Disdain
After Howard finished the two slices of dark bread, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for helping me in my time of need. I will repay you later."
Nia, filled with curiosity and a young girl's idealism, combined with her concern for Howard's well-being, clung to his arm, refusing to let go.
Howard looked at Nia in surprise; ever since he had become an earl, no one had dared to boldly grab his arm and impede his movements in such a manner.
"You can't leave; you're not well enough to go," Nia insisted, struggling to articulate her concerns further but making it abundantly clear that she did not want Howard to leave.
Howard, with a wry smile, replied diplomatically, "But I have matters to attend to today. How am I to get anything done if you won't let me go?"
By 10 in the morning on February 19th, Nia's father returned from fishing, bringing back a large basket full of hairtail fish.
Howard had agreed with Nia to stay for lunch at her home.