Read Online The Workhouse Girl by Dilly Court - Free Book Online Page A

and fingers. Before she came to Wellclose Square she would never have considered that keeping house was such a nerve-racking task, but she was rapidly learning its dangers and pitfalls, although so far she had not broken anything.
    Dorcas lifted the sash and shook her duster out of the window. ‘At least the fog has cleared. It’s my afternoon off and I’m stepping out with my gentleman friend.’ She leaned out further. ‘There’s a lady knocking on the front door.’ She withdrew her head, turning to Sarah with a pleading look. ‘Run down and answer it, there’s a good girl. She looks like one of them church-going ladies who raise money for orphans and foundlings. The master always gives something; that’s why they make a beeline for this house.’
    â€˜Perhaps you ought to go,’ Sarah said nervously. ‘I wouldn’t know what to say.’
    â€˜I’ve got to get done or I’ll be late meeting Wally, and he’s a stickler for time. Just be polite and let her do the talking.’
    Sarah was glad to be relieved of the onerous task of dusting precious things, and she raced downstairs hoping that she could remember everything that Dorcas had taught her. She stopped to check her appearance in the wall mirror by the hallstand before opening the front door. A housemaid had to appear clean and tidy at all times; that was what Dorcas always said. She opened the door and her breath hitched in her throat when she saw who was standing on the pavement outside. Forgetting everything that Dorcas had taught her about how to behave in public she threw her arms around the startled visitor, almost knocking her over. ‘Miss Parfitt. You came to see me.’
    Disengaging herself from Sarah’s frantic grasp, Miss Parfitt straightened her bonnet, which had almost been knocked off in the embrace. ‘I had to come, Sarah, but my business is with Mrs Arbuthnot.’
    Sarah stared at her in amazement. ‘You know the mistress?’
    â€˜Not exactly, but she sent a message to the workhouse asking me to come here today, although she didn’t say why exactly.’ Miss Parfitt glanced over Sarah’s shoulder. ‘I think you’d better let me in, dear.’
    â€˜Oh, yes. I’m sorry. I’m not used to doing this. It’s Dorcas’s job really but she’s getting ready to go out and meet Wally, her gentleman friend.’ Sarah stepped aside. ‘I’ve forgotten what I’m supposed to do next. I’m so pleased to see you, miss.’
    â€˜And I you, Sarah. I think you ought to find Mrs Arbuthnot and tell her that I’m here.’
    â€˜I expect she’s in her parlour. That’s where she spends most of the time on Sundays after dinner. We all went to church this morning. Nettie and me went with Cook and Dorcas, and Mr and Mrs Arbuthnot went on ahead. They sat in the front pew and we was at the back of the church, but the singing wasn’t nearly as good as it was in the theatre last night.’
    Miss Parfitt smiled and her pansy-brown eyes danced with amusement. ‘I’d love to hear about it, dear. But I think you should knock on the parlour door and announce me. Then if Mrs Arbuthnot says so, you come and tell me she’ll see me, and show me into the room. Can you remember all that?’
    â€˜Of course I can.’ Controlling the urge to run, Sarah crossed the hall and knocked on the parlour door.
    â€˜Come in.’
    Sarah opened the door and went inside. ‘Miss Parfitt is here to see you, ma’am,’ she said, bobbing a curtsey.
    â€˜I was expecting her and I’m glad to see that she is on time. I hate unpunctuality. Show her in, please.’
    Sarah ushered Miss Parfitt into the parlour and closed the door on them. She had to resist the temptation to listen at the keyhole, but she had no intention of going below stairs until she had found out if her suspicions were correct. She