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Please put suggestions and comments relating to the ongoing Chapter below on the discussion page.

Points I've added to the general story:

• Ethelynn is a young local woman, and a new maid employed by Mr. Winter.
• The Cook was called away to her father before the storm and is not in the story.
• I've named Lady Margret "Janine" (although I considered Adell), unless there are objections.

Notes from Project Discussion Page!!

Right now I have written three pages, and I think that can be, if not enough perhaps for a chapter, then at least its a good start. Since I am not quite finished I won't post it on the project page yet, but I have put it in my user space. There are a number of things I would like to get comments on before "finalizing" the plot of the chapter (but, as I said, it is not done yet, I have a few more things to write).

Characters introduced:

• Sir Gregory H. Christopher, protagonist and retired major
• James "the Count" Winter, host and deceased
• Johanna, his daughter
• Adams, the butler
• Lord Margret, a physician
• Lady Janine Margret, his wife
• Corpral Marsden, a young soldier
• Lady Chetfield, anemic aristocrat
• Roger Penfield, long time friend of the Count
• Miss Inglewood, columnist

Are these acceptable to everyone? I'm happy to change them if they arn't. If you want to introduce new characters, please do so in flashbacks or something, because I snowed the manor in. I'll be writing for a few more hours and see if I can get it done, but I'd love some comments if anyone has the energy to read what I wrote. Oh, and again, I apologise for the language. Gkhan 18:13, Apr 4, 2005 (UTC)

What if we took the info above, claimed a chapter, wrote from one of the listed characters or additional character's POV (I'll be Ethelynn, the new upstairs maid), and then put it together and edit jointly for content and flow? Each character would tell about events before, the murder, and events after from their POV, then we would have different snapshots to work from. We could then jointly write the revelation of the murderer and the conclusion. Having the first chapter to work from would be important, however. How goes it, Gkhan? WBardwin 17:56, 28 May 2005 (UTC)

Ethelynn's Account

The neutrality of this story is in question. However this story isn’t meant to be neutral.

"Well, sir." The young woman wrapped her raw boned hands in a sacking dish cloth. "I'm new, you know....an I don't know much yet about the household an' nuthin' about the master's guests."

"Please sit down, Ethelynn." Christopher pointed to a chair. "We'll just talk about what happened that day and what you might have noticed. After all, you were about all day helping people."

"It was a busy day, sir. With the weather, an' Cook snowed out, an' all." Ethelynn sat on the edge of the red brocade seat. "But, I can't be long, sir. I just put the pies into the oven."

"I must tell you, Ethelynn, you have done a fine job with the food. Everything has been delicious."

"Thank you, sir. But, Cook, she did a job of stocking things up for the guests, and had many of the dishes already prepared. So, it has been easy to keep things goin'."

"Can you tell me what you remember the evening before the murder? Just what you did and what you saw?"

Ethelynn pulled the chair closer to the desk and leaned toward him. "Well, before Cook left to look in after her old father, she asked me to put on a clean apron and help Mr. Adams with the guests. So I was downstairs when the Lord an' Lady Margret arrived."

Ethelynn stood erectly against the left wall of the entry way while Adams answered the door. She straightened her apron, as the finely dressed lady strolled through the door and was followed by a gentleman carrying a worn leather bag. Adams helped the lady off with her fur coat and handed it to Ethelynn.

"Good evening, my Lady. My Lord." Adams said respectfully, before he closed the door behind them. "I'm glad you arrived safely in this storm. We've heard reports on the wireless that roads to the south are beginning to be closed."

"It is getting bad. I have good tires, but it was a near thing on occasion." Lord Margret gave his bag to Adams. "Please put this in my room, if you would. But easily to hand. It's my medical bag."

Adams passed the bag to Ethelynn. "Ethelynn will take it to your room while I gather in your luggage, my Lord. If you would like to freshen up after your journey, she will show you the way. We have prepared a light supper for you. And Mr. Winter and some of the guests are still in the livingroom, if you would like to join them."

"I would, thank you." Lord Margret turned to his wife. "If you would like to freshen up, my dear, I will pour you a drink. What would you like?"

"A glass of white wine, please." the Lady's voice was low and pleasant. "I'll join you in a few moments."

Lady Margret followed Ethelynn up the stairs to a room near the end of the hallway. Ethelynn opened her door for her, made a small bow, and went on to the next room. Setting the bag on the bedside table, she doublechecked the towels and soap next to the washbasin. Still holding the damp coat, she knocked on her Ladyship's door.

"Come in." The low voice carried through the heavy wood.

Ethelynn stepped just inside the door. "I'll be takin' your coat downstairs to air out the damp, if that's alright with you, my Lady."

Lady Janine Margret turned from the window. "Yes, that would be fine. Tell me, Evelyn, --is it? Did Miss Winter arrive safely from the United States?"

"Yes, Miss Johanna arrived the day before yesterday. And it's Ethelynn, my Lady, thank you."

"Ethelynn, of course. Thank you. I will be joining them downstairs for a few moments. Please let me know when the luggage has been unpacked."

Ethelynn made a small curtsy and closed the door behind her. She took the smaller staircase at the end of the hall to the lower floor. In the laundry area, she wiped the fur down with a small linen towel and carefully emptied the pockets into a rough fir box. The damp coat was carefully straightened on an appropriate sized hanger and left to slowly dry in the airy room.