The humid night air was oppressive and hot

When Keavy and Erin went to bed.

They wore no blankets, nor much sleep clothes,

Nor bonnets upon their head.

Their room was up in the attic,

And they slept in two tiny cots.

And while they wished for something more,

They never required a lot.



Keavy: "Erin?" Keavy said a sigh.

As the stars and moon twinkled 
In the night sky.

"Will you tell me more of Mother and Dad?"



Erin: "You say that as though I never have."



Erin sighed then giggled,

While curled up in her cot,


Erin: "What I remember of Mother
Was never a lot.

She died giving birth to you, Keavy.

You were just a baby,

And I was only three.

But I remember her singing 

Was soft as cotton.

And the songs that she sang to me 

Will never be forgotten.

Before she took ill,

Her hair was blonde and straight,

Golden like the wheat 
From our farmer's freight.

And she loved to dance,

As we do too.

And she's in heaven now.

One day we'll be too."



Keavy: "I wish I had known her,

Or remembered her voice.

But I suppose while I'm here,

I don't have a choice.

Tell me about Father.

He was so strong and kind."



Erin: "I'm tired, Keavy."



Keavy: "Then just speak your mind!

I just miss all our time to talk.

When you work outside,

I don't see you a lot."



Erin groaned and pointed

To a box under a chair.



Erin: "Open that. You'll find-

I have letters in there."


Keavy did as she was told,

And she brought them to Erin.

Erin looked them over,

And then began tellin.'



Erin: "I've been writing to Princes
ses-
And Governors, that sort,

To try and get to know them,

And see if they'll court.

Most of them knew Father,

And by extension know me.

If I can be married,

I'll finally be free.

No more outdoor days

In the hot summer sun!

And my victory over stepmother

Will finally be won!"



Keavy frowned sadly,

And began to cry.



Keavy: "What did Father tell us

Right before he died?

He said to take care of-
Claudette and Collette!

And to be obedient to Stepmother's will
and to let-

Her run the household as she sees fit.

We can't abandon our home!

Not for one minute!"


Erin flustered,

And heavily sighed.



Erin: "He wouldn't if he'd known

Of Stepmother's pride!"



Keavy: "A promise is a promise!

No matter what comes!

A promise stays a promise!"



Erin: "Okay! I'm not dumb!

I will not leave you alone with them.

And I'll see what alternatives I have.

It's only the many hot hours of work

That make me so very sad.

But a promise stays a promise.

It is as you say.

Let's get some sleep.

Tomorrow is another day."