Later that day, after Marita and the rest of the girls returned to Miss Liza's after class, Miss Liza briefed the girls on their responsibilities. All eight of them stood in Miss Liza's office, while she sat at the desk and puffed on a cigar.

"If you follow the rules, your life here for the next three months will be easy. You will report here for work everyday after class at 1:00. I know that you get out of class at 12:15, and the college is only a ten minute walk from here, so don't be late. You must wear an apron at all times. You will rotate duties every week. You will work until no later than 7:00 pm everyday, and you will be able to leave for class at 7:50 am to give you plenty of time to get there. So, if you want to eat, you better get down here before then. You will also have to help with breakfast which begins at 6:45 am. On Saturday, we only serve brunch, you will work from 9:00 - 1:00. Now, the college says that they don't want ya'll having company in your rooms, but I've caught too many gentlemen sneaking out of the ladies' rooms. All of you ladies are over 18 and you are still single. So, I've come to the conclusion that if I allow you to have company, you won't have to sneak around. BUT, no and I mean, NO, overnighters. Your curfew is 11:00, so ALL company must be gone by 11:00 pm. You must make your bed every morning and keep your room decent. No smoking or drinking while your in my hotel or on these grounds. I do both of them, and I don't want to be responsible for ya'll getting the illnesses that I have because of my smoking. If there's something you need come talk to me about it. I know that I may not seem like the nicest person, but I'm very serious about this, if you have any problems, questions, or just need to talk, I'm here. OH, there's one more thing. You will find Boston to be a very, "open" town. Does everyone understand what I mean by "open"?"

All of the girls shook there head "yes." Marita felt kind of silly because she had no idea of what Miss Liza meant by "open."

"Uh, excuse me, I really don't know what you mean?" Marita asked shyly.

"Most of you girls probably don't either, Marita, I'm glad that you were smart enough to ask. Ladies, if you don't know, ASK," Miss Liza said very seriously. "Open, is a term that I have given this city. This town is very racially mixed. The coloreds here are able to live just as good as the whites, although there are not as many coloreds as there are whites. If you find someone that you like, Fine, have fun, but I know that you all are within marrying age and I'm sure that that is very much on your minds, so your not just looking for temporary fun. But, the colored men here tend to be very uppity, trying to think that they are more than what they are because they have good jobs or a little money in their pockets. The white men here are very nice to young, colored girls but I've seen the white men here try to take advantage of some of the girls. If you have some problems with any of the men here, colored or white, student or non-student, let me know. I don't want to see any of you hurt. Please ladies, let me know so that I can watch it. One other thing, is that I have eyes in the back of my head. You may not think that I see things, but I see just about everything that goes on here. I also have a good nose for men. I can pretty much tell what a man's about from the start. So, posted outside the door is the assigned chores for the rest of the week, so go ahead and get started, except for you Marita. While you're here, you will only work as needed."

"Excuse me," Marita wondered aloud.

"Go ahead ladies, I need to speak with Marita," Miss Liza said as she motioned for them to leave.

"Your previous employer, a Mr. Ned Logan, went through a great deal of trouble finding out where you will be working and has paid me to allow you to live here, so that you can focus on your studies without having to work. So, the only time that you will have to work will be when we get really busy. So, you are free to do whatever, you'd like," Miss Liza smiled at Marita

"Thank you. I think I'll go to my room and look over my books," Marita said as she walked out.

That night before going to sleep, Sean put on his homemade ring on his left ring finger and sat down to write his first letter to Marita. He still didn't have an address to write to, but as soon as she wrote him, he would send her the letter. He wrote about Ned and Isaac offering to help them, and he wrote about how much he missed her and loved her. He decided to leave out the part about Vivian playing secretary out of the letter, just because he didn't want her worrying about Vivian. That night Marita also sat down with her homemade ring on her left hand and sat down to write Sean. She told him about the school and a little about Miss Mabel. She also told him how much she missed him and loved him, but she also decided to leave out the part about Josiah because she didn't want him worrying either.

The next morning, Sean woke up feeling refreshed. He took of his ring and place it in the box on his chest of drawers. He assumed his usual schedule of grooming and joined the family and Isaac for breakfast. He decided to stop by his Pa's office on his way out to the field. Just after entering his Pa's office, there was at knock at the front door. Alice yelled that she would answer it, so Sean proceeded.

"Morning Pa, I'm gonna work in the fields for a couple hours then I'll need to go into town, but I'll be back before lunch. After lunch, I'm gonna pay a visit to Shelby to see if he can help us out," Sean said.

"Alright Sean that's fine, would you mind posting this up on the "help wanted" board?" Ned asked

Sean read that the sign was asking for a secretary. "Sorry son, I've got to get some help in here. Things are stacking up quickly."

"I understand...Well I better get..." Sean was interrupted as he heard a high, female voice which belonged to none other than Vivian Winters.

"Good morning, Sean...Mr. Logan. I just assumed that you could use my help today," Vivian said as she walked into the office.

"Really Vivian, I can manage," Ned said.

"Mr. Logan, you don't have to be so proud. I assume that these documents need to be recorded?" Vivian asked as she sat down at Marita's desk and began working.

"Pa, I'm leaving," Sean said as he walked out of the door.

"Sean don't forget to post the sign," Ned yelled.

Sean worked in the fields until it was time for lunch. He came back home and washed up and headed for the table to see Vivian seated right next to his chair. He walked in a sat down. The family ate lunch while Vivian regaled them with stories about the new dressmaker from Paris. After lunch, everyone headed back for their normal duties. "Isaac, can I speak with you for a minute?" Sean asked. Sean and Isaac walked into the great room. "Please, don't think that Vivian's being here, is by my invitation," Sean said.

"Son, don't worry about it. Ned, told me that she insisted on helping. Besides, I trust you," Isaac said

"Thanks Isaac, that means alot."

After Vivian left the Logan home, she made a trip into town. She saw the "help wanted" sign that Sean posted. "Hmmm, Mr. Logan has already found a secretary. He doesn't need two," Vivian said to herself as she slipped the sign in her handbag. On her way home, she reached into her handbag and pulled out a slim 4 X 6 box. It was Marita's box. The one that she had in her desk drawer in Mr. Logan's office. "Can't wait to see what's in here," Vivian said to herself.