The next day the servants of the Bartleby estate awoke to a rather strange situation. Their Master no longer had the quiet, subdued air that he usually wore, but rather had quite the spring in his step. If that wasn’t strange enough, they also woke the sound of a hideous screaming coming from the nearby dog kennel. However, injuries at the kennel were quite common, due to the ferocity of the hounds that lived there, so they just took it in stride. They were also greeted to the new employee, the young man simply called ‘Jergens’. He was a somber fellow, walking through the halls with a vacant look in his eyes, as if he were in a stupefied trance.
As Bartleby dined on some pastries and tea for breakfast, one of his servants came into the room and whispered into his ear. “Master Bartleby, the missus is awake now. She wishes to see you.” Bartleby nodded and followed the man down the spacious halls, leading him to a grand doorway. The man knocked on the door promptly and called, “Lady Bartleby, the Master is here.”
The door opened a little and a young woman stood peeking through at them, a childish light in her eyes. She looked to be in her twenties, with long creamy brown hair. Her shining eyes widened in glee as she threw open the door and flung herself on Bartleby. “Big brother!” she cried, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his cheek. “Ah, hello Nip.” Bartleby returned her hug, petting her hair affectionately.
Nippers Bartleby was her full name, actually. She was the first born between the two and resented for the fact that she was female, and therefore unable to carry the family name. Bartleby was born soon after though and Nippers was just quietly swept under the rug, guilt prevented her from being completely wiped out, but shame kept her hidden. Unlike his parents, Bartleby loved his sister immensely. She was the only person that called him by his first name, not even his own parents did that.
