomon Cowan had no such thoughts, being far too busy building his wonderful empire.

 The next months were hard for Elias. The first mocking boy was Nicholas Kirby. He was pack leader.

 Elias wondered at the spite over all his names from "Eli Ass" to "Jew-boy" to "shopkeeper". This last in tones of derision, and "Samuel - God is calling." This call was usually to make him go long, mostly useless errands for older boys.

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