Page 2 of Lady for a Season
Maggie’s head was full of questions but one above all was now on her lips. “I am to leave the Hospital?”
“Yes.”
“For good?” Out into the world, all alone… a little flutter of fear ran through her.
Matron gave a small smile. “I know you have grown fond of the Hospital. It is all you can remember and all you have known. You have stayed with us beyond the usual time when you would have been sent out into the world. But this is a very great opportunity for you, Maggie, to be placed under the employ of a physician who ministers to the gentry and care for one of his private patients. I will be sorry to see you go, but I could not have asked for a better position for you.”
“Who is the patient? You said he is a gentleman?”
“It is all I know of him and all you will know of him, Maggie. Discretion is vital to the doctor in his line of work. You are not to gossip with the maids or villagers or speculate on who his family might be. You need only care for him and be grateful for your good fortune.”
“Yes, Matron.” She clenched her hands together, nerves rising.
“There will not be time to make you clothes, as we did not know you would be leaving so soon. But Tabitha has already sewn herself two dresses for when she joins the milliner to whom she has been apprenticed and she is close to your size. You can take hers and she can start again.”
“Where is the house where I will be working?”
“It is in a village named Harbury. In Warwickshire, to the north-west of London. It is more than eleven hours’ travel, so with the short days it will take a day and a half. The doctor has his own carriage. He will collect you tomorrow morning and take you there.”
Maggie tried not to gape. She had thought the doctor’s patient would be somewhere in London. Instead, she was to travel away from everything she knew to another county, one she knew nothing of.
Maggie followed Matron to the sewing room, where Tabitha was informed of what was planned.
“You will help Maggie pack,” said Matron. “I will send one of the boys to the dormitory with a trunk.”
“Yes, Matron,” said Tabitha.
“I’m sorry to be taking the dresses you made for yourself,” said Maggie when they were alone. “There is no time to make my own.”
Tabitha shook her head. “I have another two weeks before I begin at the milliner’s, I can make more.” She pulled out the two dresses she had made, identical grey wool, with long sleeves and high necks. “They’re very plain, but Matron said they are serviceable and that I should not seek to draw attention to myself.” She made a face.
“Perhaps when we are out in the world, we will be able to make dresses like the ones the benefactor ladies wear,” said Maggie, knowing full well that such elegance would always be beyond their means as servants and apprentices.
Tabitha giggled. “Imagine, all silks and lace, with flowers and ribbons on our bonnets.”
Between them they rapidly filled the small wooden trunk provided with Maggie’s meagre possessions: one of the dresses, a petticoat, two shifts, three day caps, two night caps, two bibs and aprons, and a pair of stockings.
On her bed Maggie laid out the clothes she would wear on the morrow: the other dress, a shift, a petticoat, stockings, and a cap.
Matron reappeared in the doorway. “These are also for you, Maggie.” She handed over a Bible and a folded letter on thickpaper. “Keep them in your trunk and turn to them should you need guidance in the world.”
“Yes, Matron,” said Maggie.
“Ooh it’s the letter everyone’s given when they leave the Hospital,” said Tabitha excitedly when Matron had gone. “Let’s read it. I wanted to see Mary-Anne’s, but she wouldn’t let me.”
They sat, heads together, and read the letter.
You are placed out as a servant by the Governors of this Hospital. You were taken into it very young, quite helpless, forsaken, poor and deserted. Out of Charity you have been fed, clothed and instructed; which many have wanted.
You have been taught to fear God; to love him, to be honest, careful, laborious and diligent. As you hope for Success in this World and Happiness in the next, you are to be mindful of what has been taught you. You are to behave honestly, justly, soberly and carefully, in every thing to every body, and especially towards your Master and his Family and to execute all lawful commands with Industry, Cheerfulness and good Manners.
You may find many temptations to do wickedly, when you are in the world; but by all means fly from them. Always speak the Truth. Though you may have done a wrong thing, you will, by sincere Confession, more easily obtain Forgiveness, than if by an obstinate Lie you make the fault the greater, and thereby deserve a far greater Punishment. Lying is the beginning of everything that is bad; and a Person used to it is never believed, esteemed or trusted.
Be not ashamed that you were bred in this Hospital. Own it; and say, that it was through the good Providence ofAlmighty God, that you were taken Care of. Bless Him for it.
Be constant in your Prayers and going to Church; and avoid Gaming, Swearing and all evil Discourses. By this means the Blessing of God will follow your honest Labours, and you may be happy; otherwise you will bring upon yourself Misery, Shame and Want.
It did not make for cheerful reading, the dire warnings making Maggie more nervous rather than less, and even Tabitha looked dispirited.
