Call of Troubles

298 words



She walked into the parlor, her dark silk dress rustling about her in waves of lace and ribbon. Fury radiated from her. She walked to her chair and flung herself down. A young woman looked up from the low chair near the fire with an encouraging smile, and a worried look in her brown eyes. The clock had just finished chiming the hour.

“Did it go as bad as that? Didn’t Miss. Amare like the cake?”

“Don’t talk to me about cakes! The whole call was a mess.”

“Oh dear, and after all that work too.”

“Yes, but that Jenny is a haughty, hateful thing and there is no rest with her!”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need your pity, either!”

“Mary!”

“Don’t look at me like that. I can’t deal with you too.”

“Well, can you deal with yourself?” Alice snapped.

“Myself? Oh, don’t get all huffy, but get me some coffee, there’s a dear. My nose is practically blue from the cold outside.” Mary said, starting out sharp, and ending up sounding contrite and wheedling.

“Get your own coffee.” Alice returned, going back to her book. “I don’t have time for crosspatches!”

“I guess I am being cross.”

“Yes you are.”

“But that girl is such a bear, nothing makes her happy.”

“I know, and I am sorry. But I’ll go apologize.”

“Me? Why should I?”

“Because you might have made her crosser, if you were this cross there.”

“I….maybe you are right. Will you come with me?”

Alice put the book down, and nodded. Together the two linked arms and headed back to the entry where their wraps were. Mary sighed. “You’re a good girl you know that?”
Alice smiled her mischievous smile. “You didn’t say that yesterday.”

“Because putting snow in my bedding was nasty!”