In a letter addressed to Molly, Flora Gray described the humbling of youthful bravado. At seventeen, after receiving permission from her father to take a prep course for university entrance, Flora escorted the headmaster out of Gray Manor and was warned she would be the only girl in class. Elated, she shared the news with William, the butler she affectionately called Uncle Willy, who embraced her and expressed pride alongside his sister, Flora’s nursemaid Mrs. Mead.

Flora recounted the deep care she received from Uncle Willy and Mrs. Mead, contrasting it with her parents’ coldness. She admitted to jealousy and class prejudice toward Uncle Willy’s silent, brooding son, whom she resented as a child when he appeared at Mrs. Mead’s cottage—Flora’s refuge on the estate. The boy eventually disappeared from the grounds for years, and Flora never asked after him.

Uncle Willy then revealed that his son had returned from boarding school and would attend Flora’s prep class on a scholarship granted by Flora’s father. Flora responded with a classist remark, which hurt Uncle Willy, though he stayed supportive. Mrs. Mead summoned Flora for a gown fitting for the annual Workers’ Ball, where Flora’s mother, Audrey, critiqued the couture dress and pushed Flora to expose her shoulders and emphasize attractiveness to secure suitors, framing marriage as a strategic merger.

Flora resisted the pressure, arguing for women’s broader ambitions, while privately recalling her mother’s vulnerability due to Flora’s father’s infidelities. After changing out of the gown, Flora went to the library to start the headmaster’s reading list, but she found key titles missing and suspected sabotage.

Seeking answers, Flora entered her father’s office and overheard her parents arguing about a man threatening Gray Investments. When questioned, her father dismissed her concerns. Flora asked about the missing books, and Audrey suggested “the butler’s son” was responsible. Flora’s father confirmed he had allowed the boy to borrow any books because the boy was the current Gray Scholarship recipient—a program the Grays used to placate staff and exert leverage.

Flora felt outraged that the servant’s son had privileges she struggled to obtain, exposing her internalized class bias. Her father promised to have the books returned and brusquely ended the discussion, emphasizing the business pressures he faced. Flora apologized and withdrew, chastened.