Despite Scott's comments about cold sandwiches being sufficient, Teresa had baked chicken in the oven and was preparing applesauce.

The kitchen was beginning to be filled with good smells, and with the back door opened, there was somewhat of a breeze coming in, cooling that

same air.

Charlie came in from being on her swing, and went to the sink, pumping water to wash her hands. She cast a look around at Teresa's

meal preparations.

"I thought we were having sandwiches," Charlie said, lathering her hands with soap.

"I thought this would be nicer," Teresa said.

"You don't need to go to such trouble for her," Charlie said.

"It's not to impress Katherine," Teresa said, pausing in her task, to look at Charlie. "I just thought it would be nice-I don't mind

cooking. Sometimes, I sort of enjoy doing it, having the kitchen to myself, and all."

"Oh," Charlie said. She'd been feeling let-down, as though Teresa was making a big production of supper for Katherine's sake. It had felt

of disappointment, and a bit of hurt feelings, too.

"Besides," Teresa went on, returning to her applesauce-making, "I want to do my part to make Murdoch proud. He believes in being

gracious to any guest, and I think Katherine should see what sort of a home that Scott really has provided for you here. She's seemed so-smug, every

time I've seen her. I'd like to show her a thing or two."

Charlie, now drying her hands, found her heart full of feelings for the dark-haired older girl, who was so calmly and precisely adding

spices to the applesauce.

Ah. Bless Teresa! She did have a point to all this supper-preparation, after all! Sort of a so-there! to Katherine. Teresa was really only looking out for Charlie. And, too, for

Scott.

Standing there that way, Charlie had some sudden thoughts. Realization.

She went up to stand beside Teresa. "I want to show her that, too," she said, quietly. "What sort of a home it is here, I mean."

Teresa turned, and their eyes met in understanding. "Then let's do exactly that," Teresa said.

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Charlie went upstairs shortly after that, passing Murdoch on the stairs. Murdoch was already dressed for the evening, and he was buttoning

his vest as he came down the stairs.

"Where are you off to?" he asked Charlie.

"Going to wash up, before I set the table," Charlie said.

Murdoch gave a nod.

Once in her bedroom, Charlie stripped off the dirty overalls she was wearing. She stood in her chemise and drawers, washing her face. Then, she stood before

the tall wooden wardrobe, looking over her clothing. When it was just the family, it was usual for Charlie, and Teresa, too, to wear

pants to the supper table. When guests were here, then, mostly, Teresa would wear a dress, or a skirt. And, Charlie, sometimes, but it was, again,

not that common.

Scott hadn't set out a decree of what he expected her to wear to the table that evening. He hadn't said, so, as long as she was in something

clean, and looked neat, she thought he would be satisfied, even if it were another pair of her overalls. He was not out to impress Katherine, she

knew that.

Charlie rested her hand on her plainest dress, the one she usually wore to school most days. Maria must have washed and ironed it and hung

it back here in her wardrobe, all ready for school on Monday.

Then, she moved her hand, touching instead a pale yellow dress, a bit more lacy than the blue. It wasn't a church dress, but it wasn't exactly plain,

either. It was sort of an in-between dress, Charlie thought.

Once she was dressed, in petticoats and the yellow dress, she sat on the edge of her bed, pulling on her stockings. She decided to

wait until the last moment to put on her shoes. Might as well stay comfortable for as long as possible, Charlie thought. She stood in

front of her long oval mirror, brushing out her long hair, freed from the restraining braids. When all the snarls were brushed out, Charlie

looked thru her hair things. There weren't many bows or such. Charlie didn't care for those much. But, she did have some hair

ribbons that Teresa had gotten for her. There was a yellow one here, mixed in with the others. Not as pale of a yellow as the dress she wore,

but a sunshine yellow.

Charlie tied the ribbon around her hair, and gave herself a surveying once-over in the reflection of the mirror. She picked up her

shoes, and went out of her room, into the hallway, and down the stairs. She went to the kitchen first, and, after setting her shoes down,

she went to gather dishes from the cabinet. Teresa, pausing in her preparations, smiled at Charlie, without saying anything.

Charlie smiled back. She and Teresa understood one another. Maybe, by the time the evening was over, Katherine wouldn't be quite

so smug.

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Charlie had the plates laid at the table, and was beginning on the silverware, when she heard the sounds of a buggy approaching

from outside. She finished the silverware, hearing the front door open, and voices in the entryway. She hastily finished the table setting,

and slipped back to the kitchen.

"She's here," Charlie told Teresa. She sat down in a chair at the kitchen table, and pulled on her shoes.

"I've got coffee made," Teresa said. "You can tell them that, and that supper will be ready in about twenty minutes."

"Alright," Charlie said. She went to stand near the library door, where the voices were coming from now.

She could hear Murdoch's voice, mixed in with Katherine's. And Scott's, too.

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It took Charlie a moment or so, to work up her nerve. It wasn't that she was frightened, or anything like that. It was more, well, her

nerves were just all 'jangly'. Charlie gave herself a stiff talking-to, silently, in her head. There was no reason to be jangly, or nervous,

or anything like that.

It sounded like Katherine was discussing her stage ride here the previous day. Charlie stepped into the open library doorway. Not

wanting to interrupt the conversation, she waited, and after only a moment, all the adult eyes in the room landed on her. There was another

woman there as well, sitting beside Katherine. Murdoch sat in his over-sized chair, and Scott was half-sitting on the desk, a drink in his hand.

"Here's Charlie," Scott said, pushing off from the desk, and holding a hand out to her.

Charlie came into the room, going to stand with Scott. He rested a hand on her waist.

