Involved: Day 8

Word Count: 48,102

Summary of Events:

After having Kelly escape Samuel's efforts to keep him out of the saloon Samuel encountered one of the miners who worked for Kelly, but hadn't been working because Kelly wasn't going to his office; the miner promised to get some of his fellows to help Samuel keep Kelly from drinking. Charlotte struggled to adjust to the idea of having to wait about two weeks for a letter from Violet when she'd always been able to talk to Violet whenever she wanted. Samuel went to Mr. Annesley's store to buy some things and was informed by Mr. Annesley that Kelly was getting into rages that were frightening his daughters terribly . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“Ella and Verbena have taken to hiding under beds and in closets for their safety,” Mr. Annesley replied. “But that wouldn’t keep them safe if he succeeds in setting the house on fire.”

“You mean he’s attempted to?” Samuel asked.

“Yes,” Mr. Annesley replied. “As if his daughters weren’t traumatised enough by the train crash now they need to grapple with the fact that their father has become a strange and uncontrollable monster.”

“So why do I need to know this?” Samuel asked.

Mr. Annesley gave him a look that made it clear Mr. Annesley thought Samuel should know the answer to his own question.

“You’re family . . . Mr. Spady,” Mr. Annesley replied, having paused to glance past Samuel before speaking his alias. “The only family that had the inclination to come out for the funeral. Theodora wrote all of them she could find a fixed address for and you’re the only one who came. Considering your sister had just gone to see them all for a wedding I, for one, am rather appalled that only you came.”

“I know nothing about dealing with children,” Samuel replied.

“That doesn’t matter,” Mr. Annesley said firmly. “You are their blood relation, therefore it is your duty to assure their welfare.”

Samuel sighed wearily.

“It’s not like it won’t save you money to stay there instead of the hotel,” Mr. Annesley said. “It’s bad enough Kelly’s out to kill himself, he doesn’t need to take his daughters with him.”

“How much do I owe you for that?” Samuel asked, nodding toward the pouch Mr. Annesley still held.

Mr. Annesley named the price and Samuel produced the money, which Mr. Annesley took, although he didn’t give Samuel his pouch back until the money was in the cashbox.

“I do not hold you in the wrong for enlisting help keeping Kelly out of the saloon, you need all the help you can get there,” Mr. Annesley said. “However, it is no one’s responsibility more than yours to see to the welfare of your nieces. You cannot delegate that task, for at least a portion of their lifeblood is the same as yours.”

“Your wife has nothing else to do,” Samuel replied.

“Surely you have not forgotten how much work your own mother did at home in a day,” Mr. Annesley replied.

“Your wife has no children remaining at home to mind,” Samuel spat, inflamed at Mr. Annesley’s presumption that he even had memories of Ma. “Surely you don’t cause her that much labour.”

“She has no duty binding her to the girls,” Mr. Annesley replied. “As Christians we would offer charity, but not if it allows family to abdicate their duties.”

Samuel clenched his jaw.

Mr. Annesley sighed. “If you didn’t want to have this duty then why did you come, and why do you remain?”

“To defend the honour of my sister,” Samuel replied through his teeth.

“Then defend her glory also,” Mr. Annesley said.