The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow by Susan Martins Miller Page A

standing here in the sun. You might be of some assistance.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Though he could not imagine what good he would be inside the orphanage office, Archie led the horse to a post. He knotted the reins around it, then hurried his steps to reach St. Andrew’s red front door a short distance behind Leo.
    Inside the hall, Leo explained his request to a young girl, who struck Archie as being only a year or two younger than Sarah. Most likely the girls would know each other, he speculated. Perhaps it was just a matter of time before this girl went into service. He scanned the wide hallway and the doors that opened off of it, imagining Sarah moving among them and wondering if she’d always had the cocky attitude she paraded around the Bannings.
    â€œPlease wait here, sir,” the girl said meekly, and left them.
    Quite quickly a youngish man stepped out of the offices at the back of the building and advanced toward them, straightening his jacket as he moved.
    â€œGood afternoon, Mr. Banning,” he said. “I am Simon Tewell, the assistant director of St. Andrew’s. It’s a privilege to have you here.”
    â€œI had hoped I might speak with Mr. Emmett,” Leo said. “Perhaps the girl misunderstood.”
    â€œI’m sorry, sir,” Simon said. “Our director is away on leave. I will do my best to be of assistance to you in any way possible. Perhaps you would like to come to my office to help me understand what brings you here today.”
    â€œOf course.” Leo nodded. “It’s good of you to see me.”
    â€œI understand Miss Sarah Cummings is in the service of your family. I hope she is proving satisfactory.”
    â€œAs far as I know, yes.”
    Archie looked away. Leo did not see Sarah Cummings often enough to know whether she was satisfactory or not, but Archie could not hold that against him.
    Leo followed Simon Tewell, and at Leo’s gesture, Archie followed Leo. In the simple office, Leo sat across the pine desk from the young assistant director, and Archie stood rigidly against the wall.
    â€œMy question is theoretical at this point.” Leo put his hands on his knees and leaned forward slightly. “If a small child were to be abandoned or surrendered, what kind of placement options might you arrange?”
    â€œWe would offer immediate shelter, of course.” Simon Tewell’s chair creaked as he shifted his weight. “Depending on the age of the child, he might be placed in the nursery or perhaps one of the dormitories. Most children seem to adjust quickly to the daily structure we provide, and we operate a first-rate school.”
    â€œI’m sure you do,” Leo said. “What about a very young child, less than two years of age?”
    â€œOccasionally Mr. Emmett has placed very young children in private settings.” Simon pressed the pads of his fingerstogether. “But those opportunities are limited. As you can imagine, private care is more costly than caring for a group of children together.”
    Archie saw Leo’s posture straighten. “Do you keep records of such children, Mr. Tewell?”
    Tewell smiled absently and gestured. “We have a room full of records. No doubt you are aware that your sister oversees them. It’s perhaps the most valuable work she does for us—other than the fact that the children adore both her and Mr. Edwards.”
    Leo leaned back in his chair. “So if you had a child in a private care setting, you would in fact have records. Might I ask you to show me records you have for these children? Perhaps boys around one year of age?”
    Tewell’s smile faded slightly. “I’m afraid we leave the records in the capable hands of Mrs. Edwards and her army of volunteers. At the moment I don’t believe any of them are here. Mrs. Jamison left only a few minutes ago. I’m not at all sure I could be of any practical assistance locating