Naomi, for weeks, has been working with the ground keepers out in the hot sun from dawn to evening. So, Vance was not joking when he told her she could stop working in the gardens. She sits at the dinner table with the queen and Vance, and once again, the king is unable to join him.
Queen Victoria made the statement. "Young lady, you are darker than a blackberry." She says, chuckling along with Vance.
"Mother, that's an exaggeration. But they do say, blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice." He says as they laugh some more.
"I hope that's the case, my son. You let me know if it isn't."
Then she looks at Naomi, who continues to eat her meal, ignoring the unkind remarks of the queen.
"Young lady, I think you've learned your lesson. You don't have to work with the ground keepers
