"What are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure yet, but this isn't over," she said, rubbing her ear again. She didn't say anything the rest of the way and Molly thought it best not to disturb her.
At the cottage, David stood in the front doorway in case either of them tried to escape. "Take only your nightclothes and two dresses each. And a doll if you want. The rest stays."
"This isn't fair," Molly said. "We're old enough to take care of ourselves. We're big girls."
"You're babies. Hurry up."
Veronica sidled up to David, running a hand inside his thigh. "I know you're angry with me, but it's not my fault. It was an accident. There's no need to punish Molly," she said.
David pushed her again, but this time she kept her balance. "She needs punished. You've made her think she's better than everyone else here. She's a baby. And now, so are you." He turned his back while Veronica stood there, quivering with rage.
"If that's how you want it," Veronica said. She went back to her bedroom, returning a few minutes later with a bundle of clothes, a blanket, and a pillow. Then she came into Molly's room to help her pack. "Everything will be all right, honey," she said. "No matter what happens, I'll take care of you."
She kissed Molly on the forehead the way Becky had done for as long as Molly could remember. Her lips felt the same. How much of her was Veronica and how much Becky? Veronica took a green dress out of the closet and held it up to Molly's body. "This looks nice on you. And here, take the gray one for everyday wear. Have you decided which dolly to take yet?" In a lower voice, she added, "We'll come back here tonight. Just let him try to keep us out."
They laughed together at this. Molly took the dresses, a nightgown, pillow, blanket, and Sir Francis out to the living room. David marched them across town to the girl's dormitory. The other girls loitered in the parlor, their whispered conversations coming to a halt when they saw Molly and Veronica. "Girls, Rebecca had a little accident. She and Molly are going to be living with you from now on," David said. He shoved them forward into the room and then slammed the door on his way out.
Helena was the first to come forward with a sly grin on her face. "Oh, look how adorable Rebecca is now," she said. She pinched Veronica's cheek until Veronica winced. Helena tried to do it again, but this time Veronica slapped her hand away. "Uh-oh, looks like the baby is mad. I know what will make her happy. Let's play dress-up."