"Fascinatin'," she said in reply after he explained what he was doing. She didn't quite understand why he was experimenting with water and fire, but he seemed to enjoy himself when he was doing his work. Her eyes were on him the whole time even still.

For the next few minutes a similar pattern is followed. He would light a torch, put it out, record the results and then do it all over again. He was methodical and careful and when he is finished he tosses the remaining wood into the fire. Settling down in a chair next at it lost in the flames.

Well, she thought, that was uneventful. It seemed like nothing changed between each piece of wood but she was loathe to point that out to him when it was blatantly obvious... so she did not. Instead, she shifted in her seat and turned to look at him. He looked like he was brooding again. "I am lookin' forward to yer lessons, sir," she said softly to see if that pulled him out of it. She wouldn't be able to stay out much longer, not wanting to leave her son alone for too long.

"Hrmm, that is unfortunate."

Looking over to Ruth he offers her a wane smile.

"Sometimes, what you learn is that adding salt and bicarbonate to water produces no significant improvements on its ability to smother the flame."

He was actually fairly certain that the carbonated water had taken more time to smother it. Letting out a sigh he straightens and cracks his back.

"Still, now I know."

"It was a good experiment, sir," she said quietly, then sighed herself. "I should get back to me bairn, I shouldn't leave him fer too long." She stood and decided to put some distance between the professor and herself, as she was starting to feel overwhelmed. "Goodnight..." And then she was off to her room to brood, herself.

"Good night Miss Blacke."

Edward says to her as he stays to watch the fire until it burns down to embers and ash.

The next day was a day off for her and she had gone to visit her parents for a time so they could see the little one. It was sometime after noon when she returned. She was in a particularly foul mood, having heard rumors that her husband was back in town and making no effort to find her or their child. She did her best to lift her chin and keep her wounded pride as hidden as possible as she walked toward her room.

"Ya look like the cat that got her tailed pulled, what happened luv?" Betsy inquires as she rounds a corner and spots Ruth. The girl was carrying a wash basket but she was more than happy to set that down to chat with her new friend.

"Oh, just that good for nothing... oooh. I could spit nails!" She couldn't help herself, she was just so angry. "Angus, not the groundskeeper but me husband Angus, is back in town accordin' to an acquaintance, and he has not made one little bit of effort ta look fer me. All they say he is doin' is goin' to the pub, gettin' shitfaced, and fightin' wit' whoever he pleases." She huffed and opened her door, going in and laying the baby on the bed so she could change his nappie. While she did that, she spoke over her shoulder, "I hope his..." she paused and then lowered her voice to a low hiss, "cock falls off from swivin' so many cows after me."

Betsy, like any good friend, looked properly outraged on Ruth's behalf as she explains what had just happened. However, when the other maid dropped that last line the younger girl couldn't help but burst into a fit of giggles. "Sorry, I agree with ya. Yer husband sounds like an utter prat and you are right ta wish... that on him." The girl giggles again as she admits. "Mother has kept me from the boys mostly and just, I've never heard anyone talk about it quite like that."