Anne Douglas by The Handkerchief Tree Read Free Book Online Page B

self-service – Miss Bryce’s latest idea – where a queue was already forming.
    ‘Here they come!’ cried Archie Smith, pushing people out of the way so that the girls could set down their burdens. ‘Make way, let the lassies get through!’
    ‘No need to push folk like that!’ Mr Glegg shouted at him, but Archie, tall, cocky and looking ready to leave for work already, only grinned.
    ‘Sorry, sir!’ he cried. ‘Only trying to help, but the lassies have to get back for more sausages, you see.’
    ‘I’m bringing ’em in now!’ Mavis Maxwell called, carrying in another great platter. ‘Honestly, the fuss you laddies make about sausages—!’
    ‘Our favourite!’ one of the boys said. ‘Should have ’em every day!’
    It was some time before Cassie and Shona could sit down for their own meal and Cassie was able to say more about her new place.
    ‘Seemingly, Shona, it’s a wealthy businessman who’s the owner of this house in Hermitage Circle, and then there’s his wife and three children, all at school. There’s a butler and two footmen, a cook and kitchen staff, two parlour maids and three house maids – at least, there should be three, but one’s left, and that’s the job that’s going.’ Cassie, almost too excited to get her words out, paused to eat some mashed potato. ‘I’ll be an under house maid, but they give you training, you see, and then you can move up.’
    ‘And this job’s yours for definite, is it?’ asked Shona.
    ‘Well, they want to see me, but Miss Bryce says they’re willing to take me on her recommendation. They feel it’s the right thing to do, you ken, to help orphans get jobs.’
    Shona was silent for a moment. ‘Should be all right,’ she said at last. ‘If it’s what you want. Big house, plenty of people to work with and get to know.’
    ‘And who’ll get to know me! I’ll have a home and all my meals, two print dresses a year and two black with apron and cap, and wages, of course.’
    ‘Did Miss Bryce say how much?’
    ‘No’ bad,’ Cassie answered carefully. ‘Twenty-six pounds a year. The going rate – maybe a bit more.’
    ‘Lucky you’ve got all found, as they say, or you wouldn’t have much to spend.’
    ‘You don’t need much. Oh, Shona, I think you should consider it – I mean, being in service. You’d be a parlour maid in no time!’
    Not if I know anything about it, thought Shona, rising.
    ‘The others’ll be collecting these plates any minute – we’d better go and get the puddings, Cassie.’
    ‘Will you no’ think about it, then?’
    ‘I haven’t been told to see Miss Bryce yet.’
    ‘Your birthday’s next month. I reckon you’ll be called pretty soon. You’ll have to think out what you’re going to say.’
    ‘Leave that to me,’ Shona answered, wondering just when she would be called.
    She didn’t have long to wait. Two days later she was asked to report to the superintendent’s office when she came home from school. Hastily combing her hair and straightening her dress, she caught Cassie’s arm.
    ‘Wish me luck,’ she whispered.
    ‘Och, you’ll no’ need it. You’ll be fine.’
    Shaking her head, Shona made her way to Miss Bryce’s office and tapped on the door.
    ‘Come in!’ came the familiar, firm voice. And Shona went in.

Thirteen
    There were the clear grey eyes fixed on her again, giving the impression, as they always did, that they could see right into her mind to read her thoughts. Everyone said that about Miss Bryce; it was never any use trying to hide things from her. But this time, just for once, she might be in for a surprise, Shona decided, for she would never expect one of her girls to refuse to go into service.
    ‘Come and sit down, Shona,’ Miss Bryce told her now, indicating the chair in front of her desk. ‘You’ll know why I want to see you, of course. Just a chat about your future.’
    ‘Yes, Miss Bryce, I know.’
    ‘I always like to talk to those leaving us to make sure they