"Sit down, dear, I wish to speak to you about something."
"Have I done wrong?"
"Not at all." McKenna waited until Sassy was settled in one of the new chairs chosen especially for that room. "I was wondering…I mean, since you were raised in an orphanage…I wonder if you might know where babies come from."
"Mostly through the front door."
McKenna smiled. "I do not mean that, I mean…"
"Oh, you mean how are they made? I am surprised no one has told you yet. Shall I explain it?"
"Please."
"You see, we got more girl babies than boys, but there is a difference…in how they are."
"I do know that much."
"Good. Now with a boy baby, one must always see that…that part is covered with a cloth in the changin', or you get mighty wet."
"That, I did not know. My brothers are older, you see."
"I learned the hard way and more than once." Sassy stood up, walked to the window, and tried to choose her words carefully. "You see, a boy and a girl, rather a lad and a lass…on their wedding night, of course, sleep in the same bed."
"My parents always did, although in some societies, they have separate bedrooms."
Sassy turned around to face her. "Miss McKenna, please do not interrupt. We are getting to the important part."
"Forgive me, Sassy."
"James told me all about it, although he would not confess how he heard it. I threatened to kick him, but still he would not say. Never mind all that, though. He said, and this is very important, that a girl must never let a boy…or…or rather a lass must never let a lad touch her, you know, in that way until the wedding night. That is how babies are made."
"I see. So you have never…"
"Of course not! James said I must be saved for my husband, or he will not love me the way a husband should."
"I believe James is right. Thank you, Sassy, I understand now."
"How do you suppose he knew that, Miss McKenna? He come to the orphanage just a year or two after me."
"Well, I think whoever told him was very wise."
"I think so too." Sassy went to the table and picked up McKenna's used tea tray. "Shall I bring fresh?"
"Would you?"
"Aye, Miss." Sassy carried the tray out the door, turned down the hall, and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
*
While the MacGreagors planned to wait a day, Abigail Whitfield had other ideas and came by carriage to call at Marblestone Mansion, just in time for afternoon tea. To everyone's relief, she did not bring her son, but she did bring her daughter, Gloria. Gloria was a bit more round than her mother was at the uncomfortable and awkward age of twelve, had a habit of twisting her hair and seemed a little shy and unfriendly. Prescot notified McKenna, and when she was ready, led her guests up the stairs to the second floor sitting room.