The Downstairs Girl

Old Gin has to stay back at the Paynes for a few nights to prepare for the races. Jo feels that he is avoiding her since they argued over the letter. Jo writes a Miss Sweetie column on how being single may be a good choice for some women. At the mailbox in her usual disguise, Jo meets Nathan. Nathan tells her subscriptions have increased, but her last column about reinventing customs was too radical to be run. Jo shows him the column on marriage and Nathan calls it brilliant. When Nathan asks Jo if she is somebody familiar, given Bear’s affection for her, Jo gives a roundabout answer and leaves.

Salt and Pepper visit the Paynes on “safeties” (171) or bicycles. Jo is happy Miss Sweetie’s advice is creating change. When Salt accidentally spills lemonade on her dress, Jo takes her to Caroline’s room to change. After Salt and Pepper leave, Caroline breaks into hives. Suspecting Noemi has spiked her sandwiches with an allergen, Caroline has Noemi suspended.

Jo finds it difficult to believe Noemi would take a chance with her job. She remembers that Salt visited Caroline’s room earlier. Jo wonders if she could have rubbed pepper—to which Caroline is allergic—on Caroline’s cold cream.