**
New Living Quarters
Living above a shop can be fun.
-Harry Finkle
Robert eventually followed William, Emma, Jack, and Lizzy up the creaky wooden staircase to their new living quarters on the second floor.
The sitting area was much larger than the one in their old home. It was also fancier, with many interesting things taking up space against the walls. In the center of the room was an elaborate stone fireplace, constructed so it was possible to see straight through it to the other side of the room.
On one side of the room was a long dining table surrounded by eight chairs and covered by a dusty white piece of fabric. On the far wall a serving table and a hutch hugged closely together. They were also covered by white cloth, as were several chairs, a long couch, and a few tables, which graced the wall space on the other side of the fireplace.
A number of artful portraits of the Finkle family hung on the walls, running clear up to the ceiling. William found one of himself when he was a boy, standing with his mother and father. Next to it was a portrait of Uncle Harry sitting in an armchair.
The family removed all the fabric that had been covering the furniture, revealing beautiful grains of wood and lavishly covered seating. The hutch was fully stocked with fine dishes and silver eating utensils. Emma removed the silver candlesticks and placed them in the center of the dining table.
“How wonderful!” Emma cried, almost in tears from sheer joy. “Oh William, I do so love it.” She flung herself at William, hugging him and throwing him a little off balance.
He grinned, then righted himself and returned the hug. “I’m glad, love,” William said. “It’s just as I remembered it, with the exception of a little dust. Everything is just how it was when I was a young boy.”
William chuckled softly. “I remember crawling under the dining table with a small blanket after dinner and laying at my father’s feet until he took me to bed. I would fall asleep listening to the boring conversations my father and uncle had over tea. Those were the days.”
William and Emma pointed out each of their bedchambers, and Jack was shocked to learn that he no longer had to sleep in the same room as Robert. They each had their own sleeping quarters—which were equally large.
Jack was 14, so it was about time. “Finally, my own room,” he said out loud, a large smile across his face.
Lizzy never had to share her sleeping quarters with a sibling, so she didn’t understand Jack’s enthusiasm. “It is only a bedchamber, Jack. I don’t know why you are so thrilled about it,” Lizzy said, rolling her eyes and crinkling her nose.
“No, of course not,” Jack replied, rolling his eyes at her. “You couldn’t possibly fathom the joy of having your own room when you’ve never in your entire existence had to share a room with another person.” Jack grinned. “This is going to be wonderful. I believe I’ll like living in Finkleton very much indeed.”
“I don’t care much for the weather, so I’m undecided about Finkleton,” Lizzy replied. “And I still have not been able to go to the library.”
“You and your books. One day you are going to turn into a book,” Jack said with a laugh. “Do you know what the best thing about having your own bedchamber is, Lizzy?”
“Not particularly, no,” Lizzy replied.
Jack continued to laugh and stepped into his room, then turned around and shut the door in Lizzy’s face. Lizzy gasped, utterly mortified by Jack’s rude behavior. She stomped down the hall muttering something under her breath.
Robert stood in the long hallway listening to Jack and Lizzy’s conversation. Tears began to form in his eyes. He didn’t like listening to them fight. And he wasn’t sure he liked the idea of not sharing a room with Jack. He shuffled his feet and tiptoed toward Jack’s door, then knocked very lightly so Lizzy wouldn’t hear.
Through the door Robert heard Jack say, “Go away, Lizzy. This is my room. No girls allowed.”
Robert knocked again and whispered, “It’s me. Robert.”
The door opened a crack, and Robert looked up to see Jack staring down at him, an eyebrow cocked in question. “What do you need, Robert?”
Robert hung his head and sniffled, not wanting to say anything. Jack didn’t say a word. He simply opened the door wider to allow Robert to come inside, then shut it softly behind him.
Jack was concerned. He placed a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “What’s the problem, brother?”
Robert looked up at him, letting tears run down his cheeks. “I’ve never had to sleep in a room by myself, Jack. You’ve always been in the same room with me for as long as I can remember.” Robert sniffed again. “What will I do now?”
“Oh, Robert,” Jack said with a grin. He tried to keep from laughing as he bent down to Robert’s eye level. “You’ll enjoy having your own bedroom. I promise you.”
“But what if I hear a noise or something? I know this is our new home, but I’m not at all sure of it just yet,” Robert said, wiping his cheeks with his sleeve. He frowned, not satisfied with Jack’s response.
“Robert, if you’d like to sleep in my room on the nights that you feel unsure of our new home, you’re more than welcome,” Jack said with a giggle. He straightened.
