Chapter 2
Annie was amazed when she stepped into the Howell mansion. There was a large foyer with a marble floor and staircase. She had never seen anything so beautiful in her life.
"Everyone I have an announcement to make. This is Annie. She will be staying with us for a week. Annie, what would you like to do first?", asked Lovey
"The windows and then the floors…"
"Annie you don't understand. You don't have to do any work while you are here. You are our guest, said Lovey holding back tears. She was so upset that all Annie knew was work. She had to talk to Thurson soon about having the board of orphanages inspect the orphanage!
"How am I going to earn my keep?"
"Annie, Miss Hannigan is a cruel woman. I believe that no child should work like you used to. Let me give you a tour of the house. I will also have plenty of new outfits for you soon"
"Thanks Mrs. Howell"
"You're welcome Annie", said Lovey leading Annie and her dog Sandy though the house.
"This will be your bedroom Annie. I'll have all your new outfits here by tomorrow morning", said Lovey opening the door to a large bedroom with a large bed with pink silk sheets.
"Leapin' Lizards!", exclaimed Annie
"I'm sorry I don't understand. What do you mean?", asked a confused Lovey.
"That's something I always say. It's like saying, oh my goodness!", explained Annie.
"You like it then?"
"Oh yes, Mrs. Howell!"
"Good, I'm glad you like it. We'll be having dinner in an hour. Mr. Howell should be home soon"
"Mrs. Howell, Mr. Howell has just arrived", said a maid that Annie and Lovey met in the hallway.
"Oh thank you, Peggy"
When Annie and Lovey reached the bottom of the staircase, Lovey introduced Annie.
"Annie this is Mr. Howell."
"Thurston, this is Annie. She's the orphan…"
"Lovey I wanted a boy!"
"Well you never told me you wanted a boy, dear."
"That's all right, Mr. Howell. I had a fun time anyway. I got to meet everybody and see your house. It was really fun! I'll always remember this fun day but I can go back., exclaimed Annie.
"Lovey, do I smell dog?"
Just then Sandy came running down the steps. "This is my dog Sandy."
"Oh well I'm glad to see you like my house so much. It's been in our family for years. We also have a house in the Hamptons, Oyster Bay and a townhouse in New York City. I wouldn't send you back, Annie. It wouldn't be polite of me. This week you can go and see all our houses", said Thurston who thought Annie was rather pleasant and he had a feeling his wife was already fond of her.
Thanks Mr. Howell! Can Sandy stay too? Yes but when we entertain, Sandy will not be running through the house"
"Oh Thurston thank you for letting Annie stay! Oh look at the time, time for cocktails."
"Annie would you like some pink lemonade?" You can join Mr. Howell and me if you would like."
"Oh wow, I've never had pink lemonade before!"
A few minutes later the butler, Jeeves came in the room with the drinks.
"Darling, how was London?"
"It was fine Lovey. King George gave a call to talk a bit. I'm the only American businessman he ever talks to you know."
"I know dear. I do think it helps that the Spencers are distant cousins of the Wentworths."
"You know the King of England, Mr. Howell? Leapin' Lizards!"
"Leaping Lizards?"
"Thurston it's an expression of excitement she uses."
"Oh, yes and Mrs. Howell is related to aristocracy."
"What?"
"A family in England who has been rich for many years and has a very large home and are close friends to the Royal Family", explained Lovey.
"Oh."
"Annie how would you like it if you could meet some of the other children in the neighborhood?", asked Lovey.
"I'd love too, Mrs. Howell!"
"All right then I'll call my friends and ask them to have their nannies bring over the children tomorrow."
"Do you think the kids will like me?"
"I hope so dear."
"Dinner is served", said Jeeves.
When Annie sat down at the dining room table the number of silverware confused her.
"Is something wrong, Annie?"
"All of these forks and spoons…"
"Work your way inward. This is for the salad, and the one closest to your plate is for dessert. Do you understand, dear?", asked Lovey.
"I think so", said Annie who normally didn't get much more than lumpy oatmeal.
That evening the Howells took Annie to the Philharmonic orchestra in Providence. Lovey had gone out to children's boutique earlier in day to get Annie a beautiful pink dress. She was glad that the dress fit her perfectly. She hadn't even met Annie when she had picked out the dress.
"Mrs. Howell it's so pretty!"
"You look like a proper young lady. It's perfect. I'm having a red dress made for you for Christmas."
As they left, Mrs. Howell explained the proper etiquette to Annie of the symphony.
Annie enjoyed the music and all the pretty outfits that the other women were wearing. On the way back she fell asleep. After Peggy, the maid had put the sleeping girl to bed; Lovey went in and gave Annie a kiss on the forehead. Tomorrow she would talk to Thurston about adoption
