FOR AT MY SIDE WALKS HOPE.

change pronouns and gendered nouns as necessary.

“do i pay you for such impertinence?”

“i hope she’s happy. maybe she won’t cry anymore.”

“i’m not going away. i’m not ever going away.”

“surely a sound basis for marriage.”

“i’m so terribly sorry to arrive unannounced, but i really had no other option, and to be honest, if i’d sent notice, it probably would have arrived behind me, making the notice really quite moot, as i’m sure you’ll agree, and …”

“would you prefer to rest? i don’t wish to keep you here if you’d rather sleep.”

“you saved my letters?”

“you’re very clever, did you know that?”

“i was looking for food and company, and this seemed to be the best place to find both.”

“you are not what i expected, _______.”

“i shall survive, i assure you.”

“i’ll just keep you company, then.”

“i certainly can’t condone their actions, but it was obviously quite cleverly done.”

“you’re supposed to be on my side!”

“no one was sorrier than i.”

“did it take you very long to get over it.?”

“i’m not certain it’s something you ever do get over.”

“you’re a bit bossy this evening.”

“i said i was sorry. i wasn’t, really. it was a figure of speech.”

“sometimes, silence is a good thing.”

“are you saying i talk too much?”

“i’ll have you know that i have been much quieter here than i am at home.”

“i think you should go home. you don’t look well.”

“i shall remain out of your way, which is all that really matters, correct?”

“good god, woman, you could try the patience of a saint.”

“it’s… very difficult… when someone dies, and you can only watch, and you can’t do anything to stop it.”

“ didn’t need your help when you were in nappies, and i don’t need it now.”

“just so that you are aware, i would rather have spent the night with my wife.”

“and yet, that’s still more than enough time to ruin your reputation.”

“you’ve made yourself a rather messy little bed here. i’m afraid you’re going to have to lie in it.”

“you would have me marry a man i don’t know?”

“you seemed to know him very well indeed in the dining room. you certainly leapt to his defense at every conceivable opportunity.”

can’t you just say it? do you have to end everything with a question?”

“do you have any idea how much effort it requires to keep my temper in check?”

“i’d hoped for a love match.”

“i never thought i would be left behind.”

“i don’t think anyone would ever make the mistake of leaving you behind.”

“that is the last thing i would every worry about on your behalf.”

“you happen to life, _____.  you’ve always made your own decisions, always been in control. it might not always feel that way, but it’s true.”

“you’re incorrigible.”

“there are some things that are impossible not to see. especially when you’re a man.”

“i used to be considered something of a rake, after all. Wouldn’t want people to think i was completely tamed.”

“and yet, my wife still loves me to distraction, which is all that really matters, isn’t it?”

“i was worried they were going to kill you.”

“we’ll have to marry.”

“how much wine have you drunk?”

“you know how men are. they never tell you what you want to know.”

“well, if it all works out in the end, what a romantic tale it will be.”

“aren’t you happy?”

“you don’t sound happy.”

“i was already planning to ask you to be my wife. properly, with a ring and whatever else it is i’m supposed to do. i don’t know.”

“you always order me about.”

“i’m going to kill him. does anyone mind if i kill him?”

“good. i see you agree with me that this is a superior idea.”

“thank god i’m marrying you.”

“well, if you must know, yes, i did intend to kiss you.”

“but passion is surely not enough to sustain a marriage.”

“it might be too late to do anything about it, but it’s never too late to wonder.”

“i always loved everything about you, of course, but for some reason i always found your impatience especially charming. it was never because you wanted more, it was because you wanted everything.”

“i keep telling everyone that, but you seem to be the only one to believe me.”

“don’t you know that’s exactly what a man wishes to hear?”

“very well, i give up. what do you mean, _____? because i assure you, i haven’t a clue.”

“_____, why won’t you discuss this with me? we have a problem, and we need to talk about it.”

“i love you. you know that, don’t you?”

“it was so awful. i don’t think i have ever been so scared in my life.”

“i thought we might go on an outing today.”

“it’s the way of the world, i’m afraid.”

“it’s a little late to wonder, don’t you think?”

“give it time, ____. be gentle. don’t push too hard.”

“don’t tell me you’ve been harboring secret fantasies about the farm laborers.”

“it must be nice to have parents one can emulate.”

“the two of you certainly seem well suited this morning.”

“i can’t work if i have to worry about you.”

a particularly vicious, snobby young lady and her mama leave rosen's, and for a brief moment, miri, having endured the condescending comments for the past hour, deflates against the counter. sometimes, it feels as though it might never end, the way people are so casually cruel to those they think themselves better than — and whether she be workhouse inmate, petty thief, or modiste, miri always seems to find herself at the bottom of the pile. but wallowing never did anybody any good, and there is nothing about her life she should complain about now.

and, more importantly, there's still a customer in the shop. so miri shakes herself out like she's a crumbled gown, and finishes the look off with a smile. ❝ sorry about the wait, sir. a new waistcoat, was it? we have some gorgeous new fabrics in. ❞