CHAPTER ONE

EMILY ARRIVES

"Rose! Where have you been? I've been worried sick about you!" my mother called out to me from the front stoop. I climbed the stairs to the stoop and she took me by the wrist.

"Rose Elizabeth Bukater, why didn't you tell any of us that you were going across the street to the park; especially by yourself?" Mother asked with a stern look in her eyes.

I wanted to think of an answer but I could find none. Despite being twelve years old, sometimes mother treated me like I was a baby. I guess to her, I still was. She led me to my room and closed the door, hopefully, keeping my little sister out. She sat me upon the bed.

"Rose, what if something happened to you? Do you KNOW the pain I would suffer from it? Of course you don't, you're still young and carefree."

I hated it when she did this. She never slapped me across the face and she never would lock me into my room, especially with Elizabeth around. Elizabeth is my little sister. She sometimes acts strange, and on certain days she says nothing at all. Today however, Elizabeth was all talk. She is a borderline ten year- old. I was two years old when she was born, we had just moved here from Philadelphia, or so I'm told. Mother doesn't like talking about what we did before we moved here. I think mother and papa have a secret, but don't dare tell me.

"Rose, I have no choice but to tell your father. Think about what you have done. You are being punished, so no reading, talking with Elizabeth, or writing. Lie on your bed and think about what you have done." Mother said as she closed the door to the room.

Mother, I love her and sometimes need her; but she can be a real pain. When I would come home for the weekend during the school term, she would nearly hang onto me for dear life; always asking me if I was all right and if the other girls were teasing me. I would always tell her "no" about the teasing, since I'm good at making friends. About two hours later I heard a familiar voice downstairs: papa. Papa is a very important man, or so I'm told. He's the admiral of our republic's navy. He commands fleets of ships and can send them anywhere in the world. I suspect papa doesn't really love mother, as I sometimes hear them quarrel at night when they go to bed. When he's away and I get scared, I sleep next to mother. I suddenly heard mother in the hallway.

"Samuel, she went across the street into the park by herself. She needs to learn that she just cannot go across the street whenever she feels like it. She must alert us or take Sadie with her."

Miss Sadie is our nanny and governess. She helps get Elizabeth and I dressed in the morning, and ready for bed at night. Miss Sadie has a lot of love in her heart. She comes from a rather industrious town north of the city called Chelsea. She's told us that her family established the city of Malden and is quite wealthy. She could have it all, but she told her parents that she'd rather work for her wealth. She's been with us since I can remember. Today however, she was more than happy. I think Miss Sadie loves us very greatly, for she always hugs and kisses us whenever mother and papa are away. I continued to lie on the bed waiting for papa to enter. I finally heard the door open and in he came.

He did not look angry, just tired. He sat on my bed and put his hand on my head and rubbed my hair.

"Rose, when you do go out, please let one of us know. If something were to happen to you, your mother and I would absolutely be devastated. I'm not angry at you Rose. Just remember next time all right?" He got up and kissed me on the forehead. Mother entered the room after he left. She wanted to tell me something very important.

"Rose, there is somebody your age coming to stay with us. She will arrive here tomorrow afternoon. I want you to be a good girl and be nice to her. I would like you to introduce her to your friends." Mother said.

Great, I wondered about the room that's across the hall from us. I looked inside and there were boxes of things. The bed had been made and a rather nice coverlet covered the bed. The walls had been painted a dark blue, and white drapes adorned the windows. Emily must be sleeping in here.

Mother changed me into a dinner frock and tied my pinafore in the back. I always wondered why I had to wear a pinafore. I am twelve years old, much too old for one. Elizabeth on the other hand needs one, as she is a very messy eater. Tonight is a special night however: we get to eat with mother and papa. Normally they have adult conversations that don't concern little girls. I wanted to make them proud.

Miss Sadie led both Elizabeth and I downstairs to the dining room. The food was already served. Roast beef, one of my favorites was the main meal. Papa began to speak.

"Children, as mother told you; we will be receiving a guest to-morrow. Her name is Emily. Emily Langdon. You will treat her with kindness. You will respect her. She is eager to learn about our family." Papa said.

