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Madalene walked around the desk to greet her friend. “How would you know exactly?” she joked. “You have only seen the entry foyer and Edith’s study.”
“I just know that I am going to love everything about this orphanage,” Jane said matter-of-factly.
Lady Hawthorne walked into the room and came to a stop next to her daughter. “When you told us of your vision, I never imagined you would have brought it into fruition so quickly.”
“I promised my mother that I would open the orphanage as quickly as possible,” Madalene revealed.
With a tender smile, Lady Hawthorne said, “And you have succeeded in that regard, my dear. Your mother would be so incredibly proud of you.”
Touched by her words, Madalene gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you for that, Lady Hawthorne.”
Lady Hawthorne arched an eyebrow. “Since when have you started using my title?”
“My apologies, Harriet,” Madalene replied.
“That is much better,” Harriet said before she turned her attention towards Mrs. Foster. “How have you been faring, Leah?”
Mrs. Foster rose from her chair and placed her needlework on a side table. “Frankly, I am getting older, and I don’t like it. Not one bit.”
Harriet laughed. “I must agree with you there,” she replied. “I find that growing old does not agree with me, either.”
Jane spoke up. “Are you able to take us on a tour of your orphanage?”
“I am,” Madalene confirmed. “The girls are in their lessons right now, so it is a perfect time to observe them.”
Clasping her hands together, Jane said, “I do so love that you are educating these young minds. How very progressive of you.”
“Our goal is for the girls to find respectable employment upon leaving the orphanage.”
“That is most impressive,” Harriet remarked.
Madalene walked over to the open door. “We hope, in due time, that the orphanage will earn a name for itself,” she said.
“I have no doubt,” Jane stated. “After all, you are in charge of it.”
“That is kind of you to say,” Madalene said as she led them through a narrow hall, “but the truth of the matter is that we are still new.”
“How do you intend to place the girls in households with no recommendations?” Harriet asked.
Madalene glanced over her shoulder as she replied, “We are hoping to add more patrons to the committee for that reason.”
Harriet nodded approvingly. “I would be happy to be a patron.”
“That pleases me immensely to hear, but you haven’t even seen the entire orphanage yet,” Madalene said, stopping at the base of the stairs.
“I have no doubt that everything is up to the task,” Harriet remarked. “Frankly, you could have shown me a dilapidated building and I would have still offered to be a patron.”
“You are too kind,” Madalene acknowledged.
Harriet smiled. “I want this orphanage to succeed because it is important to you. I will help you in any way you see fit.”
“A recommendation from Lady Hawthorne would go a long way in helping to secure employment for these girls,” Madalene revealed.
“Then consider it done,” Harriet said. “Besides, we are constantly in need of new servants at Hawthorne House. I will speak to our housekeeper about that.”
Jane glanced up the stairs. “Is it always this quiet in an orphanage?” she asked.
“Not at all,” Madalene replied quickly, “but the girls are tucked away in their lessons.” She smiled. “You should have heard the commotion when it was raining outside, and the girls were forced to play inside.”
