Lottie saw Anne blush and smiled softly as she rose to fetch the tea and the cake.

"How nice of you to ask, Miss Ward. My family are quite well." Lottie replied in her best attempt to sound well-to-do, befitting this little tea party. But she was not an actress, and her accent quickly fell down the social ladder.

"I'm sure ye saw Joe at yer sister's weddin'?"