I returned to the kitchen. Both Mrs. Chester and Mary Margaret had overheard me complaining. I could see that the very thought of challenging Boggs was terrifying to them. They both avoided looking at me and worked without speaking. It was as if they thought Boggs might 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't mind," Mrs. Chester said, ignoring my question and turning her back on me. Mary Margaret 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 work was their own business, I supposed, but I wouldn't just fade into the woodwork whenever 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 my great-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 might as well take this back into the kitchen and keep it all warm, girls," she said nodding at her food.
I was disappointed because I had hoped to speak with my grandmother. 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 away with you." She held out the receiver.
"Thank you," I said. "Hello?'
"Is she standing there over you?" Grandmother Hudson asked immediately. I laughed to myself.
"Yes."
"Are you having an absolutely miserable time living there?" she asked.
I knew if I told her the truth, she would get on the first plane to London or have me take the first one home. The truth was that despite the way I lived here, I was beginning to enjoy the school. Hiked my teachers, even Professor Wilheim who treated smiles and compliments as if they were diamonds.
"No," I said.
"You have enough money?"
"And the school? Is it as good as Conor MacWaine bragged it was?"
"I'm enjoying my classes and my teachers are all very talented people. There are so many talented students there, too."
"Just remember that you're one of them," she told me. She hesitated and then added, "My idiot of a doctor had me back in the hospital for a few days, otherwise I would have phoned before," she said.
"Hospital? Why?"
"This contraption is not performing as well as they expected. They may actually have to replace it. I'm thinking of suing someone only I haven't yet decided who it will be. Maybe all of them," she said,
"Are you all right now?"
"I am, as Doctor Lewis puts it, under
observation. Don't worry about it. I'll have their heads eventually," she told me and I laughed.
I glanced at Great-aunt Leonora who was gazing at me with her head tilted slightly, her eyes full of amazement and confusion.
"Your mother called to see how you were doing. I told her to call you to find out for herself, but she pointed out that if she did, it might create some suspicion. Any excuse that fits," Grandmother Hudson muttered. "Jake sends his regards," she added.
"Oh, thank him and tell him I miss him."