"Oh I was chasin' some nasty lil twit who had insulted me family." She looked at Anne. "That nasty Freddie Clarke, who picks on Will," she told her, for she knew her sister would know. Indeed Anne let out a soft groan of disapproval.

"Anyway," Rose continued as she took one of the real china cups from a cupboard - they saved those for visitors and drank from jam jars when they were alone to spare them - "I bumped into Pearl. We were both alright, luckily, but I had a vial with medicine in me pocket for Mr. Meijer. Ye don't know what he's like. Could have shoutin' fits 'n' all." She shivered. He had known Simon or at least known about him. Perhaps known Christopher Hurley and hated Simon and his family for that reason. Rose had never found out the full story, but whatever it was, it would sometimes make Mr. Meijer frightfully angry with her. She had been delighted when she had gotten engaged and could finally hand in her notice.

Rose finished making tea. She returned to the table, set the cup down in front of Joe, and sat down. Picking up her work, she continued: "So when I found out I broke it, I was right scared and I had cut meself on it too. Pearl kindly treated me cut and helped me replace t' medicine. She's a good person. And not at all puttin' on airs like most of 'em rich folk. Me father doesn't like us bein' friends. Says it's not proper and I might get in trouble for not knowin' me place 'n' all. But she ain't at all like that." Though Rose quickly turned to her younger sister again. "Don't tell 'im we're still friends."

"I ain't sayin' nowt," the younger girl commented.