Downton Abbey: Chicago Street Princess

Chapter 1: Something Old, Something New

The little girl approaching me doesn't look older than eight, but she's so small she has to balance her weight against her case by holding it with both hands and leaning in the other direction a bit. She has little black shoes, a blue overcoat so big the long sleeves were rolled up several times and some of it is trailing on the ground, and a large, floppy, straw hat in bad condition.

I can see now why Robert thought it beneath him, I think as she continues to approach.

She reaches the front door and sets down her case with a huffy sigh, then reaches up just barely on her tiptoes to reach my knocker, hitting it three times.

My door opens and there stands a bewildered Barrow, "Can I help you, miss?"

"Is this Downton Abbey?" she asks in her American accent.

"Yes," Barrow answers shortly, obvious he doesn't wish to draw out this conversation longer than he has to.

"Oh, good," the girl seems quite relieved, as though she's been knocking on doors all day, asking if it's Downton Abbey. You think the girl would realize a great house like me when she sees it, "May I come in?"

My, how impertinent she is, I think rather snobbishly, to my own disapproval.

Now I can see her a tad better, she looks much to mature to be younger than ten, but can't possibly be older than fourteen with how small she is. There are a few holes in all her clothing, her shoes are dirty and well worn, and everything about her is filthy -- including her face.

"No," Barrow responds curtly, "you may not. Lord and Lady Grantham are having tea and I don't let strangers into the house."

As well you should, I agree wholeheartedly.

"I'm Cor--" the little girl begins, but Barrow gives her a look so stern, she starts again, "I mean, I'm Lady Grantham's grand-niece from America."

"Can't be!" Barrow objects, "She's not due until tomorrow."

"I felt it silly to rest in London for a day when I could just take a train and arrive early."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

She reaches into the pocket of her dirty overcoat, and pulled out a dirty piece of paper, "I've got a letter."

Barrow eyes the little girl and then takes the letter. After a minute, he folds the letter, "Come inside, miss," he welcomes begrudgingly, "and who should I say has arrived?"

"Bethany Stellper," she carries her case into the foyer and waits patiently as Barrow goes into the library.

"There's a Miss Stellper here, your Lordship," Barrow announces to the Crawley's as they drink their tea.

"That's not right," Cora insists, "She's not supposed to be here until tomorrow."

"Well, nevertheless, she's here, milady," Barrow does that awkward smile, "Shall I fetch her, m'lord?"

"Yes," Robert says distantly, "bring her in."

"Very good, m'lord," Barrow nods and leaves to get her.

"I don't understand what could've gone wrong," Cora looks down at her tea distressingly, "I thought she was coming tomorrow."

"Well, obviously, she's coming today," Robert responds with a tad of sass in his voice.

"Miss Stellper," Barrow announces and the girl stomps in, floppy hat and all.

Cora smiles warmly and stands up to welcome the little child, Robert looks her up and down and frowns slightly, Sybil draws back with disgust while holding Tom's hand, who blinks several times before smiling amusingly, Mary looks absolutely shocked and so does Henry, George and Charlie snicker and then burst out laughing at her, but little Violet, too young to understand much, just stared quizzically at the girl.