Conversation in the Parlor

Pappy and Miss Porter were sitting in the headmistress's well-appointed parlor, having tea when Molly and Clarissa returned from their tour with Regina. The two tour guides excused themselves with curtseys and left the trio alone.

Miss Porter gave her newest student a warm smile and patted the settee next to her, inviting Regina to join her. "I hope you enjoyed your first look at the campus. We've been lucky enough to have 20 acres donated by the Wells family and the church. As time goes by we'll expand with new buildings - an art studio, for one - but for now, we have classrooms, dorms, a dining hall, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a chapel, and a gymnasium."

"Sounds like everything you need," Pappy said. He'd been watching Regina's face while Miss Porter spoke, hoping he was doing the right thing. Now that they were in California, he was having second thoughts. Regina had been right when she spoke on the train. If he left her here at Miss Porter's, chances were good he would never see her again. Was he doing the right thing?

"Mr. Reynolds, Colonel," Miss Porter corrected herself. "You're doing the very best thing for Regina. From what I've read of her in your letters and from meeting her, I'm sure she will thrive in our environment. Our graduates are well educated, well-spoken, and well-mannered. You've already given Regina a fine start in life. Miss Porter's School will just add the finishing touches. And she'll have the company of girls from 12 to eighteen as classmates. Some of our students stay on as instructors if they're needed. Our harp teacher, Miss Eller, graduated with our first class."

Miss Porter halted for a moment to let it all sink in. "Regina, you've had a lot to absorb in the last few days. Do you have any questions?"

Regina took a deep breath and considered the question. Questions? She did have questions, but nothing Miss Porter could answer. She wanted to know why her parents had died. Why Gran had to die. Why her Pappy was pawning her off on total strangers on the other side of the country.

"Can I see my room now? I'd like Pappy to see it too, before..." her voice trailed off.

Miss Porter spoke right up. "Certainly, my dear. Let's go now. If you're through with your tea, Colonel?"