"I didn't mean to," Molly said. "I was trying to roll the dough and the door opened and the rolling pin hit her. That's what happened, honest."
"Molly, I told you not to touch anything while I was gone. You disobeyed me."
"Are you going to let Ugly Phyllis beat me now?"
"Of course not, sweetheart." Mama Becky reached into the cupboard to pull Molly out. "I want you to go home and think about what you've done. Later we'll go over so you can apologize to Phyllis."
"But Mama-"
"No buts, young lady. Now, go home and stay in your room until I come get you. But no playing dollies in there. Do you understand?" Molly nodded. Mama Becky kissed her on the forehead and then helped Molly into her coat. They stepped past the flattened remains of apples near the door.
"Are you still going to make pies?" Molly asked.
"Yes, but you aren't to have any." When Molly shouted in protest, Mama Becky glared down at her. "Maybe now you'll learn not to misbehave. Go on and we'll talk about this later."
She gently pushed Molly out into the snow and then closed the door. Molly ran towards the cottage, tears freezing in her eyes. It wasn't fair! This was all Ugly Phyllis's fault for being mean to her and then getting in the way of the rolling pin. She wouldn't apologize to Ugly Phyllis, not ever. Not even if Mama Becky offered her a piece of pie.
She threw herself onto her bed, pressing the dolly of Sir Francis to her chest. Someday he would come to save her from this awful place. He would gallop up on his white horse and rescue her just like in her stories. If only Aunt Samantha had let her go across the sea. Maybe then she could find him.