Dreams haunted me all night, and I awoke in the morning nearly as tired as when I went to bed. Esmeralda let me sleep until seven and Annie smuggled some vittles from the kitchen after the family breakfast, which she said Papa intended to occur without my presence.

     I packed while Lucas brought me a horse and a carriage. I left my bags in my room and rode the Pennsylvania Turnpike into Baltimore. Hitching up outside Papa's bank, I entered, walked up to the teller, and slipped him the check.

     "Mr. Moore, could you cash this?"

     "You depositing any, Miss Lee?"

     "No. Cash and gold, please."

     He stared at it, up at me, and then back to the check again. "This is a lot of money with which to be walking around." He met my eyes. "I notice you're not escorted."

     I plopped my handbag on the counter. "Those days are over. Now, could you be so kind as to fulfill my request."

     He smiled. "Of course. Just one moment though." He walked to Mr. Filbert's office, knocked on the door, and then opened it. Seconds later, the banker appeared in the doorway, took the check, and scrutinized it. He shot his eyes towards me, and I surrendered a smile.

     Mr. Filbert walked to the teller window, not taking his eyes off mine. "Miss Lee, so nice to see you. Where are your charming brothers? None escorted you?"

     "No, sir."

     His arm extended towards his office. "Would you be so kind as to step into my office?"

     I raised my eyebrows. "And who will chaperone?"

     His mouth fell open. Turning his head, he stared at his office, and then looked back at me.

     I laughed. "It was in jest, sir. You're not accustomed to seeing me without an escort, but these are indeed strange and uncertain times. I will be most happy to step into the office of a fine gentleman such as you, sir."

     He sighed quickly and smiled. We walked inside, and he pulled out a chair for me in front of his desk. Then he walked around it and sat in his leather-covered desk chair.

     "Sam, let's drop the formalities. I've known you since you came in here hanging on your father's arm at the age of six. What's going on?"

     "I'm leaving." I pointed to the check. "That is my road stake."

     "You're leaving? What on earth happened?"

     I pressed my lips together. "Please, Mr. Filbert, you have been such a dear friend to my family. May we conduct our business without all the questions?"

     He looked at the check and then back to me. "You know, bankers are excellent mathematicians. We can put two and two together faster than a hound can pick up a scent." He held up the check. "This two …," he pointed to my eyes, "and that two makes four. He's throwing you out because of your Yankee sympathies."

     I looked away. "Please, sir, can we just make the transaction?"

     "Five thousand dollars? You're just going to walk out of here with five thousand dollars? It would be remiss of me, not only as a banker, but also as a friend to your father, not to make a counter-suggestion. Let me give you some cash, and make a draft that any bank will honor. When you get to wherever you're going, you can deposit it there."

     I nodded. "That's just it, Mr. Filbert, I don't know where to go. So, the only choice for me is to take it all in cash."

     He stared at me face. "It's unbelievable that your father would have struck you."

     I shifted my weight forward. "It's not my father's fault. Believe me, sir, my words would have caused Job to lash out. I brought it on myself, and now, by going away, time will heal all."

     He nodded. "And that it will. Indeed, all will be well again in the very near future." He rose and handed me the check. "Tell Mr. Moore to honor this, please."

     I took it. "Thank you so much, Mr. Filbert." I turned to leave.

     "Oh, Sam?" I stopped and turned back. "Yankee sympathies are at the center of my heart, too. I hope this whole thing won't tear everyone apart."

     I smiled and walked to Mr. Moore who gave me the requested cash and gold.