'Josephina...I still cannot help but feel that it is not quite right for us to be attending this fancy ball this evening, not when our world is falling apart!' Theresa spoke as the three raven-haired comely sisters remained close together in the semi-packed grand hall which had dancing couples on one side.

'Theresa I beg you, please be quiet, you're not helping matters at all with your negative talk. Now I said I would get us out of the pickle we are in, just have faith in me will you for once!'

'I'm sorry for stating the obvious, and I know you are trying to be the big sister carrying all the responsibility on your shoulders, but you...we have to face the truth, you cannot protect either Bethany, me or yourself for that matter from it.

'Better that and start preparing ourselves for the worse, so we can at least try to find a practical more realistic solution to our troubles than to find ourselves suddenly forced out on to the street with just the gowns on our back. I suggest that we find and tell aunt now of the letter we received over two weeks ago telling us to vacate from our current premises now that father's family have chosen no longer to look after us after his untimely death,' Theresa spoke soberly.

'Come on Theresa let Josephina at least try if she can, we are all very aware of our dire situation we do not need reminding. And if Josephina does not succeed we can at least enjoy what will probably be the last fancy ball we will ever attend, I am guessing that we will not be too popular in society if we become homeless.'

'Thank you, Bethany...at least someone will give me a chance to rectify it all.'

'Alright, alright...Josephina, do what you need to do. Go and talk to your George lets see if he is as generous and understanding as you say,' Theresa finally conceded.