The Cinder Bullies (9)

"Being a scullery maid is not sufficient justification for cinder bullying, even though I am black from all of the cinders and the soot in the fireplace," said Maddie to Rosa, who had spotted her outside in the garden, and stopped by to see how she was faring, under the circumstances.. "I never should have been so cruel to Cindy."

"Now it seems like you are beginning to understand how awful it was for her," said Rosa. 

"Cindy did not really know any different. But I used to be an elegant, high society, young lady, before all of this." Maddie continued. "Now look at me! This is so horrible for me!"

She certainly looked different now, as her elegant wardrobe had been replaced by a old, ill fitting, scullery maid's skirt and tunic. It was soiled, as was her white scarf. Now, she was the one wearing the hand-me-down sandals. It was obvious that she felt extremely humiliated to be seen looking like this by Rosa.

Rosa could see that Maddie's hair was singed from cooking over the fire, and so were her eyebrows. Her face was quite red from being too close to the fire and her eyes still wet from crying.

"What am I going to do?" she asked Rosa, tearfully. Just then, her mother hollered for her to come in.

"Mattie, get in here now!" She did not sound any kinder than she had before, so Rosa realized Maddie was likely being treated the same way as Cindy had been treated previously. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Maddie rebelled against it, too.   

"You forgot to ask about Cindy!" thought Rosa, as Maddie quickly ran into the house to see what her mother wanted. "Have you forgotten about your sister already? Maybe it was just a memory lapse on her part," said Rosa to herself, as she headed for the village. "I will give her the benefit of the doubt, at least for now."

Millie was just returning after seeing Cindy, and met Rosa in the village where she was doing some shopping at the local market. 

"Rosa is brave to go out on her own again, after being treated so cruelly by the young ladies," thought Millie, who could hardly wait to tell her about Cindy's new puppy and the welcome home party.

Rosa only spent a few more minutes at the market, while Millie waited for her. Then, they walked home together, Millie carrying the fresh produce for her. Excitedly, she recounted the details of her visit with Cindy, but she decided not to say anything about Cindy needing a new gown for the party. She would wait for Rosa to bring up the subject and then offer to help her to make one for her.

"Millie, I am going to show you something," said Rosa, smiling. "But, you have to promise not to say anything to Cindy, or anyone else about this. This is really important."

Millie quickly assured her that she would not say a single word.

"That gown is so perfect!" thought Millie to herself, as Rosa showed her the gown she had made. "It is a gift of love from Rosa's heart to Cindy. I did not even have to say one word about her needing one."

"Do you think Cindy would like to wear this new gown to the party?" Rosa asked Millie. She had just completed the finishing touches on it. "I just finished it today and it should fit her well."

"It is absolutely beautiful. Cindy is going to love it!" replied Millie, excitedly. "I can hardly wait to see the expression on her face, when she sees it for the very first time."

"We will give it to her tomorrow," decided Rosa. "I need to go there to speak to Nadia anyhow."