"Live with you? Like a princess in one of your stories?" Cora asked, shoving the blankets aside so she could jump out of bed. Her nightgown was clean and serviceable, though washed to the point that no trace of color remained. It was also too short for her, showing several inches of bony wrist and skinny legs. "Leave here forever?"

Her smile faltered a moment. "My mother's buried not far from here. If I leave, will I be a bad daughter?"