“I have secured passage and I am leaving by the first coachtomorrow.”
Jenny just listened. She didn’t look like she knew whattosay.
“I am writing a letter to Edwin to tell him that I am leaving and I don’t know how long for. I have no idea if I will have a job when I return—if I even doreturn.”
“Lydia, don’t tell me you might not come back? What would we do without you? Me, Edwin, Doctor Cooke, Ellen—everyone.”
Lydia reached over and put her hand on top of Jenny’s. “I just do not know. I want to come back, but I don’t know how long this will be, and a lot will depend on what the family’s needs are once I get backthere.”
“Is there anything I can do tohelpyou?”
“Please tell Doctor Cooke of my situation. I do not have time to write him a note right now. I need to pack when I finish this letter, and I need to inform my aunt of thesituation.”
“Certainly, I will go to the Doctor first thing in the morning when his officeopens.”
Lydia bowed her head and smiled gently. “And there is one other thing youshouldknow.”
“Yes?”
Lydia explained about her feelings after the ball when she thought that Edwin was treating her like an employee rather than as a friend. “I was in a terrible state when I had to go to work this morning, but when he came into the office he declared that he had feelings for me and asked if I thought I might develop any feelingsforhim.”
Jenny sat back in her chair and exclaimed, “N-o-o, hedidthat?”
“Hedid.”
Then Jenny realized, “But now you are leaving. Oh, Lydia, what atrocioustiming.”
Lydia had to laugh. “Is it notdreadful?”
“I hope you are writing a sensational letter to him. You need to hook him whileyoucan.”
“I am doingmybest.”
“Might I see it?” Jennyasked.
Lydia lowered her eyes. “Ithinknot.”
Jenny smiled. “Of course, Iunderstand.”
Just then the front door opened and Aunt and Bernardcamein.
“Aunt, I am in here,” Lydiacalledout.
Jenny rose. “I should go. You need some time with your aunt. I will give Doctor Cooke your message.” Then she stopped to think. “But what message shall I give him? Certainly, now that Edwin has declared his interest, you are no longer interested in DoctorCooke.”
“Jenny, I don’t know about that. He has been a great friend, and I have no idea how relations will go with Edwin. His mother may intervene. In any case, everything is still too uncertain. Just tell him why I am going home and that I don’t know when I shallreturn.”
“Very well.” Jenny turned to go and as she passed Aunt and Bernard said, “Good evening Mrs. Daws—DoctorWinston.”
“Good evening, Jenny. Give my regards to yourmother.”
“Certainly.” Andsheleft.
“Lydia, did you have a good day?” Auntasked.
“Aunt, I have some troubling news, please take a seat and let meexplain.”
Aunt Lavinia and Bernard were most concerned after Lydia told them about the situation with herfather.
