I had to make up names for Becky's youngest sibling, mother and grandmother, as well as a last name for the whole family. Sara probably wouldn't have any calico dresses, but I imagine Becky would spare a dress or two. I think they'd look a little something like a mix of Kiki's dress from Kiki's Delivery Service (the green dress w/ pink pinafore before donning her iconic black one) and Anne of Green Gables. This story four chapters. Feedback is greatly appreciated.
Anyway, read on!
Becky packed her suitcase excitedly, "oh Miss Sara, you'll love my family. Martha really is the sweetest thing. And Teddy is so cheeky. Oh, and little Maudie too. She's the baby."
"Becky, you don't have to call me Miss anymore."
"Oh I know. Still, I wish Friday would come sooner." Sara couldn't help smiling. After all, it wasn't every day Becky went to see her family.
"Uncle Tom says that we don't have to pack until tomorrow. Still, I don't think I have any appropriate dresses."
"Oh, Sara, don't worry yourself none. Besides, I have a dress or two you can borrow. Nothing fancy like you usually wear, but-"
Becky was cut off by a hug from Sara, "Oh, thank you, Becky." Becky dug into her wardrobe and found a two short-sleeved calico dresses, one a dusty rose and the other a pale spring green. They felt rough to the touch, but Becky assured her there was nothing to worry about. "They'll hold for quite a while, Sara. I'll give the pink one to Martha when she gets big, and the green one to Maudie."
Sara laughed and smiled, "I wish I had someone to give my old clothes to."
"Don't you give dresses that don't fit me to the workhouse and orphanage?" Becky looked at her inquisitively. "Yes, but, I meant... It's hard to describe, but you have two younger sisters, and I don't have any. My mamma died before I could have any sisters, or brothers." She sat in the window seat, her hands wrapped around her knees, looking longingly out the window before turning back to her friend, "Oh, Becky, I didn't mean to make you sad."
"You didn't Mi- Sara..." Becky walked to her dear companion and kissed her cheek as Sara continued, "I did always want a little sister. Oh, I know I'm perfectly content with you, Ram Dass, and Uncle Tom, oh, and Boris and Surya, but sometimes I wonder if I could have lived a different life."
"It's alright t' wonder, Sara." They sat there on the carpet for the longest time before Sara said anything, "would Teddy, Martha and Maude like anything?"
"Well... I did always want to get them some toys. Nice ones."
"Perhaps we could buy Martha a doll, and Maudie a kaleidoscope... Hmm... I'm not sure what boys like. What would Teddy like, Becky?"
"Perhaps a sketchbook or a box of tin soldiers. Laws, Sara, us talking like we're giving them Christmas presents" they both laughed. "Oh, perhaps a new wool coat for Ma, and... What to get for Gran..." Becky thought then turned to Sara, "It's alright if we get something for my Ma and Gran, right?"
"Of course it is."
The next day was spent at the shops. Mr. Carrisford accompanied them, each gift was picked out with tenderness and care. A few passersby noted how strange it was, two girls shopping, practically by themselves, but kept to themselves. They even stopped by the confectioners shop for treats. That afternoon and evening, the girls spend a fine time packing Sara's bag, as Becky had already packed the day before. Things such as stockings, a letter set, a few books for the train ride... Important things, as well as their presents.
Finally, Friday morning came. Both young ladies were packed and dressed. It would take the better half of the day to get to Ashfield, so Mr. Carrisford drove them to the station at seven o'clock, not having eaten but bread and milk to tide them over. Sill, they barely contained their excitement as they ate.
Sara made the difficult decision to leave Emily at home. She broke the news to the beloved doll as a mother to her child, as if she were going on a seaside retreat for her health. However, she did make Mr. Carrisford promise to care for Emily and give her new books to read every day.
At 8 o'clock, the train arrived, as Ram Dass and Mr. Carrisford saw them off. Once settled in, Sara took out a book as Becky took out her needlework. They enjoyed a comfortable silence between them for a few hours. It was a very productive few hours for Becky, as she was halfway finished with her pattern, a quaint house, not unlike Miss Minchin's school, which they both laughed about.
At 11 o'clock, a man came out rolling a cart of tea. Becky's stomach rumbles at the sight of those scones and dainties. Fortunately, Sara was also hungry, and ordered for the both of them.
"Oh, thank you, Sara. He just looked so big an'..." Despite her newfound confidence among her dearest friends, Becky was still quite shy among strangers.
"It's no trouble, Becky. Those biscuits do look quite good." They both are their fill as they chatted. They did catch the attention of a few other passengers; two girls traveling without a chaperone. Of course, judging by the way they were dressed, they probably couldn't have even afforded a chaperone. But they way they talked... The passengers agreed it was a strange sight, but best not bring attention to it.
