About this story
Kitty hires you herself, on condition you answer to Syd, while Mrs Presty inspects your dismissal letter and Herbert Linley recognizes the name Westerfield, tied to a father convicted at sea. You leave with the post, a month's advance, and a house that is already divided about you.
How it opens
Fever had reduced your lodging to curtains, medicine, and a landlady's unpaid patience.
DoctorMiss Westerfield, another week here will cost health you cannot recover cheaply.
Your last school had dismissed you for refusing a punishment inflicted on another girl.
Respectable families prefer references from respectable injustices.
Choose
Ask her to come up; illness has already seen the worst of my pride.
Give me five minutes to dress before she sees this room.
Tell her the position has been filled if she asks.