The housekeeper's son fancied me, and would not let me alone

Miss Quill said, "The housekeeper had a son, just returned from the army, and seeking a situation in the market town nearby to establish himself close to his mother. She introduced us and he took a fancy to me. I did not fancy him. He would not permit me to refuse him. He kindled my dormant bodily passions but would not respect my mind, my will, nor my self determination. I feared my newly awakened lust would break my will to resist him. So, for my soul, I sat the examination for clerk with the railway and departed."

"You are a person of courage and strength of will," Lucy said. "I find no fault in your actions, but rather merit and a healthy self-regard."

Stronger than my own, Lucy thought. Annie might do well to take Cordelia Quill as a model of self-regard and cool-headed decisiveness.

"You do me an honour, Miss Netherwood," Miss Quill said. "I know my worth. No one in that house cared to."

"Let us talk of household accounts, then," Lucy said. "And if you would find yourself at liberty to assist in their good reckoning."

"Gladly, madam," the railway clerk replied.