I promise the chapter after this has some more familiar characters. Thank you for sticking with it, and following the story. I love the private messages, reviews, favorites, and follows. Thank you everyone! It's great to hear this one's going a bit better than the old version!

Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own Downton Abbey...

February 1897

"… The piece of turf, with the little daisy in it, was thrown out on the dusty highway. Nobody thought of the flower, which had felt so much for the bird and had so greatly desired to comfort it."

Anna closed the book slowly. She placed it on the cold ground and began to cry. Behind her tears she read her sister's name:

Matilda Jane Smith

Died

January 2nd, 1897

Aged

6 Years

It had only been a month since her sister passed away. A nasty mix of pneumonia and the flu did her in. Anna did nothing but blame herself. She resorted to a number of negative behavioral problems her family begrudgingly decided to accept. Over the month she had only managed to eat when forced, skipped school often, and would only speak if it was necessary, and even then she wouldn't look anyone in the eye.

When she had her way, she'd just lie in bed all day and feel the frail pages of her book. Reading the same stories over and over again: her sister's favorite stories.

Every day, regardless of the weather, Anna would trek down to the cemetery, nearly four miles away, to visit her sister. She'd already started to memorize her sister's favorite story from reading it so many times.

Anna grabbed her book, wiped off her tears and said goodbye to her sister. Her mother hadn't pressured her into thinking one way or behaving another, but she had advised not staying in the cold too long. She began the wintry walk home, to retire back to her bedroom. Alone.

Her mother had surprisingly been her greatest comfort, besides reading to Tilly. Anna had never been her favorite daughter, and she'd make no effort to hide it. She wanted Anna to be so much more than she was capable of at the age of ten, and there was some sort of resentment that had came with that.

But her mother had been stronger and kinder than she could ever have imagined, especially after a tragedy of burying her middle daughter. She was sad, and Anna knew it without a doubt. She'd often hear her mother crying late at night, or in the other room when she thought no one could hear. She'd never imagine doing it in front of Anna or Flora or their father. She'd hug everyone and tell them everything would be alright. She didn't push anyone to feel a certain way, and she seemed more than willing to accommodate.

Anna had never seen her mother so compassionate nor so strong. She'd always thought of her as a cross old woman who tried to dictate her life.

When she finally made it home, Anna kicked the snow off her boots and headed for her bedroom.

"Sit it down." She heard her mother say, and she reluctantly obeyed, hearing the sound of tea being made.

"Would you like some?" Her mother inquired, placing her hand on Anna's shoulder. "It'll warm you right up!"

Anna nodded. "Yes please, ma'm."

Mrs. Smith turned her head towards the stove and smiled, relieved her daughter had decided to talk and accept a drink.

She put a cup down in front of Anna, and sat across from her. She watched as Anna willingly put the cup to her mouth and drank, though expressionless.

Anna grabbed her mother's unoccupied hand, and gripped it firmly. Her mother grasped back. They looked each other in the eye and chuckled.

"We really are your da's troopers." Anna laughed again, fighting back tears. They took turns just smiling at each other, before her mother's face turned into a glum frown. "Anna, I need to tell you something."

Anna's gentle smile turned back into a frown. She let go of her mother's hand and put it on her cup. Flora ran in and out of the room, but neither made any contact with her.

"We thought now might be a good time to make some changes-" Her mother paused for a moment biting her lip, "I've found a job, nearby. I'll start in a few weeks. I'm not making much, but it's more than we're getting now. Then, your father would be able to get a simpler job: a safer job!"

And although she wouldn't say it out loud, Anna knew it was to occupy her time in other ways than moping. Anna nodded. She was happy her mother was going to do something with her time rather than sulk around, like Anna had been doing. All of a sudden she felt guilty. She'd been skipping school, and not pulling her weight in taking care of Flora. She'd just been mourning over Tilly as everyone around her tried to go on.

"I'm working for the Crawley family, down in that big house you pass going to the creek. You know, the one whose daughter is Flora's age? They're going to let me work for them, and everything, and I'm very grateful. They'll let me live at home and everything. It's a bit of a dream, really-"

There was a "But…" hanging in the air, and Anna caught onto it, pulling herself up straighter go listen.

