Chapter11
Ayoung ten-year-oldboy was standing with a smile and an envelope in his hand when Lydia opened the front door, thinking it was theafternoonpost.
“Good day, young man. What can I doforyou?”
“Miss, Doctor Cooke bid me bring this to you. He asks if you might reply so I can return with ananswer.”
“How would you like a ginger biscuit whileyouwait?”
“Oh, yes, Miss. That would besplendid.”
“Comein,then.”
Lydia ushered the boy into the sitting room and fetched a tin of ginger biscuits and offeredhimone.
“Thankyou,Miss.”
Lydia opened the letter from theDoctor.
Most Respected MissLydia,
Thank you for dropping your note by the office the other morning with the proposed walkingdates.
I will be most happy to accept your invitation for Wednesday next at ten o’clock, as that is the day my office is closed, and I am free to accompany you in the morning when it isstillcool.
Please inform the young man delivering this message if this time is agreeable to you, and I will appear at your doorstep ready, willing, andpunctual.
Ever your devotedservant,
Reginald Cooke,Physician
P.S. Please wear strong walking shoes. We don’t want to twist that lovely ankle again,dowe?
Lydia felt it was rude to accept verbally, so she wrote the acceptance note and held it out for the ladtotake.
“Thank you, young man, and here’s a sixpence for you,” Lydia said, handing him the envelope andacoin.
He looked surprised. “Oh, that is not necessary, Miss,” he said. “The Doctor has alreadypaidme.”
“Then let it be my treat and our littlesecret.”
The boy’s face lit up with a smile. “Thank you, Miss.” And he turned and ran down the frontwalkway.
Lydia busied herself the rest of the afternoon, anxiously awaiting her Aunt’s return, as she had promised Lydia an answer about riding withEllen.
Lydia had been very pleased when her aunt had suggested but one prayer session a day would be required from here on out. Lydia could abide the six o’clock prayer and was delighted when Aunt chose to sleep in until six in themorning.
Aunt Lavinia’s suit from Doctor Winston had made a definite change in her attitude and outlook. Aunt had never discussed the Doctor ’s letter with her, so Lydia could not acknowledge that she knew about the Doctor’s suit. However, Lydia kept an eye open for a response from the Doctor to Lavinia’s letter. But there had been no replyasyet.
Lydia was in her room writing in her journal when Aunt Lavinia returned and called out to her. As Lydia came down the stairs, Aunt asked, “Was there any post for metoday?”
“Not today,” Lydia said, as she saw the disappointment on her Aunt’s face. “But I did make an appointment with Doctor Cooke to walk with me Wednesdaymorning.”
Aunt sat down in a chair in the sitting room. She lookedtired.
“I know it is just about time for evening prayers, but you look tired. Would you like a cup of tea before we pray?” Lydiaasked.
“Yes, dear, that sounds wonderful. I do feel unusually fatigued thisevening.”
