The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey Read Free Book Online

who could, all too readily, become the plaything of someone in the family. It was hard enough to keep a girl away from the trouble that came from fellow servants and farmworkers; at least there she could presumably be relied on to have enough common sense not to fall into a haymow and into pregnancy unless there was a wedding in the offing. But a pretty girl had no defenses against a predatory master. As a sheltered girl of a wealthy family, Elena had known nothing of such things; as one of the lowly servants, she had learned a great deal. Madame’s servants gossiped constantly, and it hadn’t been long before they were ignoring her as so unimportant that it was safe to gossip in front of her.
    For the rest of those possible employers, though, she could not even begin to guess why they passed her by. It wasn’t that she was expecting too much; in fact, she could have asked far more than the wages of a maid-of-all-work. The lowest wages, all that she asked for, were set by law; she was a plain cook and general housemaid, and she should get a shilling a week, two suits of clothing (or household uniform), bed and board and twice a year, a three-day holiday. So why were so many people looking at her, taking a second look, then passing on to choose someone else? It became harder to understand as the noontime came, and thestrongest, brightest-looking, and most competent of the other girls were chosen, leaving her clearly the best of the lot available.
    At noon, a boy with a bucket came along the line with water. Elena took out her sandwiches and the least chipped of the mugs, and got a drink. The bread was dry on the outside, but she had used all of the butter on the inside, and it was no worse a meal than many she’d had under Madame.
    By now, the sun was very warm, and she loosened the neck of her blouse a little, fanning herself with her dust rag; she would be glad when the shadows of the shop-buildings to the west would fall on her and the others still waiting.
    Now those who were examining the women and girls moved down the line more slowly, examining the candidates with great care, for the choices were fewer. And now, something peculiar was happening.
    These people looked her in the eyes, and looked away. One or two stopped, and asked her name after she had recited her qualifications. “Elena Klovis,” she said, and after a moment of blankness, they would say, as if to themselves, “Ah—Ella Cinders.” Then they would shake their heads and move on.
    Finally, the explanation came, after a harried-looking woman seized on the sight of the old nursemaid with relief and a cry of “Oh, Nanny Parkin! I did not know you would be here!” The old woman quickly made an advantageous bargain for herself, but then turned to Elena just before leaving the line.
    â€œI didn’t want to blight your hopes, dearie,” NannyParkin said, in the kindliest of tones, “but no one will hire you.”
    â€œBut—” Elena stammered.
    â€œThey know who you are, you see,” the old woman continued. “Everyone knows Ella Cinders now. Those that didn’t know your tale surely do now, after what happened yesterday. No one wants to face Madame Klovis when she returns. They know she’ll return, and there won’t be anything left here of value when the creditors are finished but you. You see? She’ll want you, she’ll have some rights to you, and if someone else has you, there will be the devil to pay.”
    And she picked up her own bundle, and followed her new employer. Elena stared after her in shock and dismay. And when she glanced over at some of the others in the line, she saw nods—or else, averted gazes.
    She almost gave up. But—
    No, she decided. No, I will not give up. There are still farmers here, and merchants, and maybe they need someone. They won’t be able to make a choice until their goods are sold and their purchases made. I will stay.