Finally, at 3:15, they arrived at Ashfield Station. Grabbing their bags, they prepared the trek as Becky eagerly spoke about her family, how the farm was going now they have enough money to buy so many of the animals they worked, as well as enough money for geese! The unparalleled joy of having big, fat geese squawking about! Yes, Sara was glad to have come along.
Just outside the Morris family home, Teddy and Martha were chopping firewood, both plainly but well-dressed, as they saw both Becky and Sara coming over the hill.
"Mama! Mama, sissy's home!" They yelled out as small children ran up to their sister, hugging her as she dropped her bags and hugged them back. Sara couldn't help smiling, as well as a pang of jealousy, but she pushed it out of her mind as Martha spoke first, "Sissy, who's she? The pretty girl."
"Oh, remember I told you and Ma I got a new mistress? This is her, Miss Sara Crewe." Sara smiled and gave a little curtsy, "Pleasure to meet you both. Becky has told me so many stories about you all."
Teddy looked up at Becky, "She talks like in the Bible, don't she?" They all laughed as they walked to the little cottage. In the doorway was Becky's mother, holding Maude, as she smiled and started to have a look of worry.
"Oh, Becky, I'm glad to see you. Wait, you didn't get fired, did you?"
Becky shook her head, "No, Ma, just here on a vacation. Oh, this is Miss Sara." Sara curtsied to Mrs. Morris, "A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Morris."
"Oh, you really are so kind to pay Becky so generously, Miss Sara. It's thanks to you, we were able to buy this farm. It's what my Harold would have wanted."
Sara smiled warmly, "It's no trouble, Mrs. Morris. I'm glad I can help."
"And another thing, you don't have to call me Mrs. Morris. Aunt Clara is just fine." She kissed the top of Sara's head affectionately, "you're just in time for supper." Teddy and Martha eagerly carried their bags inside, where their grandmother was finishing up supper, clearly in a much better state of health than Becky's last visit home.
"They're heavier than last time" Teddy complained as he set Becky's bag on the ground next to the table.
"Yeah, heavy." Martha set the other bag right next to the first.
"Supper, children" Grandma called out. Becky and Teddy set the table as Mrs. Morris helped Martha and Maude up on the bench. Supper was nothing special, some vegetable soup with bits of pork, bread, and weak tea. Still, it was quite festive with them all talking and asking Sara and Becky questions about India, the city, the attic, surprisingly now pleasant to talk about now that it was just a story.
After supper, Teddy boldly asked, "Why's your bags so heavy?"
"Yeah, heavy." Martha repeated her earlier statement.
Becky and Sara picked up the suitcases and opened them on top of the now-cleared table, first presenting Teddy with a box, "I brought more than just candy this time." Teddy eagerly opened it and saw small tin soldiers, "Ah! Becky, they're really something!" He ran up to his big sister and hugged her as she and Sara passed out all the presents to her family, "you all should thank Miss Sara, she's the one that bought them." As Becky spoke, her grandmother came and held her present tenderly.
"But Becky, you were the one who picked them out." Sara received a hug from Martha, holding her new wax doll. The other gifts were distributed and eagerly received with many happy cries.
"You're a little angel, Miss Sara." Grandma smiled, clutching her quilted robe as she kissed Sara's cheek.
After things calmed down, and the little ones in bed, Mrs. Morris and Becky made up a bed in the living room, since Sara and Becky were sharing a bed. Sara offered to help, but Becky insisted, "It's alright, Sara. We've got this taken care of."
"Becky, I don't wish to be lazy during this vacation." As much as she wanted to, Sara couldn't hide her annoyance at feeling, for lack of a better word, helpless.
"Miss Sara, perhaps tomorrow we could show you to help around the farm." Mrs. Morris put a hand on her shoulder, "It's not exactly, genteel, but it's almost refreshing once you get the hang of it. Would that be alright?" Sara nodded, "I'd love to, Mrs. Morris."
She nodded and took a candle, "Don't stay up too late, you two." And Mrs. Morris went to bed after kissing both girls goodnight.
Sara and Becky changed into their nightgowns as they talked.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you, Becky. I don't know what came over me..."
"It's okay, Sara. I didn't think you'd want to help. I'll show you when things get too hard." Becky crawled into bed first. Sara came shortly after, suddenly getting a bit melancholy, "I hope Emily will be alright."
Becky was quick to reassure her. "I'm sure she will be. Mr. Carrisford promised to watch her."
"Thank you, Becky." They snuggled close together under the quilt, the embers of the fireplace still crackling. Sara spoke again after a while, "Becky, who's Harold?"
"My da'." Becky looked a little sad and Sara kissed her cheek, "I didn't mean to make you sad."
"You didn't, I just miss him, like you miss your da'. I'll tell you more about him if you'll ask." She gave her a kiss back. "Good night, Sara."
"Goodnight, Becky." They slept through the night quite comfortably, despite the snug sleeping space.