24 September 1851; In Which Mrs Pennylegion Purchases The Arrivals

Dear Gertrude,

I think I must admit to you that I very nearly sneaked out of my own home this morning.

I say this not to imply that my family came to their senses and allowed me to leave unescorted. The truth is that I disturbed a hat stand, which disturbed one of the dogs, which in turn disturbed Bess. The traitor alerted Alfie, and so I left with Lucy and Harriet in tow.

I do not know why they have all decided that I should not be trusted on my own. I do not limp or stoop, and neither of the girls can keep my pace. I know Alfie is behind it, but I cannot get him to admit to anything.

It is no matter. I only wished to stop by the bookshop (though I did first attempt and fail to lose the girls in the dress shop ). Mr Doe seemed greatly relieved to see me. Poor man. I do not think the Pooles have quite finished harassing him yet, as I have never found him over-busy. He must depend on us, Gertie.

The Arrivals by Melissa Marr looks rather promising, and by promising, I of course mean pretty, for how else would I choose my novels? Though I must object to the skirt of that woman on the left. Look how short it is! It is surely an American story.

Sometimes I wish Mr Doe would stock proper English literature, but then what would I complain about?

With love,

Prudence Pennylegion

16 September 1851; In Which Mrs Popplewell Forms an Opinion of The Paper Magician

Dear Prudence,

I will admit without any shame that I laughed a loud and riotous laugh when I read your letter. That dreadful woman never spared an opportunity after her boy was born to gloat over me about how her family's name would be carried on by her many, many grandchildren, and how sorry she felt for me that I'd been burdened with nothing but daughters.

She underestimated me Prudie, for it was rather difficult but not impossible to find a match for dear Katherine who possessed the same surname. Mr Popplewell was rather impressed with my resourcefulness at the time, as he should have been.

Bless his heart. It was the anniversary of his passing this week, and I thought my heart might break again. It has been seven years, and yet the date makes his loss as fresh as if he'd taken his last breath just moments ago.

I do take comfort that his name lives on through my son in law, even if it is by bending the rules a bit, and even if I do not get to see my little Popplewells. Was the marriage worth losing a daughter to the wilds of America? I ask myself this question every day, Prudie, and I still have not decided my answer.

In any case, I did promise to tell you about The Paper Magician.