Laura was deeply troubled by the news about Etta. They had gotten to be good friends and often confided in each other. It was hard to believe Etta didn’t feel she could wait to talk first with Laura about whatever was behind this sudden action.
Rosey left, and Laura walked to the bedroom, shaking her head. What had happened that was so terrible Etta couldn’t even wait to give notice and quit in a manner that would ensure she got good references for future jobs?
Laura heard the mantel clock chime the hour. It was only four. There was still plenty of time before supper. Laura hurried back to her sitting room. She grabbed her gloves and purse, then headed downstairs. She would go see Etta and find out what had caused her to leave her post so quickly. If there was a problem, Laura wanted to help.
She made her way to the carriage house. Etta’s place was a bit far to walk, and Laura didn’t want to risk walking back in the dark in case she was long at the Duffy house. Mr. Grayson was likely driving her father around, but Curtis would be able to hitch up the smaller carriage.
“Curtis, I need you to ready the carriage. I want you to drive me over to see Etta.”
“I heard she quit.”
“Yes, well, I think it was just a misunderstanding.”
“I don’t know where she lives, Miss Laura,” the boy said, moving to get the horse.
“I have her address. Just please hurry.”
He had the carriage ready for her in a very short time and thankfully knew the way to Etta Duffy’s small house once Laura told him the address. When they arrived, Laura wasn’t surprised to find the neighborhood much poorer thanher own. There were several small wood-framed houses sitting side by side. They looked practically identical. All were painted with whitewash and had a door and one decent-sized window to designate the front of the house. The yards were quite small and unadorned for the most part. The Duffys’ yard had a single very small tree.
Laura made her way to the door and knocked. It was only a moment before an older woman appeared. She smiled. “May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Laura Evans. I’ve come to see Etta.”
The woman frowned and bit her lower lip. She glanced over her shoulder as Etta moved up behind her.
“It’s all right, Ma. I’ll talk to Laura.”
The old woman nodded and moved aside. Etta motioned Laura to come inside. “Welcome to my home.”
Laura glanced around. It was a neat and homey place. The furnishings were modest, but clean and nicely arranged. Etta led her to an overstuffed chair by the fireplace.
“You might like to sit here. It’s quite comfortable.”
“Thank you, Etta.” Laura settled in and continued. “I know I’m intruding, and I am sorry. However, when I came home and learned from Rosey that you had quit, I had to come and speak to you.”
“I am sorry for the way I acted, Laura. I should have given notice.”
“But why would you want to quit? I had no idea of anything being wrong. Were you unhappy with your duties?”
“No, there was no trouble with my duties.” She looked away as if nervous.
Laura couldn’t tell what was going on. Etta had always seemed willing to talk about most anything, but now she seemed quite tight-lipped.
“Please tell me what happened, Etta. I want to help, and I want you to come back to work.”
Etta glanced over to where her mother still stood. “Ma, would you go see to the ham, please?” She waited until her mother left the room, then took a seat in the rocking chair not far from where Laura sat. “I’d rather not say what happened. It frightened me.”
“Why can’t you tell me about it?”
Etta looked down at her clenched hands. “It wouldn’t be right to trouble you with it. Just allow me to say that I am sorry. I didn’t want to leave in such a fashion. I thought perhaps I could send word that I wasn’t well.”
“You’d rather lie than be honest with me about what happened?”
She could see that Etta was more than a little upset by the matter, but it wasn’t something Laura felt she could leave alone. “Did someone hurt you? Threaten you?”
“No.” Etta looked away and shook her head. “Miss, I overheard your father say something. I don’t want to speak ill of him, and maybe I misunderstood, although I feel certain I didn’t.”
Laura felt her stomach sour a bit. She was now the one to clench her hands. “I must admit there are things I’ve heard my father say and do that I don’t understand. He lied to me recently. I didn’t tell you about it yet because, frankly, I wasn’t sure what to think.