"Papa, whewe is Emily fwom, is it England?" asked Elizabeth, as usual having trouble with her "R's"

"No, no darling pet. She is from Brattleboro, Vermont." Papa replied. Elizabeth looked down at her plate. I could tell she was tired, but she didn't want to miss the meal.

"Mama, May I be excused?" asked Elizabeth. Mother nodded yes, and Sadie came to collect the mite. Elizabeth kissed mother on the cheek as she walked away.

"Rose dear I would advise you to be nice to Emily. She has a lot more in common with you than you think. I know how you can get Rose. Please just be nice to her." Mother said in a low voice. Why did mother think I was going to be naughty? True, I can be naughty, but I'm also good. The last time I was naughty, was at school. I talked in the middle of class and Ms. Arkwright sent me to Ms. Allen's study, where she gave me ten strokes of the rod. She then told mother about it, and mother sent me to my room the Friday afternoon I arrived home. Sometimes I think mother likes to send me to my room for the fun of it. I bet this Emily is perfect in every way, flawless. She'll probably rub it into my face.

After dinner was over, Miss Sadie came to collect me for bed. I hoped mother would come tuck me in for the night. She made getting to sleep so much easier. Up into the nursery we went. Miss Sadie closed the door. She untied my pinafore, and unbuttoned the back of my frock, pulling it over my head. I unbuttoned my camisole. Miss Sadie then handed me my night dress, which I pulled over my head. After this, I was led to my vanity, where Miss Sadie braided my russet curls.

"You're being a very good girl Rose, better than last night's fussy mess." Miss Sadie said. I looked in the mirror and waited for mother to come in and tuck me into bed. Elizabeth was fast asleep, clutching Melanie her doll. She snored lightly, and twisted in her deep sleep. I climbed into bed, and Sadie said she'd go get mother. I didn't expect papa to come up, for he would probably be at some gentleman's club. I heard the footsteps out in the hall, the door opened and in stepped mother.

"You're in bed and that is good. You were very good tonight Rose. I like it very much when you behave." Mother said as she pulled the coverlet over me. I looked into her eyes and felt at ease. I felt a kiss on my forehead and the lights shut off. Mother always kept to her word that she would tuck us in.

"Would Emily have to get tucked in too?"

"Is Emily a prig?"

"Most of all, is she caring of others and does she have friends?"

All these thoughts were in my head. If Emily took my spot as eldest child, I daresay I'd become very jealous. Sleep overcame me at this point, and luckily Emily was not part of it.

I awoke to find it raining outside. I hated it when it rained, because I'd have to be stuck with Elizabeth.

"Oh Wose, it's waining outside. We can't go play in the pawk to-day. Mama will be so fussy! She'll say 'Elizabeth you need to go to the school-womb or the nuwsewy' although she does spend two hours with me: Aftuh bweakfast, and wight before my nap." Elizabeth droned.

Despite turning ten in a day, Elizabeth still has to have her daily nap. It's an hour after lunch, and lasts until tea time. I'm not allowed to go into the room when she's napping, because mother says I'll disturb Elizabeth. Mother says that if I need to lie down, I may use the sick room to do so. Again, this all may be thrown to the wall if Emily spoils everything. I just know she will. Breakfast consisted of Johnny cakes with jam and butter. I do fancy Johnny cakes, and I could eat a whole griddles worth of them. We ate in the school-room. I drank tea, but Elizabeth drank milk. "Tea's bad for you." She told me. I laughed at her and she turned away. I can be quite priggish to Elizabeth.

"Do you think Emily will be nice to me Elizabeth?" I asked her.

"Don't know." She said her mouth full of Johnny cake.

I will begin to describe Elizabeth's eccentricities to you. Elizabeth is often fraught to "wringing" her hands when certain things happen. When she looks at you, she doesn't make direct eye contact. She doesn't like the way some frocks feel on her. I doubt she will ever wear a corset; she doesn't like things surrounding her in strange ways. Elizabeth is also a bit eccentric when it comes to her interests; she really likes school girl fiction and other stories similar to that. She also wets the bed and herself on a daily basis. I didn't think diapers could be made for a ten year-old, but it's true. They do make them. They are called "youth diapers" I think it was very mean for me to say that last part. Mother entered the school room.

