The Butler, Harkening is Chapter 195 of the Kuroshitsuji manga.
Summary[]
Doll tells Finnian and Snake that when she arrived at Kelvin Manor, the building was already on fire and she was helpless and unable to save anyone. After she lost her "big brothers and sisters," the first-string troupe members, and their "father" and patron Kelvin, Doll returned to Noah's Ark Circus. Unfortunately, the circus could not survive without the first-string members. Afterward, Doll wandered around London and Bath before she ended up at F.O.L. Orphanage doing menial work. Doll notes that, though she might not look like it, she is great with children as she grew up in an orphanage. Snake agrees, remembering how she cared for him and newcomers in general at the circus.
Then, Doll asks Snake where he was as he disappeared from the circus one day; he did not even leave behind a note. Snake replies that he could not write back then and apologizes for vanishing. He is about to tell her that he joined the Phantomhive household when Wordsworth stops him, reminding him that Ciel and the others are wanted by the police. His other snakes come out as well and give their opinions: Wilde agrees with Wordsworth and points out that Doll might call the police, Keats urges Snake to be cautious as they are on a secret mission, and Emily believes that Doll can be trusted and might help them. Doll interrupts the exchange, asking Snake what he is mumbling. Snake glances at Finnian who shakes his head at him. He is about to respond to Doll's question when there is a noise outside.
Finnian, Doll, and Snake go to the kitchen to find out what is going on: The maids are in a hurry because there has been a change in the Pomeranian class program—lemon tart has replaced lemon drizzle cake in the afternoon tea menu. Now, they have to rush preparing the pastry and the lemon curd. Snake points out that both are lemon-flavored desserts and cannot be that different. The remark makes everyone in the kitchen halt and stare; one maid even lets a cake fall in shock. Doll turns to Snake, telling him that, while they are friends, she still cannot overlook his words because "this" is everything about them and the orphanage.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Doll
- Finnian
- Snake
- Snake's snakes
- Sebastian Michaelis (flashback only)
- Ciel Phantomhive (flashback only)