Ultimate Decades Challenge - Day 32 - Year 1307 - Updated Nov. 17

Day 12 - Year 1302
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Elizabeth was in Finchwick and it was raining again. She had wanted to get some air, but the rain wasn't doing her any good. She was surprised when she heard a voice behind her.

"Elizabeth?"

It was Sister Crumplebottom. She had seen her in church. A very formidable looking woman. She hadn't spoken to her before, but she seemed to know who she was.

"Yes, Sister Crumplebottom?"

Sister Crumplebottom sat down beside her.
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"How are you and John getting on?" she asked.

"We are doing quite well, thank you. And yourself?"

"Oh, not well I'm afraid," the old woman said, shaking her head.

"Whatever is the matter, Sister Crumplebottom?" Elizabeth wondered.
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"It's the orphanage," she replied. "So many orphans. We can't possibly care for them all. Why, we just got a new girl, a little toddler, poor dirty thing was just found in the street. No idea what happened to her parents. The poor thing starved half to death."

"That's terrible!" Elizbeth gasped.

"It is, and what's worse, we have no more beds, and none of the sisters can care for a toddler at the moment."

"What will you do?" Elizabeth asked.

"If only I could find someone to take her in." She stared at Elizabeth for a moment and then added, "Why, you and John have a nice little farm, and no children, I dare say...might you be able to take her in? Just until we can find something more permanent for her."
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Elizabeth thought for a moment, only slightly stung by the 'no children' comment. Could they take in an orphan? A toddler... Oh, she did long for a child, and maybe this would be a good idea.

"I will discuss it with John. We can come by the orphanage later if everything works out."

"I am delighted to hear it!" cried Sister Crumplebottom. "Do come by later and let us know."

Sister Crumplebottom got up to leave then and Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder if she had planned this whole thing out before she had sat down.

"Sister Crumplebottom?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"Does the child have a name?"

"One of the sisters has taken to calling her Camilla. Whether that is her name or not, we shall never know...the poor dear doesn't speak but a few words."

"Camilla..." Elizabeth whispered. "It's a lovely name. Yes, I will talk to John."

"Thank you," Sister Crumplebottom said, and she left Elizabeth there on the bench in much higher spirits than when she had first sat down.
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Later, Elizabeth approached John with the subject.

"I ran into Sister Crumplebottom in Finchwick," she told him.
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"That formidable old woman? She didn't accost you with her purse did she?"
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"Oh please, John. Why would she do that?"

"I have heard tales, my dear."

"Well, she runs the orphanage in town. They have found a poor little girl starved half to death in the street and the poor thing has no where to go. Sister Crumplebottom asked if we might be able to take her in for awhile."
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John thought for a moment and then stood up to face Elizabeth. "Yes, of course, why not? We want a child, why not take in this one?"

"So you think we should do it?"
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"Yes, I think we should."

"Thank you, John. I feel so relieved that she will have a safe place to sleep tonight."
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"See, my dear, I knew we would have a child soon."
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

John had some furniture sent to their house and he and Elizabeth made their way to the orphanage to pick up Camilla.
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She wasn't too sure about things at first once they brought her home.
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But she warmed up very quickly to Elizabeth.
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"This will be your new home, for now," John told her.
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She only cooed and babbled a few words as she stared up at Elizabeth.
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"I think she is quite taken with you," John said.
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"I do hope she will be happy here." There was a twinkle in Elizabeth's eyes, and she hadn't stopped smiling since they had left the orphanage.
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the Farvale Farm, Thomas had quite a bit of work done with the money he had made selling his masterpieces to Renly Heart. They added a second floor and a basement. Now they could store the larder down there and actually keep their food cool. They also purchased a llama. They thought the wool would prove useful during the winter months that were soon to come.
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Emma had grown into an infant and was very wiggly! She had beautiful brown hair and even a few teeth already! Aunt Anna came over to see her before they put her to bed.
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Notes: