The Thirteenth Tale

Margaret returns to Vida’s home. It is December now, and the house is dark. Vida’s health has deteriorated visibly in her absence, but she is determined to finish her story, and so they continue.

After Isabelle is taken away from Angelfield, Dr. Maudsley and Mr. Lomax, the family solicitor, hire Hester to come and take charge of the twins. The Missus is glad the governess is coming, but John-the-dig is against the idea, and hostile to Hester. When Hester arrives, the twins are nowhere to be found, and do not appear for meals. Hester does not go in search of them, determined to make them come to her. During the night, as they are accustomed, the twins emerge from hiding to find something to eat. They find the larder locked and cannot find the key. Emmeline starts to cry, and Hester emerges from her room with the key to the larder. Emmeline follows her down to the kitchen, but Adeline remains in hiding.

Over the next days, Hester takes control of the household, working on cleaning the rooms and organizing the house. She also takes control of the twins’ lives, from scheduled mealtimes to proper dresses. Emmeline does well under Hester’s care.