She shook her head slowly, but before she could say anything there was a creaking noise upstairs and the a door opening. Mrs. Appleton's eyes darted to the staircase and her hands clenched to fists in her lap.

Mr. Appleton came down the stairs. He frowned at the sight. "Alice," he said sharply. "You should be in bed." The words came out with force, accusingly. Then he looked at Nat. "And what's your business keepin' 'er up in the middle of the night?"