Two Coins: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)

You shouldn't be here.

There are three voices in Two Coins: William Hastie, Mary Pigot, and James Wilson. Wilson doesn't control the narrative very often, but this segment is from his point of view. Mary Pigot decides that since Mr. Gillan is going to Scotland, she will go too. But now she's appeared in Mr. Wilson's room. She says she wants to have a picture of his room so she can share it with his wife when she visits Scotland. But a single woman alone with a married man for any reason isn't appropriate behavior in a Victorian missionary culture. A fact Miss Pigot should know but apparently doesn't. Why shouldn't friends visit? she asks. One can't help but wonder why she put Mr. Wilson and herself in such a questionable situation. Does she truly believe no one will find out, or care if they do? Is she really so careless?