July 6, 1859

Dear Safiya,

Thank you ever so much!  I loved the food that you gave me.  An entire loaf of bread, and cheese!  I am forever in your debt.  Really, I truly am.

No, I am not still in the barn.  The friend had to leave early.  Some sort of family emergency or another.  It’s a good thing, too.  I’m feeling a bit ill still.

You know, there isn’t really much to talk about.  My day goes by in the same fashion every time.  Cook, clean, cook, eat, read, write, hide, clean, cook, clean, sleep.  That’s all there is in my day.

Well, not everything.  I’ve been starting to watch the boy every day.  His family is a bit richer than ours and they have a servant, so he doesn’t have to do as much.  Besides, he has an older brother to help out.

Anyway, he has time during the day and goes riding and sometimes helps out on our farm, with Mr. MacJohns’ health failing.  I blame the drinking.  So I see him frequently, though we’ve never spoken a word to each other.

There’s just something about him that’s so, I don’t know, interesting.  He’s adorable, I’ll give him that much, and strong.  But it’s like there’s more than that.  Like he’s a character out of a storybook trying to find his way in this world, but just needs some help.  It’s hard to explain.

And why did he stay?  I need to know!  Please oh please tell me quickly.  I’ll be waiting every moment in silence until you send me a letter back.  Remember, quickly!

Sincerely, Lucy