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Authors: Tracie Peterson
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five-thirty tomorrow morning.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Beatrix said and curtsied. “I’ll be lookin’ forward to it.”
Catherine awoke early the next morning and immediately sought out Mrs. Clarkson. The woman was struggling with her hair and was happy to admit Catherine when she offered to help.
“I wondered if we might talk about one of the girls,” Catherine said as she combed the woman’s brown curls into order.
“But of course. Is there a problem?”
“No. Not exactly,” Catherine said. She wound the thick mass into a bun, as was Mrs. Clarkson’s manner. “I learned yesterday that Beatrix’s only meal of the day was the luncheon she shared with us here.”
“Oh dear. That will never do.”
“I thought not as well. I asked her to start joining us for breakfast and to put in more hours. She’s very talented. More so than any young woman we’ve yet employed.”
“I doubt that she’s more talented than you, my dear.”
Catherine felt her cheeks grow hot as she secured Mrs.
Clarkson’s hair. “I would not venture to say, ma’am. However, I would like to suggest something in Beatrix’s regard.”
Catherine stepped back as Mrs. Clarkson secured a mobcap over her head. Although fewer women favored such adornment, Mrs. Clarkson preferred it over other alternatives. “What is your proposal?” her employer questioned. “
I would like to suggest Beatrix move into the house. She hasn’t the same disdain or fears that Lydia has. In fact, she actually counts the days until she can come here to live. Her family, as you know, shares a three-room apartment. There are nine of them and all of the children share one room. We have plenty of room. There is still the empty bed in Martha and Dolley’s room.”
“I think the idea of her living here is perfectly acceptable.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. I suppose given Lydia’s unhappiness here, I was just as glad to have Beatrix remain at home. However, if she would not mind living here, then it would benefit us all. We will announce it this morning at breakfast. How delightful. I’m sure she will be very happy.”
“I’m quite sure she will be as well,” Catherine replied. She started to leave, but Mrs. Clarkson stopped her.
“I must say, Mrs. Danby seemed quite pleased with your designs. She has offered to pay a great sum for the gowns.”
“She also hopes that you will not allow any other gown to be made from the same fabric,” Catherine said, remembering the woman’s request.
“For that price, I am certain we can oblige. I did want to make certain you weren’t feeling overwhelmed with the work. Have you taken on too many designs?”
Catherine considered the matter for a moment. “No, though I believe we will have more than enough work for everyone. We might want to consider hiring outside workers to do some of the base work and free up the ladies here to do the detail and trimming.”
“I am sure you are right about needing additional help. With the growing number of gowns we must create by early December, it would behoove me to take this matter quite seriously.” The clock on her mantel chimed half past five. “Oh dear, we are late.”late.”
They made their way down the stairs and took their places at the already full table. Beatrix sat between Lydia and Martha and chatted amiably with each girl as they waited for Mrs. Clarkson to bless the food.
Catherine sat down between Felicia and Martha, the aroma of cinnamon apples causing her to realize her hunger. A quick prayer of thanks was offered and then Selma came in with a large bowl of gravy, while Dugan followed with an equally large platter of biscuits.
“Ladies, I have an announcement to make,” Mrs. Clarkson declared as the girls began reaching for the items already on the table. “I have decided to ask our Beatrix to join us here at the sewing house.” Beatrix looked up at the woman in stunned silence. Mrs. Clarkson continued. “I know it is not often
“Yes, ma’am,” Beatrix said and curtsied. “I’ll be lookin’ forward to it.”
Catherine awoke early the next morning and immediately sought out Mrs. Clarkson. The woman was struggling with her hair and was happy to admit Catherine when she offered to help.
“I wondered if we might talk about one of the girls,” Catherine said as she combed the woman’s brown curls into order.
“But of course. Is there a problem?”
“No. Not exactly,” Catherine said. She wound the thick mass into a bun, as was Mrs. Clarkson’s manner. “I learned yesterday that Beatrix’s only meal of the day was the luncheon she shared with us here.”
“Oh dear. That will never do.”
“I thought not as well. I asked her to start joining us for breakfast and to put in more hours. She’s very talented. More so than any young woman we’ve yet employed.”
“I doubt that she’s more talented than you, my dear.”
Catherine felt her cheeks grow hot as she secured Mrs.
Clarkson’s hair. “I would not venture to say, ma’am. However, I would like to suggest something in Beatrix’s regard.”
Catherine stepped back as Mrs. Clarkson secured a mobcap over her head. Although fewer women favored such adornment, Mrs. Clarkson preferred it over other alternatives. “What is your proposal?” her employer questioned. “
I would like to suggest Beatrix move into the house. She hasn’t the same disdain or fears that Lydia has. In fact, she actually counts the days until she can come here to live. Her family, as you know, shares a three-room apartment. There are nine of them and all of the children share one room. We have plenty of room. There is still the empty bed in Martha and Dolley’s room.”
“I think the idea of her living here is perfectly acceptable.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. I suppose given Lydia’s unhappiness here, I was just as glad to have Beatrix remain at home. However, if she would not mind living here, then it would benefit us all. We will announce it this morning at breakfast. How delightful. I’m sure she will be very happy.”
“I’m quite sure she will be as well,” Catherine replied. She started to leave, but Mrs. Clarkson stopped her.
“I must say, Mrs. Danby seemed quite pleased with your designs. She has offered to pay a great sum for the gowns.”
“She also hopes that you will not allow any other gown to be made from the same fabric,” Catherine said, remembering the woman’s request.
“For that price, I am certain we can oblige. I did want to make certain you weren’t feeling overwhelmed with the work. Have you taken on too many designs?”
Catherine considered the matter for a moment. “No, though I believe we will have more than enough work for everyone. We might want to consider hiring outside workers to do some of the base work and free up the ladies here to do the detail and trimming.”
“I am sure you are right about needing additional help. With the growing number of gowns we must create by early December, it would behoove me to take this matter quite seriously.” The clock on her mantel chimed half past five. “Oh dear, we are late.”late.”
They made their way down the stairs and took their places at the already full table. Beatrix sat between Lydia and Martha and chatted amiably with each girl as they waited for Mrs. Clarkson to bless the food.
Catherine sat down between Felicia and Martha, the aroma of cinnamon apples causing her to realize her hunger. A quick prayer of thanks was offered and then Selma came in with a large bowl of gravy, while Dugan followed with an equally large platter of biscuits.
“Ladies, I have an announcement to make,” Mrs. Clarkson declared as the girls began reaching for the items already on the table. “I have decided to ask our Beatrix to join us here at the sewing house.” Beatrix looked up at the woman in stunned silence. Mrs. Clarkson continued. “I know it is not often
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