The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 03
The Schoolmaster's Daughter by Suzan Lindsay Randle
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- 2. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 02
- 3. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 03
- 4. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 04
- 5. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 05
- 6. The Schoolmaster’s Daughter — Episode 06
LOUISA feared she’d never get to speak to Edith alone before bedtime. Aunt Charlotte was constantly bustling in and out of every room, it seemed.
Eventually, though, all that activity tired the older woman out and when she sat down in an easy chair in the drawing-room after dinner, her eyes soon closed and her chin rested on her lace collar.
The sisters took the opportunity to retire to the parlour to discuss their day.
“How are you feeling now, Edith, dear?”
Louisa asked. “Is your cold any better?”
Dark-haired Edith, two years younger than Louisa, still sounded a little hoarse as she spoke.
“I’m breathing more easily now and coughing less, thank you, so I believe I am on the mend. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to go with you to deliver the leaflets for the Jubilee fund. Do you think many will contribute?”
“Oh, yes, and you must come with me when we go to collect the money.” Louisa hesitated before she continued. “I did witness one disturbing scene – or, rather, I overheard it – in Knibb’s Bakery.”
“Go on.” Edith leaned forward, eager to hear more, and Louisa was pleased to see the rosiness was starting to return to her cheeks.
“I heard Mr Knibb in the bakehouse shouting at his apprentice, who I understand is called George. When he came into the shop, poor George looked quite unsettled.
“I do hope that Mr Knibb usually treats him well.”
Edith winced.
“He might be as cruel as the baker in London who has just been jailed for flogging his apprentice!” Louisa was horrified.
“How do you know that happened?”
“I read it in Papa’s newspaper. I was trying to relieve the boredom of being confined to the house.”
“I shouldn’t think Mr Knibb would go that far,” Louisa said.
She thought for a moment.
“Is our bread supplied by Knibb’s?”
She felt a jolt of shame to admit that she didn’t know who provided their daily essentials, but that was Aunt Charlotte’s department.
“I believe so,” Edith said. “It’s usually delivered by a young man with dark curly hair who wears a cloth cap and looks to be aged around nineteen or twenty. Is that who you mean?
“Oh, Louisa!” Edith was suddenly convulsed with laughter. “Have you taken a fancy to him? Just imagine Aunt Charlotte’s face when you tell her that you’re going to marry the baker’s apprentice!”
“Don’t be so ridiculous,” Louisa snapped, reddening.
Her tone softened as her sister’s burst of laughter turned into a fit of coughing.
“There, that’s what happens when you say such things. We lost dear Mama but we’re so fortunate to have such a kind papa. I just hope and pray that George also has a family that is kind to him.”
