Page 23 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“The circle?”

“Replace when possible.”

“The star?”

Charlotte hesitated.

Lydia leaned over her shoulder. “Things Eleanor worries about unnecessarily.”

Eleanor looked at Charlotte.

Charlotte adjusted her spectacles. “That is not precisely what it means.”

“What does it precisely mean?”

“Items you ask about more than twice a day.”

Rebecca laughed from the other side of the wagon.

Eleanor pointed at the page. “How many stars are there?”

“Twenty-three.”

“Twenty-three?”

“Twenty-four if we count the earrings.”

“We are not counting the earrings.”

Charlotte calmly made a tiny mark.

“Did you just add them?”

“No.”

“You did.”

Charlotte closed the book. “The inventory is a living document.”

Lydia looked impressed. “You have become dangerous.”

“I have always been dangerous. I simply prefer columns.”

Later, when Eleanor checked the flour for the third time, Charlotte did not say a word. She only opened the book and drew another star.

Eleanor pretended not to see.

Charlotte pretended not to enjoy herself.

Both failed.

That evening Nathaniel made the mistake of complimenting Eleanor.

“You handled the ferry negotiation well.”

She glanced at him. “You sound surprised.”

“I am not.”