"You're ten now, almost eleven, and we hadn't intended on you to-" Mrs. Smith struggled to find words while Anna expected the worst. "Most girls leave at eight, and with Flora about to- Anna, love, do you know what I'm-" Mrs. Smith took in a deep breath waiting for the blow she may be met with.

"I have to leave school?" Anna inquired. She'd picked up on the rest of the phrases begrudgingly. She loved school and going to school and all her friends at school, even though she was one of the eldest girls, only second to a girl of twelve years. She was so bright and could answer any question, as long as it wasn't about anything domestic and motherly.

Her mother nodded. Anna sulked back down into her chair. "I can teach you here, when I have time. But we were going to have to sooner or later and since you've missed class for nearly a month-"

"I'll start going. Tomorrow morning! First thing, mum! I promise!"

"It's not about that-"

"Am I to care for Flora, then? Is that what I'm to do?"

"Not all the time. They've allowed me to bring her with me twice a week for part of the day, and she'll be in school soon enough."

"Then what am I doing?"

"You'll be learning, here."

"Learning what?"

"From Ms. Arthur."

Anna gulped, fiddling her fingers on the pleats of her dress. Ms. Rose Arthur was Anna's widowed neighbor. Anna was convinced she must be at least 90 years old, and could think of no reason why she'd want to help her.

"Ms. Arthur? Down the way, Ms. Rose Arthur? Widowed old bat, Ms. Rose Arthur?"

"Would you listen?" Her mother spat at her. Anna's mother did her fair share of yelling, but never so harsh like this. Anna held back the tears of her scolding, and surrendered, listening intently. "I was telling her about going to work, and she offered to help. Don't be so rude. One day, whether you decide to get married and have children, or work in service, or do anything with you life beside be a burden to everyone around you, you'll need her."

Anna objected with a loud sign and a slinking into her chair, as she took another sip of tea.

"Anna, please. I know it's not ideal, but it's happening, and you might as well make the most of it. And with any luck, your father will be able to find a job where he can come and rescue you if you need it; be your knight in shining armor." Her mother winked, hoping the humor might cheer Anna up. She was still preoccupied with her tea, avoiding eye contact, once more.

Mrs. Smith took the teacup from Anna and kissed her forehead. "Why don't you go lie down? Things'll be better in the morning. They usually are. And cheer up, darling. I heard you, last night, talkin' to Tilly." Anna turned red. She didn't think anyone was hearing those conversations. "It was your fault. She wouldn't blame you. She doesn't blame you. But keep talking to her. She probably likes that."

Anna gave a weak smile. "I would think so. She talked so much."

"And you've got another sister- right through that door, there. You've been neglecting her. I suppose we all have." Mrs. Smith motioned to the girl's bedroom. "Why don't you go read her a story?"

Anna climbed off the chair and made her way back to her bedroom. Mrs. Smith gave a confident smile to her turned back; relieved she finally could get everything out in the air. She felt a sense of happiness that she hadn't felt in quite some time.

Flora was sitting in the bedroom, lying with her feet raised high above her head on the wall. She was scanning through Anna's fairytale book looking at the pictures. Anna was angry her sister was getting her grimy hands all over the page, and wished she'd keep them out of her mouth before flipping pages- but she didn't say anything. She smiled and lied down next to her sister, feet in the air.

"Will you read me one?" Flora asked, smiling her toothy grin at Anna. Anna laughed, taking the book from her and scanning through for the perfect story.

"This was Tilly's favorite-" Anna snuggled her sister in her other arm and read out loud. "Now listen! In the country, close by the high road, stood a farmhouse-"

"Anna?"

"Yes?"

"Is Tilly- Is she comin' back?" Anna bit her lip, as she shook her head 'no'.

Flora frowned and bit her cheek. "I miss her."

Anna held her sister and wiped her hair out of her face. She placed a kiss on her forehead, and closed the book. "Me too," she whispered quietly.