"Miss Stephens, I am so glad you asked me to come today. I hope you are feeling well today."

"Yes, indeed. I enjoyed our last visit, and I hope you did as well."

"Certainly." They hugged.

Mrs. Stephens put her arm around Hayley as they walked through the yard to the house.

"I heard this morning, from a reliable source of course, that Austin has left home because his family disowned him. I hope it is not true."

"You have heard correctly."

"There is another reason I wanted you to come today. My sister is here for a visit, and I thought you would like to speak with her."

"Your sister?" Hayley noticed a frail-bodied woman sitting in a chair on the porch.

"Yes, I didn't work for Mrs. Sommers for as long as she did and some of the things I did hear came from her."

Hayley was speechless.

"I've made some tea & cookies, and we can sit here on the front porch and have a chat."

"That sounds wonderful."

Hayley sat next to the silent lady and smiled. "It's nice to meet you ma'am, my name is Hayley."

She returned the smile. "Yes, dear, you may call me Anna."

"It's such a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Yes, but I don't think you really want to know what I think of the weather."