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heavier with every footfall. When they walked up the front steps to the porch, Noli noticed the polished brass sign. “Findlay House.” That was all. Perhaps Findlay really was a boarding school.
    But her stomach wouldn’t loosen; her fists wouldn’t uncurl.
    Something about this place made her want to run away and hide in her tree house.
    Officer Davies rang the bell. A young woman about Noli’s age opened the door. She wore a green day dress, though not nearly as fine as the ones her mother made. The girl’s blonde hair hid under a white lace cap, a piece of fine embroidery in her lily-white hand.
    She smiled listlessly. “May I help you?”
    Officer Davies replied, “I’m Franklin Davies and this is Mrs. Braddock and her daughter Magnolia. I believe Miss Gregory is expecting us.”
    “Of course, please come in.” She showed them to the sitting room and went to get Miss Gregory. Her blue eyes didn’t sparkle, her step held no bounce.
    “What a lovely young lady. This looks like such a nice place.” Her mama beamed as they sat down on the uncomfortable, overstuffed furniture in the stiff and formal sitting room which reminded Noli of a museum they’d visited once in Boston. The stale air smelled of bleach, supper, and a scent she couldn’t quite identify.
    Noli stifled a snort at her mother’s comment. Back when she associated with girls like that, she’d hated them. She sat next to her mother; Officer Davies took a matching chair.
    “They have an excellent success rate, and I’m sure Noli will acclimate quickly.” Officer Davies gave her a pointed glance.
    A woman entered. “Good afternoon. I’m Miss Gregory.”
    Miss Gregory looked every inch the archetypal evil headmistress from her tall, thin appearance and shapeless gray suit, to her stiff walk and beady eyes, and her prim, graying bun.
    Officer Davies stood and led the introductions. Miss Gregory took a seat in another uncomfortable looking chair and Officer Davies sat down.
    “Do you require anything else, Miss Gregory?” the girl in the green dress asked from the doorway of the stuffy sitting room.
    “Thank you, Rosemarie. Please ask Claire to bring in a tea tray before you return to your sewing.” Even Miss Gregory’s smile looked pinched. Rosemarie curtsied and left.
    “Rosemarie’s one of our very successful girls.” Miss Gregory folded her pale, boney hands into her non-existent lap. “She came to us in such a state, suffering terribly from bouts of hysteria. She’s much better now and will return to her parents soon. Rosemarie may even be ready for ball season this fall.”
    “How lovely.” Her mama smiled. “Perhaps Noli will attend ball season in a year or two. I have family in Boston willing to sponsor her.”
    The headmistress’s beady eyes focused on Noli. “How lucky you are, Magnolia.”
    She simply smiled, trying not to fidget or blurt anything out even though she wanted to. Ladies were silent, quiet, demure. She didn’t want to go to Boston and was secretly glad they hadn’t been able to afford school. Of course, her mama didn’t tell Grandfather Montgomery that, afraid he’d make them return to Boston. Mama also refused his money, saying Jeff supported them. If they moved to Boston, they wouldn’t be at home when her father returned.
    Miss Gregory took a sip of tea. “Here at Findlay House, we take special girls dealing with many difficulties and teach them to be dutiful daughters, good wives, and productive members of society. Usually these things aren’t entirely the girl’s fault.” She looked at Noli’s mother. “It’s not entirely their parents’ fault either. Sometimes parents need help, sometimes special girls need extra attention. That’s what we do here at Findlay. We give girls what they need in order to live up to our and society’s expectations. Many of our girls go on to make good matches, bringing their parents great pride.”
    Ugh, enough with the marriage already. Why couldn’t being