On September 28th, 1910, at Drevolre Manor.

"A model woman!" Thena exclaims as she jumps up from lying on the sofa in the drawing room meant for guests, after being scolded by me. As usual, she is engrossed in reading the latest novel by Miss McLorean, and then surveys the whole room with a judgmental look.

"What did you say?" I ask irritably, looking at the young girl holding a cup of tea that is gradually getting cold. I scold Thena for not maintaining the elegance of a young lady. Oh my! Is there anyone else like her, wearing a dress while lying on the sofa without any care in the world? You might say that I am a difficult person, but I accept that it is necessary to teach my siblings, especially with other young men in the house. Today, my younger brother invited his friend over, and they are currently in this very drawing room.

Thena places the book on the table and stretches to pick a grape and puts it in her mouth. No well-bred young lady would sit and eat like that! She changes her position from lying down to sitting cross-legged, as if she is challenging me. Thena chews and mumbles, replying: "You sound like those model women from the past."

Upon hearing these words, I am truly angry. How dare she compare me to those model women of the past? I am not like them! I only wish everything to follow a proper and well-mannered path. I put my tea cup down on the table with force, causing the saucer to hit the tabletop and make a loud noise. David and Kevin, my younger brother's friend, are playing and making a lot of noise behind me, which also adds to my discomfort. I stand up and clap my hands twice to get their attention. I am good at managing my emotions. So when the two boys look at me with an unnatural expression, I just smile and say gently:

"David, why don't you two go outside and play?"

Kevin seems unfamiliar with this way of speaking, but my younger brother is very clear. He knows that I am preparing to "educate" the young ones, in this case Thena and not himself, so he immediately pulls his friend out. Thena also sneaks away, but I catch her and tell her to sit back down in her seat, beginning my "education"!

"How dare you behave so carelessly?" I scold angrily.

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"I just want to feel comfortable," Thena says softly. She is still stubborn, but does not want to make me angrier.

"You know there are men in the house! And you're not wearing a corset?" I furrow my brow.

"Corsets are a prison, repressing a woman's self-expression..." Thena says with a proud look! And I know exactly where my sister got that quote from!

"Did you learn that from those scandalous novels?" I take the novel in my hand and look at the title. An Irish Girl... Perhaps I'm too old to appreciate these ideas, even though Thena and I are only two years apart.

"That's not scandalous! That's modern!" Thena snatches the book from my hand. "I see this issue still exists in our society. Women like us are not valued."

"We are always valued..." I reply. "In some ways."

"Come on, Fi," Thena shakes her head. "Eventually, you, me, and Di will have to marry some wealthy or equal man to have a place in this society. Don't you see how unfair that is?"

The story that was once tense now becomes a moment to ponder. Unlike Thena, I am content with what I have in the present. I will accept being a good daughter in this society. But Thena's perspective also has some truth to it, I just have not taken the time to consider it.

Thena stands up with her novel. This is not the first time we have had conversations like this. After looking at me for a while, she says:

"I'll put on a dress and pay more attention."

I give no reply, only silently lifting my cup of tea to sip. The young one knows well enough that I wish not to speak of the matter any further and departs of her own accord. I sigh deeply and rise, making my way to the window where I gaze outside. Beside the pond, my sister Diana sits in quiet contemplation, sketching away. At times, I wish Thena could find some peace from Diana, and that the latter could find some energy from the former. In the corner to the right, David and his companion are engaged in a lively discussion on some topic or other. In this moment, I wish for the carefree nature of the boy. I sigh quietly. I believe that none of the four of us sisters are entirely satisfied or content with what we have presently.

The chime of the clock rouses me from my reverie. I had nearly forgotten. Tonight is the anniversary of my parents' wedding!