Samantha was sitting on the window bench ripping out stitches of the pillowcase she was attempting to sew for Bridget. Despite her original intense hatred for all things sewing, she now found a strange comfort in sewing the occasional item and remembering the stitches Grandmary had once taught her.

Movement outside caught her eye, and she looked up to see Eddie walking briskly towards Mount Bedford. A quick pang at not being invited tugged at her heart, and she paused in her work, confused. Why did she feel this way about Eddie? Did she love him, this boy who'd been a pest to her for so long? Had he really changed?

Nellie emerged from her bedroom, arms filled with books.

"I'm taking these to school for the girls. May I borrow your copy of Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz?"

"Of course! I hope the girls enjoy it."

Nellie beamed. "Thank you, Sam. Today we're writing compositions on our favorite books." She paused suddenly, halfway to the door.

"Sam, I'll always be grateful for what you did for Bridget, Jenny, and I. If it weren't for you, we'd still be with Uncle Mike, or on the streets." Her serious eyes met Samantha' s.

Thoughts of Eddie vanishing, Samantha hastened to say,"Oh, Nellie, yes, it helped you, but it helped me as well. I was so lonely, and I'd longed for a sister. I felt like I finally had a real family when Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia adopted you all."

They were still talking when Nellie looked at her watch.

"Gracious, Sam, I'm late!"

Samantha opened the door and gave her a little push."Goodbye!"

She watched Nellie leave, then returned to her work.


The butler appeared when she was sorting through some of Grandmary's papers.

"Lunch is ready, Miss Samantha. I understand Miss Nellie will be dining at the school today?"

"Yes. Thank you!"

She was munching on a roll Mrs. Hawkins had made when a loud knocking resonated thorough the home. Though Ms. Hawkins was at least 80 by now, she continued to cook delicious meals for Samantha and her family.

With a sigh the butler opened the door. "Miss Samantha is eating and should not be disturbed." He had nothing but disdain for the knocker, whom he considered wild and loud.

Straining to hear who it was, Samantha was shocked to hear Eddie's voice, sounding strangely odd and cold, say "Please, sir, it's very important."

"Well-" the butler began, but Samantha was already hurrying to the door.

"Eddie, what's wrong?"

His face was pale, but he stood tall and resolute, as he always did. His eyes shone wildly, a strange light in them Samantha had never seen before.

"Eddie?"

"Sam,will you come for a walk with me?"

The butler made a disapproving noise and left the room.

Eddie stretched his hand to Samantha but dropped his hand back to his side, unsure.

"Certainly," she said, wondering what was happening. Following Eddie outside, she shut the door behind her.