The dinner was filled with the air of talk. No one engaged me in a conversation except for Emma, and Aunt Sarah pretended like the whole thing hadn't happened. I noticed she was very talkative, and so was Amelia, but Robert was silent most of the time.

Lou was watching Amelia with complete interest, and Amelia kept eyeing Lou. I grew uncomfortable, but that was about all that happened that was worthwhile to tell.

I was amazed at how much Aunt Sarah and Robert ate. Four ogres probably couldn't eat as much! Mother and Flora had to leave the tableto cook more, and then when they asked for thirds, Mother had to tell them that there was not enough food. I knew Mother hated having to say that to guests. Aunt Sarah looked shocked, but said nothing. Robert seemed to be pouting, and I thought I heard him say, "I'm still hungry." and "They can't even make thirds?" Amelia, however, did not mind. She took small bites and ate very daintily.

That night as we changed and got in bed, Emma and I were silent. This was unusual, for we usually talked long into the night.

Sleep had just begun to take us when there was a sharp knock at the door. Emma and I sat up.

"Come in!" Emma called.

Amelia stepped inside. Her nightgown was adorned with jewels and laces. Emma and I looked down at our plain, simple nightgowns and felt like servants. Amelia noticed too.

"In Frell, you would be thought of as servants with your simple dresses and small quarters," she remarked.

"You seem to have a big problem with our way of life. Will you just mind your own wealthy and grand business?" I said, annoyed, and without thinking again (I do that a lot).

Emma sighed, then said, "She speaks before she thinks, as you can see, Amelia. Please don't get mad at her."

She had been a little late in saying that. Amelia looked as if she would strangle me, but then decided not to, and smiled sweetly.

"Oh, it's all right. Anyway, the bed is too hard in my room. I would like a different room."

"We don't have another room, unless you want to sleep in your brother's bed," I offered.

"His bed is hard, too," Amelia glared at me, then smiled as she asked, "May I sleep in your room?"

"Um, we only have two beds; one for me, one for Elisa." Emma said politely.

Amelia laughed, "I know."

"So… you want to sleep on the floor?" I said sarcastically, and smiled as sweetly as Amelia had to me.

Amelia ignored me, and asked Emma, "May I sleep in your sister's bed?"

"Wait just a-"

Emma cut me off. "You can take my bed. Besides, if you wanted to sleep in Elisa's bed, you could've asked her. Don't worry, I'll go."

Amelia was going to protest about staying with me, when Robert appeared, wide-awake.

"My bed is too uncomfortable. May I sleep in another bed?"

I groaned, thinking the conversation would start all over again, when Amelia said quickly, "You can take Elisa's bed."

"Hold it, no he can't!" I exclaimed.

Amelia stared at me hard, then said, "Yes, he can, and he will."

I was about to slap her across the face, but Emma pulled me out of the room and lightly closed the door, but not too quickly to hide the sneer Amelia gave me.

Emma did not stop pulling me until we got into one of the guest rooms.

She closed the door, sighed, and then she crawled into the bed. I yawned and reluctantly followed her example.

"And you always wondered why none of the children around Kent got along with you." Emma laughed, breaking the deep silence that had swept over us.

I laughed, too. "Yeah, it's the first day seeing these people in nine years and I blow it for the rest of their stay. Actually, it's like I've never seen them before. Last time they came Amelia and Robert weren't with 'Aunt' Sarah. I just remember 'Aunt' Sarah's big nose always right in my face… but that's it…"

We both giggled. When the giggles subsided, I said to Emma, "This might be rude, but I don't understand why 'Aunt' Sarah's a 'family friend.' She doesn't seem to think too much of us, even if she does like to talk with Mother."

"Yes, I noticed that too. But I believe Mother and 'Aunt' – oh, why do I have to say that? – Sarah met when Mother made Amelia her first dresses. She had to get some really expensive material, but 'Aunt' Sarah paid her well… Anyway, they have been keeping in touch ever since. But I think that 'Aunt' Sarah doesn't like us because we're – we're – well, kind of poor. Oh, nevermind, it's a silly thought, I can't imagine who would be prejudiced against poor people"

"Oh." I only understood half of what she said. She couldn't read or write, and I only wished I could read! I don't know where she gets her vocabulary, but it's certainly better than mine!

Then Emma said, "At least try to get along, and also try not to lead them into thinking how obedient you are."

"How obedient I am? Me?"

"Yes."

"What about yourself? You're being so nice to them."

"No, I'm just being polite."

I sighed, frustrated.

"But anyway, you need to be more careful and polite so they won't suspect anything." Emma said.

"Fine. I'll try."

There was a short silence.

"Elisa?"

"Huh?" I replied sleepily.

"What kind of guys do you like? I'm just wondering… you know, because of the way Amelia looked at Lou…"

"Well, cute foreign guys are awesome… remember those guys from Aythoria that came here a while ago? Wow, they were hot!"

"Elisa, I was talking about qualities of their personalities."

"Oh. Um, cute, being from Aythoria is a bonus…"

"Elisa!" Emma giggled.

"Okay. Okay. Let's see… brave, gentle, kind, strong, tall, can think on his feet, the kind of guy that loves you for who you are, not the way you look. Yeah, that sounds like the perfect guy. How about you, Emma?"

"I think your list is wonderful. Just one more thing to add: intelligent."

"Ah."

We paused, both picturing our own perfect guy in our minds.

"Well then, good night, Emma."

"Good night, Elisa."