Reflecting on the reactions of the congregation in the church that first fateful Sunday, Rose knew not to explore outside the confines of her home. The vast acreage did nothing to quell her curiosity, yet she had no choice but to sit idly about, as she had long ago discovered the secrets of her large home as a child. She did not venture forth from the comfort of her home, as she knew what would await outside the walls. Her parents did nothing to encourage this behavior, but were certain there was no way they could even attempt to bring her out. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot went about their daily duties and weekly activities, oblivious to the sometimes pitying, other times scalding glances and leers from their neighbors and fellow denizens. They found no reason for discomfort and would blatantly stare down any who dared comment about their daughter should she be with them. Alas, she chose the solitude and hermitage to mingling—the pain of dealing with an unwelcome village was too much to bear.

So the weeks passed and turned into months. A year went by and Rose Talbot never dared venture far from her abode lest it was for the weekly church service. Her tutelage continued, and life went on. Those who sat in the congregation never truly forgot her presence, but as mentioned before, time can heal anything and can create a void where once it was full. Slowly, the congregation learned to forget Rose and Mrs. Weatherby remained absent.

When Rose reached her fourteenth year of life, her mother and father knew the time had come. Rose was a fast learner and she had learned beyond the bounds of what her mother and illustrious father could teach her. The only things she could learn now must be learned out of the womb and into the harsh realities of the world. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot knew that they must coax Rose out of her shell—the wall she had created so nothing and no one could touch her—and thrust her into that bright and unforgiving world. But how to bring the worst pain and sacrifice upon a child they loved so dearly?

No tutor would glance at her and the instructors from overseas would cost too much. The only choice would be to send Rose along to the secondary institutions to further her education. The Talbots knew that, in order for Rose to succeed, she must add another oddity to her already strange–countenance—unaccepted by others—an education higher than any other young woman had ever achieved in her station, thus thrusting her not into finishing school, but the world of men. It was Mrs. Talbot who saw that, with members of the opposite gender surrounding her, Rose would not be as hurt as if she had been amongst her peers—for the biting tongues of women sting more than the blunt and sometimes ignoring actions of men. Mr. Talbot feared this would seal the world of the village eternally against Rose, but Mrs. Talbot knew after secondary education, Rose may remain overseas in the Motherland—Europe may fit her more than the coldness experienced in their native home—and thus the journey began.

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End of Section Four

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I know this section is short… and I just realized it doesn’t quite flow with the last, but I’ll transition it better. Here’s a rough sketch of what’s to come. (I’ll probably add more to this and/or just start a new section).

“ANN”