Page 97 of Eleanor’s Earrings

Eleanor whispered to Nathaniel, “He is learning.”

Nathaniel whispered back, “Quickly.”

Rebecca said, “Tell the story about the map.”

Thomas straightened.

Caroline’s face changed.

“What map?” he asked.

Eleanor smiled.

Caroline glared at Rebecca.

Rebecca looked delighted.

“When Caroline was fourteen,” she began, “Father bought a new county map.”

“I dislike where this is going,” Caroline said.

“She found an error.”

Thomas leaned forward. “What kind?”

Caroline sighed. “A creek was drawn on the wrong side of a road.”

“How did you know?”

“I had been there.”

Rebecca continued, “Caroline wrote to the mapmaker.”

Thomas smiled. “Good.”

“She told him he was wrong.”

“Also, good.”

“She was fourteen,” Eleanor reminded him.

Thomas looked at Caroline with unmistakable admiration. “How did he answer?”

Caroline’s mouth twitched. “He thanked Father for pointing out the error.”

Thomas winced.

Lydia said, “Caroline wrote back.”

Thomas laughed. “What did you say?” he asked.

Caroline looked into the fire. “‘My father did not find the error. I did. If you intend to correct the map, you may also correct your assumption.’”

Thomas stared at her.

Nathaniel whispered, “He is gone.”

Eleanor whispered back, “Completely.”