"Mary, take this!" I call out, but Mary is still bickering with Patience. I groan, picking up the basket to gather flowers for the party. Must I do all of their chores as well? At this rate, I will never finish the desserts before the party!

"Mel, will you please check the mail out front," Edmund asks walking through the back door with an armload of firewood. "I have a feeling that Patience did not retreive it this morning, and I would hate to have it out there with the guests arriving, in case someone was to steal it."

"Yes," I reply, wrapping a shawl around my shoulders.

I stepped out on the front porch. It was getting cold out here! I sure hope that I will not storm tonight.

I head out to retreive the mail, first. When I approach the gate, I see a gypsy woman with a large cart, standing in the cold.

"Please, Miss," she calls out as I approach. "Let me in? I am terribly hungry and tired from traveling."

"We are having a party tonight," I reply. "You can't stand out here with your wagon out front!" I see a small dog peek it's head from out under her arm.

"Ooh, you have a dog?" I ask, smiling. I reach through the gate to pet it's furry little head. It was so cute!

"Yes, but he has not eaten in some time and he is tired too," she says, worried. "Please, can we stay but a little? If you let me stay, perhaps I can sing something, for the party you speak of?" That's not such a bad idea...

"Hide your cart down there in the hedges," I tell her, pointing down the road. "You must be careful, if they don't take too keenly to gypsies."

"Thank you, Miss!"

"Do it, and meet me at the back door, next to the cellar."

I gather the flowers and then meet her at the back door.

"The cart is out of sight?" She nods. "This way, then." I lead her into the kitchen, careful to peer carefully so that any of our staff wouldn't see us. I lead her up the back stairs to the third floor, where the bedrooms are. I unlock the door to one of our suites (two down from Felix's room). I figure we have twelve, and only one is being used....

"I can remove these sheets," I tell her, walking around and gathering them from the furiture. She ponders around the room slowly, mezmorized by the size and beauty of it. "There is a bath through there, some clothes in this closet. You should find something suitable for the party. I will bring you dinner. If anyone asks who you are, just say that you are a friend of Elanor's, as they will take more likeing to you then." She nods, remembering it all. I turn to leave back to the kitchen.

"And for God's sake, do not let your dog leave the room!"