"I... I've never had anyone be this nice to me," Joanne Chase said softly, her head lowered and her face flushed.
Grace Winslow was taken aback.
'Having been coddled her whole life, she'd never known a feeling like this.'
Looking at Joanne Chase, her heart ached for her for some reason.
'Joanne Chase was two or three years younger than her, an age when she should have been carefree and doted on by her parents. Instead, she carried far too many burdens on her shoulders.'
That was how it was for most people in this era. Families favored sons over daughters, and girls were expected to start supporting the household at an early age.
Those who could attend school were already considered fortunate.
Most weren't so lucky; they were married off early for a bride price, which was then used to pay for their brothers' weddings.
Joanne Chase was one of the lucky ones. Through her own hard work, she had managed to stay in school and now had a chance to escape the trauma of her family.