Robert’s eyes widened, and he smiled from ear to ear. Suddenly he hugged Jack around his waist, knocking Jack’s breath out with a woof! “Thank you, Jack. Thank you!”
“It’s quite all right,” Jack replied. He patted his little brother on the back, understanding Robert’s fear. He could imagine it would be a little scary to sleep alone for someone who’d never done so before—and especially in a new home.
“I promise that you’ll soon enjoy having your own room. Perhaps you should go sort out your things so I can unpack,” Jack said, his tone encouraging.
“All right, Jack,” Robert replied, smiling as he walked toward the door. Just before leaving, he turned to face Jack. “I’ll return when it’s time to sleep, all right?”
Jack winked. “See you then, Robert. See you then,” Jack said as Robert quietly shut the door.
Jack began to unpack his bag. He first draped articles of clothing over an armchair and then proceeded to put them away. The chair was plush and tall, and next to his very own small stone fireplace.
Jack opened the curtains so the sun’s rays could brighten the room, then took a better look around. He immediately noticed an interesting-looking writing desk located under the window.
He also spotted an armoire. It was wide, with two doors and four drawers. It was at least an arm’s length taller than Jack. Everything he owned could fit into it easily, with plenty of room to spare. Jack didn’t think it would be possible for any one person’s possessions to fill the huge armoire.
The room desperately needed to be cleaned, but Jack didn’t mind. In fact, he looked forward to it. He just kept reminding himself that this was his very own room. Robert would probably be sharing it with him for some time, but it was still Jack’s room, and he could organize it as he saw fit.
If Jack wanted to be alone to simply think, he could do so without Robert clamoring away about this and that. Maybe the armchair would become his thinking chair. Most importantly, Jack’s room would be tidy. At their old home, Robert scattered his belongings everywhere, and Jack always had to pick them up and put them away.
Down the hall, Lizzy entered her room and slammed the door shut for everyone to hear. “Boys!” she exclaimed with disgust. “Why wasn’t I blessed to be an only child?”
Then Lizzy started to look around, considering her room, and she forgot all about her brothers.
Lizzy was very pleased. The large bed was adorned with white bed curtains tied to the posts, and an old trunk sat at the end for extra storage. In front of her fireplace was a chair covered in soft velvety fabric, and next to it a small table. The table can hold the many books I’ll want to read, she thought, and the chair looks perfectly comfortable for escaping into words. And whenever I need a break from that, I can move to the writing desk next to the armoire and write letters to my friends in Bath. This will be delightful.
Lizzy exhaled with relief. She touched the pretty curtains and sat on the soft chair. She then pretended to be a princess, twirling around as if she were dancing at a glamorous ball.
Emma popped her head through the door, startling Lizzy. “I’m pleased to see you like your room,” she said.
“Oh yes, Mother. I do indeed. It’s quite lovely, don’t you think?” Lizzy smiled and drew open the armoire.
“I do,” Emma said, smiling. She walked further into the room and looked around at the pretty things. “Your father and I thought this room would suit you best. We didn’t think your brothers would care much for the bed curtains.”
“No, they’re only boys. They don’t appreciate the finer things in life,” Lizzy said, then slid her hands down the soft fabric of her curtains.
Her mother chuckled. “You’d be surprised at what your brothers appreciate,” Emma said. She lifted Lizzy’s bag onto the bed and began to unpack it.
“They’re just silly boys, Mother,” Lizzy said, rolling her eyes with exasperation.
“It is possible, my dear, that they admire many things which we do not. Perhaps they hold to another standard,” Emma said.
“Like what, Mother?” Lizzy was surprised to discover that she was slightly curious what her brothers might like.
“Running, exploring, competing, even farming. I do know that they enjoy a hot bath, a full belly and a warm fire. We aren’t that much different from them in some ways.”
“I suppose somebody needs to like farming and such,” Lizzy replied, flicking at one of her curls.
“Yes, and those farmers will be among our best customers. If they didn’t grow food for everyone, Finkleton would wither.”
“I understand, Mother. Thank you for explaining that,” Lizzy said, a satisfied smile on her lips. “When will Father show me the library? I haven’t read a book in days, and I’m beside myself.”
“I’m sure your father will show you once he’s finished bringing up the rest of our bags,” Emma said, stroking Lizzy’s long hair and kissing her on top of her golden head. “Let’s finish getting you unpacked so you can curl up with a book later without having to worry about it, shall we?”
“Oh yes, Mother. That’s a wonderful idea.” Lizzy fluttered about the room, placing things here and there so that she’d be finished quickly. “I can’t wait to see the library! Isn’t it just so exciting?”
“Yes, Lizzy. I completely agree with you. It is very exciting,” Emma said, smiling.