Weekly Update: Chapter Two, Episode One - A Letter to Digby - Situationally Theirs

Review, Revision, Edit and Update

Introducing my next series of Updates, edits to Chapter Two episodes of Situationally Theirs will be posted each Monday. 

Situationally Theirs started in March with Desperanza Eliot and her sister, Emelina Beaufort on the Beaufort estate. The supporting cast of characters, employees of the estate, are the narrators for Chapter Two episodes.

My characters frequently tell me what needs revising. Martha May Digby, the estate housekeeper, reminded me that she seldom hesitates to speak her mind and yet, in this episode, her reaction about not being told of a letter Digby received, for a whole weekend, was nowhere to be found. Her reaction has been included. 

A Letter to Digby

“Martha, have you noticed anything different lately?” James was drying the breakfast dishes while his new wife scrubbed them clean. Martha May and James Edward Digby’s new kitchen did have a dishwasher, but saved it for during the week when they were both working. Of course, there was the occasional dinner with Elizabeth and Samuel or when Martha’s daughter Joanie and her children came for Sunday dinner. “What do you mean, James? Different here at our cottage? We’ve only been married for a couple of months. Everything seems quite settled in our cottage.” James was quiet for a moment. He put the plate he had dried up in the cupboard and picked up another. “I don’t mean here, Martha dear. Really it’s more up at the Estate. I think. There is also the matter of the letter that came in Friday’s mail.”

“Letter. What letter?” Martha put the last cup on the draining pan and dried her hands on her apron. James sighed. “It’s on my desk. I didn’t want to leave it at work. It’s not a long one but maybe explains the odd sense of quietness I’ve felt.”

Martha's face was stern. James put down his plate and tea towel. “Martha, please don't be angry that I kept it from you.”

~~~~~

Good morning Digby,

I felt I should send this note to you, as you have managed Beaufort Estate for quite some time. Mrs. Beaufort and her sister Miss Eliot have also been informed of what I am about to tell you.

I have enjoyed each day spent with everyone working for and those acquainted with the Estate. I find that my time has become too compromised to do my previous daily visits the justice each of you deserve. My visits to the Estate will only be once a week from now on. 

Thank you for all the wonderful stories that you’ve given me while we’ve all been distanced these many months of pandemic restrictions.

Please let the others know of this sudden change.

Your Storyteller.

“Oh heavens, I'm not all that upset now that you've read the letter to me. I'm just surprised! My goodness, James. Here we were just always wanting to talk that poor Storyteller’s ear off. Even our little ghost, Sarah. Well, what are we going to do, James?” Martha wiped her eyes with the corner of her apron. 

“Well, Martha” James was all business. “We’ll call a staff meeting for next week to see how we can help. We haven’t had one for several weeks now. Elizabeth can get cooking for a good meal afterwards. Now, let’s get out for our walk. Bring your basket with you. Samuel should have some tomatoes and carrots for us. We’ll stop at the house and tell Elizabeth.” 

“Tell the story as if it were only of interest to the small

 circle of your characters, of which you may be one. 

There is no other way to put life into the story.”

~ Horacio Quiroga, Uruguayan novelist, poet, and short story writer