“Ah,” she said. “Did you come and look for me?”

“No,” I said. “I’m sorry. Should I have?”

“Not necessarily,” she said, with a kind smile. “It seems you handled it wisely. You did what you thought was best.”

Then she looked down at Agatha, still asleep, and set her hand on Agatha’s motionless arm.

“Why don’t you get started with your day?” she asked me. “I’ll take over.”

“Okay,” I said. “Do you want me to make oatmeal?”

“I’ve eaten already,” she said. “Just make something for yourself. I’ll be down later.”

So I got dressed and made myself a bowl of oatmeal, expecting Laura and Agatha to come down any minute. I settled on a chair in the library and read about women’s fashions from the Renaissance to the Second World War, which was when the book was written. I skipped around, looking at illustrations, and reading captions praising the “stunning advances of the modern age.”

When I looked at the clock, I was shocked to see that two hours had passed—and there was still no sign of Laura or Agatha. I went back up the stairs just as Laura was emerging from the nursery. Her expression struggled to be tranquil, but she was clearly stressed.

“Why don’t we let Agatha sleep a little longer?” There was a crispness to her voice. “I think it would be best if she’s not disturbed.”

“Do you need help with her?” I asked.

Her pleasant smile was made unpleasant by the fact that she refused to make eye contact with me. “No, thank you,” she said. “In fact . . . I wasn’t sure when to bring this up, but I’ve been feeling lately like we’re asking too much of you. You work so hard, and then on nights like last night, you’re forced to get up out of bed and deal with bad dreams.”

“I don’t mind.” The top of my head prickled. “Really, it’s okay. I like being there for her.”

“I know,” Laura said. “But I don’t want you to feel that you have to be there twenty-four hours a day.”

“I’m her companion, though,” I said. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”

“I don’t know that it’s the best thing . . . for either of you right now. My great-grandmother had very interesting things to say about special friendships among young women. She felt the attention of a proper young lady should be focused on the home in general, rather than on one particular person.”

“I’m not focused on her,” I said. “I mean—I’m just trying to be there for her.”

“Yes,” she said offhandedly. “You certainly are.”

“I’m going to run up and brush my teeth,” I said.

“I’m sorry,” Laura said. “Was I not clear? I’d rather Agatha’s rest not be interrupted.”