Flâner

Pretty promises

The moment I entered the house I was whisked away and put into a brand new dress. My hair was done and my face scrubbed until it ached.

I was then plopped onto a couch in the drawing-room and surrounded.

"She is quite boney, isn't she darling?" a well-dressed woman who I assumed was Mrs. Barry whispered to her husband.

"Yes, my dear but it must be expected seeing as though she is an orphan" Mr. Barry replied.
It was as if I wasn't even there.

"Diana, Minnie May! Come and say hello!" Mrs. Barry called out.
Two other girls entered the room. One seemed to be around four or five years old and the other looked to be about my age.

"Girls, this is Danielle Alarie. She will be staying here with us for a few weeks on trial and if she behaves well enough she will be your new adopted sister," explained Mr. Barry.

"Hello" the older girl greeted me, extending her hand for me to shake, "I'm Diana"
Diana retracted her hand after shaking mine and then looked down at her younger sister, nudging her arm and motioning for her to introduce herself.

"I'm Minnie May" the little lass sassily declared.

"Well then, now that we've gotten to know each other a little better I must announce that I've invited the Cuthberts to tea this afternoon." Mr. Barry confirmed, "I thought they might bring their new youth. She is around Diana and Danielle's age and if she and Danielle were to stay I suppose they all might become good friends."

"Of course," his wife agreed, "come along girls we must get you all properly dressed, and I must begin the tea preparations."

We were all withdrawn from the room and I was led back to the bedroom where they had changed me. Mrs. Barry came in a while after the maid had taken off my dress and I was left in my undergarments.

"Hello Danielle," she greeted with what some might call a smile, "I understand that you may have not brought any clothes from the orphanage so Diana has agreed to let you borrow some of her own."

"Thank you, ma'am." I really didn't know what else to say, I'd never had a new dress before, even if I was only borrowing it from Diana.

"Yes, well. We can see to getting you your own clothes if we decide you can stay."

"Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Barry " the woman gave a slight nod and glided out of the room. A new maid came in, holding a light green dress much like the other one - with all the lace and ruffles I doubt one would be able to tell the difference - and I was tackled into it. A ribbon was put into my hair and I stepped out of the room as the dress swayed loosely around my malnourished frame.

"The Cuthberts should be here any minute now," announced Mr. Barry as he and his wife turned to me, "Danielle, we expect you to be on your best behavior. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am" I nodded politely. I had learned over the years that the more you agreed with someone, the less trouble you would get into.

—
All three of us were walking along a small trail. The awkward silence compelled me to look around as I tried to find something to keep me busy until we returned to the house.

"I don't believe either of you said two words during tea." Diana finally spoke up, trying to strike up a conversation, "You didn't even remark on the cake."

Nothing.

"Mother even let me help her bake it special. You enjoyed it, didn't you?"

"The cake was scrumptious." Anne finally replied, turning her head toward Diana.