"Elizabeth, shall we play a game?" asked mother.

"Oh yes! I'd love that very much. Can Rose play with us?" Elizabeth had asked with pleading eyes.

"Rose needs to go fix her top drawer. Miss Sadie looked inside and was frightened. Shall we play Bagatelle?"

How typical. They don't want me around. I don't know what they do when they're together. I've heard that Elizabeth is going to have her mind and IQ tested by a Dr. John Langdon at some institute near our grandparents' home. Could this doctor be Emily's father? I've heard that he was mean from other people. Maybe he mistreats Emily and neglects her. If that is the case, then I will try to be the nicest person to her. When she cries, I will come running to her to try to cheer her up. She would be arriving a little after 1:30 this afternoon. I decided to look into her room. There were dolls, and other things. On her bed lay a lacy frock, with an equally lacy pinafore.

"This girl is practically royalty!" I thought to myself. "I mean just LOOK at her dresses! They all look like they cost a lot. Emily had better not be a spoiled brat." I sat on the bed and continued to look around. I looked out the window and saw a good friend of mine down on the sidewalk. "I hope Allison will want to meet Emily. Allison's a pretty tough customer, so it'll be difficult." I then saw her walk up the front walk. She lives next door to us. I do hope she can come over for tea. I walked downstairs and heard the doorbell ring. Becky, our head servant opened the door.

"Is Rose in?" asked Allison.

"Yes Miss Coburn, Miss Rose is in. Here she is now." Becky said.

"Rose, do you want to go to the park today?" Allison asked me.

"Let me go ask mother if it's all right for me to go." I replied.

I went to go find mother. I found her in our room with Elizabeth.

"Mother, may I go to the park with Allison?" I asked her. I hope she said yes.

"Yes you may, but remember Emily is coming in at 1:30. It is now 10:30. Do you have any pocket money?" I nodded and she spoke more.

"I want you to wear your straw hat. DO be careful, it's bad enough we live on such a busy street. You know how those drivers can be." She said. I turned around and walked down the stairs. Allison was waiting for me in the foyer.

Allison Coburn, she'd been my friend since I was five years old. She has black hair and brown eyes, and yes she even has the same issue as Elizabeth. She lived with her parents Alicia and Daniel. Mrs. Coburn was a very kind and caring woman. Mr. Coburn however, was stern. He loved Allison, and wished she would concentrate harder on her studies. We walked across the street into the park. The rain had let up into a slight drizzle.

"Allison, there's something I have to tell you." I said as we sat down on a damp bench. I could feel the seat of my frock getting damp. I hoped my underclothes wouldn't get wet too.

"What do you want to tell me, is it a secret?" Allison asked.

"There's a girl coming to stay with us. Here before that person walks by, surely he'll hear us." I said in a whisper. The person passed. He looked to be a business man. He had a Tavington cigarette between his lips. Allison leaned in close.

"Her name is Emily. She might be mean and nasty, but I don't know. Could you go into this with me? Mother says she should be introduced to my friends. Can you help me with this?" I asked her. She nodded. With this, we both got up from the bench. We decided to walk to a confectioners shop on 8th Avenue. The rain became a little more intense, but our hats shielded our heads. We entered and the smell of the sugar hit us.

"What do you think about getting?" Allison Asked.

"I want milk chocolate, something that has almonds in it." I said. I really did like candy. Elizabeth and I would often go, accompanied by Miss Sadie when we were younger and by younger I mean when I was eight and she was six. We bought all of our candy and walked out the door.

"Do you still have any pocket money Rose?" Allison asked.

"Yes, I have about eight dollars left." I replied.

"Wow, you're a miser!" Allison laughed.

"Take that back, you!" I replied, laughing.

We crossed the street and headed back into the park to eat the candy. We sat on the same bench that we had occupied previous. The trees protected us from the rain. I ate a Valomilk, which is this chocolate that covers a flowing marshmallow center. It was messy, but I wiped my face with the bottom of my frock. Mother would have died if she'd seen me do it. Allison of course saw my underthings.

