Abilene thanked the Appletons for the ride and climbed into the back of the cart as was offered. Situating herself quite comfortably between two of her three small suitcases, she drew her legs up, still careful not to show her ankle though she doubted anyone would take notice if it was showing. The journey was a lot longer than she'd expected, but Abilene didn't mind- it gave her time to think. She was just glad she'd brought her shawl, as it was still quite chilly in Whitby during the nights. The cart trudged along at a slow pace and Abilene half-wished they'd made the trip during the daytime so she could see the woods, fields, and moorlands along the road.

Although Abilene's spirits were high during the first hour or so of the trip, she began to weary as the road bumped her around the cart constantly. As the wind picked up and they traveled along open areas, Abilene began to shiver and drew her shawl tighter around her. She huddled up tight now, not bothering to conceal her ankles anymore, more concerned about not catching a cold her first night working for the Appletons than modesty. The Appletons shared small talk every now and again, and Abilene noticed that Mrs. Appleton kept looking at her as though suspicious, and her heart, already chilled by the windy night, sank. Had she already done something to cause such mistrust? She hoped not. Maybe she was seeing the expression wrong in the lantern light. Yes, that was surely it.

Finally, Mrs. Appleton asked her husband to stop the wagon and he helped her down. She didn't reply to his word of not going too far and Abilene realized she was relieving herself after a few moments. Thankful that they'd stopped for a bit, she slipped out of the back of the cart and walked in a circle or two, stretching her sore legs. Mr. Appleton suggested she do the same as his wife and Abilene nodded, stepping away into the woods on the side of the road opposite to where Mrs. Appleton had gone. As she squatted in the dirt beneath a large sycamore tree, she suddenly began to cry. She was leaving everything behind now, her very childhood as well as her job, and the weight of all this newness frightened and overwhelmed her for a moment or two. Stumbling back to her feet once she was finished with her business, she trembled and stood there for a long minute more before hurrying back towards the cart.