School went on as normal, Math class in the morning, Science/Social Studies and French/Latin in the afternoon. As soon as classes were over Elizabeth would return to her room unlike most of the girls who went to the lobby or billiard room to talk or play games.
Mrs. Shufflefield was no longer known as a maid since she was so busy with preparing lessons for the afternoon classes, but she remained as an adviser to Elizabeth. Mrs. Shufflefield was what the southerners called a mammy to Lizzy. Ever since Lizzy's mother had died she had been like a Mama to her, tucking her in bed every night and making sure to teach Lizzy all about being a girl.
One day as Elizabeth was supposedly going over her studies (she was actually doing her usual staring routine out of the large window) when she absentmindedly had begun to scratch a word into the desk, novus, a Latin word meaning news.
Suddenly there was a tap on the door, breaking her trance. She looked down quickly to view her markings. "Damn!" she exclaimed and tried so difficultly to remove the word. The person at the door continued knocking quietly, though she didn't notice as she was scrubbing at the desk. Seeing that the word was not going to be removed she covered it with a book and got up to answer the door.
"What is it?" Lizzy said frusteratedly. "Your lunch tray, Mam'," what appeared to be a servant girl whispered timidly.
"Oh, I'm sorry for shouting . You just sort of caught me off guard," Lizzy smiled and extended an unsure hand. After so many people rejecting her kindness her self-esteem had been lowered a great many notches.
The cowardly girl was an African American with beautiful jet-black curls and almond shaped eyes. Unlike most of the other girls Lizzy actually tried to introduce herself which made the girl extremely happy. As a servant girl most of the upper class people looked down on her, and wouldn't come near her and most definitely not shake her hand. Lizzy's kind was a rarity and a delight to meet.
"I'm Josie Bronson," the girl smiled, accepting Lizzy's hand.
Elizabeth's heart practically did a leap of joy at the thought of making a friend.
"You'd better go back to what you were doing. Who knows what they would think if they saw you associating with me," Josie muttered sadly.
"It can't possibly be any worse than what they think of me already," Lizzy laughed, "But I am pretty hungry so I guess I'll go ahead and eat."
"All right. I'll see you tomorrow Miss. Elizabeth."
Lizzy stopped her firmly, "Please don't call me that. If you could think a nickname or something for me I would most appreciate it."
"I'll do that," Josie smiled.
Then they practically went skipping their separate ways.
