Sofia was quite anxious about the ball. What worried her the most were the introductions. Would Edgar Scott's friends laugh at her? Would they make fun of her, especially because she wanted to become a surgeon?
It was almost four in the afternoon, and Sofia sat by the window in her room. She anxiously awaited the arrival of her dress. The dressmaker had promised it would arrive at this time, but Sofia knew well that the time to sew a decent dress for a ball was far too short.
A carriage stopped near the front door. Without hesitation, the girl ran down the stairs. She was sure it was her dress. However, she was disappointed. As soon as the carriage door opened with a slight creak, she saw it was filled with flowers. Behind her, Nanny placed a hand on her shoulder. The girl jumped, then turned and gave a weak smile to her grandmother.
"Don't worry," Nanny said, "your dress will arrive on time."
"But it's already four o'clock."
"The dressmaker is a very busy woman, but she never fails to amaze us with her fantastic creations. After all, she knows you're attending the ball, so she can't break her word. She can't leave you like this... Now, help me with the flowers. You surely know better than I do how to arrange them."
"Well," Sofia said, taking a basket, "I'd place these near the piano, and then these others at the entrance."
"Take care of the piano. I'll handle the entrance."
"And I'll take care of settling the bill," said Edgar, joining them.
He had regained his good mood. The party was supposed to start at seven, but he was already dressed and well-groomed. Although he was not an especially handsome man, Sofia was left speechless.
"But what elegance," said Nanny.
He pretended not to hear and paid the coachman.
"Thank you very much," he said to the man. The man took the money and climbed back into the carriage.
Sofia sighed as the servants began unloading the flowers and bringing them inside.
"Ah, you're waiting for your dress..." Edgar said.
"Yes," the girl nodded.
"Speaking of dresses," he said, "I gave one of mine to your brother. I think he's trying it on in his room now."
"Here I am," said Johnny, raising his hands at the top of the stairs.
He was dressed like a gentleman, not like his usual street urchin. He looked truly handsome. Elegant. Even more than Edgar.
"Speak of the devil, and here he is," Sofia whispered.
Edgar heard her and gave her a stern look.
"Don't ruin this evening for your brother," he said. "He deserves a chance too."
"I'm hoping for a chance to find a wife," Johnny said, laughing as he came down the stairs.
Once he reached the bottom, Nanny congratulated him and caressed his clothes.
"You look really handsome," she said. "You look very much like your father with your hair like that."
The boy, in fact, for the first time, had his hair slicked back.
"Is that so?" he asked his sister.
"In some ways, he resembles him," said Sofia. "Now we must go," she turned to Nanny. "We need to arrange the flowers."