A Hope Beyond by Judith Pella Page B

have to see to it that you practice the piano. No young woman should fall behind in her musical skills. I think, too, that Maryland, although she is quite young, should probably be encouraged to begin her piano studies as well.”
    Virginia frowned. It was difficult to speak with her mother on anything of real substance. She had so few moments of clarity, and when her mind did allow her to think sanely, Margaret Adams was deeply depressed and grief stricken over the death of her precious four-year-old.
    “Mother?” Virginia called out.
    Margaret turned and raised a brow. “You mustn’t raise your voice, Virginia. You’ll wake Mary.”
    Virginia grimaced and threw down her handwork. “Mother, we have to talk. There are matters going on of which I feel you should be aware.”
    “What things are you talking about?” Margaret came to the end of Penny’s bed and gave Virginia her attention.
    For once, Virginia felt that perhaps her mother’s senses had returned. Her dark brown eyes seemed alert and clear, and her face was no longer pinched in worry but seemed openly curious.
    “Carolina is courting Hampton Cabot. I fear they are quite serious and, well, that will lead to them wanting to marry.” Virginia tried not to sound as indignant as she felt. It was bad enough that Carolina’s incessant nagging had caused James to renew his interest in the railroad, but now she was actually closing in on a husband— the one thing that seemed to elude Virginia Adams.
    “Marriage is a biblical institution,” Margaret said rather piously.
    “Yes, but, Mother, you have always insisted on the family tradition of the eldest daughter marrying first. I have not yet married, and therefore we cannot allow Carolina to marry. We should probably even put an end to the serious nature of her courtship with Mr. Cabot.”
    Margaret seemed to consider this for a moment. “I don’t suppose Mr. Cabot understands much about the fever.”
    “What?” Virginia was thoroughly confused.
    “The fever. Yellow-jack,” her mother said thoughtfully. “Mr. Cabot might well be bringing the fever into this house, and I simply cannot have it. Mary is too young and Penny too fragile. We must speak with Mr. Adams about this and see to it that Mr. Cabot is not allowed to bring any animals onto the premises.”
    “Animals? Mother, whatever are you talking about? Mr. Cabot doesn’t have the fever, not that it would matter.”
    “How dare you talk back to me?” Margaret’s eyes widened in anger. “You are being disrespectful, and I insist that you go to your father at once and confess your sins.” She pointed Virginia in the way of the door, and seeing there was nothing to be gained in continuing the conversation, Virginia left the room.
    All she could think about was a drink. A nice glass of sherry would do wonders to soothe her shattered nerves. At one time, her mother had been a great source of help, but now Virginia knew she was on her own. There were very few people in the household, even among the slaves, whom she could call friend or confidant.
    Entering the main drawing room, Virginia quickly went to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a generous portion of sherry. She gulped it down, fearful that someone might catch her, and had just replaced the glass and bottle when her father came unannounced into the room.
    “Virginia, I didn’t expect to find you here.”
    “Yes, well, Mother dismissed me. She thought I was being sassy and told me to confess my sins to you.”
    Joseph smiled sympathetically and came to embrace his daughter. Virginia allowed the hug but didn’t encourage it to last lest her father detect the alcohol lingering on her breath. Instead, finding her father tenderhearted toward her pain, Virginia feigned tears and took a seat on the sofa.
    “I’m so distraught,” she said, hiding her face behind the dainty lace edges of her handkerchief. “Mother is so difficult to talk to, and I fear that should Penny pass on, she