Lottie pursed her lips shut to keep a singular answer in: I told ye so. She and Ruth had had an argument, here in this very room about that man. Lottie had looked behind her on the long road of life travelled to date and said that man was utterly no good. As Lottie remembered it, Ruth had angrily protested, saying that Ma was out of touch, heartless, and cruel - among other things.

But Lottie shouldn't be so hard on her own kin. Lottie knew as well as anyone the effect of sweet words on a young girl's mind, there had been another.. and of course William Blacke.

"I know dear, we'll sort something it out.."