The Workhouse Girl by Dilly Court Read Free Book Online Page B

knowing what to do next.
    â€˜Come over here and sit on the stool beside me. I want to talk to you.’ She waited until Sarah was seated. ‘Dorcas tells me that you’ve been helping her this morning.’
    â€˜Yes, ma’am.’
    â€˜I’m not sure that such heavy work is suitable for a girl of your age.’
    â€˜I’m nearly ten, ma’am. And I’m used to working hard.’
    â€˜Yes, I know, and it bothers me. I think a child of your age ought to be in school, even if you are a girl.’
    â€˜I can read and write, ma’am.’
    â€˜And my husband tells me that you can recite some Shakespeare.’
    â€˜Yes, ma’am.’
    â€˜Well, that is a talent in itself. You obviously have a retentive memory and I think you ought to have more schooling.’
    â€˜You’re not going to send me away, are you?’
    â€˜No, Sarah. I intend to find a teacher who will give you at least two hours each morning, except Sundays, of course.’
    â€˜Miss Parfitt.’
    â€˜I beg your pardon?’
    â€˜I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but she taught us at the workhouse. Miss Parfitt is lovely.’
    â€˜That’s all very well, but it’s unlikely that she’ll be available. However, I’ll see what I can do, and in the meantime you will continue to help Dorcas. I’ll make certain that she gives you some of the lighter chores around the house.’
    Realising that she had been dismissed, Sarah stood up but she did not leave the room immediately. She hesitated, twisting her hands together as she struggled to find the right words. Mrs Arbuthnot looked up from her sewing, her eyebrows raised. ‘Have you got a question, Sarah?’
    â€˜Yes’m. What about Nettie? Will she have lessons too?’
    Mrs Arbuthnot frowned. ‘I think she’s probably had all the education she will need in life, but you may send her to me. I’ll have a word with Nettie.’
    When Nettie returned to the kitchen she was looking distinctly downhearted. ‘I’ve got to help Dorcas and do everything she says. I might as well be back in the blasted workhouse.’
    â€˜Language,’ Cook said crossly. ‘You should think yourself lucky to be here.’
    â€˜I suppose I am, but I don’t want to be a servant all me life.’
    â€˜But it’s lovely here,’ Sarah protested. ‘You know it is, Nettie. We got a comfy bed and three square meals a day.’
    â€˜It won’t make me rich, though.’ Nettie slumped down at the table. ‘No one got rich by cleaning privies and humping coal. Anyway, it’s all right for you. You’re going to have lessons and learn to be a young lady.’
    Cook reached across the table and smacked Nettie’s hand with a wooden spoon. ‘That’s for grumbling when you got no cause. I was going to take you and Sarah to Wilton’s music hall on Saturday night as a special treat, but I’ve changed my mind now.’
    Nettie leapt to her feet and rushed round the table to hug Cook. ‘I didn’t mean it. I was just being a grump. Please, please take us to the theatre, Cook. I never been to one in me life and I’m dying to see what it’s like.’
    â€˜Oh, please,’ Sarah whispered, clasping her hands together. ‘Please forgive Nettie. She don’t mean a word of it really. She’s ever so grateful to the master and mistress and to you and Dorcas and even Betty.’
    Betty popped her head out of the scullery. ‘Who called me name?’
    â€˜No one,’ Cook said hastily. ‘Get back to your work, silly girl.’ She waited until Betty was splashing about in the stone sink. ‘She’s not all there, poor little soul. We’ll settle her down with a drop of Hollands when we go to the theatre. She’ll sleep by the fire and Dorcas will keep an eye on her.’
    Sarah and Nettie were both in a state of