The Duke stood and went down the steps onto the lawn, as he did so he passed a statue. Penistone Hall was famed for its statuary, much of it acquired ...y the third, or was it the fourth duke, he could never remember, on his grand tour of Europe, liberated from the barbarians who lived in the Italian peninsular and from the Greeks on the other side of the Aegean sea. Not, of course that the present Duke considered these people barbarians. Heavens no! He had the advantage of a classical education,. Jessica’s mouth fell open. “You did what!?”Lily shouted as she entered the room, her drunkenness had faded. Leah panicked as Lily came closer. She had been willing to tell Jessica, but tell Lily? -“Shit.” Before one of them could speak again, Robert had entered the room as well. “Seems like Emma and Sara are staying at the hospital tonight. Nothing bad, she’ll get over the intoxication by tomorrow.” He felt somewhat relieved that it was his own daughter who was lying in the hospital. If it. I have even stooped drinking beer in the past few days.” “Wow, Joe. I’m really proud of you. Let’s go show that social worker that you are a capable father. She’s upstairs waiting to talk to us.” “Okay. You think we did it, Holly?” “I really do, Joe. I really do.” “Mr. Tolbert, Ms. Luxembourge, I do not know if you remember this, but I am the same social worker who conducted the examination of this same house one year ago. Then, I was absolutely disgusted at the state of this house. Today, I. My presentation took about 15 minutes, and I had graphics and charts to illustrate my talk. Soon after starting I knew I had the audience in the palm of my hand, and couldn't put a foot, or finger, wrong. When I finished my spiel I got a huge round of applause. John Rudry was as chuffed as could be. Other members of the visiting big wigs congratulated me, and I wished with all my heart Suzannah could have witnessed my triumph, such as it was. However, it was probably because she wasn't there I.