Ruby and Julia were eating breakfast as William, in his most sober suit and hat, went out to Mass. Julia asked William to send her regards to Mrs Kitchen at Church. He would eat when he got home and then all three would be going to the Asylum. The heat had diminished with a small breeze to more tolerable levels. The sisters made small talk, avoiding dangerous territory. Ruby regaled her with a few recent adventures and more stories about her female adventurer or journalist colleagues. Against her will, Julia decided she was impressed by these other women's accomplishments. Not only against great odd as women in a man's world, but the physical courage and endurance the women possessed. Julia thought she would like some of these women and enjoy their company. She slowly discovered she was reappraising her sister. Will wonders never cease?
William returned after Church with a little bounce is his step. As the two of them gathered up lunch, he whispered to her, "Julia, I need a moment. Look at this." He brought her into the kitchen and drew an envelope out of his pocket. "It is from the widow, Mrs Whitley." He saw her eyebrows rise in surprise. He went on. "Father Clements gave it to me after Mass. I knew the name sounded familiar but could not place it before. Mrs Whitley is on the board of the Catholic adoption agency. This is a letter to me in support for our adoption application. Father Clements thinks we can reapply." He checked himself—"There is no guarantee, as you see in the letter. She does not make the decisions, but she may be able to influence the ones that do. There are some issues to overcome, but maybe…"
"Oh William, I am so happy for you… for us!" Julia hugged him fiercely.
He could not stop grinning and picked her up and swung her in a little circle in the kitchen. "I don't want anyone to know-yes even Ruby. I don't want to get my hopes up. It would be too hard if we are unsuccessful in the end. "
She nodded and kissed him again, breathing in his pleasant aroma mixed with incense from the Mass.
In the carriage ride to the Asylum, Ruby knew something was up between William and Julia, but decided it was private between them and seemed to be positive, so she did not pry despite itching to know. The carriage was full of boxes and it was uncomfortable to sit. On the lawn, was a group of patients and hospital staff. There were also children who were having their Sunday visit with a patient and offspring of staff members. Ruby was surprised when several of the youngsters eagerly rushed over to William, seeming to know him. Ruby expected him to be standoffish with children, but she noted he engaged them with warmth, as well as his customary dignity and civility. He got them sorted out into a small caravan and they brought all the supplies out of the carriage. There was a freshening breeze flowing across the grass.
Julia watched Ruby watch William. She leaned over. "Don't be so surprised. He is good with children and animals, at least in the right circumstances. Speaking of which—Mina? Come on over here!" Julia gestured to the girl who walked over, pinafore swinging, hand in hand with her nurse and followed by the dog.
The girl curled one hand in Julia's palm and the other in Ruby's but did not seem interested in the gaggle of children. Julia expected she was more comfortable in the company of adults, considering her upbringing. They watched William unpack what proved to be small hot air balloons. Each needed assembly and the adults helped the children do so. All the while, William was talking about the history of flight and chemistry of gasses and air currents in a gentle voice and answered questions patiently. When the balloons were all assembled, William came around to each to inspect it and nod approval to the youngster who held it.
"Are you ready? All right, light them up!" The fuel sources were lit and soon the balloons were rising festively.
Mina was smiling in delight and suddenly broke free and chased them with the other children, the dog barking behind her.
"Well!" said Julia to her husband. "That is the first time she has acted like a completely normal child," gesturing to Mina. She was very encouraged at that.
He put his arm around her waist and she placed her head on his shoulder. "Are we ready to go home?" he asked.
"I want to settle Mina in first. I want to encourage her to draw again before we go." Julia asked the nurse to go collect Mina when the excitement was over.
Just as she expected from the girl's response outside, Mina drew a picture, this time of a hot air balloon large enough for people to ride in. For the first time, she put two human figures in the basket, and a small figure on the ground as if a person was watching the balloon sail on. Or waiting for the occupants to come back, Julia speculated. She wondered if the image was representational or metaphorical. "Thank you, Mina. That is very good. Maybe you will tell me a story about this picture some time?" Mina's face was hesitant, and then she nodded ever so briefly before going to her supper with her nurse. Excellent.
The rest of Sunday passed quickly and uneventfully. The promised rain did not arrive until after 10 pm, when it thundered down in sheets, spilling off the roof and rattling the gutters. Julia and William gave themselves over to making love, the noise of their passion lost in the storm.