"She is my friend," she said. "If you are going to her wedding, I would love to go with you." Pearl smiled, "Thank you for asking." Then she looked down at her hands for a moment, feeling really happy of a sudden. She really did like Hoe, she didn't care that he was a mere railway worker. She would take him home to her father one day and he would approve, she just knew it. Her brothers might not, but her father would. She was certain!

"Would tomorrow evening be good for you for supper, Mister Blacke?" she asked softly.