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Authors: Judith Miller
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grown?”
“She has, indeed.” Rose inhaled a deep breath.
Mrs. Woodfield hesitated a moment. “Don’t forget that we’re going to have our meeting after supper tonight.”
The meeting. If she was going to wage a meaningful argument against the brickyard, she needed to be prepared. Before she took time to speak to Laura about Beatrice, she’d write out her reasons why the pottery would be a better investment for the family. Beatrice would have to wait.
Chapter 6
C onversation during supper consisted of a barrage of questions regarding school and the award Rose had received. Ewan appeared lost in thought while she detailed several different events in which she’d participated, careful to leave out the unhappy incidents. She hoped that the twins would decide to further their education, so she didn’t want to say or do anything to discourage them. Besides, they’d likely attend school together and have each other for encouragement or help. Though the twins disagreed, Rose thought the advantage of having a twin far outweighed any disadvantage.
Mrs. Woodfield dabbed her napkin to her lips. “I believe we should plan a trip to Philadelphia in the future so that we can all see the fabrics you designed, Rose. Wouldn’t it be fun?” She glanced around the table, then gave a slight shake of her head. “I do think it was a terrible oversight they didn’t have the divan upholstered prior to your departure.” She tapped her index finger on the edge of the table. “Perhaps I should write a letter to Muriel Fisk.”
Ainslee leaned forward. “Who’s Muriel Fisk?”
“She’s the director of the school, and I’ve known her for years. I do believe their lack of attention to your winning entry in the contest was a terrible oversight.” Mrs. Woodfield glanced down the table toward Rose. “They should have allowed enough time to display your work prior to the end of the school term.”
The last thing Rose wanted was anyone making a fuss over the award. School was now behind her, and nothing would be solved by causing problems for Mrs. Fisk. Besides, the woman had been very kind to Rose, and she wouldn’t want the director reprimanded due to a letter of complaint from Mrs. Woodfield.
“I have a lovely framed certificate acknowledging my first-place award, Grandmother. I saw the fabric after it had been woven, and that was enough of a prize for me. Please don’t write a letter. I consider Mrs. Fisk a fine director who does everything she can to help the girls attending design school.”
“Not quite everything, or she would have—”
“Mother, I believe Rose is quite satisfied. She’s been clear about her wishes, and I’m sure you won’t override her decision.” Laura looked at her mother and arched her brows.
Mrs. Woodfield inhaled a deep breath and sighed. “I’ll abide by your decision, Rose, but changes don’t take place unless we let our voices be heard.”
Rose thanked the older woman for her kind understanding, but from her look of defeat, Rose was certain she’d disappointed the woman. No doubt Mrs. Woodfield had planned to sway Rose’s decision. The quietude that followed was deafening.
Wanting to end the silence, Rose searched for something to fill the void. “I was thinking it would be lovely if Beatrice could attend the party tomorrow evening.” She looked directly at Laura. “I know I should have discussed it with you first, but I was caught up while visiting with her and blurted out an invitation. She declined, saying she had nothing to wear, but I assured her one of my gowns would fit.” They were all staring at her as though she’d lost her senses. She’d even captured Ewan’s attention. Swallowing hard, she continued on before Laura could refuse the suggestion. “Of course, Beatrice said she still could not attend because she needed to be upstairs to care for Tessa, but I told her Ainslee might be willing to sit in for her.” Rose gestured toward her sister. “Ainslee’s
“She has, indeed.” Rose inhaled a deep breath.
Mrs. Woodfield hesitated a moment. “Don’t forget that we’re going to have our meeting after supper tonight.”
The meeting. If she was going to wage a meaningful argument against the brickyard, she needed to be prepared. Before she took time to speak to Laura about Beatrice, she’d write out her reasons why the pottery would be a better investment for the family. Beatrice would have to wait.
Chapter 6
C onversation during supper consisted of a barrage of questions regarding school and the award Rose had received. Ewan appeared lost in thought while she detailed several different events in which she’d participated, careful to leave out the unhappy incidents. She hoped that the twins would decide to further their education, so she didn’t want to say or do anything to discourage them. Besides, they’d likely attend school together and have each other for encouragement or help. Though the twins disagreed, Rose thought the advantage of having a twin far outweighed any disadvantage.
Mrs. Woodfield dabbed her napkin to her lips. “I believe we should plan a trip to Philadelphia in the future so that we can all see the fabrics you designed, Rose. Wouldn’t it be fun?” She glanced around the table, then gave a slight shake of her head. “I do think it was a terrible oversight they didn’t have the divan upholstered prior to your departure.” She tapped her index finger on the edge of the table. “Perhaps I should write a letter to Muriel Fisk.”
Ainslee leaned forward. “Who’s Muriel Fisk?”
“She’s the director of the school, and I’ve known her for years. I do believe their lack of attention to your winning entry in the contest was a terrible oversight.” Mrs. Woodfield glanced down the table toward Rose. “They should have allowed enough time to display your work prior to the end of the school term.”
The last thing Rose wanted was anyone making a fuss over the award. School was now behind her, and nothing would be solved by causing problems for Mrs. Fisk. Besides, the woman had been very kind to Rose, and she wouldn’t want the director reprimanded due to a letter of complaint from Mrs. Woodfield.
“I have a lovely framed certificate acknowledging my first-place award, Grandmother. I saw the fabric after it had been woven, and that was enough of a prize for me. Please don’t write a letter. I consider Mrs. Fisk a fine director who does everything she can to help the girls attending design school.”
“Not quite everything, or she would have—”
“Mother, I believe Rose is quite satisfied. She’s been clear about her wishes, and I’m sure you won’t override her decision.” Laura looked at her mother and arched her brows.
Mrs. Woodfield inhaled a deep breath and sighed. “I’ll abide by your decision, Rose, but changes don’t take place unless we let our voices be heard.”
Rose thanked the older woman for her kind understanding, but from her look of defeat, Rose was certain she’d disappointed the woman. No doubt Mrs. Woodfield had planned to sway Rose’s decision. The quietude that followed was deafening.
Wanting to end the silence, Rose searched for something to fill the void. “I was thinking it would be lovely if Beatrice could attend the party tomorrow evening.” She looked directly at Laura. “I know I should have discussed it with you first, but I was caught up while visiting with her and blurted out an invitation. She declined, saying she had nothing to wear, but I assured her one of my gowns would fit.” They were all staring at her as though she’d lost her senses. She’d even captured Ewan’s attention. Swallowing hard, she continued on before Laura could refuse the suggestion. “Of course, Beatrice said she still could not attend because she needed to be upstairs to care for Tessa, but I told her Ainslee might be willing to sit in for her.” Rose gestured toward her sister. “Ainslee’s
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