Maggie became briefly enamored of maps, but not even that could take the place in her heart of the chivalrous knight Don Quixote. Although she could read his adventures herself, she still liked being read to, and when she was finished her lessons in writing, she claimed her reward of a chapter or two from her favorite book.

Lily was not bothered by the ritual. She was inclined, like Don Quixote, to escape reality awhile, because the world both outside and withindoors was increasingly unpleasant.

Walter was descending into drink, and Henry was depressed, and Simon had been sent off to recover payment of a bond four days ago and had not yet returned. The famine was continuing unaltered and it seemed to Lily every day that she was walking in a bitter wasteland. So many horses were dying all over the countryside and at the side of the road from starvation that there’d had to be a proclamation made to have them buried.

In view of this, Lily enjoyed the hour when she and Maggie curled into the armchair and followed the tales of the would-be knight and his most loyal squire, Sancho.

Today Maggie frowned when they finished their chapter. “I think it was very cruel of Don Quixote’s friends to burn the books he loved to read, or keep them hidden from him. They were not good friends. I should not like to lose the books I love.” Which made her think of something. “We can bring this book to London with us, can we not?”

“When d’ye think we’ll be in London?” Lily asked that teasingly, but Maggie’s answer was matter-of-fact.

“I don’t ken how long the journey takes, but if we’re leaving Saturday, as Archie says, then surely we’ll be there afore the first of May. I worried that the gentleman might not find a good coach to hire, but Archie says he did, and then I worried also because when the gentleman first met me he said I would have to wait till I was ten afore I traveled, but then Archie said that was no bother, he could make me papers that would let me travel anytime I needed to, and…oh!” She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Lily! Now I’ve spoilt it. We were going to surprise ye. Archie said ye’d like to be surprised, he said ye’d been so sad and that a journey would be good for ye.”

She looked so downcast, Lily hugged her tightly, trying hard to slow the panicked beating of her own heart. Striving for a normal voice, she said, “No, I will act surprised. But we had better not tell Archie that I’ve learnt of it, in case it disappoints him.” Very cautiously, she added, “Who’s the gentleman?”

“A friend of Archie’s. He has a great house in London, and he says that we can stay there for as long as we do wish.”

There are always arrangements that can be made with the right gentlemen. Quiet. Discreet.