"You need a new petticoat; the lace edge is coming off." Allison said. I blushed.

"That's not a petticoat, that's my slip." I replied. We let the topic drop, but Allison brought up a valid point.

"When are you going to start wearing a corset? My mother wears one of those things. They look painful." Allison said. I nodded in agreement.

"I agree, but mother wants me to start training, especially for school this fall. I wonder if Emily wears one. She probably does." I said.

We didn't realize how much time had elapsed. We walked across the street to our homes. The rain was really coming down now and my frock was starting to get very wet. I opened the door and walked inside.

"Heavens Rose, you look soaked to the bone. Do be quiet when you go upstairs, Elizabeth is taking her nap. If you'd like to rest, do so in the room closest to ours." Mother said.

"You mean the sick room?" I asked, giving her a puzzled look.

"Yes Rose, the sick room. I want you to rest up. Emily is due any minute and I would like to speak to her…alone." Mother said in a flat, calm voice.

So mother wanted to speak to Emily alone. That could mean several things. One, it could mean that mother is truly being a great hostess. Two, she could be telling Emily that if she attacks Elizabeth or I; she'll strike back. Three, it could mean that she wants to give Emily a tour of the house. Whatever reason, I still found it odd.

I made my way to the sick room. I stripped down to my slip and crawled beneath the sheets of the bed. The blanket was of thick wool and it was scratchy. I lay looking at the ceiling. It was funny how the plaster made different patterns. Something was scratching my head: my hair bow. I took it off and put it on the bedside table. Suddenly I heard the door open. It was mother.

"I brought you this to sleep in. I think it would be more comfortable than your underwear." She said. I couldn't tell if she was being serious or being funny. She handed me the nightdress.

"Here, I'll slide it on over my slip." I said. Mother looked at me and said

"That's my girl." She walked over to the bed and kissed me as well as stroked my hair.

"I love you mother." I said.

"I love you too Rose. You just rest your eyes and when you wake up; make sure you get Miss Sadie. Emily should be here by then, and I'd like you to meet her." She said.

I drifted off to a light sleep. I had no ideas of the goings on downstairs.

I woke up and called for Miss Sadie. She did not come. I got up and put my robe on. I walked down the hall. I heard voices coming from the room that was to be occupied by Emily.

"Mummy, I want to go home. Why did mama send me here?" The voice asked.

Who was this girl calling my mother mummy? Certainly she was not a child of hers. She was not my sister. I stayed outside the door. I continued to listen.

"Emily, it was very nice of your mother to send you here. I haven't seen you in years. You'll love Rose and Elizabeth. They're nice girls. I know you're nice. Your mother didn't just send you here for the sake of getting rid of you; she wants you to go to Miss Allen's school." My mother said.

I wanted to open the door, but the person inside needed privacy. I then heard crying.

She was homesick. I felt bad for her. I really did. I decided to open the door and go in.

"Ah, Rose. I see that you are up from your rest. This is Emily." Mother said.

The girl looked just like if I had looked into the mirror and saw a reflection.

"Mother, is Emily my sister?" I asked. I heard her swallow hard.

"Rose, sit down." I heard her say. I did just that, actually I planted myself there.

"Rose, Emily. When you were born, something happened. I had a friend who I had gone to school with. I had asked her to take the other child. She had been so happy. She now had a baby to call her own, and here she is. She's here with her family." Mother said. Emily's tears grew in size. Mother put a comforting hand on Emily's shoulder.

"Shhh Emily, it's okay. I'm here for you. We're all here for you. It's going to take time sweetheart, but I know you can do it. We're a very nice family." Mother said in a gentle tone.

I wanted to say something to this girl. I really did. Finally, I got the gumption to say something.

"Emily, we really are a nice family. Mother is the best. She loves both Elizabeth and I to death. We won't hurt you. Please hear me out." I said in the gentlest tone I could muster.

"Okay. I'll try to hear you out." Emily said in a shaky voice. She extended her arms out to embrace. We embraced.

"Rose, why don't you go and get dressed? Dinner will be served downstairs tonight." Mother said. I asked Miss Sadie if she would help me. She said that she would. We walked to the nursery and she helped me with a frock selection.