Chapter Text
She did have a favorite. Elizabeth could not deny it to herself, no matter how well she hid it from her exacting and overbearing mother. She preferred John Shaw with his strong ideas and his reserved ways, but by no means did she despise Jim Shaw's company.
She frequently had him over to the Taft household in John's absences, to share afternoons, books, and letters. Both of them cared for John and a good game of cards. He made her laugh, and she made him smile.
It was good to have the one near when the other was so far.