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.Annie lifted her gaze to the ceiling to collect her thoughts and bring her mind back to the task before her.“Well, ’tis warm enough to dry the sheets in the air.”“That it is, love, warm.When you finish there, would you help me?”“Of course.”That night Annie woke suddenly from a dream.She and her father were in a field with the mice of his stories.She’d gotten separated from everyone, and no matter which way she turned, she could not find her way out of the field.She heard their voices, but she was still utterly lost and unable to remember the way out.When she awakened, she threw her sweaty sheets off her legs.The hour seemed late, but she was wide awake and decided to go to the parlor and look at the stories again.Once she had the box in her lap, she realized how very alone she was with everyone else sleeping.Deep in the box, under the loose writing paper, her father’s stories rested.She pulled one out.By the light of a candle she read the title.“Nolan the Nice Mouse.” She remembered Nolan.He was a reluctant soldier in Omah’s army.She smiled and set it aside.She was cold and needed the blanket from her bed.On her way back to her room, she glanced at the mail on the entry table.The top letter appeared to be from Kirsten’s brother.She was right.He had replied promptly.She returned to the light of the candle in the parlor and her stories.A tiny tapping noise came from outside the window.Annie nearly jumped out of her skin.“Who’s there?”“Me, Annie.Let me in.The door is locked.”“Kirsten? What are you doing outside?” Thinking she must have decided to use the toilet outside the kitchen and locked herself out, Annie hurried to the front door to let the girl in.When Annie opened the door, she was surprised to find Kirsten not in a nightgown, but fully dressed.Her hair was a tangled mess over her face.“Where have you been?”“At work.Hurry, shut the door, please.”Annie gazed past her into the night, then leaned her head out the door and looked in all directions.A hobo leaned against the lamppost at the corner, but that was not unusual.“What’s wrong, so?”“I just got home.” The girl stumbled in and steadied herself by holding on to the banister.“I don’t understand.Why so late?”Instead of answering, Kirsten picked up the letter.“This is like the other one.Has my brother answered, Annie?”“I believe he has.”“Read it.Please.”“Now?”“Please.”“Just be quiet.We’ll go in here.”Annie led Kirsten into the parlor, and she sat on the dark corner of the sofa.Annie slid her fingernail under the seal.Dear Kirstie,Do not worry about me.I will be fine.I mailed a package to you.You understand? Please expect it shortly.I am your loving brother,Jonas WagnerKirsten sighed and moved toward the stairs.She lifted a foot onto the first step but then set it back down.“Let me help you to bed.” Annie hurriedly blew out the candle in the parlor and shoved the writing box back into the breakfront.Then she wrapped an arm around Kirsten and helped her to her room.The door was open across the hall, and sounds of heavy breathing told them Grace was fast asleep.“Quiet,” Annie warned.“I’ll make sure you are up in time for work tomorrow.You leave about half five, that right?”“That’s right.”“You still going?”Kirsten’s eyes were round as robin eggs and just as blue.“I have to go.Please, Annie, make sure I catch the train.” Kirsten collapsed on her bed.“I don’t understand your coming home so late.Does your boss work everyone this hard?”Kirsten only moaned, too tired to respond.Annie removed Kirsten’s boots but left her otherwise dressed, pulling a light sheet over top of her.She seemed far too fragile for such long hours.Annie was about to return to her room and wind her alarm clock when yet another soft tapping came from the front of the house.She froze, hearing only the sound of her own breathing.Then a voice.“Sergeant McNulty, making my rounds.Anyone up?”Relieved, she rushed to her room to throw a coat over her nightgown, so as not to be immodest, and then went to the door.“Evening, Sergeant.”“I saw someone just come in.Everything all right, Miss Gallagher?”“Everything is fine now.Thank you for your concern.”He tapped a finger on the brim of his gray hat.She stopped him.“Sergeant? See anyone out there watching us?”“What do you mean?”“Well, our new boarder might be a wee bit.uh, unsettled by the city, and she seems to think someone is following her.”“Was she the one who just came in?”Annie lowered her voice as much as she could.“She was, but do not worry.Mrs.Hawkins will see that she observes the curfew in the future.Her boss should not be allowed to keep her at work these late hours.”“I see.Well, I can tell you I saw no one just now.Miss Gallagher, you will inform me if you have trouble with your new boarder, won’t you? There are plenty of people about who get themselves involved with the wrong sort of crowd in this neighborhood.”No one would know better about that than he.“I will.I am sure she is innocently unaware.”“All the same, do not hesitate to bring this to Mrs.Hawkins’s attention.I can remove the girl if need be.”Remove? To a reformatory, the American version of a Magdalene Laundry.Certainly not! “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”Very early in the morning, Stephen neared Hawkins House on his first route of the day.He was happy that he had a mostly residential route and no other postman was required to service the area, like they had to do in business districts, where mail was delivered up to nine times a day.He selfishly wanted to be the only postman Hawkins House had.A few blocks before reaching the boardinghouse, he encountered Owen McNulty.They’d had a brief introduction at church.“Good day, Sergeant.”The man dipped his chin in greeting.“Tell me, Mr.Adams.You deliver this route daily.Ever see any miscreants hanging about the boardinghouse?”“Why, no.Is there trouble?”“Anyone out of the ordinary?”Stephen pulled on his heavy mailbag as he considered the question.“This is New York—all sorts of people from various origins.Hard to say what’s ordinary these days.I’m not sure what you mean, Sergeant McNulty.”“My future bride lives there.You understand my concern.” He placed his large hand on Stephen’s shoulder, dwarfing him as though he were Stephen’s older, much taller brother.“Always valuable to have folks like you be vigilant and report to us anything odd
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