Kate dropped her school bag in the hallway just like ma always told her not to and grunted in irritation. Torture wasn't over yet for today. She had an appointment with her new sister-in-law to train in the one subject she hated with a vengeance. Needlework. The only point in that subject was on the needles that kept pricking her fingers. She'd listen to the infant class drumming up the alphabet over and over while she tapped the letters on the blackboard with a glassy stare, before she did backstitches. God help her. Was there no end to her misery?

She entered the parlor with a barely suppressed grimace. She was supposed to be nice to Pearl, even if she was annoyed. Ma adored Pearl. Even dad had warmed to her. Joe obviously drooled all over her like the idiot he was. Kate felt rather left out. With all her older siblings' up and down drama, nobody ever noticed her!

At least the scones were good.

Then she saw her mother. Yes. Absolutely time to be on her best behaviour, especially since her parents wouldn't stop about needlework lately. Her current failure at it was after all threatening Kate's future career. 

"Hi ma, hi Pearl." Her stomach growled at the sight of the sandwiches.