After she’d gone, I lay in bed for a few minutes. Why should I be taking orders from the likes of her? And why had she taken such a dislike to me? What harm had I ever done her? Despair threatened to take hold of me, but I brushed it away. My curiosity about what was in the wardrobe got the better of me, and I got up and pulled open the door. Inside were hangers full of dresses of all colors. Rows of shoes were lined up on the bottom shelf and, on the top shelf, a half dozen hats. I gasped. Whether I’d seen such finery before, I didn’t know, but, regardless, I was delighted at the sight of it all.

My delight faded when I reached for one of the dresses and held it up to inspect it. Sure, I’d never fit into the likes of that. I was a large girl, with curvy hips and a big bosom. I took off the nightgown that had been laid on the bed the night before and looked at myself in the wardrobe mirror. I let out a cry of surprise. I was thin as a rail. I slumped down on the bed and put my head in my hands. What was happening to me at all? Why had I thought I was supposed to be big? Had I lost the weight in the hospital, or was this the body I had all along? If I’d been this way in the hospital, why hadn’t I noticed? I supposed I’d been so preoccupied with other things, I hadn’t bothered to look at myself under the hospital shift.

A sharp knock on the door from the maid roused me into action. I pulled on a bright-red dress and matching low-heeled shoes, arranged my hair as best I could and rushed down the stairs.

After breakfast, Mrs. Shaw suggested to the maid, whose name was Teresa, that she show me around the house and grounds. I glared at Teresa behind Mrs. Shaw’s back, and she glared back at me.

“I have to go into the village today. But you will be in good hands with Teresa.”

Little do you know, I thought.

“Are you taking the car again?” I blurted out, afraid that she might do herself or someone else harm.

She laughed. “No, as a matter of fact I’m taking my horse. He hasn’t had much exercise since I’ve been going in and out of the city to visit you. I will see you for supper.”

With that, she strode out of the room. I watched her, openmouthed.

“You’ll get used to Mrs. Shaw’s ways soon enough,” laughed Beatrice. “You sure ain’t ever seen the likes of her at home. Hmmm. No, ma’am.”