Priscilla woke with a start. It took a minute for her to realize that what had woken her was sounds coming from Harriet Dunkleman’s room that she had heard through the monitor beside the bed. It sounded as though Harriet was agitated about something.

Coming fully awake, Pris grabbed her robe and put it on. Sliding her feet into her slippers and running her fingers through her sleep-tossed hair in order to smooth it as best she could, she headed for the door and silently walked down the hall to Harriet’s room where she opened the door and stepped inside.

Harriet was pacing the floor, and muttering to herself.

Pris said quietly, "Harriet, is something wrong? What’s troubling you?"

Harriet whirled around and catching sight of Pris she burst into tears. Quickly Pris went to her and gently steered Harriet into one of the comfortable chairs next to the bed.

Pris waited for the tears to subside and then asked Harriet again what the source of her discomfort was and what Pris could do to help. Harriet just shook her head, replied that she was simply being silly and stated that all she wanted was to go back to bed. Pris poured Harriet a drink of water from the crystal pitcher sitting beside the bed and handed her the glass. After Harriet had finished and had gotten into bed, Pris made certain she was comfortable. Assuring Harriet that if should she need anything Pris would be there to help, Pris exited the room and closed the door.

Pris almost let out a shriek as she turned away from Harriet’s door…and bumped right into Brian Dunkleman. "Shhh," said Brian, reaching out to steady Pris, "it’s only me. Is something wrong with Aunt Harriet? I thought I heard her crying."

Pris replied, "Oh, Mr. Dunkleman, you gave me such a start! I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up and around at this hour. Mrs. Krause must have had a bad dream or something…she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. She just wanted to go back to bed so I’ve made her comfortable and I’m on my way back to my room."

Brian said with a chuckle, "Please, call me Brian. When you call me Mr. Dunkleman, I expect to turn around and find my father’s ghost standing there!" As the smile faded from his face he said, "Seriously, I would like to talk to you sometime…in private…about Aunt Harriet. I’m worried about her. I think something is going on with Uncle Herman and I don’t like it."

Priscilla replied matter-of-factly, "Brian, I’m also worried about Mrs. Krause. She seems to be slipping more and more into a severe depression, or worse. I would be happy to meet with you. Perhaps we can arrange a meeting for my next day off which is two days from now."

Brian replied, "That would be fine. I don’t want Uncle Herman to see us together or he might get the idea we are getting wise to the fact that something is not as it should be with Aunt Harriet. I don’t mind telling you that I don’t trust Herman Krause in the slightest. I believe that Herman Krause is only interested in what is best for Herman Krause!"

Pris took a deep breath and then replied, "Brian, I’m afraid I agree. I know he’s my employer, and I shouldn’t speak of him in this manner but I have watched Mrs. Krause grow progressively worse and I believe it is due in large part to his emotional neglect of her." She is a lovely person and I can’t help but be somewhat angry at her decline."

Brian sighed, "I feel the same way. Let’s meet two days from now after Uncle Herman has gone to his office. We’ll go somewhere away from the mansion, and any prying eyes or ears, have some breakfast, and discuss this further. Until then, I know I don’t have to ask you to keep a close eye on Aunt Harriet. By the way, I don’t want to tip Uncle Herman off so I try to appear unconcerned; that way he’ll be more lax about speaking when I’m around. He thinks I’m just ‘that twit, Harriet’s nephew.�?Therefore, if I seem somewhat distant you know that’s not actually how I feel."

"Fine, Brian. I’m glad you filled me in. I’ll see you around 9:00 AM or so on Friday."

"Great! I’m looking forward to it." Brian watched as Pris walked softly down the hall to her room and entered, closing the door silently behind her. Hmmm, I’m glad to have an ally where Aunt Harriet is concerned. And such a pleasant one at that, he mused.