Rose nodded, rather upset that she seemed unable to comfort her friend. She followed Pearl to the table and her eyes fell on the cups for a moment. The only moments she had ever handled such cups was in service. She had never actually drank from something so pretty.

She sat down. "Well... It's been.... busy and rather stressful..." She had intended not to tell the other girl about Alice. It was all scandalous enough for people of her station, and Pearl was so much more refined and well-bred. But now that she was reminded of the other girl's 'scandal', Rose wondered if she might not be more understanding. "Turned out me sister was pregnant," she blurted out. She had been rather desperate for a friend to talk to.