Lottie closed her eyes and sighed. Her husband was merely saying what was. His words echoed a system designed by men for men, the common view that kept women and girls suppressed and miserable. Mere vessels for the next generation. Lottie opened the door and pointed to the huddled figures of Anne and Kate in the hall.

"'Ave you no 'eart, William? Can ye not see the cruelty? Look at Anne, William. Look at her! Huddled and fearin' to go home. Fearing for what her father will do. Sounds like cruelty ta me. How can ye tell me te send her back? What kind of mother do ye think I am?" she asked with angry pleading.

Anne looked up when the door opened. Kate had been rubbing her back quietly and she had calmed a little, but now she tensed up again. "Please, Mrs. Blacke. Please don't fight on my account. I'll go..."

"Afraid?" Bill said, ignoring all the other accusations and looking at the lass. "You said Ben had kicked her out." He stood up. "I'll go speak with him."

"Go on then, speak to him." Lottie said, she was running out of steam, but she had one more thing to say "Anne, can I 'ave a word with ye?"

Bill left, slamming the door just for the heck of it.

Anne too was worn out.but she rose and entered the kitchen. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Blacke," she said, sinking back down on her chair. "I've caused you so much trouble. I've just been silly. I'll go 'ome."

Lottie gestured for the girl to join her and then closed the door to ensure what she said would be between her and Anne alone.

“Anne, I really don’t want ye to go. But if ye must, there is something I want ye to take with ye. I know ye aren’t mine, but I love ye like ye were. I helped bathe you as a babe, and I am proud of the women ye are growin’ into. I want ye to ‘ave a life filled with joy. Take these thoughts and lock them away in here.” Lottie pointed gently to Anne’s heart “Whatever happens, know ye are always welcome in my 'ome.”

Anne felt fresh tears well up in her eyes. She reached out and hugged Mrs. Blacke. The fact that the womsn wanted her to be happy, made her desire happiness for herself. She almost felt happy for a bit.

Then there was a knock on the door and her happiness dissolved.

Lottie hugged Anne and gently kissed the top of her head the way a mother would. That felt good, it felt proper. She then composed herself and headed to the front door. "Kate, please take Anne upstairs, and close ye door."

Kate hadn't opened the door. Although she didn't know the details of what had happened and what her parents had fought about, she understood that this was probably Anne's father and that Anne was terrified. She entered the kitchen, took Anne by the hand and the girls ran upstairs and closed the door.