Page 27 (1/2)

I returned to the kitchen Both Mrs Chester and Mary Margaret had overheard ing Boggs was terrifying to the It was as if they thought Boggs ht believe they were part of a conspiracy to overthrow him

"Why is everyone so afraid of that man?" I cried in frustration "He isn't the owner of the house, is he?"

"I'd like those potatoes peeled, if ya don'ther back on aret raised her eyes and then lowered them

quickly

"In case nobody told you, slavery is against the law, even here," I muttered, but I didn't pursue it How they wanted to live and as their own business, I supposed, but I wouldn't just fade into the henever Boggs widened his eyes or raised his eyebrows

On Friday night while Mary Margaret and I were serving Great-aunt Leonora her dinner, the phone rang and Leo appeared in the doorway to announce that reat-aunt had a call

"It's Mrs Hudson from America, madam," he said I looked up excitedly

"Well, well, well, my sister finally calls You'd think she would know the dinner hour here," she said, wagging her head and wiping her lips with her napkin as she rose

There was a telephone in the drawing room

"You ht as well take this back into the kitchen and keep it all war at her food

I was disappointed because I had hoped to speak with randmother Moments later, however, Leo appeared to tell me Mrs Endfield wanted me to come to the phone I hurried down the corridor

"My sister insists on speaking with you, dear," Great-aunt Leonora said "She wants to be sure we haven't done aith you" She held out the receiver

"Thank you," I said "Hello?'

"Is she standing there over you?" Grandhed to myself

"Yes"