Charlie forced herself to look directly at her aunt. "Hello," she said.

"Hello, Charlotte," Katherine responded. "You look well."

"Thank you," Charlie said, politely.

"Charlie, this is Mrs. Horn," Scott said, introducing the other woman. "Mrs. Horn, this is Charlie."

The other woman rose, and put out a gloved hand. "Hello," she said.

Charlie took the offered hand. "It's nice to meet you," she said.

After that, Charlie looked up at Scott. "Teresa said in about twenty minutes it will be time to eat," she said.

"Alright," Scott said.

"There's coffee," Charlie said, then, and looked at Katherine and the other woman. "If you'd like some?"

She didn't miss the look of surprise on Katherine's face.

"That would be lovely, thank you," Mrs. Horn said.

"That would be fine," Katherine said.

"I'll get it," Charlie said, and looked up at Scott once more. His eyes were full of approval, and Charlie felt warm inside, just

seeing that.

She returned to the kitchen, finding Johnny sitting on the cabinet, eating a cookie and talking to Teresa. Charlie knew, instinctively, that

Johnny was avoiding Katherine until the last possible moment.

"They want some coffee," she said, and went about filling two cups with steaming coffee.

"How is the dragon lady?" Johnny asked.

"Johnny, hush," Teresa scolded, flicking him on the arm with her fingers.

"She looks the same," Charlie said, in answer. "There's another lady with her."

"Put out some effort, alright?" Teresa told Johnny.

"What for?"

"Charlie and I have decided to try something different, regarding Katherine. We've decided to be pleasant, instead of sour," Teresa said.

"Is that so?" he asked, raising a dark eyebrow.

"It's for Scott," Charlie said, in explanation. "To show her that-well, that he's-" Charlie hesitated, thinking of the correct words.

"That he's done a far better job with you than she ever could've," Johnny finished. "Is that it?"

Charlie looked to Teresa, and then back to Johnny again, and nodded. "That's pretty much it."

"Hmm," Johnny said, looking thoughtful. "Well, I'll do my part. I'll see if I can muster up some charm to throw her way."

"I'm sure if you dig deep enough, you'll be able to manage it," Teresa told him.

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Charlie was smiling to herself, thinking of the teasing between Johnny and Teresa, as she headed back to the library. She reentered

the room, and handed off the cups of coffee to the two women.

"Did you want some now, too, Murdoch?" she asked, and Murdoch shook his head.

"No, darling. Not now. Thank you."

Charlie felt awkward for a moment or so, and Murdoch motioned to her with his big hand. "Come and sit with me," he told Charlie.

Charlie obeyed, and found comfort sitting next to the older man. She kept it in mind to sit up straighter, though, waiting, in case

Katherine wanted to talk to her.

And, she did. Sipping her coffee, Katherine mentioned the names of a few of the bank board members, telling Charlie that they

had asked after her.

Her first thought was that Mr. Beets would have told her if the other men had inquired of her, but she kept that to herself.

She settled, instead, for saying, "That's nice of them."

After that, she answered Katherine's questions about the local school, the teacher, the other children there, all of that.

"I'm sure you were miles ahead of the other pupils here, coming from such a larger school to one this small," Katherine said.

Thinking how to answer, Charlie was glad to hear Scott speak first.

"The school here is well-taught," he said. "They have all the necessary teaching supplies. Up to date and all."

"I'm sure," Katherine said, still managing to sound slightly disparaging.

"I like the school here," Charlie said, and at Katherine's raised brow, she wondered if she'd sounded too abrupt or such. A look to

her right up at Murdoch dissolved that concern. His eyes were twinkling at her.

Teresa came to the doorway, announcing that supper was ready. She spoke to Katherine, and was introduced to Mrs. Horn.

When they all walked to the dining room table, it was to see that Teresa had the platter of chicken there, in the center, and

side dishes, the applesauce, rolls and butter, salad, and baked potatoes there as well.

Mrs. Horn commented that the table looked lovely, with the candles in the center.

Johnny swooped in, in time to hold the chairs for the two ladies, and flashing his smile unsparingly. Mrs. Horn was quite obviously

impressed by him, and his attentions. Katherine seemed so, as well, though Charlie caught her studying Johnny as if puzzling over

him.

Supper passed without incident, and once it was over, Teresa stood to begin clearing the table.

"We'll have dessert in a few minutes," she said.

"How lovely," Mrs. Horn said.

Charlie got to her feet as well, and began stacking plates to take to the kitchen. She felt Katherine's eyes on her, and looked

up. Katherine now looked as though it was Charlie she was puzzling over.

"Your dress is quite lovely, Charlotte," Katherine said. "I meant to mention that to you."

"Thank you."

Johnny, with ceremony, held the back of Katherine's chair as she rose.

"I'll do this," Teresa said, in a low tone to Charlie, gesturing to the table.

"I'll help."

Once in the kitchen, though, Johnny followed behind, carrying glasses. "I'll help Teresa with the dishes," he told Charlie. "You go

on back in there and keep bein' sweet."

"Okay," Charlie said. "Are you both going to come back in, though?"

"When we're done here," Teresa promised. "Go on. For Scott, remember?"

So, Charlie went. She sat this time, beside Scott, opposite Katherine and Mrs. Horn. The talk was mostly on other things, though

Katherine questioned Charlie about what books she'd been reading. When Teresa brought in the cake, with Johnny carrying plates

and forks, Scott took the opportunity to speak quietly.

"You can excuse yourself, anytime, and go up to your room," he said to Charlie.

Charlie met his eyes. "I'll stay," she said, just as quietly.

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