Lois Menzel Read Online Free

seamstresses and teaching French as well. In return you are receiving room and board. You should be receiving a wage besides. And another thing. Have you not wondered why it is that your aunt has not discovered any position for you?”
    “I’m certain she is doing her best.”
    “I would not be so sure. Why should she try when it works to her advantage to keep you here with her?”
    Anne refused to believe her aunt was exploiting her, but Ruth had planted the seeds of doubt. When next an opportunity arose, Anne asked her aunt if she had heard of any companion positions.
    “As a matter of fact, my dear, I have. My friend Sally Shelton told me of an acquaintance of hers who is seeking a companion. I have written a note to the lady and am waiting to hear from her. There is also old Mrs. Humbel who lives just down the street. Her companion is engaged to be married, and will no doubt be leaving her soon. I thought I would speak with Mrs. Humbel about you. I must admit, however, that I have been wondering if you would consider staying on here with us. During these weeks we have come to regard you as one of the family. The girls are so fond of you, too.”
    This was the very invitation Anne had been hoping to hear since the day she arrived at the Hodders’. Now that it had finally been offered her, she hesitated to accept. She had nothing truly critical to say of her aunt and uncle, nor of the treatment she had received since coming to live with them. Yet somehow she knew she could not continue with them indefinitely. She could not envision herself as the inveterate poor relation. If she could secure a position, she would earn her own wage, and even though she knew it would not be much—it would be hers.
    Back in the schoolroom, monogramming a handkerchief for her Uncle Hodder, she asked Ruth, “What is a seamstress paid, do you think?”
    “I imagine very little. But I once knew a skilled language tutor who earned fifty pounds a year—and that was only for one student, one language. You also know German and Latin.”
    “But I am a woman,” Anne replied. “I cannot seek a position as a tutor.”
    “If your aunt should arrange an interview for you,” Ruth asked, “what will you wear?”
    “My blue gown is the best I have.”
    Her friend frowned. “Do you think you could justify some new lace or ribbon? A bit of trim would improve it dramatically, I think.” When Anne looked doubtful, Ruth hurried on. “I am taking Victoria to some of the shops this afternoon. Come with us and see what you can find. Who can say? You may discover something quite reasonable.”
    Several hours later the three strolled down Oxford Street to its junction with Bond Street. A walk of less than half a mile brought them to the shops south of Grafton. While Ruth and Victoria stopped at Asprey’s, drawn in by a handsome dressing case in the window that Victoria admired, Anne went on a few doors to a milliner’s that offered, among other goods, a large variety of dress trimming.
    She had little money left and was loath to part with it, knowing that when it was gone, she had no way to replace it. Yet somehow the thought of being forever dependent on her relatives outweighed her reticence, and she looked over the goods with interest. She would refurbish the blue gown as Ruth suggested and try to look her best as she sought a position.
    She selected some wide ribbon, reasonably priced, she felt, for the quality. She decided to buy enough to put two full rows at the hem of her gown. Remembering that her bonnet ribbon was much worn, she chose a length for that as well, concluding her purchases with two straw flowers to tuck under the band to add a bit of color. A woman at the counter cut the ribbon lengths she requested, then wrapped Anne’s goods in a small bundle. After paying for her purchases, Anne smiled pleasantly then turned to leave. Before she had taken even one step, the woman behind the counter spoke, loudly enough for all the customers