"Not yet," she said. "I haven't had a chance ta make that happen yet. I've had me hands full." The kettle wasn't long to start screaming at her. She poured it into the teapot and moved to set it on the tea tray along with two, bone china cups that were mismatched but pretty, nevertheless.

"And thank ye fer yer kind words of me house. Me employer is a good man ta offer me this space." She set the tray on the side table and poured two cups, one for herself and one for him. "How do ye take yer tea, father?"