It became evening at the Scott household, and everyone gathered around a well-set table. There were Mr. Scott, Edgar, Sofia, and Nanny, who was Sofia's grandmother. After the confrontations of that morning, Nanny now feared that even at the table, differences might arise.
"Don't worry," she whispered in her granddaughter's ear. "He's not as grumpy as he seems."
"You know what I think about men of the nobility," Sofia replied.
The grandmother didn't add anything, but she simply took her granddaughter's hand under the table and interlaced her fingers with hers. In the middle of the table, as a centerpiece, there was a beautiful bunch of colorful tulips. Edgar's gaze lingered on them. Sofia noticed and was pleased with the temporary silence. She knew that soon someone would start asking questions. If it wasn't Mr. Scott, then it would be Edgar.
"Will you be staying with us for long?" the young man asked.
"For a few days. Just enough time to take the entrance exam," said Nanny.
"Entrance exam?" Edgar asked, curious. "For what?"
"For a very competitive course," the girl replied.
"Ah yes, and which one would that be?"
"I know you won't believe me, but I want to get into Medicine."
"Well! My Edgar is studying Medicine as well. He could help you prepare for the exam."
"I'm terrible with obstetrics."
"But I don't want to become an obstetrician," Sofia raised her voice, replying abruptly. The grandmother squeezed her hand even tighter under the table.
"So what do you want to become?" Edgar asked, smiling.
"A surgeon," the girl looked at him defiantly.
"Interesting. I don't know any female surgeons."
"That's just a matter of time."
"I agree," said Nanny.
"Your ambition knows no limits," Edgar added.
"And what do you think about women's right to vote?" asked the host. Of course, he couldn't resist bringing up a political discussion.
"I think we deserve the right to vote just like men."
"But how can you vote if you don't inform yourselves about politics?" Mr. Scott chuckled.
"Yes, I agree, we don't have time for politics because we are mothers, sisters, lovers..." At the word lovers, Sofia and Edgar's gazes met. The young man never would have guessed that the newcomer would bring up the role of lovers.
"And not only that," she added, turning her eyes away from him, "normal women also have a job."
"Normal women have a normal job," Edgar pointed out.
"And normal men don't leave the house in pajamas," Sofia teased him, recalling what had happened that morning.
"But I'm not a normal man. I'm a noble. And besides, I was wearing a bathrobe and didn't know about your arrival here."
"You don't have to justify yourself, Mr. Scott," Sofia said calmly. "A nobleman should never justify himself. Before friends, there's no sense in it, and before enemies, it's just inappropriate. Don't you think?"
Edgar didn't answer. He wasn't as entertained as before. She was clever and had wounded his pride.
"I wouldn't speak in these terms," said Nanny. "Here, we're neither friends nor enemies. We are family."
Mr. Scott clapped, and peace reigned at the table from that moment on... Also because the food had arrived, and hungry mouths had other business to attend to.