Cinderella has never been asked this directly before and she does not know how to respond. Part of her wants to say yes, she is, but she does not wish for her stepmother or stepsisters to be turned out. Where would they go, exactly? Things are better as they are.

Then again, this place is far away from them. Perhaps it is safe to confide a very small bit.

"Things have not been good since my father died."