Samantha: An American Girl Holiday2004

[Eddie has found Samantha and Nellie in the boathouse on the Edwards-Parkington estate; much to the ire of Nellie's employer, Mrs. Ryland]

Mrs. Ryland:
[furious; to Nellie] *What* were you *doing*, you senseless girl? You would have the WHOLE neighborhood looking for you!

[quietly; still furious]

Mrs. Ryland:
THIS is clearly unacceptable. The servants of this household will not allowed to wander away from the estate grounds, or "spend time" with the neighbor's children.

[Mrs. Ryland barres her teeth and glares hard at Nellie. Then, she turns to Grandmary and Uncle Gard]

Mrs. Ryland:
[calmly] I'm so sorry. This was never meant to happen.

[she is about to leave with her son, Eddie. At the last second, Samantha stops her]

Samantha:
It was MY fault, Mrs. Ryland! It was all my idea. I asked Nellie to keep me company!

[Eddie grunts with shame and disgust]

Mrs. Ryland:
[haughtily] Nevertheless, she should respect and trend other's properties CAREFULLY at ALL times.

[Nellie begins to sniffle; being on the verge of tears]

Grandmary Edwards:
[understandingly] I don't think the girls meant any harm.

Mr. O'Malley:
[stepping in] I promise you, it won't happen again. Please, be easy with her, Ma'am. She's still young, and she forgets her place.

Nellie O'Malley:
[crying] I'm so sorry ma'am! I knew better... I did!

Grandmary Edwards:
It's all right, Nellie.

Samantha:
[Samantha thinks for a moment. Then, filled with compassion, she rushes over and embraces the weeping Nellie, comforting her. While the others look on]