(02-15-2021, 12:31 AM)Pearl Carrington Wrote: "It doesn't matter what he has to say," she said. "He had no right to say what he said to you." She did not particularly care for the smell of fish, but she did not let it bother her. The mince pie's aroma did cover it up some. "I can leave you the basket if you wish. I haven't got anything else in there," she presented when he seemed at a loss as to what to do with his hands. She placed the hanky in the basket and offered it to him. Assuming he took it, she took a step back and moved an arm behind her back, that hand moving to grip her arm.

"I am sorry about my brother. He thinks our family is better than anyone else's family because we happen to have money... My father dislikes it so... I dislike it too. Papa worked for all of that money, our blood is no bluer than yours, really."

Joe accepted the basket with a nod of appreciation.  It did give his hands something to hold.

"Maybe so, Miss, but I don't feel very aristo-" he stopped, unable to fully remember the word he wanted to use. "ar-ris-to-" Joe repeated in vain.  A jumble of letters, words, and half-digested news articles flooded into his brain, exposing the limits of his formal schooling. His face fell. What must she think of him?  Can't even finish a fancy word.