Lucretia burst through the front door of her house with a wide grin and practically flew up the stairs. Her mother, Mrs. Angelica, was carrying a basket of laundry to the living room when she noticed her daughter’s unusual energy.

“Lucretia?” she called up the stairs, half-surprised, half-amused. “You seem in quite a rush. Good news from school?”

But Lucretia was already out of sight, likely rummaging through her closet, and didn’t answer. Mrs. Angelica chuckled and ...