Emily by Valerie Wood

difficult to do my work.’
    ‘And I suppose she had a tantrum if she couldn’t have you with her, was that it?’
    ‘Yes, ma’am.’
    ‘I see that this letter which was sent ahead of you comes from Mr Francis, not my cousin. Why is that, do you think?’ She stared from small brown eyes at Emily.
    It was rather strange, Emily agreed, but she answered, ‘I didn’t see much of Mrs Francis, ma’am. I – I don’t think she was well, and Mr Francis gave me employment in the first place,’ she added.
    ‘Hm. Well, I wouldn’t be in good health either if I’d had a son and daughter like hers.’ She considered Emily. ‘Turn around, girl, let me have a look at you.’
    Emily swivelled slowly around for inspection.
    ‘You’re young and your clothes are dreadful,’ Mrs Purnell commented. ‘But you’re neat and your manners are good, so I suppose I can soon shape you. I’ll give you a month’s trial and see how you fare. My other maid had to leave – got into trouble with some fellow.’ She shook her finger at Emily. ‘I’m quite lenient, but I don’t stand for that kind of thing, not with my servants. Still,’ she continued to gaze at Emily, ‘you’re too young yet for that sort of behaviour. Be a good girl and I’m sure we’ll get on.’
    ‘You’re rather young for a lady’s maid,’ Mrs Anderson the housekeeper sniffed, on being told she was to be employed. ‘And why ’mistress has to choose country girls, I really don’t know. They don’t know ’first thing about style or fashion. Can you sew?’ she said abruptly.
    ‘Yes.’ Emily was apprehensive. The atmosphere in this kitchen was quite different from the one atElmswell Manor, which was ruled by Mrs Castle and Mrs Brewer in a strict but fair manner. Here Cook lazed by the fire with a glass of ale in her hand and her table was littered with cooking utensils which no-one was attempting to clear. ‘I have to do general work as well,’ she explained. ‘Mrs Purnell said so, until I’m properly trained.’
    Mrs Anderson seemed pacified by this and took Emily to the top of the house, where she was shown into a boxlike room beneath the eaves. ‘This is where the other maid slept, it’s ’only room left so it’s no use complaining.’
    I wasn’t going to, Emily thought. There doesn’t seem much point. The bed was narrow and pushed up against the wall, leaving just enough room for a small chest of drawers on which there was a jug and bowl for washing and a candle holder with a stub of candle in it; above the bed was an embroidered text with the words: ‘ A Servant Girl’s Prayer. Dear Lord, make me Chaste and Penitent. Make me Obedient and Dutiful to my Master’s Wishes and Desires. Amen .’
    ‘Do I share with anyone?’ she asked, hoping the answer would be no. There was hardly room for one let alone two people.
    ‘No. This is yours, so keep it clean and tidy. And no visitors allowed, especially not male!’ She lowered her voice. ‘I don’t believe in maids having a room to themselves. It’s better that they share, then there’s always somebody who knows what they’re getting up to.’
    Emily stared uncomprehendingly. ‘I’m very tidy,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know anybody who would call.’
    Mrs Anderson turned to leave. ‘Not yet you don’t, but you will.’ She stopped and looked again at Emily. ‘With that pretty face you’ll soon have a host of admirers, so keep them at arm’s length. Especially ’gentry,’ she added darkly, ‘they’re worse than anybody.’
    There appeared to be only Mrs Purnell living in the house, with a cook, a housekeeper, two kitchen maids and two housemaids, Dolly and Susan, to look after her, and Arnold, who drove the gig when Mrs Purnell went calling and who fetched and carried in a general kind of way. But Mrs Purnell loved to entertain and a constant stream of visitors came for luncheon or supper, when they played backgammon or crib.
    ‘If you think we’re busy now,’ Dolly