Evangeline grew tired after a few minutes of laying in the bed.
And soon, she rolled onto her side and curled into the warm, comforting yet foreign sheets; they even smelled different to her. She had never touched or smelled anything that seemed as clean. Evangeline’s bed sheets (or bed sheet, for that matter) at the orphanage always smelled like dirt or flour. But these bed sheets had a smell Evangeline barely even recognized.
They were new.
They had a “new” smell - fresh. She ran her fingers gently down the soft fabric; it looked so delicate, yet she knew that these bed sheets were a hundred times stronger than the ones back home.
She smiled to herself once more before pulling the covers out and fishing her way inside the warmth they provided. Her head lay against the pillows sitting against the headboards, and she was unable to stop herself from sighing at how comfortable the bed was.
She felt like she was lying on a cloud.
This was entirely different than her “bed” at home. She selfishly pulled the covers up to her chin, wanting her entire body to be engulfed by their comfort, and she pulled her knees against her chest and closed her eyes. She knew that her makeup may get smeared from sleeping, but it was the only thing she could think of doing. Besides, she suddenly felt very tired, and she didn’t have a clue why.
The girls in Edna’s Household were not able to take daily naps. It was very rare for Edna to give the girls freedom to lounge around. Yet here was Evangeline, lounging in the bed, closing her eyes and actually enjoying herself.
Most families were broken apart. Most families were in a state of constant depression.
Women were trying their best to take care of their children. Men were trying to support their family; everyone outside was hungry and desperate for work.
So yes, Evangeline could not help but feel slightly selfish as she laid there, realizing that she would no longer be part of those kinds of people. Now, she would be part of the upper class. She had a feeling that Mr. Styles didn’t want her here as a maid, which was a great relief, but she was still nervous nonetheless to see what he would be like when he returned to his home.
Would he be angry if he found her sleeping in the bed?
Evangeline knew that Edna was a very strong woman - she was one of the strongest women she had ever met so far in her life. But Mr. Styles was not a woman; he was a man, and doctors of all kinds say that men are physically stronger than women.
If Mr. Styles grew angry at Evangeline, would he hit her like Edna did?
Evangeline touched her cheek silently as she mulled over this, a frown forming on her young features. Though she had grown numb to the pain, she still hated being slapped. It was both humiliating and frustrating.
But Evangeline had a feeling that if Mr. Styles ever did slap her, then his strength would be so much more powerful than Edna’s strength, and the slap would hurt Evangeline far more than Edna’s slap would.
