The year is 1879. When thirteen-year-old Ruth Merritt Holbrook emerges from her family's burning estate, bloody and charred, but entirely numb--She makes headlines. Reporters believe she is deranged. They accuse her of having set the fire. All the h...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Dear Miss Holbrook,
I am pleased to inform you that I will call on you this Saturday, the seventeenth. I will, by no means, pressure you to speak with me. If you have prior arrangements, I will not fault you. I have an appointment that same afternoon with the head of the asylum and your former physician—a Dr. O'Donnell. I don't want to overwhelm you or make you feel uncomfortable, but I do have a lot to say. I would like to meet you before we really begin looking into your illness. I have always found it soothing to be able to put a face to a name. I hope that together we can make the best out of a harsh situation.
If you choose not to meet with me this Saturday, I will continue with my plans to speak to Sister Florence and Dr. O'Donnell about my plans. I would, of course, prefer to speak to you in person before I approach them. I feel it is your right, both as a young lady and as my patient, to have a say in your treatment. I will await your response.
I hope this letter finds you well.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
