"Forgive me Mum," said Miss Celeste with a bow of her head as Mrs. Nelson threw open the door. "Anna and I were having a tea party to welcome her new
doll." The governess smoothed her heavy ankle-length skirt. "And once you sit down, it is so hard to stand up again."
Mrs. Nelson nodded, "Indeed it is." She craned her neck and looked into the room. Anna was sitting quietly on the floor, her child’s tea service laid out in front of
her. "Funny," said Mrs. Nelson as she spied the dark haired doll sitting across the tea service from Anna. "I could have sworn that doll had a green dress on when I
gave it to Anna. Not a blue dress like she’s wearing now." Mrs. Nelson turned her eyes back toward the governess. "And weren’t you wearing a blue dress today,
just like the one on Anna’s new doll?"
Anna squirmed.
"It must be the excitement of having Professor Nelson home, Mum," Miss Celeste replied.
Mrs. Nelson’s glance continued to bounce between the governess and the doll. "It is the strangest thing. I clearly remember seeing you in the foyer, just a few
moments ago, wearing that little blue dress that doll is wearing. When did you have time to change into that green dress?"
Miss Celeste cleared her throat. "Was there something you wished to tell me?"
Mrs. Nelson broke her reverie. "Well, that must be it. Oh, and please have Anna in the conservatory at three for her piano recital. A young lady must be cultured, if
she hopes to find herself a good husband one day."
"Yes, Mum," said Miss Celeste. She watched Mrs. Nelson turn and leave, then closed the door.
Anna grabbed her doll from the floor and placed it on her lap. "Whew, Miss Celeste, that was a close one." The doll’s luminous brown eyes stared at her blankly.
"Circe, that was very sloppy, not giving my doll Miss Celeste’s dress."
"Well, if I may be frank, Mistress, it was sloppy of you to order me to fix your mess without any instruction. In the future, I suggest you learn to think more quickly,
if you are to use my powers without being detected."
Anna nodded meekly. She glanced back toward the door. "Circe, what should I about the fake Miss Celeste?"
Anna felt a rumbling of displeasure in her head. "Why don’t you have her join you for some tea," replied Circe.
"Good idea. But what should I call her?"
Anna felt Circe’s grumblings once more, but they quickly subsided. Anna was a promising student, and it was impatience that had gotten her in this situation in the
first place. "Just call her Miss Celeste. There’s no need to complicate things."
Anna glanced back at the door. "Miss Celeste, please join us for tea." The ersatz governess curtsied, crossed the room, and sat on the floor facing Anna across the
tea tray.
Anna glanced at the doll in her lap and sighed. "Poor little porcelain Miss Celeste. I wish you could really be here to enjoy this party…."