Anne smiled when Lottie gave a positive evaluation of Pearl. She watched the brush. It wasn't like any she had ever used before. The wood was darker and prettier and it looked sturdier too. She let Mrs. Blacke undo her hair and listened, flattered both by the compliments and the fact that Mrs. Blacke was willing to use such a special heirloom to brush her hair. Was her hair truly pretty? It was the part of her body she liked most.

"Thank ye, Mrs. Blacke," she said quietly.

Did she use it to brush Kate or Ruth's hair? She dared not ask.