Chapter Thirty-FourEliza
Fryday, March 10th
I did not speak to Alex last eve. He arrived home late, and I pretended to be asleep when he came to bed. At breakfast I busied myself with the little ones. We spoke four words: “Good morning” and “Good-bye.”
To-day I called on Annie. Altho I no longer needed her services, I needed another woman to confide in. She gave me a snifter of brandy without asking and I gratefully took it. We sat upon her sofa, a needlework project spread out between us.
“Truth be told, Elizabeth, you look as if you've been run over by a team of oxen.” She snapped open a snuff tin and pinched some up with two fingers. She inhaled deeply and whistled out. “Pardon my dippin.' I've been tryin'a surrender the noxious w**d, but it beckons me. Now. Do tell what's on your m
