With promise of retribution by the Roughers, Vera put the incident of old, prejudicial Leonard at the back of her mind, and focused on the trip to the market. For three hours, Vera and Shay scrounged around picking out food for this evening, and tomorrow's breakfast; she even found two dresses that would be suitable for the meeting with Mr. Tindall, and another for the luncheon like Samuel forewarned about the possibility. Combined, the dresses cost half the fraction of the price Shay purchased his suit, relatively pleased with her thrifty finds, her mood became lighter. 

         Climbing three flights of stairs, Shay revealed to her, his humble lodgings, and apologized beforehand. Yet, when she stepped inside the room, she stifled a laugh before she could cause offense; what she found so entertaining is the fact, asides from his bed with no box spring, their living accommodations were near identical. 

"Oh Shay, if you get the chance to see my own place of living, you'll realize that you and I are one in the same, it feels just like I'm at home. Of course my bed has a box to support it, but even the wallpaper..." Vera's voice drifted off as her eyes lingered near the ceiling where the white and blue striped paper bulged and peeled away, no concern to the landlord, as was common in the boroughs like these. 

"I feel quite terrible that my brother has forced me upon you like a terrible burden. But, I will say this, despite all that has happened today, from my release to the market just now, you have been quite the admirable companion. And you have a knack for playing pretend." Setting the books down on the table that she had found at the market, and draping her dress carefully over the back of the dining chair, she turned to face him, hand gripping the same chair, with her hand knuckled upon her hip. 

"Shay..." She began, searching desperately for the right words to say next, but settled with what came to mind most prevalent, "I just wanted to say thank you for being so kind to me today." A kindred gleam appeared in her eyes, as if fully seeing Shay for the first time. 

"Yes, actually I am quite hungry. Now that I think of it, all I've had today is whiskey and a mint julep. If you'd like, I can help you with dinner, but if you don't need me, I'd like to have a nice hot bath. Vera offered, more than willing to be of help any way she could. "Um...you wouldn't happen to have any whiskey, would you?" Her eyes darted about the room, the simple fact that she had her opium sitting heavily in the coat pocket of her winter coat, though without a pipe it was useless, weighed upon her mind, like a nagging conscience; but she felt that it would be inappropriate for her to commence with her normal nightly routine under Shay's roof, as once again, she did not wish to cause him offense.