Journey of a Girl

Polite Society: Chapter Seven

The hour came when activity took the place of relaxation.

Everyone began to dress and fuss with their appearance. The room became a flurry of excitement and colorful clothing, so much that the reappearance of the Miss Scrubbs went unnoticed until the woman gave a shrill whistle through her fingers. Standing beside her were two girls in plain brown dresses, each bearing a tray with two pitchers and three cups.

"Bit of wine," Miss Scrubbs announced, and in shockingly calm fashion the room moved to form two lines before the girls in brown dresses. One by one they were given a drink, which was gulped quickly, with everyone sharing from the same six cups.

Credence had tasted wine at Lilith's house and remembered it being delicious, but this time it was bitter and made her wince when she swallowed. 

"Never had wine before?" Rose asked through a giggle. 

Credence lied with a nod.

"Keepers' is comin' soon," Miss Scrubbs warned. "Don't forget to be nice and sweet now! We'll have 'em back here first, then it's off to the Auction for what's left."

"You won't be left," Rose assured Credence.

Anticipation rippled through the room.

"Mistress Cinder will come for me," she whispered to Credence, "and you'll get to meet her! I said I'd put in a good word for you, so do your best to look pretty."

The next time Miss Scrubbs returned, she was trailed by several grown ups, women and men, who were dressed in rich clothing and jewelry.

"Plenty of time before the Auction," Miss Scrubbs addressed them, putting on an overly sweet and mild demeanor, "look around 'til you find what pleases you."

"Mistress Cinder!" Rose called to a tall, breathtakingly gorgeous woman with a pointed nose and black hair that fell past her hips. 

She ran to the woman like a child to its mother, and the woman opened her arms, heavy with gold, to welcome Rose into a hug.

"Little Rose," Mistress Cinder greeted her, "how did you fare on your escape, my flower?"

"Not well at all, Mistress," Rose answered in a baby-like squeal.

"You'll think twice before doing it again, yes?"

"Yes!"

"Even after a lashing?"

"Even then, Mistress."

Mistress Cinder's face grew serious. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, they were nice because I was nice."

"Good."

"But the food's awful and I did not like their carts, not one bit!" Rose's eyes lit up as she remembered something. "I found someone for you, Mistress! A present to say I'm sorry. Over here!"

Rose took the woman's hand and led her to Credence, where she dipped into a short curtsy and pointed to present her new friend.

"She's pretty, isn't she? I thought you might like her."

Mistress Cinder looked at Credence with an appraiser's eyes.

"Her finger," Mistress Cinder remarked.

"Oh, that," Rose mumbled. "I thought you wouldn't notice."

Credence looked at the space where her pinky had once been. She was suddenly ashamed of it, as if a missing finger made her less than, and the way Mistress Cinder frowned made her feel guilty for having such a wound inflicted upon her.