"Yes, ma'am." Ellie answered simply. "My name is Ellie, I mean Elinore Russell, Ma'am." again her answers were official. She did hope to get the job, and knowing her place - not to mention only speaking when spoken to - was part of what was expected of most domestics.

She was led past shelves packed with books to a sort of study area in the back.  There was a similar room in the house of her current employer.  A fluffy ball of a white cat just stared at her in judgement from a corner. Ellie was told to sit, her chair was well filled and covered in rich, dark fabric. Lovely to sit in and it was nice to be off her feet for a minute. Ellie sat as straight as a rod, hands folded demurely in her lap. Her lap! In her rush to leave the house, Ellie had not stopped to consider appearance.  Her uniform and hands were a dusty shade of grey from emptying the ash. What did the rest of her look like?

"I have been a maid of all work for a family in Argle Street for almost a year, Ma'am. Household duties, ironing, cleaning, some laundry, they have a cook, but I'm trying to learn that too."