Her brother actually courting? A woman, at that? Could it be that Norman had finally stopped playing with his boats and actually turned his mind to matrimony? Well, she’d be glad for it. Norman was an odd fellow, always had been. When he was young it had provoked doting chuckles. As he grew older it had frustrated his father. But now that he was a man, it was concerning. She had often wondered if Norman would be in a job at all if it hadn’t been for Hugo’s kindness. Oh yes, she would be happy to finally see him settled. A sensible woman would soon smooth out Norman’s oddities and steer him safely into the harbour of respectability (more likely if one put it to him in those terms).
 
Norman hadn’t given her much information about this Miss MacKenzie in his letter, but the name had a proper ring to it and Winnifred was eager to make a good impression. In her mind she had already made out that Miss MacKenzie came from a good family, was well connected and very well brought up. Just the sort of person Winnie would like to have as a sister-in-law and friend.
 
And so, as Winnie went to answer the door, one of the overworked maids was crying in the kitchen, the other was trying to come up with what to put in her resignation letter, and the table looked immaculate.
 
“Norman!” Winnie said warmly when she had opened the door. She kissed her brother’s cheek. “Oh. But where is Miss MacKenzie?”