When I awoke, I was surprised to find myself in my own bed, while the physician tended to Elva beside

  1. me.

I looked around the room, but Nicholas was gone. I wondered how long he stayed. Likely not for very

long. He did dislike me, after all.

Still, he had been kind to stay at all, even with all the layers of hurt between us. He had been kind to me

last night, and I would not soon forget it.

I rose and dressed, and by the time I was done, the physician was ready to talk to me.

“She should have a full recovery. She will need to rest for a day or so. Her body is fatigued from fighting

off her illness so hard.”

I thanked her, though my relief did not fully squash my guilt. Elva had only been in danger at all because

of my inability to protect her. If I had stayed away from her until I was absolutely certain I was healed, she

might never have gotten sick.

The thoughts plagued me even after the physician exited the room. No sooner had she gone than Mark

entered.

“All of the girls are being summoned into the parlor room,” he said.

I knew, with the distinct lack of pitter–patter of rain against the window, that it was not storming outside.

in failure. But at least Elva was safe for now,

in

with Elva?” I asked

“Yes.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

I left the room and made my way down to the

entered, and I heard echoes of

it seemed, had

a raised platform at the far side of the room. Nathan was among

nearest a microphone.

I stood. No one would talk to

a concern filled

I explained what had happened, but how she is better

when I heard,” Susie said. “Thank God

I agreed.

into the microphone.

the girls turned to look

hunt previously planned for today has been postponed. A

dependent on

not raining,” a girl from the front

had lost the bet, at the very least

barbecue, however one managed to do

too far out

not,” Nathan said, “Yet Miss Piper has still won the deal between

forecasters have predicted that tonight we

moon.”

around the room. One of

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