"No, Amy wait!" Phillip got up to pursue after her only to be stopped short by Ariel. Frowning, he tried to step forward again, but still, Ariel barred his way. "Ariel, please move." The maid shook her head to deny his passage.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Master Phillip."

"And why not?"

"It is for your own good. Please, understand that I have been chosen to serve you alone Phillip..."

"Enough!" The eye-patched boy stomped one foot on the ground to silence her. "I will not let you drive out Amy! She's been so kind to me these last hours...who sent you? Tell me Ariel; who said you had to take care of me?" The maid's smile faltered slightly, knowing that her answer would displease him.

"Your father, Master Phillip."

The very air around them seemed to have chilled significantly, and Phillip tensed. "My...my father...he...he's not supposed to....Ariel. Go to Amy and tell her she can stay. Tell her I'll...pay you the same amount. And I'll double her salary too...she needs..." Eyes distant, Phillip's voice became weak as he sat back down on the couch, staring blankly at the walls.

"Of course Phillip." Before leaving, Ariel leaned forward to hug him and soon left him to follow Amy. Phillip barely felt the kind gesture. Having guessed Amy would be in the servant's living quarters, Ariel entered the room to comfort the other maid. "Good news! Master Phillip said he'll pay us both the same amount! He even mentioned raising your salary more than mine since I'm a friend of the family. Isn't that great Miss Jones!"