"Mina, come over to the fire," Lucy said as she sat on the ground next to the growing fire. Mina was visiting her at Whitby, and the two were preparing for bed. Mina came over and sat down in front of Lucy. Lucy began to brush Mina's hair.
"Someday you will have a beautiful daughter," Mina said, "and then you will brush her hair before bed."
"Do you think?" Lucy replied excitedly. "Oh Mina, I'm sure we will both find good men. You are so smart, men love you already."
"You shall have at least three men courting you at a time Lucy," Mina said, "but I shall be off teaching etiquette, I'm sure the time will come when I will find myself courted by a man, but not as adamantly as men will court you."
"Mother says they already do," Lucy replied, setting down the brush. "I do not believe her of course."
"I do," Mina replied, turning and facing Lucy. Before Lucy could respond there was a loud banging at the window. She gave out a little shriek as Mina rose to go see what it was. "It is nothing more than a bat," she said, returning to Lucy and placing a hand on her arm.
"I hate bats, they feel wrong to be, unnatural," Lucy said, "I hate them more than you hate garlic."
"Garlic? Bats? My dear Lucy we are quickly approaching the topic of the supernatural and of the vampires whose stories include such things," Mina replied jokingly.
"Mina! You shouldn't speak of such things, especially before bed. I am afraid I will no longer be able to sleep out of fright!"
"Take comfort Lucy, vampires are nothing more than wives' tales, and even if they are more than that they will not come for you, we are safe here. If you want we shall share a bed tonight, that way you can be assured of what I say."
"Mina, you always know how to comfort my frights, I hope if I am ever in need of it I am surrounded by loving and caring people like you."
"You would be better suited with men who could save you than with me."
"I would want you there too, men care very deeply, but they do not have the kindness in their hearts that women like you have."
"Come Lucy," Mina said, "let us go off to bed, it is late and I wish to walk up to the cliff tomorrow."
"Of course," Lucy said, "tomorrow we shall have vigorous exercise, but for tonight we shall sleep."